EarthQuaker Devices Black Ash Operation Manual

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©2018 EarthQuaker Devices LLC
Welcome to your new EarthQuaker Devices
This limited-run special edition fuzz unit is one of only one-thousand-five-
hundred in existence.
The Black Ash is a fuzz/overdrive that takes some cues from the vintage
3-knob Tone Bender. It uses a highly curated cache of rare and irreplaceable
components including paper-in-oil capacitors and NOS half-watt carbon
composition resistors from Jamie Stillman's personal stash to light a fire under
this classic fuzz/drive with an explosive-yet-detailed treble response, a sturdy
midrange, and subterranean bass extension.
The three controls on the surface of the Black Ash are for Level, Fuzz, and
Top. Level sets the output volume with unity gain around 10 o'clock. Fuzz
adjusts the amount of gain from cooled-off amp-like breakup at lower levels
to scorching fuzz tones when cranked. The control labeled Top works on
frequencies between 2kHz and 10kHz to adjust how "forward" the guitar sits in
the mix and helps pair the Black Ash with different pickup types.
At lower Top settings, Black Ash takes on an organic, woody character that
blankets the signal in warmth like an ol' Kentucky hug. As the Top is increased,
new harmonics appear, and the Black Ash gives a stiffer response with a
sharper attack that can make humbuckers chime and will make single-coils
glisten like pearly dewdrops in the morning sun. We find the Top control to be
most pronounced when used at lower Level and Fuzz settings with low-to-mid-
output pickups and a reasonably clean or edge-of-breakup amplifier.
Each Black Ash is built one-at-a-time, the hard way, by hand by amateur
dendrologists in the arboretum of Akron, Ohio, USA.
EQDBASH-EU-R0
<<< English >>>
Controls
® Black Ash ™ Endangered Fuzz!
Fuzz: Adjusts the amount of gain. Counterclockwise for less fuzz, clockwise
for more fuzz.
Top: Adjusts high frequencies between 2kHz – 10kHz and controls how
"forward" the guitar sits in the mix. Counterclockwise for less top, clockwise
for more top.
Level: Sets the output volume. Counterclockwise is quiet, clockwise is loud.
Power
This device take a standard 9 volt DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative
center barrel. We always recommend pedal-specific, transformer-isolated
wall-wart power supplies or multiple isolated-output supplies. Pedals will make
extra noise if there is ripple or unclean power. Switching-type power supplies,
daisy chains and non-pedal specific power supplies do not filter dirty power as
well and let through unwanted noise. DO NOT RUN AT HIGHER VOLTAGES!
Current Draw: 20mA
Input Impedance: 100K Ohm
Output Impedance: 22K Ohm
Switching
This device is true bypass and uses electronic relay-based switching. Audio
will not pass without power.
Warranty
This device has a limited lifetime warranty. If it breaks, we will fix it. Should you
encounter any issues, please email info@earthquakerdevices.com.
O P E R A T I O N M A N U A L