Download
Share
Print this page
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Blackheart Manuals
  4. Musical Instrument Amplifier
  5. BH15H Handsome Devil
  6. User manual

Blackheart BH15H Handsome Devil User Manual

Guitar amplifier head
Hide thumbs

Advertisement

Quick Links

BH15H Handsome Devil
Guitar Amplifier Head
User's Guide

Advertisement

loading

Related Manuals for Blackheart BH15H Handsome Devil

Summary of Contents for Blackheart BH15H Handsome Devil

  • Page 1 BH15H Handsome Devil Guitar Amplifier Head User’s Guide...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction................3 BH15H.Special.Features............4 The.Front.Panel..............5 The.Rear.Panel..............6 Important.Information.About.Tubes.and.Tube.Products.....8 System.Block.Diagram............11 Technical.Specifications............12 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1..Read.these.instructions... 14..Refer.all.servicing.to.qualified.service.person- nel..Servicing.is.required.when.the.apparatus.has. 2..Keep.these.instructions. been.damaged.in.any.way,.such.as.power-supply. 3..Heed.all.warnings. cord.or.plug.is.damaged,.liquid.has.been.spilled. or.objects.have.fallen.into.the.apparatus,.the. 4..Follow.all.instructions. apparatus.has.been.exposed.to.rain.or.moisture,. 5..Do.not.use.this.apparatus.near.water. does.not.operate.normally,.or.has.been.dropped. 6..Clean.only.with.a.dry.cloth. 15..Do.not.overload.wall.outlets.and.extension. cords.as.this.can.result.in.a.risk.of.fire.or.electric. 7..Do.not.block.any.ventilation.openings..Install.in. shock.. accordance.with.the.manufacturer’s.instructions. 16..This.apparatus.shall.not.be.exposed.to.drip- 8..Do.not.install.near.any.heat.sources.such.as. ping.or.splashing,.and.no.object.filled.with.liquids,. radiators,.heat.registers,.stoves,.or.other.appara- such.as.vases.or.beer.glasses,.shall.be.placed.on. tus.(including.amplifiers).that.produce.heat.

