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FOR MONORAL OPERATION:

Plug a standard 1/4” guitar cable into the
Main Jack, and the power to the active
controls will be switched on.  The
outputs of both the Acoustic (Piezo) and
the Electric (Magnetic) pickups will come
through this one jack, with all controls
operational.

PLAN A:

Plug into a single channel amp that has a
footswitch distortion section.  Turn
distortion off when playing acoustic,
then (if you want distortion) turn it on
when you turn the blend pot to electric.

PLAN B:

Plug into a single channel amp that has a
footswitchable EQ section.  Optimize the
Tone settings for Electric/Graphic EQ for
Acoustic.

FOR STEREO OPERATION:

Plug one standard 1/4” guitar cable into
the Main Jack, and a second standard
1/4” guitar cable into the Acoustic Jack.
Now the Piezo output will be directed out
of the Acoustic Jack and the Magnetic
output will be directed out of the Main
Jack, with all controls operational.

PLAN A:

Plugging into separate channels on most
dual channel amps will allow you to
optimize the Tone and Drive sections for
the Magnetic and Piezo outputs.  With
the Blend Pot centered, the footswitch
on these amps will then let you select
between acoustic or electric pickup.

PLAN B:

This will give the best possible sound for
both the electric and acoustic.  Plug the
Main Jack into a guitar amp and the
Acoustic Jack into a P.A. system with full
range speakers that have tweeters.  Use
the Blend Pot to go between electric &
acoustic sounds, or mix them together.

12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA  92128

1-800-854-2235 or www.carvin.com

Electric (Magnetic)

Tone

Acoustic (Piezo)

Tone

Max

Treble

Cut

Treble

Boost

Treble

Cut

Treble

Boost

AE185 ACTIVE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

With 20 hours use per week a 9 volt alkaline battery will last
about six months.  A lithium battery will last about a year.

Important:  Unplug instrument when not in use to
eliminate battery drain.

If any minor distortion is detected when you play hard, then
you should change the battery.  Minimum voltage
requirement—7 volts.

Important:  The pop-up compartment is designed so that
the lid will close easily if the battery is installed properly,
with the positive terminal of the battery matching that of
the pop-up compartments.  See illustration for proper
battery installation.
If you try to force the compartment lid shut with the
battery terminals reversed, you may damage the
electronic module.

Always unplug your instrument from the amp when
changing the battery to prevent damage to your electronic
module.

1

2

3

POP-UP BATTERY COMPARTMENT

PROPER ANGLE FOR BRIDGE SADDLE

(Magnetic)

Electric

(Piezo)

Acoustic

Blend Pot

Master Volume

(effects both magnetic

& piezo pickups)

3-way Selector

(for magnetic pickups) 

Neck

Both

Bridge

Phase

IN

OUT

Dual-Single

(neck only)

DUAL

SIN

Dual-Single

(bridge only)

DUAL

SIN

Option 38

Main Jack

*Acoustic Jack

YES

NO

Important:  For best amplified acoustic sound with even output from each string,
make sure that your Bridge Saddle is sitting straight up and not angled forward.
This should be checked and corrected every time you change strings.  With the
strings tuned to pitch, use a small hammer and piece of wood dowel and lightly
tap the Saddle toward the rear of the bridge until it is sitting upright.

Bridge Saddle

Bridge

Pickup

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