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Tube Guitar Amplifiers
OPERATION MANUAL
Manual 05-MAN10050
Revision 2.0
2005
Covers the Following Models
REVOLUTION I, KRANKENSTEIN, CHADWICK SERIES, REV SERIES I
(888) KRANKIT
_____________________________________________________
CONTENTS
Section Description Page
1 Your New Krank Amp
Table of Contents 1-1
Receiving Inspection 1-2
For the New Owner 1-3
2 Quick Start Up
Quick Start Up 2-1
3 Detail Control Descriptions
Front Controls 3-1
Rear Controls 3-2
4 Understanding the Krank Amp
How to Set Your Krank Amp 4-1
The Krank Amp Design 4-2
5 Specifications
Specifications 5-1
6 Service and Technical Information
Trouble Shooting 6-1
Schematic Diagrams 6
7 Warranty Information
Warranty and Service Information 7-1
Receiving Inspection
INSPECT YOUR Krank Amplifier FOR ANY DAMAGE that may have occurred during shipping. If any damage is found, notify the shipping company and call Krank Amplification immediately.
SAVE THE CARTON & ALL PACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to reship your amp, always use the original carton and packing material. This will provide the best possible protection for your unit during shipment. Krank Amplifiers and the shipping company are not liable for any damage caused by improper packing. SAVE YOUR INVOICE. It will be required for warranty servicing of your unit. Always check your invoice against the items you have received. SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. If you find items missing, it may be that they were shipped separately. Please allow several days for the rest of your order to arrive before inquiring. If you determine (after allowing an appropriate amount of time) you have not received all the items you ordered, please call Krank Amplifiers.
For the New Owner
Welcome to the world of KRANK AMPLIFICATION! You’ve played the rest and you decided to buy a Krank. It is in this infinite wisdom of yours that you have found the holy grail of tone. We know how many other amp companies are out there and we appreciate your choice! Here at Krank we want you to not only love your amp, but love the company as well. This is why we pledge our customer service to be top notch and to help resolve any questions you may have about your new Krank.
Welcome to the Krank family!
Please send in the warranty card. It will allow us to better understand how you are using our equipment while keeping a ready reference for our files. Sending in the warranty card also helps us to mail out literature and information that may be of interest to you as a professional musician. Let us know where you are so we can keep in touch! In this manual there are plenty of descriptions to aid you in understanding your new Krank Amplifier. So, with this manual in hand you hold the key to proper operation of your new Krank Amplifier, and to achieve truly professional results.
May you have many years of enjoyment, success, and fun with your new Krank Amplifier!
Quick Set Up
If you're like most new owners, you're probably in a hurry to use your new Krank Amplifier. Here are some brief instructions to get you started.
1) CONNECTING AC POWER
• Check and change if necessary the rear AC Voltage Switch to the proper voltage (if your unit comes w/volt selector). On some models, a switch will not be not found (in some countries use a "step up or step down transformer). On units with an AC Voltages Switch, change the fuse as necessary (fuse values are listed on the rear panel).
• Use only a grounded (3 prong) power outlet and cord to prevent a shock hazard. This provides the quietest and safest method of operation.
2) CONNECTING SPEAKERS
•
Use either of the two speaker jacks on the rear panel. Be sure the IMPEDANCE switch is set properly or reduced power or transformer damage will result. The impedance is listed on the rear label of the speaker. Both jacks are wired in parallel.
When using two cabinets the impedance must be halved. IE: 2X16 ohm cabs set head to "8" ohms,
2X8 ohm cabs set head to "4" ohms.
. SPEAKER CABLE MUST BE USED FOR CONNECTING SPEAKERS!
3) CONNECTING THE GUITAR TO YOUR AMP
• Use a high quality "SHEILDED" audio cables.
4) TURNING YOUR AMP ON
• Turn all volume controls down.
• Be sure guitar volume is down.
• Plug in your amp, speakers and footswitch. Turn the amp ON and STANDBY off (up)
• Proceed with the following:
5) KLEEN/CLEAN CHANNEL:
• This knob controls the volume level of your clean playing.
• Treble, Mid and Bass control the highs midrange and low frequencies
• NOTE: If your guitar is full on and you have hot pickups or active electronics, you may want to turn the
guitar volume down slightly.
