Mesa/Boogie Lonestar Owner's Manual
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Mesa/Boogie Lonestar Owner's Manual

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  • Page 1 OOGIE Owner's Manual...
  • Page 2 Hello from the Tone Farm ...You, smart player and intuitive human, have put your trust in us to be your amplifier company. This is something we do not take lightly. By choosing this instrument to be a part of your musical voice, you have become part of the Mesa family...WELCOME! Our goal is to never let you down.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE_OF_CONTENTS OVERVIEW________________________________________________________________________ 1-2 HELPFUL_HINTS_ __________________________________________________________________ 2-3 INSTANT_GRATIFICATION_ _ ____________________________________________________________3 FRONT_PANEL_CONTROLS_&_FEATURES INPUT______________________________________________________________________________4 FOOTSWITCH_______________________________________________________________________4 DRIVE______________________________________________________________________________4 CHANNEL_SELECT___________________________________________________________________5 DRIVE_/_CLEAN_ _____________________________________________________________________5 THICK_/_NORMAL_/_THICKER_ __________________________________________________________5 GAIN_______________________________________________________________________________6 TREBLE_/_MID_/_BASS_______________________________________________________________ 7-8_ PRESENCE_/_MASTER_ _ _______________________________________________________________8 100_/_50_/_10_WATT:__Channel_Power_Select______________________________________________ 8-9 OUTPUT_&_SOLO_CONTROLS_________________________________________________________10 POWER:__TWEED_/_OFF_/_ON_&_STANDBY_____________________________________________ 10-11 REAR_PANEL_CONTROLS,_SWITCHES_&_JACKS FUSE_ _ ____________________________________________________________________________12 RECTIFIER_SELECT:__Diodes_&_Tube_Rectifier_Tracking_ _ ___________________________________12 FX_LOOP_ _ _________________________________________________________________________13 REVERB___________________________________________________________________________14 CHANNEL_&_SOLO:__External_Switch_Ports_ _____________________________________________14 BIAS_SELECT_ _ __________________________________________________________________ 14-15 SPEAKERS__&__SLAVE_______________________________________________________________15...
  • Page 4 PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS Your MESA/Boogie Amplifier is a professional instrument. Please treat it with respect and operate it properly. USE COMMON SENSE AND ALWAYS OBSERVE THESE PRECAUTIONS: WARNING: EU: permission from the Supply Authority is needed before connection. WARNING: Vacuum tube amplifiers generate heat. To insure proper ventilation always make certain there is at least four inches (100mm) of space behind the rear of the amplifier cabinet.

  • Page 5: Overview

    Instruction Manual Overview: _ Congratulations on your choice of the LONE_STAR as your amplifier and Welcome to the MESA/Boogie Family! This hand-built instrument was crafted with the finest quality components and designed to provide you with years of musical inspira- tion and toneful satisfaction.

  • Page 6: Helpful_Hints

    Overview: (Continued) You can also choose the type of rectification you want, the stiffer, punchier response of the Silicon Diodes or the vintage sagginess of Tube Rectifier Tracking. For ultimate clip-ability and a vintage-squish feel, choose 50 watts and Tube rectification. For clean headroom and tight tracking accuracy, select 100 watts and the Diodes are automatically brought on line to keep things bold and authoritative.

  • Page 7: Instant_Gratification

    HELPFUL_HINTS: (Continued) 4.) Make all speaker connections with unshielded speaker cable. 5.) Make all external processing connections to the EFFECTS LOOP with shielded cable. 6.) When the Footswitch is not available or desired, use the Front Panel mini toggle to select the two channels. 7.) The Front Panel OUTPUT and SOLO controls are not active until the Effects Loop is switched to the LOOP ACTIVE position.

  • Page 8: Input

    FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features INPUT: This is the instrument INPUT jack. This jack feeds the preamp and since the LONE_STAR_is a high gain amplifier and therefore very sensitive, always use a high quality shielded cable between the instrument and the amplifier. This will prevent unwanted noise and microphonic cable sounds.

