Edition Blonde - Audio Amplifier HUGHES & KETTNER - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL Edition Blonde HUGHES & KETTNER

Congratulations and thank you for choosing the HUGHES & KETTNER EDITION BLONDE amp!

A team of guitarists and technicians developed the

EDITION BLONDE amps with a single purpose in mind: To provide you with sophisticated guitar sounds and practical features in an easy-to-handle package.

The EDITION BLONDE is the ideal workhorse for discerning players who want happening tone in a compact amp. The EDITION

BLONDE's high-performance Current Feedback power amp delivers not only 40 watts of punch, but also the sought-after tone of a classic tube amp.

One component playing a major role in the overall tone of the amp is the RockDriver Junior 12" speaker. Custom-made for Hughes & Kettner to our specifications by Celestion, this speaker not only perfectly captures the essence of vintage sound, but also is extremely efficient. This makes your EDITION BLONDE

substantially louder than other amplifiers having the same output power rating.

The EDITION BLONDE has the versatility, sound, and features that inspires you to perform your best in smaller venues, rehearsal rooms and studios.

Its logical control layout gives you immediate access to the EDITION BLONDE's world of sound. This manual introduces you to its many features and application options.

We wish you a lot of fun and success with your new EDITION BLONDE!

TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

BEFORE POWERING UP

1.0 CHANNELS 6
2.0 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES 7
3.0 STANDARD SETUP/CABLE CONNECTIONS 8
4.0 OPERATING THE EDITION BLONDE
4.1 SELECTING CHANNELS
4.2 THE EDITION BLONDE AND SIGNAL PROCESSORS
4.3 THE EDITION BLONDE AND MIXING CONSOLES
5.0 SERVICE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING 9
7.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9

BEFORE POWERING UP

• Check that the local current and the amp's AC power rating are identical before you plug the power cord into an AC outlet.
• Ensure that air can circulate freely around your amp's ventilation ducts.
• Place the amp on a stable platform where it is not exposed to mechanical shocks and temperature extremes which may damage the amp or endanger the safety of bystanders.
• Hughes & Kettner is not liable for damages due to improper use.

1.0 CHANNELS

The EDITION BLONDE features a newly developed preamp that not only produces authentic harmonic overdrive but also responds dynamically to your picking style. Based on semiconductors, this innovative circuitry simulates the sound-shaping elements of tube amps and delivers sound quality unparalleled in this price range. It also provides the dynamics demanding guitarists require for musical expression.

CLEAN:

Depending on the preamp control settings, the EDITION BLONDE delivers a variety of contemporary and vintage clean tones. At higher VOLUME settings, the "SoftClick" circuitry delivers that slight edge you would expect from a vintage tube amp. If desired, the CLEAN channel can put out plenty of crunch.

LEAD:

This channel delivers direct, in-your-face classic rock sounds with a very British feel. The MID control is a very effective sound-shaping tool; it lets you dial in many different lead sounds.

REVERB:

In the signal chain, the EDITION BLONDE reverb section is located after the FX loop so you can use it for external effects and still achieve a clean reverb sound. Additionally, the reverb level automatically adjusts its own level when you switch between channels, more for clean, less for lead.

2.0 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES

2.1. FRONT PANEL:

INPUT: Input sensitivity is broad enough to handle guitars equipped with humbuckers, active pickups, or single coils.

CLEAN VOL: Determines the CLEAN channel's volume. Depending on the type of pickups in your instrument, the amp will begin to clip somewhere around the 12 o'clock setting (SoftClick).

CHANNEL SELECT: This channel selector switch activates either the CLEAN or LEAD channel. The LEAD channel is active when the button is pressed.

RED LEAD LED: The red LED illuminates when the LEAD channel is active.

LEAD GAIN: Controls the amount of distortion in the LEAD channel.

LEAD MASTER: Determines the LEAD channel volume level in relation to the CLEAN channel volume level.

EQ SECTION: Common BASS, MID and TREBLE controls for the both channels. MID and TREBLE controls influence each other, as is standard in tube amps: if you boost the treble, the mids are cut and vice versa. This sound-shaping feature allows you to dial in a wide variety of subtle tonal variations.

REVERB: Controls how much integrated reverb is added to the signal. Reverb is automatically adjusted for each channel when you switch channels.

MASTER: Controls the amp's master volume level. The LINE OUT signal is unaffected by the MASTER control.

LINE OUT: Use this jack to feed the signal to the input of an FX processor. You can also route the signal to a second power amp or through a RED BOX to a mixing console.

LINE IN: If you are sending the LINE OUT signal to an FX processor, connect the output from that processor to this jack.

FOOTSWITCH: This jack is for a standard footswitch (e.g. Hughes & Kettner FS-1) and it allows you to switch back and forth between the CLEAN and LEAD channels. When using a footswitch, ensure the CHANNEL SELECT switch on the amp's

front panel is set to CLEAN.

PHONES: Headphone jack. The speaker is automatically switched off when a plug is inserted into this jack.

2.2 REAR PANEL:

MAINS: Connect the included Euro-norm mains cord to this socket. Ensure the amp's voltage rating matches your local AC voltage rating before you plug the cord into the wall socket.

3.0 STANDARD SETUP/ CABLE CONNECTIONS

Use the CHANNEL SELECT switch or an external footswitch to change channels.

NOTE: Before using a footswitch, set the CHANNEL SELECT switch on front panel of the amp itself to the CLEAN position.

4.2 THE EDITION BLONDE AND SIGNAL PROCESSORS

The effects loop on the EDITION BLONDE is a serial effects loop, meaning that the entire preamp signal is routed to the FX device and processed there.

