VOX VGA-3PS Archtop Acoustic Electric Guitars Owner’s Manual

ARCHTOP ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITARS
VOX Giulietta VGA-3PS ARCHTOP ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITARS
VOX Giulietta VGA-5TPS
Owner’s Manual
EFGSJ 2

Precautions

Location
Using the unit in the following locations can result in a malfunction.

• In direct sunlight
• Locations of extreme temperature or humidity
• Excessively dusty or dirty locations
• Locations of excessive vibration
• Close to magnetic fields

Power supply
Please connect the designated AC adapter to an AC outlet of the correct voltage. Do not connect it to an AC outlet of voltage other than that for which your unit is intended.
Handling
To avoid breakage, do not apply excessive force to the switches or controls.
Care
If the exterior becomes dirty, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners such as benzene or thinner, cleaning compounds, or flammable polishes.
Keep this manual
After reading this manual, please keep it for later reference.
Keeping foreign matter out of your equipment
Never set any container with liquid in it near this equipment. If liquid gets into the equipment, it could cause a breakdown, fire, or electrical shock. Be careful not to let metal objects get into the equipment. If something does slip into the equipment, unplug the AC adapter from the wall outlet. Then contact your nearest VOX dealer or the store  here the equipment was purchased.

Notice regarding disposal (EU only)
When this “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol is displayed on the product, owner’s manual, battery, or battery package, it signifies that when you wish to dispose of this product, manual, package, or battery you must do so in an approved manner. Do not discard this product, manual, package, or battery along with ordinary household waste. Disposing of it in the correct manner will prevent harm to human health and potential damage to the environment. Since the correct method of disposal will depend on the applicable laws and regulations in your locality, please contact your local administrative body for details. If the battery contains heavy metals in excess of the regulated amount, a chemical symbol is displayed below the “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol on the battery or battery package.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONSUMERS
This product has been manufactured according to strict specifications and voltage requirements that are applicable in the country in which it is intended that this product should be used. If you have purchased this product via the internet, through mail order, and/or via a telephone sale, you must verify that this product is intended to be used in the country in which you reside.
WARNING: Use of this product in any country other than that for which it is intended could be dangerous and could invalidate the manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty.  Please also retain your receipt as proof of purchase otherwise your product may be disqualified from the manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty.

• All product names and company names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

VOX Giulietta VGA-5TPS
VOX Giulietta VGA-3PS

Part Name

1. Low Cut control
2. Tone knob
3. Power LED
4. Volume knob
5. Active
6. Guitar output jack
7. Recharge LED
8. USB connector

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the VOX Giulietta VGA-5TPS/3PS Archtop Acoustic Electric Guitars. To enjoy your VGA-5TPS/3PS to its fullest potential, please read this manual carefully and use the instrument only as directed. Keep this manual for future reference.

Main Features

The VOX Giulietta VGA-5TPS/3PS is an easy-to-play medium-scale acoustic- electric guitar with the VOX Hybrid Bridge and the VOX String Mute. This guitar features the  VOX Super Capacitor Preamp System, and can be connected to a guitar amp or PA system and played for up to 10 continuous hours after being charged via USB.

VOX Hybrid Bridge
The VOX Hybrid Bridge was developed to impart tonal brilliance and sustain for added versatility and character. We set out to keep the warm character and classic looks of archtop construction while adding the ringing sustain and bell-like harmonics that make flattop guitars a favorite with live and recording artists worldwide.
The heart of the VOX Hybrid Bridge is the bonding of resonant wood with the clarity and definition of aluminum.
The bridge imparts the Giulietta with rich, harmonically complex overtones and flattop-like sustain. Great care was taken to minimize handling noise and booming.

VOX String Mute
Archtop guitars suffer from a phenomenon known as over-ring when the strings from the back edge of the saddles to the tailpiece “ring” whenever the player strums the guitar.  The VOX String Mute clips onto the strings behind the bridge and uses special pads to quiet the over-ring for a pure guitar tone.

Part Names and Functions

Preamp Section

1. Low Cut control
   Adjust this if you hear unnecessary low-frequency sounds when using a guitar amp or PA system. Rotating this control clockwise will cut the bass.
   Use a small flathead screwdriver to adjust the Low cut control.

2. Tone knob
   Adjusts the tone.

3. Power LED
   This LED will briefly light when a cable is plugged into the guitar output jack.
     The guitar output jack is for monaural signals only. Use a monaural cable.
   If the LED does not light, the preamp power has dropped. Charge the preamp if this is the case.
   The LED will not light if the Active/Passive switch is set to “Passive”.