  • Page 9: Channel_Select

    FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__ (Continued) CHANNEL_SELECT: This 3 position mini toggle allows manual selection of the Channels when the Footswitch is not connected. Set it to the center FT-SW position to use the Channel Select Footswitch. CH_1 CH_2 INPUT DRIVE_/_CLEAN: _ This switch is responsible for activating the DRIVE circuitry in Channel 2. Set to DRIVE, the overdrive circuitry is active and additional tube stages are added in front of the normal “rhythm”...

  • Page 10: Gain

    FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__ (Continued) GAIN: This control adjusts the predominant gain stage in each channel’s circuit with the function and taper being optimized for each individual channel. Remember that your LONE_STAR_is really two amplifiers built onto one chassis, so though each channel looks identical, the GAIN control for each channel comes in a different place and adjusts a different point in that channel’s circuit.

  • Page 11: Treble Mid Bass

    FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__ (Continued) TREBLE: _ As in most tube guitar amplifiers, the TREBLE control ( in both channels of your LONE_STAR_) is the most powerful of the rotary controls and is next in line only to the GAIN control as a shaping tool. Because it is first in the signal path of the tone controls - and from here the Middle and Bass receive their signal - it is by far the dominant tone control.

  • Page 12: Presence Master

    FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__ (Continued) BASS:_ (Continued) Note: The BASS_control in both channels of your LONE_STAR is very powerful and though we have taken steps to ensure a balanced tone is easy to achieve, it is wise to blend with subtle nuance in mind. This is especially true in Channel 2 when using either the regular Channel 1 style gain circuitry cranked, or the DRIVE circuitry for higher gain lead sounds.
  • Page 13 FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__ (Continued) The 10 watt (switch down – 1 6L6 x 2 in parallel) setting causes a complete 100W_/_50W_/_10W:_Channel_Power_Select_ (Continued) reconfiguration of your power section and you will find this patented switch-ability only in a MESA. Here, the Class of Operation switches to pure Class A - which is far less efficient, producing more heat and less power, but with a sweeter, warmer sounding clip characteristic that never sounds edgy or harsh.

  • Page 14: Output_&_Solo_Controls

    FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__ (Continued) OUTPUT_&_SOLO_CONTROLS: OUTPUT: This control determines the overall output volume level of the amplifier. After the GAIN controls have been set for the desired sound style and the two channels levels have been balanced with the channel MASTER controls, the OUTPUT control allows you to change the playing level by adjusting a single control.
  • Page 15 FRONT_PANEL:__Controls_&_Features__ (Continued) STANDBY: Perfect for set breaks... this toggle switch also serves an even more important purpose. In the Standby position the tubes are at idle so that during power up they may warm up before being put to use. Before Power is switched on make sure the STANDBY switch is in the Standby position.

  • Page 16: Fuse

    REAR_PANEL: WARNING: ALL - TUBE OOGIE Unplug power LONE STAR before replacing AMPLIFIER fuse or removing CH 2 REVERB CH 1 bolts mounting FUSE SILICON SEND RETURN REVERB chassis NORMAL LOOP CHANNEL SOLO BIAS SELECT First set sound with SPEAKERS DIODES BRIGHT LOOP bypassed.

  • Page 17: Fx_Loop

    REAR_PANEL:_ (Continued) FX_LOOP:__Series The_LONE_STAR_handles outboard processing by providing an on-board patch point between the preamp and power section. This loop is wired such that the dry signal is in series with the effected (wet) signal. The circuit also incorporates a SEND_LEVEL_control allowing you to fine tune the output of the LONE STAR preamp circuit to match the input sensitivity of your processor (or first processor in a rack system).

  • Page 18: Reverb

    REAR_PANEL:_ (Continued) REVERB: The LONE_STAR_ incorporates a stunning analog Reverb circuit that is fitted with individual Channel Mix controls and a unique Reverb Voicing feature that offers a choice between two classic reverb sounds. ALL - TUBE OOGIE REVERB_BRIGHT produces a vintage guitar amp style brighter sound filled with canyons of har- LONE STAR AMPLIFIER monics and the classic spring resonance, while REV_ W ARM features a smoother, warmer character...

  • Page 19: Speakers

    REAR_PANEL:_ (Continued) BIAS_SELECT:__ (Continued) NOTE: It is possible to run the smaller octal 6V6 power tubes for reduced power applications and a looser bubblier sound in the TWEED AC POWER SETTING ONLY. Leave the BIAS_SELECT switch set to 6L6 (switch down) and install four 6V6 power tubes.

