Road King Manual - Mesa Boogie

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A +BREAR PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES (Continued)SELECTING POWER TUBES: (Continued)2xEL34: is similar in output to the 2 x 6L6 duo but oddly enough can at times seem more powerful to the ear and has a very differentcharacter. The emphasis here is on top end and a more urgent stripped attitude. While this setup works for both low and high gainsounds, the additional top end accentuation combined with a drier low end makes clean sounds a bit more challenging to dial. Thereare some great edge of clean sounds possible, especially in the BRIT mode of CHANNEL 2 where the lower mid characteristic iscomplimentary to these brighter tubes.The EL’s have the harmonic spread, but not quite the balance of the 6L6 and this makes these Euro-born pentodes hygienicallychallenged when compared to the 6L6. For gain sounds though, they have an attitude all their own that is undeniable in its brashurgent glory. The seeming lack of sub-low performance hinders them a bit for modern high gain mosh or metal sounds, but they ownthe territory between clean and crunch with a lushness of harmonics and top-end shred that is wicked, yet musical. Only these tubesrespond with a looseness that is a benefit, for it produces that coming-apart-at-the-seams vibe that can put danger in any Rock andRoll part played through this rebellious team. Check out RAW and the lower half of VINTAGE in CHANNELS 3 and 4 for a world ofthese sounds, but ride the PRESENCE with care as there is substantially more high end here than any other power choice.TRIODE/PENTODE EL34 ONLY:This toggle switch located on the top (head) or underside (combo) of the chassis selects the type of operation the 2 x EL34 powertubes are wired for. As you might imagine, this setting affects the sound not only when these two tubes are selected alone, but also thethree power amp selections where they are combined with the 6L6s’ as well. The type of wiring scheme these tubes operate in alsoaffects overall wattage and output as well as the voicing and feel of the power section(s).NOTE: FULL SIZE TOGGLE SWITCHCOMBO VERSION 2 x EL 34(partial rear chassis view)REVERBALEVELSLAVEOUTEL 34 EL 34CH 4CH 2BCAUTION: USE SHORTING PLUG IF NO SPKRS IN BCH 4CH 2HEAD VERSION 2 x EL 34(partial rear chassis view)LEVELSLAVECAUTION: USE SHORTING PLUG IF NO SPKR IN BAMESA BOOGIECH 1CH 2REVERBOFF OFFLOOP 2 LOOP 1ADIODEEL 34 EL 34TRIODE: produces a softer, creamier, more forgiving style of output section often associated with early vintage amplifiers. Thissetting produces less output from the pair of EL34s’ and they can be pushed into clip more easily and have a smoother, silkier soundwhen they do clip. Because of the lower output characteristic of TRIODE style wiring, all three of the output section choices that utilizethe EL34s’ will be weaker output-wise. They will also exhibit a more rolled off cut region (treble frequencies and above) and an overallsofter attack. This is often preferable for Blues, Roots and higher gain legato single note solo sounds or any style that begs for arounder, less pointed attack and sweeter clip characteristic.PENTODE: offers a more powerful, urgent, punchy style of output power and would be considered the more modern way of wiringa power section for efficiency and overall wattage. This position produces substantially more power and the onset of clip occurs at amuch higher volume range. Along with the added power comes a more pronounced bump in the cut region that makes this settingseem even more powerful. Like the TRIODE position, this setting affects the sound any time the EL34s’ are combined with the 6L6s’.These three output sections will respond with substantially more output and increased punch. The Progressive Linkage rotary willdemonstrate this when you sweep from the 2 x EL34 position up through the 2 x EL34 + 4 x 6L6 position with the volume gettingPAGE 17