  • Page 3: Introduction

    We.like.the.way.you.do.your.hair..You’ve.got.style..Speaking.of.which,.take.a.look.at.the.way.this.amp.is.built..16.gauge.steel,.½".radius. corners.in.a.void-free.birch.ply.cabinet.that.looks.like.Michelangelo.covered.it.for.you.personally..How.about.a.double-sided.PCB.with.2.ounce. copper.traces,.so.your.big.fat.sound.has.lots.to.hold.on.to.traveling.through.a.classic.boutique.circuit.path.designed.by.none.other.than. Pyotr.Belov.himself..The.guy’s.got.a.soldering.iron.in.his.hands.most.hours.of.the.night.so.if.he.says.“make.the.thing.like.a.tank,”.everyone. agrees.real.quickly..Who.knows,.you.might.be.in.some.sort.of.edge.band;.knock.the.thing.around.a.bit..That’s.a.Blackheart.thing..We.make. rock-solid,.no.compromise.music.gear.that.sounds.like.choruses.of.angels.singing.big,.beefy.power.chords..We.work.with.glass,.metal. and.wood.just.like.the.powers.that.be.intended.when.they.created.rock.and.roll..We.take.every.amp.personally.and.we.do.it.assuming.you. worked.hard.to.get.it.and.we’re.not.letting.you.down..That.fancy.tattoo.logo.was.inspired.by.one.of.our.test.animals.*.He.said.a.great.amp. leaves.a.permanent.mark.on.your.tone,.and.shapes.how.you.play,.write,.perform,.etc..So,.when.you.laid.down.coin.for.a.Blackheart,.you. kind.of.got.hitched. And.it.didn’t.set.you.back.much,.especially.when.you.consider.what.you.got..Every.Blackheart.design.starts.as.a.hand-built.masterpiece. with.no.thoughts.about.cutting.cost.or.going.for.it.on.the.cheap..Pyotr.picks.every.component.one.by.one.and.tweaks.until.his.ears.hear. the.tone..Once.he’s.given.birth.to.the.prototype.(ouch!),.he.personally.works.with.offshore.manufacturing.to.translate.that.exact.tone.into.the. most.affordable.piece.of.gear.that.won’t.let.you.down..Literally,.he.works.in.the.factory,.training.other.people.how.to.build.boutique-quality. amps.and.sits.on.the.QC.line.before.anything.gets.into.a.box..Blackheart.isn’t.the.cheapest—plenty.of.other.amps.are.cheap.and.you.can. have.your.pick..We.prefer.to.be.ultra-high.quality.and.performance.for.a.price.that.anyone.can.afford.. So.thanks.for.laying.down.your.hard.earned.cash.for.a.Blackheart.Engineering.product..We’re.not.going.to.disappoint.you..You’ve.got,.in. your.hands,.one.of.the.best.sounding,.best.quality,.old.school.inspired.amps.that’s.ever.been.made.. Vous.avez.notre.coeur, Blackheart Engineering *.We.don’t.test.on.little.furry.helpless.animals.of.course..We.call.our.artists.animals.because,.well,.we’ve.eaten.with.them..They.give.their. time.and.opinions.to.us.on.a.regular.basis.and.have.a.lot.to.do.with.how.good.your.Blackheart.is. CONSIGNES.DE.SECURITE.IMPORTANTES -..LIRE,.SUIVRE.TOUTES.LES.INSTRUCTIONS.ET.LES.PRECAUTIONS.D’UTILISATION -..NE.PAS.UTILISER.PROCHE.D’UNE.SOURCE.DE.CHALEUR.ET.NE.PAS.BLOQUER.OU.OBSTRUER.LE.SYSTEME.DE.VENTILATION.SUR.CET.APPAREIL..POUR.UNE. UTILISATION.CONFORME,.CET.APPAREIL.NECESSITE.ENVIRON.7CM.D’ESPACE.BIEN.VENTILE.AUTOUR.DE.SON.SYSTEME.DE.REFROIDISSEMENT,.AINSI.QU’UN.COURANT. D’AIR.FRAIS.CONSTANT. -..NE.PAS.UTILISER.CET.APPAREIL.PROCHE.D’UNE.SOURCE.LIQUIDE -..NETTOYER.SEULEMENT.A.L’AIDE.D’UN.CHIFFON..DOUX.ET.SEC.ET.NE.PAS.UTILISER.DE.PRODUITS.MENAGERS -..CONNECTER.UNIQUEMENT.LE.CABLE.D’ALIMENTATION.FOURNI.SUR.UNE.PRISE.AVEC.MISE.A.LA.TERRE,.ET.COMPATIBLE.AVEC.LA.TENSION,.L’INTENSITE.ET.LA. FREQUENCE.REQUISES.INDIQUEES.SUR.LA.FACE.ARRIERE.DE.L’APPAREIL -..S’ASSURER.DE.NE.PAS.MARCHER,.PLIER.OU.TIRER.SUR.LE.CABLE.D’ALIMENTATION -..DEBRANCHER.L’APPAREIL.LORS.D’UNE.TEMPETE.OU.LORS.D’UNE.TRES.LONGUE.PERIODE.DE.NON.UTILISATION -..UTILISER.UNIQUEMENT.DES.ACCESSOIRES.SPECIFIES.PAR.LE.FABRICANT.POUR.UNE.UTILISATION.EN.TOUTE.SECURITE.ET.POUR.EVITER.DES.BLESSURES -..ATTENTION:..AFIN.DE.PREVENIR.TOUT.RISQUE.DE.CHOCS.ELECTRIQUES.OU.DE.DEBUT.D’INCENDIE,.NE.PAS.EXPOSER.CET.APPAREIL.A.LA.PLUIE.ET.A.L’HUMIDITE -..TOUT.ENTRETIEN.DOIT.ETRE.FAIT.PAR.UN..TECHNICIEN.QUALIFIE -..NOS.AMPLIFICATEURS.PEUVENT.PRODUIRE.DE.TRES.HAUTES.PRESSIONS.ACOUSTIQUES.QUI.PEUVENT.CAUSER.DES.DOMMAGES.AUDITIFS.PERMANENTS.OU. DEFINITIFS..L’UTILISER.AVEC.UNE.GRANDE.PRECAUTION.EST.CONSEILLE.ET.DES.PROTECTIONS.AUDITIVES.SONT.RECOMMANDEES.POUR.UNE.UTILISATION.A.FORT. VOLUME.

