Please note:
you may find that some new, used, or even n.o.s. preamp tubes may be too
“
microphonic
“ for the first gain stage
(
V1
)
of a Komet
amplifier. A microphonic preamp
tube is a condition in which a tube will absorb mechanical vibration and amplify it into the
audible range. In this scenario, a tube can “
feedback
”, or give off a loud, high pitched
squealing noise. Feed back can occur intermittently, even without an instrument plugged into the
input of the amp. This does not mean that the tube
(s)
are completely unusable. You can
experiment by moving each pre amp tube to one of the other two preamp tube socket “
V
“
positions, where microphonics may not be as noticeable. Make sure you make note of each
tube’s previous position. A small amount of “
hiss
“ is also normal for high gain amplifiers. An
excessive
amount of hiss, especially when the volume control of the amplifier is all the way
down and with no instrument plugged in the input jack, denotes a bad pre amp tube. Some n.o.s.
tube suppliers do offer “
select
“, or hand picked pre amp tubes, which are superior in all aspects
of quality, especially non-microphonic.
NOTE:
Please pay close attention when extracting and installing the power and pre amp tubes.
The pins must align perfectly into the socket. Bent tube pins, especially when forced into a tube
socket,
will
cause serious damage to an amplifier’s tube socket pin inserts.
This results
99%
of
the time with the tube socket needing replacement. To avoid this contingency, purchase a
miniature pinned, nine holed, pre amp tube pin straightener. These can be found online from
many vintage tube retailers. This easy to use device guarantees that your pre amp tubes' pins will
always be perfectly straight and aligned for socket insertion.
Komet
Amplification’s warranty
does not cover damage done to tube socket pins from mis-alignment/ and or bent tube pins.
SPEAKERS FOR THE KOMET
CONCORDE
The Komet
Concorde is a big sounding amp. It is voiced for a sparkling clean sound at low
volumes, and a smooth, dynamic - harmonic overdrive and strong midrange punch.
In our
opinion,
these characteristics are best complimented with a closed back
, ( preferably vintage )
4
X
12
speaker cabinet. Our favorite reference speakers for Komet
amplifiers in general are
original coned, vintage 12 inch Celestion speakers from the 1960’s. You may come to a
different conclusion, depending on your playing style and preferences. A
2
X
12
cabinet,
( open
or closed back ),
is another excellent choice, but care should be taken to select speakers that can
handle the power, low end, and attack. The Komet
Amplification speaker cabinet lineup is
another excellent option. Please see our website
www.kometamps.com
for full speaker cabinet
information.
Whichever cabinet you do use, make sure you
set the impedance selector correctly.
If you use
two cabinets, keep in mind that the amplifier’s outputs are in parallel. This means that if you are
operating the amplifier on two, 16 Ohm cabinets, you must set the amplifier’s impedance
selector to the 8 Ohm setting. Set the Ohm selector to 4 Ohms if you are operating two 8 Ohm
cabinets. We do not recommend using two 4 Ohm cabinets. Speaker wiring diagrams are
located at the end of this owner’s manual.
NOTE:
Komet
Amplification
RECOMMENDS RESISTIVE LOAD ATTENUATION DEVICES
in
conjunction with any Komet amplifier and speaker cabinet.
Copyright 2000-2012, Riverfront Music, L.L.C. d.b.a. Komet
Amplification. May not be reproduced in any form without express written
consent from Riverfront Music, L.L.C. d.b.a. Komet
Amplification.
