MESA BOOGIE Owner's Manual
Hello from the Tone Farm ...You, smart player and intuitive human, have put your trust in us to be your amplifier company. This is something we do not take lightly. By choosing this instrument to be a part of your musical voice, you have become part of the Mesa family...WELCOME! Our goal is to never let you down. Your reward is that you are the new owner of an amp, bred of fine all tube heritage...benefiting from the many pioneering and patented Mesa circuits that led to the refinement of your new model.
TABLE_OF_CONTENTS OVERVIEW________________________________________________________________________ 1-2 HELPFUL HINTS_ __________________________________________________________________ 2-3 INSTANT GRATIFICATION______________________________________________________________3 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES INPUT______________________________________________________________________________4 FOOTSWITCH_______________________________________________________________________4 DRIVE________________________________
PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS Your MESA/Boogie Amplifier is a professional instrument. Please treat it with respect and operate it properly. USE COMMON SENSE AND ALWAYS OBSERVE THESE PRECAUTIONS: WARNING: EU: permission from the Supply Authority is needed before connection. WARNING: Vacuum tube amplifiers generate heat. To insure proper ventilation always make certain there is at least four inches (100mm) of space behind the rear of the amplifier cabinet. Keep away from curtains or any flammable objects.
Instruction Manual Overview: Congratulations on your choice of the LONE STAR as your amplifier and Welcome to the MESA/Boogie Family! This hand-built instrument was crafted with the finest quality components and designed to provide you with years of musical inspiration and toneful satisfaction. From a glance you can see the LONE STAR is laid out simply and logically. Its clean, two channel layout provides a platform for ultimate expression with a minimal learning curve.
Overview: (Continued) You can also choose the type of rectification you want, the stiffer, punchier response of the Silicon Diodes or the vintage sagginess of Tube Rectifier Tracking. For ultimate clip-ability and a vintage-squish feel, choose 50 watts and Tube rectification. For clean headroom and tight tracking accuracy, select 100 watts and the Diodes are automatically brought on line to keep things bold and authoritative.
HELPFUL HINTS: (Continued) 4.) Make all speaker connections with unshielded speaker cable. 5.) Make all external processing connections to the EFFECTS LOOP with shielded cable. 6.) When the Footswitch is not available or desired, use the Front Panel mini toggle to select the two channels. 7.) The Front Panel OUTPUT and SOLO controls are not active until the Effects Loop is switched to the LOOP ACTIVE position. Use the Channel MASTER controls for output volume level when the LOOP is set to HARD BYPASS. 8.
FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features INPUT: This is the instrument INPUT jack. This jack feeds the preamp and since the LONE STAR is a high gain amplifier and therefore very sensitive, always use a high quality shielded cable between the instrument and the amplifier. This will prevent unwanted noise and microphonic cable sounds. INPUT FT.SW FOOTSWITCH: This 1/4 inch ” stereo jack is for connection of the Channel Select Footswitch.
FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__(Continued) CHANNEL SELECT: This 3 position mini toggle allows manual selection of the Channels when the Footswitch is not connected. Set it to the center FT-SW position to use the Channel Select Footswitch. CH_1 FT SW CH_2 INPUT DRIVE / CLEAN: This switch is responsible for activating the DRIVE circuitry in Channel 2.
FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__(Continued) GAIN: This control adjusts the predominant gain stage in each channel’s circuit with the function and taper being optimized for each individual channel. Remember that your LONE STAR is really two amplifiers built onto one chassis, so though each channel looks identical, the GAIN control for each channel comes in a different place and adjusts a different point in that channel’s circuit. CH_1 FT INPUT SW CH_2 DRIVE CLEAN FT.
FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__(Continued) TREBLE: As in most tube guitar amplifiers, the TREBLE control ( in both channels of your LONE STAR ) is the most powerful of the rotary controls and is next in line only to the GAIN control as a shaping tool. Because it is first in the signal path of the tone controls - and from here the Middle and Bass receive their signal - it is by far the dominant tone control.
FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__(Continued) BASS: (Continued) Note: The BASS control in both channels of your LONE STAR is very powerful and though we have taken steps to ensure a balanced tone is easy to achieve, it is wise to blend with subtle nuance in mind. This is especially true in Channel 2 when using either the regular Channel 1 style gain circuitry cranked, or the DRIVE circuitry for higher gain lead sounds. A good rule to follow is this; as you increase the GAIN reduce the BASS.
FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__(Continued) 100W / 50W / 10W: Channel Power Select (Continued) The 10 watt (switch down – 1 6L6 x 2 in parallel) setting causes a complete reconfiguration of your power section and you will find this patented switch-ability only in a MESA. Here, the Class of Operation switches to pure Class A - which is far less efficient, producing more heat and less power, but with a sweeter, warmer sounding clip characteristic that never sounds edgy or harsh.
FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__(Continued) OUTPUT & SOLO CONTROLS: OUTPUT: This control determines the overall output volume level of the amplifier. After the GAIN controls have been set for the desired sound style and the two channels levels have been balanced with the channel MASTER controls, the OUTPUT control allows you to change the playing level by adjusting a single control. The OUTPUT control is also wired as the Effects Loop Return Level control.
FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__(Continued) STANDBY: Perfect for set breaks... this toggle switch also serves an even more important purpose. In the Standby position the tubes are at idle so that during power up they may warm up before being put to use. Before Power is switched on make sure the STANDBY switch is in the Standby position. TWEED ON POWER_OFF Wait at least 30 seconds and then flip the STANDBY switch to the ON position.
REAR_PANEL: WARNING: Unplug power before replacing fuse or removing bolts mounting FUSE chassis LONE STAR SILICON DIODES FAN ON TUBE RECTIFIER TRACKING FAN OFF FUSE POWER 120 V~ 60 Hz 4A FUSE 4A SLO BLO First set sound with LOOP bypassed. Then set SEND & OUTPUT to 50% for unity gain. With LOOP IN, adjust SEND to match FX. Use OUTPUT for RETURN level and live volume control.
REAR_PANEL:_(Continued) FX LOOP: Series The LONE STAR handles outboard processing by providing an on-board patch point between the preamp and power section. This loop is wired such that the dry signal is in series with the effected (wet) signal. The circuit also incorporates a SEND LEVEL control allowing you to fine tune the output of the LONE STAR preamp circuit to match the input sensitivity of your processor (or first NORMAL processor in a rack system).
REAR_PANEL:_(Continued) REVERB: The LONE STAR incorporates a stunning analog Reverb circuit that is fitted with individual Channel Mix controls and a unique Reverb Voicing feature that offers a choice between two classic reverb sounds.
REAR_PANEL:_(Continued) BIAS SELECT: (Continued) NOTE: It is possible to run the smaller octal 6V6 power tubes for reduced power applications and a looser bubblier sound in the TWEED AC POWER SETTING ONLY. Leave the BIAS SELECT switch set to 6L6 (switch down) and install four 6V6 power tubes. It is advisable to use both Channels set to the 100 watt setting for reliability and proper impedance matching.
FACTORY SAMPLE SETTINGS TUBE RECTIFIER TRACKING SAMPLE # 1 LONESTAR STATE CH 1 100 W FT INPUT FT.SW SW CH 2 CLEAN DRIVE GAIN TREBLE MID BASS PRESENCE LOOP ON SOLO TWEED 10 W MASTER 50 W MAL ON 10 W THICKER DIODES SAMPLE # 2 CLEAN CLONES CH 1 100 W FT SW FT.SW CLEAN DRIVE GAIN TREBLE MID BASS PRESENCE LOOP ON 50 W MAL TUBE RECTIFIER TRACKING CH 1 FT.SW 100 W SW CLEAN GAIN TREBLE MID BASS PRESENCE LOOP ON 50 W MAL TUBE RECTIFIER TRACKING CH 1 FT.
FACTORY SAMPLE SETTINGS TUBE RECTIFIER TRACKING SAMPLE # 5 PASS THE SAUCE CH 1 FT OUTPUT 50 W CH 2 INPUT FT.SW 100 W SW CLEAN DRIVE GAIN TREBLE MID BASS PRESENCE MASTER SOLO TWEED ON POWER OFF STANDBY 100 W THICK 50 W MAL NOR LOOP ON 10 W ON 10 W THICKER DIODES SAMPLE # 6 BARBEQUE CH 1 FT INPUT FT.SW 100 W SW CH 2 CLEAN DRIVE GAIN TREBLE MID BASS PRESENCE LOOP ON MASTER ON 10 W DIODES or TUBE TRACKING SAMPLE # 7 AUSTIN - TACEOUS CH 1 FT.
PERSONAL SETTINGS SHEET SETTING # 1 CH 1 100 W FT INPUT FT.SW SW CH 2 CLEAN DRIVE GAIN TREBLE MID BASS PRESENCE LOOP ON SOLO 10 W MASTER TWEED 50 W MAL ON 10 W THICKER ON POWER OFF STANDBY 100 W THICK NOR OUTPUT 50 W SETTING # 2 CH 1 100 W FT INPUT FT.
TUBE NOISE & MICROPHONICS: You may occasionally experience some form of tube noise or microphonics. Certainly no cause for alarm, this quirky behavior comes with the territory and the Tone. Much like changing a light bulb, you don’t need a technician to cure these types of minor user serviceable annoyances and in fact, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to cure tube problems...