  • Page 4: Bh15H.special.features

    BH15H Special Features: •. Push-Pull.Class.A.circuit. •. All.tube.signal.path. •. Two.12AX7/ECC83.dual-triode.preamp.tubes.and.two.EL84/6BQ5.pentode.output.tubes. •. Pentode.(15W.RMS).Triode.(7W.RMS).switch. •. DC.filament.power.supply.for.preamp.tubes. •. 3-band.EQ,.Level.(Master.Volume).Control.and.Presence.Control •. 16-gauge.(1.5.mm).thick,.folded.and.spot.welded.steel.chassis. •. Double-sided.custom.color.PCB.with.2.oz..copper. •. 15-ply,.18.mm.thick,.void-free.birch.plywood.construction. •. 16.ohm,.two.8.ohm,.and.two.4.ohm.speaker.outputs •. Kicks.sound.in.the.faces.of.all.those.who.have.wronged.you...

  • Page 5: The.front.panel

    The Front Panel PRESENCE BASS MIDDLE TREBLE LEVEL DRIVE 15 WATTS INPUT 7 WATTS BH15H BASS:.Use.this.to.adjust.the.output. ON/OFF SWITCH:.Use.this.switch.to. level.of.the.low.frequencies..The.adjust- turn.the.amplifier.on.and.off.. ment.range.is.+10.dB.at.100.Hz. 15 WATTS/7 WATTS:.This.is.the. MIDDLE: Use.this.to.adjust.the.output. Pentode/Triode.switch..It.allows.you. level.of.the.mid.frequencies..The.adjust- to.operate.the.amplifier.in.two.distinct. ment.range.is.+6.dB.at.1.kHz. modes.of.operation.and.output.power. rating..The.Pentode.is.the.aggressive. TREBLE:.Use.this.to.adjust.the.output. setting.that.gives.you.full.output.power. level.of.the.high.frequencies..The.adjust- of.15.watts.RMS..The.Triode.is.a.gen- ment.range.is.+14.dB.at.10.kHz. tler.setting.with.more.head.room.that. LEVEL:.Use.this.to.adjust.output.vol- reduces.the.output.power.to.7.watts. ume.of.the.amplifier.

  • Page 6: The.rear.panel

    The Rear Panel HANDSOME DEVIL 15 - PUSH PULL/CLASS A AMPLIFIER LOUDSPEAKER OUTPUTS POWER OUTPUT 15 WATTS RMS CONNECT SPEAKERS BEFORE USE 4 OHMS 4 OHMS 8 OHMS 8 OHMS 16 OHMS Connecting speaker cabinets The.rear.panel.has.connections.for.the.AC. power.cord.and.external.speaker.cabinets. The.hookup.diagrams.on.the.next.page. WARNING!.Never.turn.on.or.use.the.ampli- show.some.different.cabinets,.their.imped- fier.without.a.load.or.speaker.connected.to.
  • Page 7 Typical connections to speaker cabinets 4 OHMS 4 OHMS 8 OHMS 8 OHMS 16 OHMS 4 OHMS 4 OHMS 8 OHMS 8 OHMS 16 OHMS Speaker Speaker Cabinets 16Ω 16Ω Cabinet 16Ω in parallel Two 16 ohm cabinets. Total Load = 8 ohm One 16 ohm cabinet.

