Blackstar TV-10-A Vintage 6L6 Amplifier Owner’s Manual

Blackstar TV-10-A Vintage 6L6 Amplifier

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Can I open the equipment case for maintenance?
  • A: No, the equipment case should not be opened as there are no user-serviceable parts inside. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
• Q: How should I clean the product?
  • A: Clean the product only with a dry cloth to prevent damage or electric shock.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings.
8. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
9. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
10. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
11. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
12. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

“TO COMPLETELY DISCONNECT THIS APPARATUS FROM THE AC MAINS, DISCONNECT THE POWER SUPPLY CORD PLUG FROM THE AC RECEPTACLE”.

“WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE AND OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES, SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THIS APPARATUS”.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operation and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

Warning!

Important safety information!

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY. SAVE ALL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product!

Danger:  High internal operating voltages.

• Do not open the equipment case. There are no user serviceable parts in this equipment. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
• Clean only with a dry cloth.
• Condensation can form on the inside of an amplifier if it is moved from a cold environment to a warmer location. Before switching the unit on, it is recommended that the unit be allowed to reach room temperature.
• Unauthorised modification of this equipment is expressly forbidden by Blackstar Amplification Ltd.
• Never push objects of any kind into ventilation slots on the equipment casing.
• Do not expose this apparatus to rain, liquids or moisture of any type.
• Avoid placing vessels filled with liquid on top of the amplifier.
• Do not place this product on an unstable trolley, stand or table. The product may fall, causing serious damage to the product or to persons!
• Do not cover or block ventilation slots or openings.
• This product should not be placed near a source of heat such as a stove, radiator, or another heat producing amplifier.
• Use only the supplied power cord which is compatible with the mains voltage supply in your area.
• Power supply cords should always be handled carefully and should be replaced if damaged in any way.
• Never break off the earth (ground) pin on the power supply cord.
• The power supply cord should be unplugged when the unit is to be unused for long periods of time.
• Before the unit is switched on, the loudspeaker should be connected as described in the handbook using the lead recommended by the manufacturer.
• Always replace damaged fuses with the correct rating and type.
• Never disconnect the protective mains earth connection.
• High loudspeaker levels can cause permanent hearing damage. You should therefore avoid the direct vicinity of loudspeakers operating at high levels. Wear hearing protection if continuously exposed to high levels.
• If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions are followed, then refer the product to a qualified service engineer.

The U.S. Government´s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the following permissible noise level exposures:

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of the above permissible limits could result in some hearing loss.

Ear plug protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn when operating this amplification system in order to prevent a permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits as set forth above. To ensure against potentially dangerous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pressure levels such as this amplification system be protected by hearing protectors while this unit is in operation.

All electrical and electronic products should be disposed of separately from the municipal waste stream via designated collection facilities appointed by the government or the local authorities.

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this TV-10 A amplifier.

Like all our products, this amp is the result of countless hours of painstaking
Research and Development by our world-class design team. Based in Northampton (UK), the Blackstar team are all experienced musicians themselves and the sole aim of the development process is to provide guitarists with products which are the ultimate tools for self-expression.

All Blackstar products are subjected to extensive laboratory and road testing to ensure that they are truly uncompromising in terms of reliability, quality and above all TONE.
Influenced by historic American amplifiers, this 10 Watt single-ended, Class A valve combo gives you all the tone and feel of a classic 6L6-driven amplifier in a compact format, perfect for the home, studio or smaller live performances. If you like what you hear and want to find out more about the Blackstar range of products please visit our website at www.blackstaramps.com.

Thanks!
The Blackstar Team

Features

The TV-10 A is a dynamic amplifier with extended highs and lows, which uses an ECC83 valve in the preamp stage. A harmonically rich overdrive can be engaged – either via the front panel or the included footswitch – which can take you from a dynamic crunch to singing, smooth legato. Much of the distinctive character of a single-ended valve amp comes from the way its power stage clips, bringing out the nuances of the chosen power amp valve.

The TV-10 A amplifier features a 6L6 power valve – influenced by classic American amplifiers – which produces a characteristically bright clean sound and a hot lead tone with natural compression when pushed hard using the Master Volume. The 10
Watts of output power driving a Celestion speaker makes the TV-10 A the perfect amp for practicing and recording at home or in the studio, and for smaller live performances.

Professional features such as a specially-voiced reverb, footswitching and an effects loop augment the sonic experience, making this amplifier fully equipped for today’s exacting performance requirements.

Completing the versatile feature set, a cabinet emulated line output is included for silent practice, recording or for supporting your live sound into a PA. The signal for the emulated output is taken directly after the power amp to ensure that you can capture and record the tonal characteristics of the Class A configured 6L6 power valve and output transformer being pushed into saturation.

