TV-60 • TV-120
TV-6210•TV-6212
GUITAR AMPLIFIER
Owner’s Manual
2
CONGRA
TULATIONS!
Your love of performing and driving ambition to be the best have brought you to a turning point in your
musical career: the incredible Turbo Valve combo guitar amplifier. Apowerhouse of an amplifier designed
to take you to the top and keep you there.
We know something about you: we know you were never impressed with those "toys" that some of your
friends called amplifiers. We know you were holding out until someone offered you an American-made,
affordable piece of professional equipment you could really sink your teeth into. A serious amplifier,
designed for a serious musician: an amp with the sounds you've always looked for, the power you've
always dreamed about, and the reliability you know you'll need. And all with a name you know you can
trust: CRATE.
Like all Crate products, your Turbo Valve amplifier is made with pride in America, using only the best
components. Extensive testing at the hands and ears of skilled technicians and musicians insures you that
this amplifier is the absolute best it can be.
In order to get the most out of your new amplifier, we strongly urge you to go over the information contained in this manual before you begin playing.
And thank you for choosing
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
The Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Some Suggested Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
A Word About Tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
ATTENTION
RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION: POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS
ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE
PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN
TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.
VORSICHT
ELEKTRISCHE SCHLAGGEFAHR
NICHT OFFENEN
VORSICHT: ZUR MINIMIERUNG ELEKTRISCHER SCHLAGGEFAHR NICHT
DEN DECKEL ABENHMEN. INTERNE TEILE KONNEN NICHT VOM
BENUTZER GEWARTET WERDEN. DIE WARTUNG IS QUALIFIZIERTEM
WARTUNGSPERSONAL ZU UBERLASSEN.
THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND RELIABLE OPERATION. IN ORDER TO PROLONG THE LIFE
OF THE UNIT AND PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR INJURY, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES:
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN CHASSIS; DO NOT DEFEAT OR REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OF THE
POWER CORD; CONNECT ONLY TO A PROPERLY GROUNDED AC POWER OUTLET.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION: NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION: THIS UNIT IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE
LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED, AND EAR PROTECTION RECOMMENDED IF
UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME. THE CHART BELOW SHOWS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT’S OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) REGULATIONS WHICH WERE IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF THIS PUBLICATION FOR PERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURE, PER
29CFR1910.95, TABLE G-16:
ACCORDING TO OSHA, ANYEXPOSURE IN EXCESS TO THESE AMOUNTS LISTED ABOVE COULD RESULTIN SOME HEARING LOSS.
"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"
"UNBEDINGT IN DER BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG NACHSCHLAGEN"
EXPLANATION OF
GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"
"GEFAHLICHE SPANNUNG"
=
=
SOUND LEVEL DBA, DURATION PER DAY SOUND LEVEL DBA, DURATION PER DAY
SLOW RESPONSE
IN HOURS SLOW RESPONSE IN HOURS
90 8 102 1 - 1 1/2
92 6 105 1
95 4 110 1/2
97 3 115 1/4 or less
100 2
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INTRODUCTION:
The TV-60, TV-120, TV-6210 and TV-6212 are feature-packed professional stage performer’s amplifiers. Rugged construction, reliable American craftsmanship and two powerful channels of pure tube power
are some of the trademarks of these new and impressive pieces of musician's equipment. All four amplifiers feature two distinctly different 12AX7 tube-driven channels: one with classic tube rhythm sounds and
one offering you some of the finest lead and overdrive sounds of any stock amplifier.
Each channel features an all-tube preamp section with three bands of equalization for total tone control. The master Presence control lets you custom tailor the sound of your guitar to suit your particular
needs.
The Line Out signal is tapped directly from the speaker outputs, then attenuated and frequency-compensated to replicate the sound of a miked speaker cabinet. Two speaker output jacks along with an
impedance selector switch provide easy impedance matching to a wide variety of cabinet configurations.
The TV -60, TV-6210 and TV-6212 deliver a solid 60 watts of musical output power , while the TV-120 delivers a full 100 watts.
FEATURES:
Here's a quick overview of the Turbo Valve’s features and controls. Additional information can
be found on the pages indicated.
• Patented Channel Switching Circuitry: Achieves maximum use of each preamp tube - so unique
it's patented!