DIAGNOSING PRE-AMP TUBE PROBLEMS: Because your amplifier is an all tube design, it is quite possible that you will at some point experience minor pre-amp tube noise. Rest assured - this is no cause for alarm and you can take care of the problem yourself in a matter of minutes by simply swapping tubes. Let us begin by saying; It is a “very good” idea to keep at least a couple of spare pre-amp tubes on hand at all times to insure uninterrupted performance.
LONESTAR_ A___B V___1 V___5 A___B V___2 6L6 V___3 A___B COOLING_FAN 6L6 5U4 NOTE:__POWER_TUBES_ARE_HOT_!__BEFORE_CHANGING_TUBES_TURN_POWER_ SWITCH_TO_OFF_AND_LET_COOL_OR_USE_A_RAG_FOR_PROTECTION.
BIAS ADJUSTMENT: (Part of a continuing series) An Article written by Randall Smith that we thought you might find interesting. CATHODE ( ) GRID ( , ) SCREEN GRID ( ) Here’s a question we often hear: “Why doesn’t Mesa put bias adjustments in their amplifiers?” BEAMCONFINING ELECTRODE ( ) .. ..... . ... . ... .. ... PLATE ( , ) Structure_of_a_6L6_/_5881_ Beam_Power_Pentode. Well, there’s a short answer and a long answer to this question.
BIAS ADJUSTMENT: (Continued) control grids. Voltage and current are NOT the same. Current is the AMOUNT of electricity, the “quantity” — and is measured in amperes. Voltage is the degree of electric charge — like the “pressure” to use the old water analogy. Let me illustrate how different voltage and current are: When you scrape your feet across a carpeted floor in dry, wintery conditions, your body can become charged with 50,000 to 100,000 volts of static electricity.
BIAS ADJUSTMENT: (Continued) Again, this has some merit .. but it’s still not as good as using tubes that are matched in the first place because compensating for the mis-match causes the push-pull circuit itself to become unbalanced. Two wrongs don’t really make a right. Some of the other recommended biasing, “methods” — such as -”.. tubes running red hot, increase the bias .. sounds harsh and runs too cool, turn it down ...” are guesswork at best.
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE MATCHING & HOOK-UP GUIDE: IMPEDANCE: Wiring up speakers to provide the most effective load and making sure that all of them are in phase will help in creating the best sound possible. This is not too difficult, as long as you understand a few things about loading and how to connect your speakers to provide an optimal resistive load. MESA/Boogie amplifiers can handle 4 and 8 ohms effectively.
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE MATCHING & HOOK-UP GUIDE: (Continued) PARALLEL: When wiring in parallel, the resistance of the speakers decreases. Two 8 ohm speakers wired in ( hooked-up ) Parallel results in a 4 ohm load. It’s easy to calculate the effect of a resistive load when all the speakers are all the same resistance. It is really not suggested to wire different resistive load values in Parallel ( 8 and 4, 16 and 8 etc.
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ON TRIODES, PENTODES & IRISHMEN: With apologies to Friends and Relatives from the Emerald Isle - who will make their appearance soon enough - the humor which follows is dedicated to the memories of Spec McAuliff and Fae (Rafael) McNally, two of the True Greats. As their numerical references suggest, the terms Diode, Triode and Pentode indicate the number of elements within the vacuum tube i.e. two, three or five. All tubes also require a filament or heater which is not included in the count.
ON TRIODES, PENTODES & IRISHMEN: (Continued) Thus a diode tube - one with a cathode and an anode - is mostly used to rectify alternating current into direct current by passing it without restriction, but in one direction only. This also explains why closing time is strictly enforced at Irish pubs: During normal operation, the traffic flow is similarly unimpeded and uni-directional toward the bar and this process rectifies the work-day negativity.
PENTODES: (Continued) Thus the proper cocktail waitress - visible through the louvers - is scantily clad so as to be all the more effective at reinforcing the attractive influence of her bar and by being located in between the door and the bar, she serves as bait to lure customers past the door’s negative influence.
CH 1 ALL KNOBS pt# 408015 591047 MASTER 591047 POT pt# 593794 PRESENCE POT pt# 591278 BASS POT pt# POT pt# 591048 MID POT pt# POT pt# 591739 TREBLE 591047 POT pt# SW GAIN 593794 POT pt# CLEAN POT pt# THICK CH 2 SWITCH pt# 607303 FRONT VIEW : LONE STAR DRIVE POT pt# SEND 593738 CH 1 10 W 100 W 50 W LOOP ON 591047 POT pt# SOLO SWITCH pt# 607303 OUTPUT 591047 POT pt# SOLO SWITCH pt# 600639 TWEED ON ON SLAVE 593740 POWER OFF STANDBY SPEAKERS 4 OHM P.C.
MESA BOOGIE The Spirit of Art in Technology Thank you for trusting MESA/Boogie to be your amplifier company and we wish you many years of toneful enjoyment from this handbuilt all tube instrument.
The Spirit of Art in Technology (707) 778-6565 FAX NO.
