SDQ1 PRO Owner's Manual 2012 Congratulations on your purchase of a handwired SDQ1 amplifier and thank you for choosing Quinnamp to help you bring you some musical joy to life. Please read and keep this manual for future reference. Signal Path: /BYPASS\ /BYPASS\ INPUT - CLEAN - OVERDRIVE - BUFFERED LOOP > OUTPUT /BYPASS\ (FX SEND - FX RETURN) SDQ1 PRO Front Panel: 1
Preamp Section: PREAMP-The Preamp section sets up your input gain and basic clean tone. INPUT JACK- High Impedance input will not load pickups and is extremely pedal friendly. VOLUME-Sets the input Volume strength (or Signal Gain) and is active for both Clean and Overdrive channels. Note: If set too low you may not have a pleasing OD sound. If set too high your cleans might not be clean enough. Generally set for the "sweet spot" which is noon to 2 O'clock Strat's and other guitars with single coil pickups tend to favor a higher setting. That said breaking rules is ok too. One can use this control to push the clean channel into some tones reminiscent of small powered tweed amps pushed over the edge. Pull to enagage a brighter tone. TREBLE- Sets level of higher band frequencies. Pull to engage a lower gain "Jazz" mode. Note that jazz mode is effectively defeated when using the preamp boost. MIDDLE- Sets level of middle band frequencies. Pull to engage a mid boost. BASS-Sets the level of low band frequencies. Turn this control all the way "OFF" (till it clicks) to engage the Preamp Boost. 2
We offer two types of Preamp Boost. A switch on the back selects which type is active. This feature can also be engaged via the Preamp Boost button on the footswitch. (Please See the REAR PANEL & OTHER FEATURES sections of this manual for more details.) Overdrive Section: OVERDRIVE SECTION- controls set the basic gain and volume levels of the Overdrive Channel. OVERDRIVE-This control sets the amount of overdrive when using the OVERDRIVE channel. Lower settings yield cleaner overdriven tones. Higher settings will overdrive more. Keep in mind that the VOLUME control in the PREAMP SECTION also affects how much signal gain from the CLEAN CHANNEL is being cascaded into the OVERDRIVE CHANNEL. If set too low you may not have a pleasing OD sound. If set too hig your cleans might not be clean enough. Again the "sweet spot" is generally noon to 2 O'clock. VOLUME- This control sets adjusts the Volume of the OVERDRIVE CHANNEL. Use this to balance the volume of the Overdrive Channel with the Clean Channel With no footswitch plugged in you can pull this control to turn off the OVERDRIVE CHANNEL and engage the CLEAN CHANNEL. With the footswitch plugged in set this control to appropriate level and use footswitch to toggle between CLEAN & OVERDRIVE CHANNELS. Master Section: 3
MASTER-This is the Master Volume control for the amplifier. This control is mostly of use when bypassing the entire EFFECTS LOOP. Once you have set the volume balance between the CLEAN CHANNEL and the OVERDRIVE CHANNEL this control then is used to raise or attenuate your amps volume without affecting gain staging and balance of channels. When using the EFFECTS LOOP this control is generally best set somewhere around noon to 2 O'Clock and using the FX RETURN control as your Master Volume control. This is especially true when playing at lower volumes. This control has a more natural sound when turned low as opposed to the MASTER. Pull the MASTER control to engage a brighter tone. FX RETURN-When the effects loop is engaged this control is the last gain leveling control before the power amp. As such, when the loop is engaged, this control is to be used as the Global Master Volume control. The typical MASTER should be set somewhere between noon and 2 O'clock for best tone. Pull the FX RETURN control to change the effects loop from a serial to a parallel loop. When doing so the FX SEND (See SDQ Pro Rear Panel, Effects Loop Controls for more details) functions as a MIX control. Adjust the FX SEND for a suitable blend of dry (uneffected signal) and wet (effected signal). Fully CCW on the FX SEND control is the dry side. Fully CW on the FX SEND control is the wet side. When using the EFFECTS LOOP in parallel mode the MASTER control can be used to set the level of signal sent to the effects in the EFFECTS LOOP and to the dry side of the SEND/MIX control. PRESENCE CONTROLS-These controls set the overall presence of the power amp section of your SDO. This control works by feeding back frequencies to the power amp, reducing low end response, and adding emphasis to mid and high end frequencies. Acts somewhat like a tone control for the power 4
