USER MANUAL
427 SMALL BLOCK • 550 SPYDER • 550 TOURING • BTA 200/300/400 • LITTLE BASTARD
VALVE BASS AMPS
LITTLE BASTARD HEAD
REAR PANEL
FRONT PANEL
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I
INTRODUCTION
The Little Bastard is a 30w all valve bass head mainly designed for recording
and playing at home it features a two ECC83 valves in the preamp, an
ECC82 as a driver valve and four El84 in the output.the preamp is similar to
that fitted into the 550 touring and spyder in that it features a totally passive
eq otherwise the pre amplifiers are totally different.
FRONT PANEL FACILITIES
INPUTS - There are two instrument inputs marked LOW and HIGH. The LOW
input is high sensitivity and also high impedance to suit the output from
PASSIVE (Low Output) basses. The HIGH input is low sensitivity and lower
impedance to suit the output from ACTIVE (High Output) basses. Plugging an
active (High Output) bass into the LOW input will overload the input, creating
a fatter, warmer and more distorted sound. Experiment by plugging your bass
into either input to achieve the desired sound.
EFFECTS SEND AND RETURN - These 1/4" jack sockets should be used to
connect to an external effects device or pedal board. The EFFECTS SEND
output should connect to the INPUT of the effects unit, and the output of the
effects unit should be connected to the EFFECTS RETURN input.
EQ CONTROLS - Use the MIDDLE, BASS and TREBLE controls to effect the
overall tone of the sound. The MID SHIFT switch causes the MIDDLE control
to operate on higher frequencies in the up position, and lower frequencies in
the down position. The BASS SHIFT switch causes the BASS control to
operate on deeper frequencies in the up position, and less deep frequencies
in the down position. The BRIGHT switch adds an overall brightness to the
sound when in the up position.
VOLUME - This controls the overall output of the amplifier.
MUTE - This switch silences the output of the amplifier for tuning or changing
instruments, whilst it performs the same function as a standby switch it
works in a diiferent way and in this unit the output valves are still running
when the amplifier is muted.
VU METER - The VU meter provides a visual indication of the output level of
the amplifier.
REAR PANEL FACILITIES
DI OUTPUT - This XLR socket is used to connect the amplifier to a low
impedance, balanced input on a PA system or recording mixer. The DI output
is taken from a separate winding on the output transformer, allowing the full
character of the valve tone to be sent to the PA or recording console.
SPEAKER OUTPUTS - There are dedicated 1/4" jack connectors for 4 and 8
Ω
load speaker cabinet configurations. It is important that the correct output or
outputs are used to match the impedance load of your cabinets. Please refer
to the diagrams later in this manual.
POWER - This switch is used to switch the amplifier on and off.