To connect a signal processor:

• Connect the processor's INPUT to the EDITION BLONDE LINE OUT jack and the processor's OUTPUT to the EDITION BLONDE LINE IN jack.
• To avoid noise, signal degradation, and interrupted signals, only use high-quality patch cables.
• Make sure the processor is not distorting the signal. Check the processor's gain LEDs (if it is equipped with this type of display) and use the input and output controls to dial in a suitable level.
• Distortion devices are not designed for use in an FX loop. As a rule of thumb, any kind of device that compresses the signal should be connected first in the signal chain. Depending on the type of effect you want to achieve, you may want to connect your compressor directly between the instrument and the amp's input.
• If you are using several processors or stomp boxes, ensure you connect them in the proper order.

4.3 THE EDITION BLONDE AND MIXING CONSOLES

If you want to feed the EDITION BLONDE's signal to a mixing console, we recommend you route it through a Hughes & Kettner RED BOX. Patch the signal from the LINE OUT jack, as

this signal path's level is not influenced by the MASTER setting. The RED BOX balances the signal and simulates a speaker cabinet.

5.0 SERVICE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

The EDITION BLONDE does not require service of any type. However, there are a few precautions you should heed to ensure your amp lasts for many years.

• Ensure all peripheral devices, cords and cables are in a state of good repair. Defective speaker cables are the most common cause of power amp failure. Poor-quality cables will cause hum and undesirable noise.
• Make certain your amp's ventilation ducts are not blocked or covered. Proper cooling will prolong the life of your amp.
• Avoid mechanical shocks and exposure to extreme heat, dust and especially moisture.
• When connecting peripheral devices, always pay close attention to their specifications. Never connect devices with high output signal levels (e.g. power amps) to your amp's input.
• Ensure you have the correct AC power rating available before you plug in the amp. If in doubt, ask the venue's sound technician or the custodian of the building you are rehearsing in.

• Refrain from do-it-yourself repairs! Have a qualified service technician replace internal fuses.

With the unit off and unplugged, use a soft damp cloth to clean the exterior surface of the EDITION BLONDE.

6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING

6.1 The EDITION BLONDE will not switch on:

• The amp is not getting any AC power. Check the mains cable to see if it is connected properly.
• The mains fuse is defective. Replace the fuse with another identical fuse. If this fuse also trips, consult your Hughes & Kettner dealer.

6.2 The EDITION BLONDE is connected properly, but no sound is audible.

• One or several GAIN and MASTER controls may be turned all the way down. Dial in a higher setting.
• A short circuit in the speaker signal chain may have tripped an internal fuse. Make sure none of the connections are shorted out and have a qualified service technician replace the fuse (identical specifications are a must).

6.3 The footswitch does not switch channels:

• The front panel selector switch may be in the LEAD position. Set it to CLEAN (in this case, CLEAN = off).
• The footswitch is not connected to the EDITION BLONDE. Plug it into the appropriate jack.

6.4 When accessed, the LINE OUT/ LINE IN Jacks cause annoying hum.

• An electrical or magnetic field is causing interference. Use higher-quality cables or re-arrange the cables you are using to reduce interference to a minimum. If this still does not improve the situation, use a D1 box.
• The grounding of the connected devices may be causing a ground loop. DO NOT SEVER THE GROUND OF THE CONNECTED DEVICES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Try plugging all devices into the same socket via an AC power distributor/power strip. If this doesn't eliminate the noise, you must ensure the connection is galvanically separated by routing the signal through a DI box.

6.5 You have connected an FX processor to the LINE OUT jack and the signal is totally distorted, even when you have dialed in a clean sound.

6.6 You have connected an FX processor to the LINE OUT jack of the EDITION BLONDE and the signal's volume level is way too low.

• The LINE OUT signal is overloading the input of the FX processor. Reduce the processor's input sensitivity ("INPUT" or "GAIN").
• The FX processor's output level is set incorrectly. Turn it up.

7.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PREAMSECTION

Preamp section: CLEAN ^+ LEAD solid state channels

INPUT: -10 dBV/ 1 Mohm LINE IN: -6 dBV/ 50 kohms LINE OUT: 0 dBV/ 1kohm

Power amp section: 'CURRENT FEEDBACK' solid-state power amp

Output Power: 40 watts RMS into 8 ohms

Frequency response: 20 Hz - 30 kHz (into 8 ohms)

Speaker: CELESTION RockDriver Junior 12", 8 ohms

GENERAL FEATURES:

Voltage:
230 V~ (European model)
117 V~ (American model)
100 V~ (Japanese model)

Max. power consumption: 65 VA

Mains Fuse: slo-blo 250mA(230V) slo-blo 500mA(117V) slo-blo 630mA(100V)

Dimensions: (W × H × D) 488 x 440 x 270 mms
19.2" x 17.3" x 10.7"

Weight: approx. 32.2 lbs./approx.14,5 kgs

INPUT: -10 dB/1 M Ohm

LINE OUT: 0 dBV/1k Ohm

LINE IN: 50 k Ohm

Endstufe:

Canali solid-state CLEAN & LEAD

INGRESSO: -10 dB / 1 M ohms

LINE IN: 0 dBV / 1 K ohms

LINE OUT: 50 Kohms

SEZIONE FINALE

solid state power amplifier

POTENCIA DE SALIDA:

40 W RMS a 8 Ohmios.

Altavoz:

CELESION RockDriver Junior 12", 8 Ohmios

DATOS GENERALES:

Tensión:

230 V - (modelo europeo)

117 V - (modelo americano)