amp. Useful to tune the overall brightness and response of the amp. The Quinnamp SDQ1 Pro features two PRESENCE controls and two phase inverters. One is known as the Skyliner PI &PRESENCE control. This PI &PRESENCE control generates the typical smoother, cleaner output D-style amps are known for. The other is known as the Bluesmaster PI and PRESENCE control. This Bluesmaster PI & PRESENCE generates a crunchier, higher output with an emphasis on harmonic content. Gives the amp some British flavor. Selection of which control is active is done via the 3 position STANDBY switch on the Rear Panel. Putting the STANDBY switch in the up position activates the Skyliner PI & PRESENCE control. Putting the STANDBY switch in the down position activates the Bluesmaster PI & PRESENCE control. Putting the STANDBY switch in the middle position puts the amp in STANDBY MODE. See SDQ1 Pro Rear Panel, Standby Switch and Wattage Selector Switch for more information. SDQ1 Pro Rear Panel: IEC Module: IEC Module contains the main power switch, power cord inlet connector and the fuse drawer. To access the fuse(s) use a small flat blade screwdriver in the notch at the bottom of the power cord 5
inlet connector, the drawer is then pulled outward. The IEC Module can accept both large (3AG footprint) or smaller European (5mm X 20mm) fuses. A time delay variety (SLO-BLO) is recommended. A 5 amp fuse is recommended for domestic use (110 125 VAC) and 2.5 amps should be used for Export use (220 240 VAC). The fuse drawer can be rotated on some export models for voltage selection, make sure the correct value fuse is located on the same side of the fuse drawer as the desired selection arrow. Line up the appropriate arrow on the fuse drawer with the arrow on the bottom right of the module for the proper VAC selection. Standby Switch & Wattage Selector Switch: STANDBY-This switch allows the tubes to warm up before applying operating power to the amplifier and also selects which PI and PRESENCE controls are active. The up position selects the Skyliner PI & PRESENCE control. The down position selects the Bluesmaster PI & PRESENCE control. (See SDQ1 Pro Front Panel, Master Section, PRESENCE CONTROLS for more details.) Wait 45 seconds to 1 minute after powering on the mains before moving it to up or down position. For improved tube life and performance do not leave the amplifier in the middle STANDBY position for longer than 20 minutes (Best to leave it in operate mode during performance intermissions). Bias Section: 6
Bias Adjustment and Bias Test Point Allows external access for bias adjustment (see bias procedure in the Maintenance section). Speaker Output Section: Speaker Jacks The MAIN and EXT jacks are wired in parallel. NOTE! The MAIN jack MUST HAVE A SPEAKER CONNECTED, AT ALL TIMES, TO AVOID PERMANENT AMPLIFIER AND OUTPUT TUBE DAMAGE! Impedance Selector 4, 8, 16 - Set this control to the total impedance of all attached speakers. Effects Loop Controls: 7
Effects (FX) loop-the buffered effects loop in your SDO amplifier will easily drive pedal or rack effects units. SEND/MIX-Sets the amount of signal fed to the Effects Loop. Use this control to get maximum signal to your effects without signal clipping. Works great for both pedal and rack effects. When not using any effects in the loop set this control to noon for unity gain throughput. When in Parallel Mode this control acts as a wet and dry MIX control. (See SDQ1 Pro Front Panel, Master Section FX RETURN for more details.) When the SEND/MIX control is turned to the CLICK (Off) position the entire effects loop and buffering circuit, not just the effects between the jacks, is 100%bypassed. This is useful if you wish to use an outboard effects loop or to feed the amp a signal from another preamp that has a buffered send. Safety Warning! Be cautious before turning the SEND/MIX control to the CLICK (off) position and turn down the MASTER control first! Otherwise an unexpected volume jump may occur which could potentially cause damage to your hearing. Please protect your hearing and head this warning! SEND Jack-The send jack connects to the input of the first external effects device in the effect chain. RETURN Jack-The return jack connects to the output of the last external effects device in the effect chain. LOOP BYPASS-When engaged via footswitch (available by request, see OTHER FEATURES, FOOTSWITCH-for more details.) the FX SEND jack, the FX RETURN Jack, and all effects between 8