4. Volume knob
   Adjusts the preamp volume.

5. Active/Passive switch
   Switches between active (using the preamp) and passive (not using the preamp). When this is set to active, the preamp activates, which enables the controls (Volume, Tone and Low Cut). When this is set to passive, the preamp does not activate, and the signal from the piezo pickup is outputted as-is.
   When this is set to passive, the controls (Volume, Tone and Low Cut) are disabled.
   Jack Section

6. Guitar output jack
   This is the guitar’s output jack (monaural). Connect it to your guitar amp or other equipment.

7. Recharge LED
   This LED lights when the preamp is charged.
   If the LED does not light, check the USB cable connection and whether the AC adapter is functioning properly.

8. USB connector
   This is a USB micro-B connector for charging the preamp.

Setup

This section explains the basic setup procedure for your VOX Giulietta VGA- 5TPS/3PS.
Charging
To charge the preamp, plug an AC adapter (DC 5V, 550 mA or more) that conforms to USB 2.0 standards into the USB (micro-B) connector of the guitar.　The guitar uses an electric double-layer capacitor.
The guitar can be played for about 8 hours by charging for 10 minutes and up to about 10 hours with charging for 15 minutes (VOX Super Capacitor Preamp System).
Noise may be produced if the guitar is played while being charged. Therefore, do not charge the guitar while it is being played.
When the sound is distorted or noise is produced, the electric double-layer capacitor power is low. When this occurs, recharge the guitar immediately.
Owing to the characteristics of the electric double-layer capacitor, the capacitor will discharge on its own when not used for a long period of time, decreasing the available power. If you have not played this instrument for a long time, charge it before playing.
If the guitar is not being charged, disconnect the AC adapter.

Connections

When using an internal preamp, set the active/passive switch to active, and connect using the following steps. When using an external preamp, set this switch to passive, and connect by following the instructions for the device you are using.
1. Connect the cable to the guitar output jack. Connect the cable to an acoustic guitar amp or line input of the PA system with the volume knob turned all the way down.
2. Gradually raise the volume on the guitar amp or other amplifier/speaker and the Volume knob on this instrument to adjust the volume. Use the Tone knob as necessary.
3. When turning off the power, first lower the volume on the guitar amp or other equipment, turn the Volume knob of this instrument all the way down and then pull the cable out from the guitar output jack.

Setting up your guitar

Replacing the strings
The bridge on your Giulietta archtop guitar is not fastened to the guitar top, but is set in the correct position at the factory and held in place by string tension. When restringing, don’t remove all the strings at once. Changing one string at a time will allow the bridge to remain in the correct position. The initial bridge position is as shown in the drawing.

If the bridge has been moved, don’t try to return it to the correct position under full string tension since this may affect the performance of the piezo saddle. If you need to verify the location, either after an accidental change to the bridge position or after installing a different type or gauge of strings, check the intonation of the E strings and adjust as needed (loosening the strings before moving the bridge) so that the fretted notes and harmonics at the 12th fret match.
If you are uncomfortable with this kind of adjustment, consult a qualified guitar repair person.
Adjusting the string height
To raise or lower the string height, turn the bridge saddle adjustment screws to the desired height. The string height also affects the playing feel. If you’ve changed the string height, you may need to adjust the intonation of the octaves.
Install or Remove the VOX String Mute

1. Holding the VOX String Mute in your left hand, grasp the Low and High E strings with the thumb and index finger of your right hand. Squeeze the strings gently towards each other.
2. Hook one end of the mute onto the Low E string and gently push the opposite end of the mute onto the High E string until it is seated in the curved section of the mute.
3. Release the Low and High E strings. The mute is now installed.
4. Reverse the above directions for mute removal.

Adjusting the neck relief
First, with your guitar tuned correctly, press down the sixth string at the 1st fret and at the last fret. Then check whether there is a gap between the top of the 8th fret and the 6th string. Ideally, this gap should be about the thickness of the first string. If the gap is larger than this, the neck has too much relief. Using the included wrench, turn the truss rod slightly in the clockwise direction, tightening the truss rod to decrease the gap. Conversely, if the gap is too small, or if the 6th string touches the 8th fret, turn the truss rod slightly counterclockwise. If you’ve changed the neck relief, you may need to adjust the intonation of the octaves.
Perform this step carefully, a little at a time. Take the guitar to a repair shop if you’re not comfortable making this adjustment.

Caring for your guitar

When you finish playing, wipe the entire guitar with a clean, soft, dry cloth.
Take care not to expose the guitar to extreme temperature changes, such as leaving it in a hot automobile for an extended period of time. Doing so may damage the finish.

Specifications

Scale: Medium Scale 628 mm
Number of Frets: 22
I/O: USB Connector (micro-B) x 1, Guitar output jack x 1
Power source: Electric double-layer capacitor
Battery life: Approximately 10 hours (after being charged for 15 minutes)
Included items: Gigbag, USB cable for charging, adjustment wrench, Owner’s Manual

• Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for improvement.

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