• Boost Control: Like adding a third channel to your amp. Gives a big boost to the midrange frequencies and the overall gain of Channel Two via the front panel switch or a footswitch (page 4).
• Adjustable Presence Control: Fully adjustable upper harmonics level for changing the "presence"
of both channels (page 4).
• Auto-Biasing Circuitry: Want to change your sound? Change your tubes! Internal circuitry allows
the use of either 6L6 or EL34 power tubes with no manual bias adjusting (page 7).
• D.C. filament supply for first two stages: eliminates the need for a “hum balance” control.
• Effects Loop: For noiseless patching of external effects, or use as a preamp out/power amp in con-
nection (page 5).
• Balanced Out Jack: Taken directly from the speaker output signal, this electronically balanced and
frequency compensated output lets you patch into house sound boards, recording consoles, etc. with
ultimate sonic fidelity (page 5).
• Footswitch Jacks: Two separate jacks – one for channel selection and boost control and one for
reverb on/off control – allow use of a two or three-button footswitch for total control (page 5).
• Speaker Jacks: Speaker connector / impedance switch combination allows a variety of cabinet configurations (page 5).
• High Cosmetic Appeal and Stage Presence: The unique cosmetics of the Turbo Valve amplifiers
serve as a tribute to your good taste in musical equipment.
• Musician Made in the U.S.A.
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THE FRONT P
ANEL:
1.INPUT: Connect your guitar or wireless receiver into this standard 1/4"
jack using a shielded instrument cable.
CHANNEL ONE:
2.VOLUME: Set the output volume
level of Channel One with this control.
3.LOW: Adjust the bottom end
response with this control. The low
control covers a range of 16dB at
100Hz.
4.MID: Adjust the midrange response
with this control. The mid control covers a range of 20dB at 700Hz.
5. BRIGHT: Add a biting edge to your
sound by pressing this pushbutton
switch in. The bright switch adds 5dB
at 5kHz.
6.HIGH: Adjust the high end response
with this control. The high control covers a range of 20dB at 10kHz.
7.CHANNEL: Switch between channels with this pushbutton switch. The
adjacent green LED glows when
Channel One is selected (switch "out"),
the red LED glows when Channel Two
is selected (switch "in"). When a
footswitch is used for channel switching, this switch is disabled.
CHANNEL TWO:
8.GAIN: Adjust the overdrive (distortion) level with this control. With the
control towards “0” (to the left) the signal is relatively clean. As you bring the
control towards “5” (center position)
the distortion increases, along with the
overall output level. Keep turning the
control towards “10” and you’ll
increase the distortion even more.
9.BOOST: Add a third channel (sortof) by pressing this pushbutton switch
in. The boost switch adds 8dB at 1kHz.
10. LOW: Adjust the bottom end
response with this control. The low
control covers a range of 8dB at
100Hz.
11. MID:Adjust the midrange response
with this control. The mid control covers
a range of 12dB at 1kHz.
12.HIGH: Adjust the high end
response with this control. The high
control covers a range of 14dB at
10kHz.
13. LEVEL: Set the output signal level
of Channel T wo with this control. At the
"0" position (full left) very little or no
signal will be heard; as you bring the
control up (towards center) the output
level of Channel Two increases. Use
this control along with your guitar's volume and the Gain control (#8) to produce a wide variety of sounds.
MASTER:
14. REVERB: Adjust the amount of
reverberation with this control: at the
"0" position the signal is "dry" (no
reverb). As you bring the control up,
the amount of reverb increases.
15. PRESENCE: Increase the level of
upper harmonics with this control. The
presence control allows a boost of up
to 5dB at 10kHz.
16. STANDBY: This switch activates
the amplifier (providing the On/Off
switch, #17, is at the ON position), and
should always be turned on last. The
switch is ON in the up position. The
amp should be left in the Standby
mode (switch down) during set breaks.
NOTE: When you first power up this
amplifier, leave the Standby switch
OFF for at least 20 seconds. This
gives the power tubes a chance to prepare themselves for action.
17. ON/OFF: This switch applies AC
voltage to the amplifier in the UP position, and should always be turned on
first. The Active Lamp (#18) lights up
when the AC power is on.
18. ACTIVE LAMP: This domed lamp
lights when the amplifier is powered
up, indicating it is ready to be played.