Panels Overview

Front Panel

1. Input
   • Plug your guitar in here. Always use a good quality screened guitar lead.
2. Gain
   • The amplifier can be adjusted between a clean and light overdrive response by adjusting the Gain control. Low settings (counter clockwise) will deliver a clean sound.
   • As the Gain control is increased clockwise the valves will be driven harder, producing warmer tones with more harmonics. The actual tone will be dependant on the player’s dynamics and choice of guitar.
3. Drive Select
   • Press this switch to engage the built-in drive circuit taking you from a dynamic crunch to singing, smooth legato.
   • NOTE: This switch must be pressed to allow the use of a compatible footswitch to engage the Drive.
4. Tone
   • The Tone control allows adjustment of the balance between treble and bass frequencies within the sound. At low settings (counter clockwise) the sound will be warmer and darker in character. As the Tone control is rotated clockwise the sound will become brighter.
5. Reverb
   • The Reverb control sets the overall level of the reverb effect. With the control fully counter clockwise there will be no reverb. Turning the control clockwise will increase the amount of reverb.
6. Master Volume
   • This controls the output volume of the amplifier. Turning it clockwise increases the volume, pushing the Class A power stage into saturation.
7. Power Indicator Light
   • The power indicator will light when the amplifier is switched on.
8. Standby
   • This switch enables the operation of the speaker output. For silent recording or practice this switch should be put in the standby position. This will disable the speaker output, but the emulated output will continue to work.
9. Power
   • This switch is used to turn the amplifier on and off. You should always turn this switch on before turning on the Standby switch (8).

Rear Panel

1. Mains Fuse
   • The value of the Mains Fuse is specified on the rear panel. Never use a fuse of the incorrect value or attempt to bypass it.
2. Mains Input
   • The supplied detachable mains lead is connected here. The lead should only be connected to a power outlet that is compatible with the voltage, power and frequency requirements stated on the rear panel. If in doubt get advice from a qualified technician.
3. H.T. Fuse
   • The value of the H.T. Fuse is specified on the rear panel. Never use a fuse of the incorrect value or attempt to bypass it.
4. Speaker Outputs
   • The output marked ‘1×16 Ohm’ is for the connection of a single 16 Ohm extension speaker cabinet (or the internal loudspeaker of the TV-10 A combo).
   • The outputs marked ‘1×8 Ohm or 2×16 Ohm’ are for the connection of either a single 8 Ohm extension cabinet or two 16 Ohm cabinets. Also, the internal loudspeaker of the TV-10 A combo can be plugged in here if it is used with a 16 Ohm extension cabinet. See table below.
   • WARNING: The output marked ‘1×16 Ohm’ should never be used at the same time as any of the outputs marked ‘1×8 Ohm or 2×16 Ohm’. Failure to correctly match the impedance of the amplifier and speakers will damage the amplifier.
5. Speaker Emulated Output
   • This output emulates the tonal characteristics of a guitar speaker cabinet and provides a natural valve overdrive tone for connection to a recording device or mixing desk. Always use a good quality screened lead.
   • IMPORTANT NOTE: Always use a TRS/stereo jack lead when using this output, as this will not function with a mono jack lead.
   • A TRS/stereo ‘Y-lead’ is provided to split the signals to mono when needed.
   • The stereo jack socket also accommodates connection of headphones to this output, allowing you to practice silently.
   • NOTE: For silent practice or recording switch the amp into Standby (8) mode to silence the internal speaker.
6. Effects Loop Level
   • The Effects Loop Level switch sets the effects loop to either +4dBV/-10dBV, which enables you to use it with either professional equipment (+4dBV setting), or with guitar level effects such as effects pedals (-10dBV setting).
7. Effects Loop Return
   • Connect the (mono) output of an external effects unit here.
8. Effects Loop Send
   • Connect the (mono) input of an external effects unit here.
9. Footswitch
   • The supplied footswitch is connected here. The footswitch enables you to engage the Drive.
   • The optional FS-8 footswitch will also allow control of the Reverb.

Technical Specification

• Power (RMS): 10 Watts
• Valves: 1 x 6L6, 1 X ECC83
• Weight (kg): 14.7
• Dimensions (mm): 473 x 421 x 251
• Footswitch: FS-4S included, optional FS-8 for control of Drive and Reverb.

More Information

Blackstar Amplification Ltd, Beckett House, 14 Billing Road, Northampton, NN1 5AW, UK
For the latest information go to: www.blackstaramps.com
Whilst the information contained herein is correct at the time of publication, due to our policy of constant improvement and development, Blackstar Amplification Ltd reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice.

Designed and Engineered by Blackstar Amplification UK

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