  • Page 8: Important.information.about.tubes.and.tube.products

    Important Information about Tubes and Tube Products: The Nature Of Tubes — Why (And When) To Replace Them: Tubes.are.made.up.of.a.number.of.fragile.mechanical.components.that.are.vacuum-sealed.in.a. glass.envelope.or.bubble..The.tube’s.longevity.is.based.on.a.number.of.factors.which.include. how.hard.and.often.the.amplifier.is.played,.vibration.from.the.speakers,.road.travel,.repeated. set.up.and.tear.down,.etc. Any.time.you.notice.a.change.in.your.amplifier’s.performance,.check.the.tubes.first. If.it’s.been.a.while.since.the.tubes.were.replaced.and.the.sound.from.your.amplifier.lacks. punch,.fades.in.and.out,.loses.highs.or.lows.or.produces.unusual.sounds,.the.power.tubes. probably.need.to.be.replaced..If.your.amplifier.squeals,.makes.noise,.loses.gain,.starts.to. hum,.lacks.“sensitivity”,.or.feels.as.if.it.is.working.against.you,.the.preamplifier.tubes.may. need.to.be.replaced. The.power.tubes.are.subjected.to.considerably.more.stress.than.the.preamplifier.tubes.. Consequently,.they.almost.always.fail/degrade.first..If.deteriorating.power.tubes.aren’t. replaced.they.will.ultimately.fail..Depending.on.the.failure.mode,.they.may.even.cause.severe. damage.to.the.audio.output.transformer.and/or.other.components.in.the.amplifier..Replacing. the.tubes.before.they.fail.completely.has.the.potential.to.save.you.time,.money.and.unwanted. trouble..Since.power.tubes.work.together.in.an.amplifier,.it.is.crucial.that.they.(if.there.is.more. than.one).be.replaced.by.a.matched.set..If.you’re.on.the.road.a.lot,.we.recommend.that.you. carry.a.spare.matched.set.of.replacement.power.tubes.and.their.associated.driver.tubes. After.turning.off.the.power.and.disconnecting.the.amplifier.from.the.power.source,.carefully. check.the.tubes.(in.bright.light).for.cracks.or.white.spots.inside.the.glass.or.any.other.appar- ent.damage..Then,.with.the.power.on,.view.the.tubes.in.a.dark.room..Look.for.preamplifier. tubes.that.do.not.glow.at.all.or.power.tubes.that.glow.excessively.red. Whenever.you.replace.the.power.tube(s): •.
  • Page 9 Important Information About Tubes and Tube Products (continued): The Importance Of Proper Biasing: For.the.best.performance.and.longest.tube.life,.proper.biasing.is.imperative..Bias.is.the.nega- tive.voltage.which.is.applied.to.the.power.tube’s.control.grid.to.set.the.level.of.idle.current.. We.cannot.over.emphasize.the.difference.in.warmth.of.tone.and.dynamic.response.that.come. with.proper.biasing..If.the.bias.is.set.too.high.(over.biased),.the.sound.from.the.amp.will.be. distorted.at.all.levels..If.the.bias.is.set.too.low,.(under.biased).the.power.tubes.will.run.hot.(the. plates.inside.the.tubes.may.glow.red.due.to.excessive.heat).and.the.sound.from.the.amplifier. will.lack.power.and.punch..The.excessive.heat.greatly.reduces.tube.life.–.from.a.few.days.to. as.little.as.a.few.hours.in.extreme.cases..Setting.the.bias.on.your.amp.is.like.setting.the.idle. on.your.car..If.it’s.too.high.or.hot.it’s.running.away.with.you.and.if.it’s.too.low.or.cold.it.will. choke.when.you.step.on.it. The.bias.is.adjusted.at.the.factory.in.accordance.with.the.type.of.power.tube(s).installed.in. your.amplifier..It.is.important.to.point.out.that.tubes.of.the.same.type.and.specification.typi- cally.exhibit.different.performance.characteristics..Consequently,.whenever.power.tubes.are. replaced,.the.bias.voltage.must.be.checked.(unless.the.amplifier.is.equipped.with.“self-biasing”. circuitry).and.readjusted.to.accommodate.the.operating.parameters.of.the.replacement.tubes. Depending.on.the.model.and.amplifier.type,.there.may.be.hum.balance.controls,.trim.pots,.or. bias.adjustment.controls.on.its.rear.panel..However,.the.bias.adjustment.should.be.performed. only.by.qualified.service.personnel.with.the.proper,.calibrated.test.equipment.
  • Page 10 Important Information About Tubes and Tube Products (continued): Survival Tips For Tube Amplifiers: To.prolong.tube.life,.observe.these.tips.and.recommendations: •. Match.the.impedance.of.your.speaker.cabinet(s).to.your.amplifier..Improper.impedance. matching.will.contribute.to.early.tube.degradation.and.may.cause.premature.tube.failure. •. Make.sure.the.speaker(s).are.properly.connected.prior.to.turning.on.the.amplifier. •. After.playing.the.amplifier,.allow.sufficient.time.for.it.to.properly.cool.down.prior.to.moving. it..A.properly.cooled.amplifier.prolongs.tube.life.due.to.the.internal.components.being.less. susceptible.to.the.damage.caused.by.vibration. •. Allow.the.amplifier.to.warm.up.to.room.temperature.before.turning.it.on..The.heat.gener- ated.by.the.tube.elements.can.crack.a.cold.glass.housing. •. Replace.the.output.tube(s).before.the.performance.degrades.or.the.tubes.fail.completely.. Replace.the.tube(s).on.a.regular.basis.(at.least.once.per.year.or.as.often.as.every.4.to.6. months.if.you.play.long.and.hard.every.day). •. Always.have.the.bias.checked.after.replacing.the.output.tubes.(unless.the.amplifier.is. equipped.with.“self-biasing.circuitry”)..This.should.be.done.ONLY.at.a.qualified.service. center..Improper.biasing.could.result.in.the.tubes.running.too.hot,.which.greatly.reduces. the.life.of.the.tubes.–.or.too.cold,.which.results.in.distorted.sound.regardless.of.level. settings..Do.not.play.the.amplifier.if.it.exhibits.these.symptoms.–.get.the.bias.checked/ adjusted.immediately.to.prevent.tube.failure.and/or.other.damage. •. If.the.locating.notch.on.the.base.of.a.power.tube.breaks.off,.replace.the.tube..This.signifi- cantly.reduces.the.risk.of.damaging.your.amplifier.by.incorrectly.inserting.the.tube. •.