(The lamp stays on regardless of the
setting of the Standby switch, #16.)
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THE REAR
PANEL:
19.FUSE: This fuse protects the
amplifier against damages caused by
overload conditions in the unit. If the
fuse blows, replace it only with the
same size and type as indicated on the
rear panel. If the fuse blows continually, the line voltage may be incorrect, or
the amp may need servicing.
20.AC LINE IN: Firmly plug the
female end of the supplied power cord
into this socket, pushing it in until it is
fully seated. Plug the male end of the
cord into a properly grounded AC outlet of the correct voltage. DO NOT
DEFEAT THE GROUND PIN OF THE
AC PLUG! Use only the supplied
power cord. If the amplifier is to be
used outside of the United States, see
your authorized Crate dealer for information about alternate line cords and
power converters if needed.
21. CHANNEL SELECT/BOOST
FOOTSWITCH JACK: Connect a
stereo 1/4" plug (tip/ring/sleeve) here
from either a two or three button
footswitch (such as the Crate CFP-2 or
CFP-3) for control of channel switching. The tip of the jack is for channel
switching; the ring is for boost control.
When a footswitch is connected here,
the front panel channel select and
boost switches (#7 and #9) are disabled.
22. REVERB FOOTSWITCH JACK:
Connect a mono 1/4” plug (tip/sleeve)
here from either a one or three button
footswitch for reverb on/off control.
23. EFFECTS LOOP SEND: When
using an external effects device, use
this jack to send the signal from your
amp to the effect. Connect a shielded
instrument patch cord from the send
jack to the input jack of the effect.
The send jack also doubles as a
"preamp out" jack, to feed a post-eq
signal to a mixing board, recording
console or external amplifier.
24. EFFECTS LOOP RETURN: Use
this jack to return the signal from an
external effects device back to your
amplifier. Connect a shielded instrument patch cord from the output jack
of the effect to the return jack.
The return jack also doubles as a
"power amp in" jack, to feed a linelevel signal directly into the internal
power amp. This is useful when "slaving" two amplifiers together.
25. BALANCED OUT JACK: This XLR
connector supplies a balanced output
signal from the power amp for patching
into a mixing board, recording console
or external amplifier. The signal is electronically compensated to simulate the
sound of a "miked" cabinet.
26. SPEAKER JACKS: Use these
jacks to connect the amplifier to your
speaker cabinet(s). Use the “Main” jack
first; never use the “Ext” jack if nothing
is connected to the “Main” jack!
Always keep the impedance at 4 or 8
ohms, with the Impedance Selector
switch (#27) at the proper setting.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CERTAIN
EXPORT UNITS: In some areas 1/4”
jacks are not acceptable for use on
amplifiers capable of high output power
levels. For this reason the 1/4” speaker
jacks on your amplifier may be factory
sealed. In this case, use the Speakon
®
jack to connect the amplifier to your
speaker cabinet(s) using cables rated
for high power, terminated with the
appropriate connectors.
27. IMPEDANCE SELECTOR: For the
best performance and least strain on
your amplifier, you MUST properly
match the impedance of your amplifier
to that of your speaker cabinet(s). Set
the selector switch to the 4 or 8 ohm
position, depending on the total
impedance of your speaker cabinet(s).
The chart below can help you determine that impedance based on the following combinations of speakers connected in parallel.
CABINET NUMBER OF TOTAL
IMPEDANCE CABINETS IMPEDANCE
8 OHMS 2 4 OHMS
16 OHMS 2 8 OHMS
16 OHMS 4 4 OHMS
Speakon®is a registered trademark of Neutrik USA
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SOME
SUGGESTED SETTINGS:
6
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A
WORD ABOUT TUBES:
Vacuum tubes can only last so long. Allowing your amp to cool down before moving it will help prolong
the life of the tubes. Even so, after about a year (or sooner if you're on tour or jammin' more frequently
than most) you may notice the output of your amp just isn't as "alive" as it used to be. If the sound from
your amplifier starts to grow weak, lacks punch, fades up and down, loses highs and lows, gets "funny"
(clanking sounds, etc.), it's very likely that the power tubes are worn out and need replacing. Since power
tubes work together in an amplifier, it is important that they all be replaced at the same time with a matched
set of tubes.
