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I'm an Amp Newb and hope to get some Questions answered.

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by shreave, Jul 21, 2003.

  1. Jul 21, 2003 #1
    shreave

    shreave

    Jul 12, 2000
    Seattle. WA USA
    Well...Not Really a newb per se.

    I just pulled the trigger on a new Stewart World 1.6 to go with an Aguilar DB 659 and SWR 4x10 Goliath II. I was previously running the 4x10 with a 300W Trace Elliot head.

    This is kind of treading into the unknown for me even though I've been playing for almost 20 years. I've never used a pre amp-power amp combo before, and would like to hear from folks what I should be aware of. Some of my questions are:

    1. What do I need to be careful of so I don't destroy my gear?

    2. Do I just use a regular instrument cable to patch the pre amp and power amp together, or is there something else?

    3. I'm ASSuming I should be always bridging the two power amp channels (however that's done, I'm not sure)

    4. How should I ideally set the pre and post gain on the pre-amp and the power knobs on the power-amp?

    Thanks all!
     
  2. Jul 21, 2003 #2
    Jim Dombrowski

    Jim Dombrowski Supporting Member

    Jan 16, 2002
    Colorado Springs, CO
    1. When powering up your rig, turn the preamp on first, then the power amp. When powering down, turn the amp off first, then the preamp. Also, always turn down the power amp volume (or shut it off before plugging or unplugging ANY cables).

    2. Yes, a short instrument patch cord is fine between the preamp and power amp.

    3. It is not necessary to bridge the two channels of the power amp, but you will get the most from the amp if you do. If you are running two cabinets, you can run them from both channels of the power amp. If you are unsure about bridging, get the owner's manual. There's a lot of power there, and you could do some damage.

    4. Set the power amp volume controls to full volume, and adjust the preamp volume as desired. Your preamp has a volume control and a master control. The more "volume" you use, the more distortion you will get (especially if you turn the volume knob past 12-o-clock). I would recommend settting the master control at aboout half, and adjusting the volume control for the desired volume.

    jd
     
  3. Jul 22, 2003 #3
    Mcrelly

    Mcrelly

    Jun 16, 2003
    Minnesota, USA
    I agree with everything JD said, remember the cable part. You can and should use "instrument cable" between your guitar and pre, and between the pre and the power amp. but, make sure to have a "speaker cable" ("speaker cable" should be written on the cable) between the cab and the power amp (stewart). Using an instrument cable on the cab could short out at high volumes and blow a fuse or hurt a speaker. if you use a speaker cable instead of an instrument cable on your guitar or pre-to-amp you'll get allot of buzz and 60hz hum and maybe even pickup a radio station!

    If you can't bridge right away use one channel for one cab and the other for another cab. if you don't use one channel all the time be sure to turn the stewart channel volume down on the one not used. I'm trying to see the back panel on the stewart and you might have to use "binding posts" wire terminals to connect your cab?? GEt and read the manual on bridging and cab hookup.

    to reitterate (sp?) on the setup of pre and power amp...AFTER all cables are hooked up turn on preamp FIRST then power amp. make sure volumes are all at minimum when powering up or down. if you have to change guitars or something just make sure "master" on your preamp is at minimum. with guitar volume at half, try putting stewart channel(s) at max and slowly turn up "master" on pre. then turn up "volume" (also known as GAIN on other pre's) maybe to half. if you get too much distortion turn down "volume" and turn up "master" if you need more total volume.

    to power down, turn down "volume","master" and power amp gains, then turn off power amp FIRST then pre.

    ***BIGGEST NO-NO-!*** NEVER disconnect cables between pre and power amp or amp and cab with power amp on, NEVER! ALWAYS turn down "master" before switching guitars or guitar cable.

    if I'm confusing just listen to JD...:meh:

    after a while its really very simple to remember proceedures. have fun!!