Mesa/Boogie II - Manual (Page 13)

PAGE 9
FRONT PANEL: Controls & Features
(Continued)
MASTER:
This control is the master feed from the end of the pre-amp to the driver stage and the Effects Loop. As you can see
each Channel is fi tted with its own MASTER control, enabling both channels relative volumes to be matched regardless of their ex-
tremely different sound styles and gain signatures. The MASTER control makes possible
a wide range of sounds through its ability to use very low Gain sounds at high volumes
and conversely, high Gain sounds at low volumes and everywhere between.
Again, we suggest using the MASTER control in its sensible ranges (9:00 - 2:00). Here, sensible sensible
the channels will be easier to match with each other and the Effects Loop will see more
reasonable signal levels.
NOTE: Because the MASTER control creates the send to the Effects Loop, extreme
settings will cause a large signal to be sent to the Loop for that Channel. Not only may
this cause possible overloading of the processors Input stage, but will make balancing both channel’s Effect Send level diffi cult.
NOTE: When the Effects Loop is set to HARD BYPASS, the individual Channel MASTER controls act as the fi nal output controls.
This is a result of removing all associated Loop circuitry - and since the OUTPUT and SOLO controls are part of the Effects Return
stage - they are bypassed as well.
30 WATTS / 15 / 5 WATTS: Channel Power Select
These channel specifi c mini toggle switches allow you to preset the output
power of each channel. In the 30 watt setting (up) all four EL84s are on line, delivering maximum power and punch. The 15 watt setting
runs only the outside (far left & far right) pair of tubes to achieve a bubbly elastic bounce. The 5 watt setting uses 1 x EL84 (far left
facing rear) to produce the ultimate low power setting. This powerful feature can be
crucial to the sound style you wish to dedicate to each of your two channels.
For example you might want to use Channel 1 set to 30 watts and use all four EL’s
to achieve the ultimate clean headroom and power. Meanwhile, Channel 2 could be
cranked and dedicated to a power clip solo sound by setting the power select switch
to 15 watts and bypassing the DRIVE circuitry for an awesome old school power
section pushed tone.
Or, you might want the opposite and set Channel 1 to 15 watts of sparkling, yet forgiving clean performance and go for the bold
authority of 30 watt power for Channel 2 set to a soaring high gain voice using the DRIVE circuitry.
As mentioned earlier in the OVERVIEW, the power tube wiring confi guration switches between Push-Pull in the 30 and 15 watt settings
and Single-Ended in the 5 watt setting. The class of operation remains pure Class A in all three of the power selections.
Again, Push-Pull circuits are more effi cient, producing more power and emphasizing the punchier 3rd harmonic (an octave and a 5th
above the notes played) which is preferable for playing with ensembles or recording in complex mixes. The character of the sound
with this element of the 3rd harmonic present cuts much better and is tighter and more defi ned, especially when using the DRIVE
circuit for high gain sounds. Single-Ended circuits retain the precious 2nd harmonic (an octave above the notes played) because the
waveform is never split into two out-of-phase halves to be later combined in the output transformer (as in push-pull circuits) cancel-
ling out the 2nd harmonic. This emphasis of the beautiful 2nd harmonic in a Single-Ended amplifi er makes the 5 watt selection the
obvious choice for any styles that require a sound rich with delicate nuance. When pushed to clip, this circuit produces a lush smooth
overdrive, purring with silkiness that is truly beyond-vintage.
Whatever power scheme you choose to use, the ability to select the power rating of each channel adds incredible footswitching power
to the Lone Star. Now the
Lone Star Special takes this fl exibility to an altogether new realm of possibilities for personal expression
MASTER BASS PRESENCE
30 WATTS
5 WATTS
15
30 WATTS
5 WATTS
15
OUTPUT LOOP ON SOLO
MASTER
P U R E C L A S S A P O W E R 30 WATTS
5 WATTS
15
30 WATTS
5 WATTS
15