If you're looking to change the sound of your amp, you can replace the stock 6L6 power tubes with
EL34's. 6L6 tubes tend to give you more of the "American" sound, with lots of solid power, even up to their
full output, with a lot of dynamic headroom. EL34 tubes tend to give you that "English/British" sound: they
distort sooner and provide a more controllable and less penetrating distortion effect when overdriven.
Either way, your amplifier has been engineered to facilitate power tube replacement, with automatic biasing when changing tube types. IF YOU DON'T CONSIDER YOURSELF ADEPT WITH A SCREWDRIV-
ER, REFER POWER TUBE REPLACEMENT TO AQUALIFIED SERVICE CENTER. Otherwise, unplug
your amp, allow it to cool for at least thirty minutes, and proceed as follows:
•Turn the amp so you're looking at its rear panel.
•Unscrew and remove the wooden rear cover.
•Remove the power tubes one at a time by slightly spreading the wire tube clamps with one hand
and gently pulling the tube out of the socket with the other hand.
•When inserting new power tubes, carefully align the tab in the tube's plastic base with the slot in the
socket and press the tube gently but firmly into place.
•Replace the rear cover piece and tighten the screws. (Avoid overtightening.)
•Power up the amplifier and let it sit for at least twenty minutes before playing.
If the amp starts to squeal, gets noisy, loses gain or starts to hum, the preamp tubes may be bad.
Since removal of the tubes may expose extremely hazardous voltage levels, always refer replacement of the preamp tubes to a qualified service center. Insist upon using only the highest quality, low-
microphonic tubes!
SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM:
Speakon®is a registered trademark of Neutrik USA
7
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS:
Output Power Rating TV-60, TV-6210, TV-6212 TV-120
60 watts RMS nominal @ 5% THD 100 watts RMS nominal @ 5% THD
Input Impedance 1M ohm
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
System Gain 74dB 87dB
Tone Controls Low 16dB range @ 100Hz Low 8dB range @ 100Hz
Mid 20dB range @ 700Hz Mid 12dB range @ 1kHz
High 20dB range @ 10kHz High 14dB range @ 10kHz
Bright 5dB boost @ 5kHz Boost 8dB boost @ 1kHz
Presence Control 5dB boost @ 10kHz
Effects Send/Return Level 0.7V RMS nominal
Balanced Out Level 0.4V RMS nominal, unloaded
Tube Complement 12AX7 (4), 12AU7 (1), 6L6 GT/5881 (2)
Internal Speaker(s) TV-60 TV-120 TV-6210 TV-6212
Size and Type 12” Crate 60W (1) 12” Crate 60W (2) 10” Crate 30W (2) 12” Crate 60W (2)
Magnet 38 oz. 38 oz. 30 oz. 30 oz.
Voice Coil 1 3/4” 1 3/4” 1 3/4” 1 3/4”
Impedance 8 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
Power Requirements TV-60, TV-6210, TV-6212 TV-120
120VAC, 60Hz, 110VA 120VAC, 60Hz, 280VA
100/115VAC, 50/60Hz, 110VA 100/115VAC, 50/60Hz, 280VA
230VAC, 50/60Hz, 110VA 230VAC, 50/60Hz, 280VA
Size and Weight TV-60 TV-120 TV-6210 TV-6212
H x W x D, Inches
18-3/4 x 22-1/4 x 11-1/8 20-1/4 x 26 x 10-1/2 18-3/4 x 22-1/4 x 11-1/8 20-1/4 x 26 x 10-1/2
50 lbs. 70 lbs. 52 lbs. 62 lbs.
The TV-60, 120, 6210 and 6212 are covered with high-quality, durable Tolex®. To keep them looking their best, avoid
abrasive cleansers. Wipe the cabinets clean using a slightly dampened soft cloth. Do not spray cleaners directly into
the amplifier. Never use brass cleaners on the hardware since they could damage their protective coatings.
©1997 SLM ELECTRONICS
A DIVISION OF ST. LOUIS MUSIC
1400 FERGUSON AVENUE • ST. LOUIS, MO 63133
P/N 47-584-03 • 07/97
Crate continually develops new products, as well as improves existing ones. For this reason, the specifications and information in this manual are subject to change without notice.
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