A +BREAR PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES (Continued)PENTODE: (Continued) progressively louder as you add output tubes. Because of this, the PENTODE position would be best fordemonstrating the Progressive Linkage feature. PENTODE is the choice for loud clean playing in Channels 1 & 2 where maximumheadroom is needed along with a bright clear attack. PENTODE would also be the choice for the tightest Bass response in high gainor saturated settings in Channels 3 & 4. When pushed to clip in this setting the El34s’ respond with a more aggressive top end qualitythat is great for heavy styles of music where you need added sizzle and a brash, bold edge.NOTE: It is normal for the volume level to drop as you switch the EL34s’ into the circuit with the combined power section choices (2X 6L6 + 2 x EL34 etc.) when the TRIODE / PENTODE switch is set to TRIODEPOWER FUSE120 V~60 Hz4 AFUSE4 ASLOBLOCHANNELFOOTCONTROLLERCH4 CH3 EXT.SWITCH CH2CH1SOLO REVERB LOOP 1 LOOP 2BYPASSLOOPS, SOLO& MASTERCONTROLSCOMBO VERSION 2 x EL 34(partial rear chassis view)RETURN 110% 90%SEND LEVEL FTSW MIXSEND 2RETURN 2 EXT. TRIGGERSSTR 430ING CH 4DIODE A ONPAU +LSEBTUBE-TRACKING BRECTO SPKROFFLOOP 1ONOFFLOOP 2STR 430DIODEATUBE-TRACKING BRECTO SPKRCH 3A +BONOFFLOOP 1ONOFFLOOP 2DIODEATUBE-TRACKING BRECTO SPKRSTR 430A +B2xEL342x6L62x6L62xEL34 4x6L62xEL+4x6L6PROGRESSIVELINKAGECH 1STR 430NORMAL10% 90%LOOP 2MIXREVERBCH 4 CH 2CH 4 CH 2ABCAUTION: USE SHORTING PLUG IF NO SPKRS IN BLEVELSLAVEOUTEL 34 EL 346L6 GC6L6 GC6L6 GC6L6 GCEL 34 EL 34 6L6 GC6L6 GC6L6 GC6L6 GCHEAD VERSION 2 x EL 34(partial rear chassis view)STR 430STR 430STR 430STR 430LEVELSLAVECAUTION: USE SHORTING PLUG IF NO SPKR IN BAMESA BOOGIECH 1CH 2REVERBOFF OFFLOOP 2 LOOP 1ADIODEOFF OFFLOOP 2 LOOP 1A +BDIODEON ON BCH 2NORMAL 2x6L62x 2xEL34 4xEL34 6L6ARECTOTUBE-TRACKINGOFF OFFLOOP 2 LOOP 1A +BON ON BCH 3NORMAL 2x6L62x 2xEL34 4xEL34 6L6ADIODERECTOTUBE-TRACKINGOFF OFFLOOP 2 LOOP 1A +BON ON BCH 4NORMAL 2x6L62x 2xEL34 4xEL34 6L6ADIODERECTOTUBE-TRACKINGPULSELATCHEXT TRIGGERSRETURN 2NORMALSEND 2NORMALRETURN1BYPASSLOOPS, SOLO& MASTERCONTROLSLOOP 2 LOOP 1CH1 CH2EXTSWITCHREV ERBCH3 CH4SOLOFOOTCONTROLLERFUSEPOWER FUSE120 V~ 4 AONONNORMAL10% 90%LOOP 2MIXCH 12xEL342x6L6RECTOTUBE-TRACKING2x6L62xEL34 4x6L62xEL+4x6L6PROGRESSIVELINKAGENOTE: It has been our experience that different types of EL34 seem to have drastically different sonic characters. The classic skinnyGerman Seimens type sound much as they look, skinny and bright with a looser nature, and are by far the best sounding EL34 to ourears. These tubes are out of production and are available only as coveted New Old Stock and most EL34 aficionados search far andwide for these harmonically luscious pentodes. For <strong>Road</strong> <strong>King</strong> owners we have a limited supply of these New Old Stock tubes andyou can contact our Customer Service Dept. and they can sell you a set. However, these are unfortunately, less reliable and if youprefer these, we suggest that you keep a spare set and some fuses on hand should they go bad. We suggest using these tubes forrecording only in a stable environment, as they do not seem sturdy enough for the rigors of the road.PAGE 18
Page 1 and 2: MESABOOGIEOwner's Manual
Page 3 and 4: Table of ContentsPrecautions 0Overv
Page 5 and 6: Operating InstructionsOVERVIEW:Cong
Page 7 and 8: Getting Started:2.) Install the 5U4
Page 9 and 10: CHANNEL MODES:CHANNELS 1 & 2: CLEAN
Page 11 and 12: CHANNEL MODES: (Continued)CHANNEL 3
Page 13 and 14: CONTROLS: (Continued)MID: (Continue
Page 15 and 16: CONTROLS: (Continued)OUPUT CONTROL:
Page 17 and 18: REAR PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURESREAR
Page 19: A +BREAR PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES
Page 23 and 24: A +BREAR PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES
Page 25 and 26: A +BREAR PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES
Page 27 and 28: LOOP 2 MIX:This rotary control dete
Page 29 and 30: REAR PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES (Con
Page 31 and 32: REAR PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES (Con
Page 33 and 34: CHANNEL 2 SETTING #1 Skinny SkankFA
Page 35 and 36: CHANNEL 4 SETTING #1 Atlantic Blues
Page 37 and 38: DIAGNOSING PREAMP TUBE PROBLEMS:Bec
Page 39 and 40: BIAS ADJUSTMENT: (Continued) grids.
Page 41 and 42: SPEAKER IMPEDANCE MATCHING & HOOK-U
Page 43 and 44: 1 WIRING SCHEMES...Amplifier to Spe
Page 45 and 46: WIRING SCHEMES...Amplifier to Speak
Page 47 and 48: ON TRIODES, PENTODES & IRISHMEN:Wit
Page 49 and 50: PENTODES: (Continued) stopping them
Page 51 and 52: MESA BOOGIEThe Spirit of Art in Tec

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