6) KRANK CHANNEL:
• Gain:
This knob adjusts how hard the first gain stage hits the second gain stage and creates the most fundamentally important distortion.
• Masters 1 and 2:
Two separate foot switch able master volumes, one for rhythm one for leads.
•
Three band EQ-Treble, Midrange, and Bass all set at optimal values.
• SWEEP: On Krankenstein and Revolution.
Shifts the voicing of the EQ section to represent lower frequencies (far counterclockwise) or higher frequencies (far clockwise). This can be use together with the EQ and presence to get a lot of different tones.
7) MASTER CONTROLS (Krankenstein): Total master
• This control does two things. It controls the overall volume of the LEAD DRIVE channel.
• And, by pulling the control out, it engages the hot rodded circuit as mentioned earlier.
• Because of the hot rodded nature of
this amp, the MASTER volume control can not be turned up full when the TREBLE and PRESENCE
controls are turned up or squealing will result from the extreme gain.
8) FOOTSWITCH
• The footswitch remotely controls the channel switching by depressing the "CH" button on the footswitch. Depressing "MASTER" controls the MASTER.
KRANK AMP SPECS:
100-WATT/50-WATT Specifications
Input Impedance 1 Meg ohms
Effects Loop 0, or +6 dB adjustable FX
Line Output +6 dB 200 OHM
Power Output—CHADWICK 50 watts rms
REVOLUTION/KRANKENSTEIN 100 watts rms
Output Impedance 4, 8, and 16 ohms
Output Tubes—CHADWICK Two 5881
REVOLUTION/KRANKENSTEIN Four 5881's
Pre Amp Tubes four12AX7’s
Power Requirements 120/240 VAC 50-60 Hz
Fuse 120V: 4 Amp. 240V: 2 Amp— slow-blow 5x20mm 100 WATT
Fuse 120V: 3 Amp. 240V: 1.5 Amp— slow-blow 5x20mm 50 WATT
IN CASE OF TROUBLE
All Amps all fully tested with a 40 hr break-in period before they leave the factory. However, on those rare occasions when a Krank Amp fails to operate properly, the problem is almost always with the vacuum tubes. Vibrations from shipping are usually the cause. The solution to fixing the problem could be as simple as replacing the defective tube. As the owner of a tube amp, it is to your advantage to learn the symptoms of a bad tube so that you can avoid the inconvenience and expense of returning your amp to the factory for service. We think the trouble shooting hints provided below should prove helpful. However, if you're not sure your problem is a bad tube and then the best way to proceed is to replace all the tubes in the amp. For this reason we recommend carrying spare tubes.
12AX7A PRE AMP TUBES
The most critical 12AX7A tube for low noise and controlling acoustic tube feedback is V2 (has shield over it, 2nd to last tube in combo L-R).
A defective V2 can also cause a rattling or frying egg sound when certain notes are played. If this is the case, the tube will have to be replaced.
Viewing the amp from the rear, V2 is the small tube with a cover (shield) over it. At Krank we select this tube for low microphonics and high gain. You may switch V2 with other preamp tubes in the amp for possible improvements. Some of the symptoms of a bad 12AX7A tube:
1. Premature feedback
2. Rattle sound at certain notes
3. Ringing
4. Popping
5. Week Lead Drive
6. Intermittent Channel
POWER TUBES (Sovtek 5881)
The symptoms listed here could indicate a bad power tube. There are a total of 4 tubes to be checked (2 tubes on the Chadwick). These are the large tubes at the very back of the amp. Caution, these tubes normally run hot and may be hot to the touch. If in doubt, simply replace the tubes with new ones. Some of the symptoms of a bad power tube:
1. Loud Hum
2. Popping
3. Early Distortion
4. Low Power Output
5. Glowing Red Hot ("orange" glow OK)
6. Blowing fuses
Note: The power tube can normally have a "bluish" internal glow. Blue glow is OK
CHECKING TUBES
Tubes need to be checked under load. Bad tubes will generate a lot of noise when plucked. We also recommend rotating a new tube in with the old tubes to help determine the bad tube. Caution, there is the possibility that several tubes may be bad.
