VT-300B Valve Tech All-Tube Bass Guitar Amplifier Operation Manual THE LEADER IN BASS AMPLIFICATION. ©06-20-2005 by U.S. Music Corp.
FOREWORD Congratulations on the purchase of your new Eden VT-300B all-tube Integrated Amplifier System. All of us at Eden are totally committed to providing you with the very best bass guitar systems in their class. Our goals are to offer you the outstanding performance quality of a top-notch, professional bass amplification system at a reasonable price point, and to make the most musical and reliable Bass amplifiers available. This manual will cover all domestic and international versions of the VT-300B.
CAUTION! Your ears are your most important piece of equipment. Unfortunately, they cannot be replaced as easily as your other gear. Please take the following warning seriously. This product, when used in combination with loudspeakers and/or additional amplification may be capable of producing sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. DO NOT operate at high volume levels or at a level that is uncomfortable.
FRONT PANEL FEATURES Input Jacks – Designed to accept a standard _” mono phone plug. The Passive jack is for use with low output basses and passive basses. The active jack is for higher output basses with active electronics. Overdrive Switch – This switch shifts the amplifier into an ultra-high gain mode, suitable for a wide range of sound textures – from clean to fat and all the way to saturated – with exact control throughout the entire range. This works in conjunction with the Input Gain control.
Mains On/Off – This turns the main power to the amplifier ON and OFF. BACK PANEL FEATURES AC Power Inlet – This is the main AC connection point. It is an IEC type inlet and also serves as the fuse carrier. Replace the fuse only with the same type and size as the original. FX Loop – This loop is located post the tone controls and is just prior to the amplifier input. Tuner Output – This provides a full-time output for connection to a tuner.
Output Tubes – Your unit comes from the factory set up and fully run in for 6550 type output tubes. Replacement tubes that match your output tubes are available from the factory. Look up the number on you output tubes and ask for the same code number. You can generally replace one or two numerically matched tubes without re-biasing the amplifier. A full replacement set should always be re-biased by a qualified technician.
Connections – All instrument-level input connections (everything but the speakers) should be made with high quality shielded cables. The use of speaker cables for input connections will result in excess noise. Speaker connections should be made with high quality 16 gauge or heavier unshielded speaker cables. We recommend 10 or 12 gauge cables. The use of shielded line or instrument cables for speaker connections can damage your amplifier. The speaker cable should be as short as possible.
Turn On – Once you’ve completed the steps above, you can plug in your bass and turn on the unit (plug it in first, ok?) and let’s get started. Turn the Mains switch to ON. Wait approximately 30 seconds to one minute and then turn Standby switch to ON. We recommend turning your system on with the Master Volume control set to its minimum position. This will prevent any unexpected signal from being sent to your speakers.
Setting Bass and Treble – OK, now it’s time to set the EQ, beginning with the Bass and Treble controls. These controls cover a fairly broad frequency spectrum and a little goes a long way. Adjust these controls up or down as needed. We suggest playing a few notes in various areas of the neck so you can hear what your adjustments have done across the fretboard. Setting the Multi Q – This EQ section will allow you to fine tune your tone.
Frequency Oddities – Two areas are a frequent source of frustration for bassists trying to achieve their sound: frequency masking and frequency enhancement. Frequency masking occurs when other instruments (particularly cymbals and electric guitars) obscure the important upper harmonic content of your sound. As a result, you find that the EQ settings that were so perfect at home lack definition in a live setting.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Suggested Speaker Systems – Your speaker system should be chosen to accommodate the characteristics of your amplifier and your predominant application. If you will generally be using two cabinets, they should both be 8 Ohm models so their combined impedance will be 4 ohms. If you are uncertain about your future needs, always go with the 8 Ohm speaker option so that you can add another speaker later if you need to.
Contact Point Cleaning – One of the weakest links in most bass amplification systems are the solderless connection points where instruments, speaker cabinets, effects, and other devices are connected to the amplifier. (The most vulnerable of these types of connection is the jack on your instrument). In addition to contamination from airborne pollutants, these points are frequently assaulted by connectors that have picked up debris from dirty stages, cases, etc.
Service – In the event of amplifier malfunction, or questions about your unit’s operating features that aren’t answered in this manual or on our website, you should contact your Dealer. Once you and your dealer have determined it’s definitely a malfunction (and not an operator error) you must call our Customer Service Department and obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA).