  • Page 20: Factory Sample Settings

    FACTORY SAMPLE SETTINGS TUBE RECTIFIER TRACKING SAMPLE # 1 LONESTAR STATE CH 1 100 W TWEED OUTPUT SOLO LOOP ON 50 W CH 2 10 W INPUT POWER OFF GAIN TREBLE BASS PRESENCE MASTER CLEAN DRIVE STANDBY FT.SW 100 W...
  • Page 21 FACTORY SAMPLE SETTINGS SAMPLE # 5 PASS THE SAUCE TUBE RECTIFIER TRACKING CH 1 100 W TWEED OUTPUT SOLO 50 W LOOP ON CH 2 INPUT 10 W POWER OFF GAIN TREBLE BASS PRESENCE MASTER CLEAN DRIVE STANDBY FT.SW 100 W THICK 50 W 10 W...
  • Page 22 PERSONAL SETTINGS SHEET SETTING # 1 CH 1 100 W TWEED OUTPUT SOLO LOOP ON 50 W CH 2 10 W INPUT POWER OFF TREBLE GAIN BASS PRESENCE MASTER CLEAN DRIVE FT.SW STANDBY 100 W THICK 50 W 10 W THICKER SETTING # 2 CH 1...

  • Page 23: Tube_Maintenance_&_Diagnosis

    TUBE_NOISE_&_MICROPHONICS: You may occasionally experience some form of tube noise or microphonics. Certainly no cause for alarm, this quirky behavior comes with the territory and the Tone. Much like changing a light bulb, you don’t need a technician to cure these types of minor user serviceable annoyances and in fact, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to cure tube problems...by simply swapping out a pre-amp or power tube! First may we suggest that you set the amplifier up on something so that you can get to the tubes comfortably without having to bend down.
  • Page 24 DIAGNOSING_PRE-AMP_TUBE_PROBLEMS: Because your amplifier is an all tube design, it is quite possible that you will at some point experience minor pre-amp tube noise. Rest assured - this is no cause for alarm and you can take care of the problem yourself in a matter of minutes by simply swapping tubes.

  • Page 25: Tube_Description_&_Task_Chart

    PAGE_21...

  • Page 26: Bias_Adjustment

    BIAS_ADJUSTMENT:__ (Part of a continuing series) BEAM- CONFINING An Article written by Randall Smith that ELECTRODE CATHODE we thought you might find interesting. GRID ..SCREEN GRID ..PLATE .
  • Page 27 BIAS_ADJUSTMENT:__ (Continued) control grids. Voltage and current are NOT the same. Current is the AMOUNT of electricity, the “quantity” — and is measured in amperes. Voltage is the degree of electric charge — like the “pressure” to use the old water analogy. Let me illustrate how different voltage and current are: When you scrape your feet across a carpeted floor in dry, wintery conditions, your body can become charged with 50,000 to 100,000 volts of static electricity.
  • Page 28 BIAS_ADJUSTMENT:__ (Continued) Again, this has some merit .. but it’s still not as good as using tubes that are matched in the first place because compensating for the mis-match causes the push-pull circuit itself to become unbalanced. Two wrongs don’t really make a right.