FACTORY SERVICING / TUBE
PROBLEMS
Typically over half the service calls on tube amps are bad tubes! Be sure to replace your tubes before your have your amp serviced. Shipping is expensive. We at Krank are happy to help you through any problems you are having. Give us a call at 888-KRANKIT.
CHANNEL SWITCHING / FOOTSWITCH PROBLEMS
a) Be sure you plugged into the RIGHT jack. Check for cable damage as well.
EFFECTS LOOP PROBLEMS
a) Check the Effects Loop with nothing connected into the loop (use a "jumper" or patch cord). A noticeable drop in volume may occur with foot pedals. Stomp boxes are not usually designed to go in loops. They may have compander devices that keep the output signal at "guitar" levels. Krank FX loops are designed for processors with send and returns.
b) If the effects loop is not functioning, servicing may be required.
Warranty and Service Information
You may use our specialized service department to repair your amp. Call us Toll-Free 888-KRANKIT for your
RA number so we will anticipate your shipment. Put the Service Number on the carton and be sure to include a full description of every problem when returning your unit. Pack the amp in its original carton using all its packing material and return it by UPS pre-paid. Units with physical damage, missing parts, or damage from improper service may not be serviceable.
• CALL BEFORE RETURNING
If in doubt about a malfunction, please call our service department (toll-free) and we will help you determine if your unit is defective to avoid costly shipping.
• REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY (limited lifetime)
1. There is no charge for service under warranty. However, shipping is to be paid both ways by the customer.
2. Include a copy of the original invoice to verify your warranty along with a full description of the problem(s).
3. Allow approximately 10 days for servicing.
4. Include a check for $15 to cover the return shipping charges or we can ship the items back COD for $15 (the cost of shipping) plus the current COD fee.
5. Speaker Systems: If you require a loudspeaker repair, you should remove the defective component (speaker) to save on shipping charges.
6. To avoid damage, ship only in the original carton (save your cartons—a replacement is $5 plus $5 shipping)
• REPAIRS OUT OF WARRANTY
1. After your warranty has expired, which includes parts (except tubes and footswitches), labor and testing to bring your unit up to factory specifications. Return shipping is an additional $15 (shipping is lower than the original catalog shipping cost because we use the same carton). Include payment with your return (personal checks are accepted).
2. If there are no problems with the unit, a flat fee of 50% ($30) is charged for checking the amp out.
3. TUBES: 5881 $18.00 ea. 12AX7: $8 ea. FOOTSWITCH $45 ea
4. Allow approximately 10 days for repair and testing, plus shipping time.
5. To avoid damage, ship only in the original carton (save your carton).
• SERVICING IN YOUR AREA
You may select your own service center or have your own qualified technician work on the unit at your own expense. This
will not void the warranty unless damage was done because of improper servicing. Under the WARRANTY,
Krank Amplification will ship parts pre-paid to you or your technician providing that the defective part(s) are first returned for our
inspection. If you do not have a qualified service person, we ask that you do not involve yourself in servicing the unit.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Krank will service the unit and supply all parts at no charge to the customer providing the unit is under warranty.
KRANK WILL NOT PAY FOR PARTS OR SERVICING OTHER THAN OUR OWN.
This warranty is extended to the original purchaser only and is not transferable. THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT INCLUDE
FAILURES CAUSED BY INCORRECT USE, INADEQUATE CARE OF THE UNIT, OR NATURAL DISASTERS. A COPY OF
THE ORIGINAL INVOICE IS REQUIRED TO VERIFY YOUR WARRANTY.
Krank Amplification takes no responsibility for any horn driver or speaker damaged by this unit. This warranty is in lieu of all other
warranties, expressed or implied. No representative or person is authorized to represent or assume for Krank Amplification any liability
in connection with the sale or servicing of Krank Amplification products. No liability is assumed for damage due to accident, abuse, lack
of reasonable care, loss of parts, or failure to follow Krank Amplification directions. KRANK SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
In the interest of creating new products and improving existing ones, Krank Amplification is continually researching the latest state of the
art audio design methods, and modern packaging and production techniques. Thus, Krank Amplification reserves the right to make
changes in its products and specifications without notice or obligation.
TOLL FREE (888) KRANK-IT
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