Marshall Amplification AST2C Owner's Manual page 2

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing Marshall and congratulations on the purchase of your British
made, all-valve, 30 Watt Astoria Custom AST2C combo or AST2H head. Our goal
with the Astoria Custom was simple: create a single channel amplifier that marries
traditional hand wired craftsmanship with contemporary switching. We sincerely
hope that your Astoria Custom will provide you with countless hours of tone.
OVERVIEW
Your Astoria Custom has been expertly
crafted and is designed, engineered
and constructed to the highest possible
standards at the Marshall factory in
Bletchley, England. Its all-valve heart
comprises of: 4 x ECC83 (12AX7) in the
preamp, a GZ34 rectifier, and 2 x KT66
in the output stage, which is cathode
biased with no negative feedback.
This is a characteristic of many classic,
vintage amplifiers and produces
musical, harmonically rich distortion,
with 'chiming' higher frequencies and
warmer lows when the power valves are
overdriven.
The Astoria Custom combines a 100%
hand wired signal path with front panel
switches for Body, Brightness and Power
Reduction. To achieve this innovative
marriage of authentic tonal character
and contemporary switching capability
the Astoria Custom uses turrets
mounted on the PCB – allowing the hand
wiring and the more complex switching
circuitry to elegantly co-exist on a single
board.
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND HEED ALL WARNINGS
KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS
- The Marshall Team
For performance flexibility the Astoria
Custom features a +20dB Boost
function and a valve driven series FX
Loop, both of which are selectable using
the supplied 2-way footswitch.
Accompanying the traditional Bass,
Middle and Treble tone stack is the
Edge control, which adds brightness or
darkness to the amplifier's sound overall,
and the Body control, which thickens the
sound. The FX Loop features a rear panel
loop Level control for matching the
level of rack or pedal FX units with the
amplifier. For added convenience a front
panel LED illuminates to show when the
FX Loop is active.
To further enhance your tonal palette,
the Power Reduction feature drops
power from 30 Watts to 5 Watts,
producing warmer, softer tones.
The Astoria Custom combo features a
12" custom-voiced Celestion Creamback
speaker, as does the optional AST2-112
speaker cabinet, which is designed to
match either the AST2H head, or the
AST2C combo as an extension speaker
cabinet.
WARNING! IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
Before going any further, make sure that
your amplifier is compatible with your
mains electricity supply. If you have any
doubt, please seek help from a qualified
technician – your Marshall dealer can
help you in this respect.
MAINS INPUT & FUSE:
The specific mains input voltage
rating that your amplifier has been
manufactured for is indicated on the
rear panel of the amplifier.
Your amplifier is provided with a
detachable mains (power) lead, which
should be connected to the MAINS
INPUT socket on the rear panel of the
amplifier.
The correct value and type of mains
fuse is specified on the rear panel of the
amplifier.
NEVER attempt to bypass the fuse or fit
one of the incorrect value or type.
TRANSPORTING YOUR EQUIPMENT:
Please ensure that your amplifier is
switched off, unplugged from the mains
electricity supply and all removable
cables have been disconnected from
your equipment before attempting to
move it.
IMPORTANT SET UP INFORMATION:
1. Make sure that the speaker or
speaker cabinet(s) is connected to
the correct impedance loudspeaker
jack socket(s) on the rear panel of
the amplifier. See the
LOUDSPEAKERS guide in this
manual (Rear Panel Function #4)
for specific information regarding
impedance matching. When using a
speaker cabinet(s) make sure that
you use a proper speaker cable.
Never use a screened (shielded)
guitar cable for this purpose.
NOTE: Before connecting or
disconnecting the speaker or
speaker cabinet(s) you MUST switch
the amplifier off and disconnect
it from the mains electricity supply.
Switching on without a speaker
or speaker cabinet(s) plugged in will
damage the amplifier.
2. Ensure that the volume controls on
the front panel are set to zero.
3. Connect the supplied mains (power)
lead into the MAINS INPUT on the
rear panel first and then into the
mains electricity supply (Rear Panel
Function #1).
4. Plug your guitar into either the HI or
LO input jack socket on the front
panel (Front Panel Function #1).
5. Turn the front panel power switch
ON (Front Panel Function #12) and
wait for a few minutes before going
to point six below.
6. After waiting, engage the STANDBY
switch (Front Panel Function #11).
7. Turn the MASTER volume up to your
preferred level and your amp is ready
to play.