  • Page 29: Speaker_Impedance

    SPEAKER_IMPEDANCE_MATCHING_&_HOOK-UP_GUIDE: IMPEDANCE: Wiring up speakers to provide the most effective load and making sure that all of them are in phase will help in creating the best sound possible. This is not too difficult, as long as you understand a few things about loading and how to connect your speakers to provide an optimal resistive load.
  • Page 30 SPEAKER_IMPEDANCE_MATCHING_&_HOOK-UP_GUIDE:__ (Continued) PARALLEL: When wiring in parallel, the resistance of the speakers decreases. Two 8 ohm speakers wired in ( hooked-up ) Parallel results in a 4 ohm load. It’s easy to calculate the effect of a resistive load when all the speakers are all the same resistance. It is really not suggested to wire different resistive load values in Parallel ( 8 and 4, 16 and 8 etc.
  • Page 31 _WIRING_SCHEMES...Amplifier_to_Speaker_Cabinets Partial_back_view_of_amplifier Partial_back_view_of_amplifier 8_OHM 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_OHM 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_Ohm___Cabinet Partial_back_view_of_ some_Mesa_amp 8_OHM 4_OHM 4_OHM 4_Ohm_Cabinet 8_Ohm_Cabinet 4_Ohm___Cabinet Partial_back_view_of_amplifier Partial_back_view_of_amplifier 4_OHM 8_OHM 16_OHM 8_Ohm___Cabinet 4_OHM 8_OHM 16_OHM SAFE_MISMATCH 16_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet SAFE_MISMATCH PAGE_27...
  • Page 32 _WIRING_SCHEMES...Amplifier_to_Speaker_Cabinets Partial_back_view_of_amplifier Partial_back_view_of_amplifier 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_OHM 8_OHM 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet 8_Ohm___Cabinet 8_Ohm___Cabinet SAFE_MISMATCH CORRECT_MATCH Partial_back_view_of_amplifier Partial_back_view_of_amplifier 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_OHM 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_OHM 8_Ohm 8_Ohm SERIES_BOX PARALLEL_BOX CORRECT_ 4_Ohm 4_Ohm 16_Ohm 16_Ohm CORRECT_ MATCH MATCH 4_Ohm___Cabinet 4_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet PAGE_28...
  • Page 33 _WIRING_SCHEMES...Amplifier_to_Speaker_Cabinets Partial_back_view_of_amplifier 16_Ohm 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_OHM SERIES_BOX 8_Ohm 8_Ohm 8_Ohm___Cabinet 8_Ohm___Cabinet 8_Ohm___Cabinet SAFE_MISMATCH Partial_back_view_of_amp Partial_back_view_of_amplifier CORRECT_MATCH 8_OHM 4_OHM 4_OHM 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_OHM 8_Ohm PARALLEL_BOX 16_Ohm 16_Ohm 8_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet SAFE_MISMATCH 16_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet PAGE_29...
  • Page 34 _WIRING_SCHEMES...Amplifier_to_Speaker_Cabinets Partial_back_view_of_amplifier 16_Ohm 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_OHM SERIES_BOX 8_Ohm 8_Ohm 8_Ohm___Cabinet 8_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet SAFE_MISMATCH Partial_back_view_of_amplifier 8_OHM 4_OHM 4_OHM 8_Ohm PARALLEL_BOX 16_Ohm 16_Ohm 16_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet 16_Ohm___Cabinet SAFE_MISMATCH PAGE_30...

  • Page 35: Triodes,_Pentodes_&_Irishmen

    ON_TRIODES,_PENTODES_&_IRISHMEN: With apologies to Friends and Relatives from the Emerald Isle - who will make their appearance soon enough - the humor which follows is dedicated to the memories of Spec McAuliff and Fae (Rafael) McNally, two of the True Greats. As their numerical references suggest, the terms Diode, Triode and Pentode indicate the number of elements within the vacuum tube i.e.
  • Page 36 ON_TRIODES,_PENTODES_&_IRISHMEN:___ (Continued) Thus a diode tube - one with a cathode and an anode - is mostly used to rectify alternating current into direct current by passing it without restriction, but in one direction only. This also explains why closing time is strictly enforced at Irish pubs: During normal operation, the traffic flow is similarly unimpeded and uni-directional toward the bar and this process rectifies the work-day negativity.
  • Page 37 PENTODES:__ (Continued) Thus the proper cocktail waitress - visible through the louvers - is scantily clad so as to be all the more effective at reinforcing the attractive influence of her bar and by being located in between the door and the bar, she serves as bait to lure customers past the door’s negative influence.

  • Page 38: Part_Sheet

    PAGE_34...
  • Page 39 OOGIE The Spirit of Art in Technology Thank you for trusting MESA/Boogie to be your amplifier company and we wish you many years of toneful enjoyment from this handbuilt all tube instrument.
  • Page 40 The Spirit of Art in Technology (707) 778-6565 FAX NO. (707) 765-1503 1317 Ross Street Petaluma, CA 94954 2/5/08...

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