SUSTAINIAC SUSTAIN-MAN Manual

SYSTEM DETAILS
The Sustainiac SUSTAIN-MAN sustainer consists of three main parts: (1) Sustainiac string-driver
transducer; (2) Sustainiamp controller/amplifier; (3) Mounting bracket.
It all fits together like this (See diagram inside the booklet):
The mounting bracket connects to the guitar body by the lower strap button. The Sustainiamp box
connects to the mounting bracket with hook-and-loop fastner material. A short 18 inch guitar cord comes
from the Sustainiamp box and plugs into your guitar output jack. Your guitar pickup signal is tapped off
inside the Sustainiamp floorbox and is then amplified and processed by the Sustainiamp
controller/amplifier. Your raw guitar signal goes on unchanged to your amp or effects chain.through the
1/4 in. jack using any standard guitar cord.
The Sustainiac transducer attaches to the guitar headstock by the attached clamp. A 6 ft., 1/8 in. diameter
wire goes up over the strap (held in place by nylon tie wraps) to the headstock-mounted transducer. The
other end of the 1/8 in. cable has a 3.5mm plug. This 3.5mm plug is inserted into the jack labelled
TRANSDUCER. The high-energy amplified pickup signal comes from the 3.5mm Sustainiamp output
jack. The transducer then produces intense acoustic vibrations that are in synchronization with the string
vibrations. Vibration energy is added to the strings during each vibration. This is what sustains the
vibrations.
WARRANTY: One year from date of purchase.
POWER CONSUMPTION: 9 volts, 1/2 watt (one watt in TURBO mode).
Battery current: 50 milliamperes for a typical sustained note. 100 milliamperes in TURBO mode.
Battery life: 10 hours for a typical sustained note. 5 hours in TURBO mode.
TRANSDUCER: Impedance = 16 ohms.
CAUTION: Do not use the SUSTAIN-MAN transducer with our older Sustainiac Model B or Model
C sustainer floorboxes. This will likely damage the SUSTAIN-MAN transducer. We can modify the
Model B or Model C Sustainiamp to provide the right amount of power for safe, very intense sustain
energy
PHYSICAL: Amplifier box = 6.5 oz., 5 x 2.5 x 1 in. Transducer = 8.5 oz.; shipping weight = 1.5 lb.
(2.6kg)
Retail price: SUSTAINIAC SUSTAIN-MAN sustainer is $229.00 (U.S. dollars). Prices subject to
change without notice.
Maniac Music, Inc.
5348 N. Tacoma Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
USA ph: 317-340-1161
www.sustainiac.com email: info@sustainiac.com
SUSTAINIAC is a registered trademark of Maniac Music, Inc. Patents existing and pending.
August 2016
www.sustainiac.com
A sustainer is the only effect that operates directly on the strings of the instrument. A sustainer is the only effect that operates directly on the strings A sustainer is the only effect that operates directly on the strings A sustainer is the only effect that operates directly on the strings
All other effects change the signal that you hear. All other effects change the signal that you hear.
All other effects change the signal that you hear. All other effects change the signal that you hear.
The Sustainiac SUSTAIN-MAN replaces and improves upon
our famous SUSTAINIAC Model B and Model C sustainers.
The Model B is the sustainer that got it all started for us, back
in 1987. It is a workhorse of the studio, and has been used for
30 years around the world to generate effortless, natural
feedback sustain for electric guitar players. For the first time,
an electroacoustic sustainer is powered by a single 9-volt
battery, yet delivers the same sustain intensity as our previous
25 watt Model C that was powered by the power line. This
eliminates the transducer cord that hangs down to the floor.
HERE'S HOW THE SUSTAIN-MAN WORKS:
The Sustainiac SUSTAIN-MAN sustainer is an electro-
acoustic type sustainer. This is different from an electro-
magnetic type sustainer. The SUSTAIN-MAN produces
infinite sustain of an instrument's string vibrations by making
intense acoustic feedback. It is like getting feedback from the
loudspeakers of a very large, loud amp. Except much more so.
Amp feedback is unpredictable. Sometimes it works, but often
it doesn't. With the SUSTAIN-MAN you get successful
feedback-sustain at any volume level. It is very predictable and
controllable. You can enhance solos or produce vibrational
changes in the strings with success every time, because you are
not relying on room acoustics and amp position as you are with
amp feedback. The best part is that you don't have to play at
high volume to get screaming feedback sustain. No more
hearing loss from playing too loudly. Perfect for studio or
home.
The SUSTAIN-MAN has two main parts: (1) The transducer
(top photo) simply clamps to your guitar headstock, then
transforms your amplified, processed pickup signal coming
from the Sustainiamp into acoustic vibrations. These vibrations
are sent to the strings through the instrument neck. (2) The
Sustainiamp controller/amplifier (bottom photo) amplifies and
processes your instrument pickup signal, and powers the
transducer.
NO INSTALLATION REQUIRED
The SUSTAIN-MAN doesn't have to be installed inside of the
instrument, like our electromagnetic Stealth PRO sustainer
does. All of your instrument pickups work with the SUSTAIN-
MAN . Again, this is unlike the electromagnetic type of
sustainer where only the bridge pickup typically works when
the sustainer is on.
PERFORMING WITH THE SUSTAIN-MAN
Most sustained notes will morph into cool-sounding harmonics within a short time after the note is played. Some notes
will remain as fundamental vibration. Then, you can force the note to morph into a different harmonic vibration mode by
stepping on the HARMONICS footswitch. Some chords will sustain two or three notes, but most chords morph into a
single note after several seconds.
HOW INTENSE IS IT?
The sensation of playing with a Sustainiac electroacoustic sustainer is indeed intense and exciting. Musicians often say
that it feels like the instrument is actually alive in their hands. Yes, you definitely feel the vibrations! (The vibrations
will not harm the instrument.) This sensation is like playing at extreme, deafening volume levels. Yet, the instrument
amplifier volume can be turned all the way down to zero. The intensity and responsiveness are fully adjustable. In fact,
the amount of feedback-sustain is so great that you can use it in ways you have never thought possible.
SUSTAIN-MAN
SUSTAIN-MAN
ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC SUSTAINER
of the instrument. of the instrument. of the instrument.
Sustainiac headstock-mounted transducer Sustainiac headstock-mounted transducer Sustainiac headstock-mounted transducer Sustainiac headstock-mounted transducer
Sustainiamp floorbox amplifier/controller Sustainiamp floorbox amplifier/controller Sustainiamp floorbox amplifier/controller Sustainiamp floorbox amplifier/controller