them are bypassed while the buffering circuit is still active. This allows you to bypass all effects in the effects loop while retaining the same volume, tone and signal polarity as when it is active. This is assuming all effects in the loop are unity gain, not boosting nor attenuating signal gain. Footswitch Jack, Boost Type & Attack: FOOTSWITCH JACK- This is a standard 180 degree 5 pin DIN jack for footswitch connection. A pinout diagram is included on the rear panel for referencing when connecting to automated switching devices and/or conversion boxes, altering footswitch functionality, and service troubleshooting. ATTACK SWITCH-This switch selects either the Open or Smooth mode. SMOOTH-This setting employs a local negative feedback loop within the preamp which brings a little compression and reduces some low end content. OPEN-This setting use no NFB loop within the preamp and has a full open sound. OTHER FEATURES: FOOTSWITCH- A three function Footswitch (CLEAN/OVERDRIVE, PREAMP BOOST, MID BOOST ) is included with the SDQ amplifier. The third footswitch is generally wired to activate the mid boost but we can wire them up for effects loop bypass by request. 9
4,5 and 6 functions "Artist" footswitching wil be available in the future and are currently only available by custom order. (Add $100 per additional function) Included is a 25 footswitch cable. The cable used is a regular MIDI cable and is readily available in any length at most music stores. If a replacement cable is needed, make sure all 5 wires are supported. We recommend HOSA brand. NOTE: The footswitch buttons will only function when associated panel switches are pushed in. POWER ON/OFF PROCEDURE: 1. Check the Standby switch to make sure it is toggled downward for Standby operation. 2. Toggle the main power switch to the up position (this switch is located at the top of the IEC input module). The front panel pilot light should be lit. 3. Wait one minute and then toggle the Standby switch upwards to the Operate position. 4. POWER OFF Toggle the main power switch downward, there is no need to go into standby first although it will not hurt anything. MAINTENANCE SECTION: Your SDO amp has been designed for years of trouble free operation. The vacuum tubes will need to be replaced over time. We recommend new output tubes every 160-240 hours and new preamp tubes every 320-480 hours. Tube Chart: 10
Warning No user serviceable parts inside. Refer to a qualified technician for servicing. BIAS PROCEDURE: 1. When new output tubes are installed it is important to re-bias the amp for optimal performance. 2. ALWAYS HAVE A SPEAKER CONNECTED. 3. Use a digital volt meter set to DC volts at lowest scale (MV). Makes sure the black lead is the common terminal of the meter and the red lead is the DC voltage terminal of the meter. 4. Place the Amplifier in operate mode with the Master Volume and Reverb controls set to zero. 5. Set the 100 Watt/50 Watt switch to the 100 Watt position. 6. Place the red meter lead in the test point hole (red tip jack) And touch (or clip) the black meter lead on one of the metal output tube retainer clips. 7. Use a small flat blade screwdriver to adjust the bias pot. For 6L6GC's a reading of 160mV +/-5 mv maximum is recommended. For EL34's a reading of 135mV +/-5 mv maximum is recommended. The reading is the sum of the idle current for all four tubes. (The plate voltage is approximately 475 volts). 8. Recheck the reading after 10 minutes of operation, and again after a week or two of 11
operation. All tube brands are acceptable, a long plate is preferred in the V6 (Phase Inverter) position. 12