  • Page 11: System.block.diagram

    System Block Diagram INPUT TREBLE MIDDLE BASS DRIVE LEVEL SPEAKER OUTPUTS 16 OHM 8 OHM PRESENCE 8 OHM 4 OHM 4 OHM NOTE: This.equipment.has.been.tested.and.found.to.comply. ATTENTION —.Le.présent.appareil.numérique.n’émet.pas.de. with.the.limits.for.a.Class.B.digital.device,.pursuant.to.part.15.of. bruits.radioélectriques.dépassant.las.limites.applicables.aux.appa- the.FCC.Rules..These.limits.are.designed.to.provide.reasonable. reils.numériques.de.class.A/de.class.B.(selon.le.cas).prescrites. protection.against.harmful.interference.in.a.residential.installation.. dans.le.réglement.sur.le.brouillage.radioélectrique.édicté.par.les. This.equipment.generates,.uses,.and.can.radiate.radio.frequency. ministere.des.communications.du.Canada. energy.and,.if.not.installed.and.used.in.accordance.with.the.instruc- tions,.may.cause.harmful.interference.to.radio.communications.. Exposure.to.extremely.high.noise.levels.may.cause.permanent. However,.there.is.no.guarantee.that.interference.will.not.occur.in.a. hearing.loss..Individuals.vary.considerably.in.susceptibility.to.noise- particular.installation..If.this.equipment.does.cause.harmful.interfer- induced.hearing.loss,.but.nearly.everyone.will.lose.some.hearing.

  • Page 12: Technical.specifications

    Never spray cleaning agents onto the cabinet. Avoid abrasive cleansers which would damage the finish. Blackheart continually develops new products, as well as improves existing ones. For this reason, the specifica- tions and information in this manual are subject to change without notice.