Diamond Spec Op User Manual

owner’s manual

Thank you for the purchase of your new Diamond
Amplification Spec Op 100watt guitar amplifier.
This amplifier is of the highest quality and will give
you years of enjoyment if it is well maintained.
Before you begin, remember, learn your amp and
you’ll be in the best position to achieve the tones
and performance you want. So please take the
time to read this manual. Afterwards, enjoy the
finest in tone and American craftsmanship –
Diamond Amplification.

Jeff Diamant
President/CEO

owner’s manual

FEATURES............................................................................................................................ 1

FRONT PANEL...................................................................................................................... 2

REAR PANEL ....................................................................................................................... 2

MAKING CONNECTIONS .................................................................................................... 2

BEFORE YOU BEGIN .......................................................................................................... 4

QUICK START GUIDE ......................................................................................................... 4

POWER/STANDBY .............................................................................................................. 5

DIALING IN ........................................................................................................................... 5

LOW FOCUS ............................................................................................................. 5

EFFECTS LOOP ........................................................................................................ 6

TONE/VOLUME CONTROLS .................................................................................... 8

BOOST ..................................................................................................................... 12

SWITCHING ........................................................................................................................ 13

FRONT PANEL SWITCHING ................................................................................... 13

SPEC OP CONTROLLER ........................................................................................ 13

ALTERNATE SWITCHING JACKS .......................................................................... 14

TUBES ................................................................................................................................ 15

TUBE LAYOUT ........................................................................................................ 15

CHANGING/REPLACING TUBES ........................................................................... 15

DIAGNOSING TUBE PROBLEMS ........................................................................... 16

CHANGING FUSES/VOLTAGES (WORKING WITH THE CORCOM) ............................... 18

Spec op owner’s manual (rev 2) Page 1 of 18

Welcome to a new world in guitar amplification. Combine the functionality you want with the
tried and true technology of tube tone, wrap that in a completely new approach to the
structure of a high gain sound, and unleash the dynamic range of Diamond Amplification’s
Spec Op.

This manual will walk you through the features, controls and tonal possibilities available to
you. It is highly suggested that you read through this manual in its entirety before dialing in
your new tone! The information in this manual will familiarize you with this amp’s capabilities,

FEATURES

• 100 watts (4 x Svetlana “Winged C” EL34 - 7 x selected 12AX7A-C)

• 2 fully independent channels (Channel 1 - Clean/Channel 2 - Crunch)

• Both Channels feature Volume, Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence

• Dual Volume/Gain Channel 2 (switchable, allows for two gain settings with 2 volumes

for level adjustment to match volumes)

• Foot selectable boost switch with tube-driven boost (boosts clean channel and both
volume/gain controls on crunch channel). Boost is adjustable from the front panel for
approximately 0 - 20db boost.

• Rear panel low frequency 3-position adjustment switch (allows for changing the
amount and character of the bottom end - effects both channels)

• 4 switch foot controller for direct access to all three volume/gain controls (Channel 1,
Channel 2A, Channel 2B) connected with a 5-pin XLR cable.

• 3 x 1/4" jacks tied to the footswitch controller for controlling through tip to ground
control mechanisms as an alternate to the footswitch controller.

• 110v, 120v, 220v and 230/240v power selection.

• Ohm selector switch for 4, 8 or 16ohm output.

• Blue LED's light the box for a distinctive look on stage, along with a stainless steel

front grille and etched zinc logo.

• All components specifically spec'd and tested by Diamond before inclusion in the
product.

• Independent LED's indicate which volume/gain is active and whether the boost is
engaged.

• Properly designed, tube-driven effects loop (so the loop will automatically engage
when cables are plugged in and disengage when cables are removed).

• Front panel Effects Return control that acts as an overall master when loop is engaged
for quick overall volume adjustment.

Spec op owner’s manual (rev 2) Page 2 of 18

FRONT PANEL

REAR PANEL

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Power. As always, plug your power cable in first.

All DA amps use a corcom design. This allows you to take your amp all over the world and
ensure you’re ready for the voltage you need. Your corcom comes ready for the appropriate
voltage for the country of destination of the amp. If you need to change, you will find
instructions at the end of this manual on changing your corcom for other voltages.

Speakers. Your DA product comes equipped with two speaker jacks. Always ensure, when
connecting speakers, that you use a high quality speaker cable. Never use instrument cable
to connect your amp to speakers and never put effects between your amp and speakers.

If you are using one speaker cabinet, you can plug into either speaker jack. Make sure your
impedance selector is set to the same impedance as the speaker cabinet. If you are unsure
of the impedance of your speaker cabinet, please find out before making your connection.

Spec op owner’s manual (rev 2) Page 3 of 18

If you are using two speaker cabinets, you should reduce the impedance to half that of the
impedance of the cabinets. For example, if you are using two 16ohm cabinets, your
impedance selector should be set to 8ohms, not 16 (if you were using only one 16ohm cab,
you’d set the impedance selector to 16). So, for example:

Load Amp Setting

1 cab @ 16ohms 16ohms
1 cab @ 8ohms 8ohms
2 cabs @ 16ohms 8ohms
2 cabs @ 8ohms 4ohms

Never use your amp without a load! Doing so is likely to damage your amp!

Instrument. Plug your guitar into the input jack (duh!). When doing so, remember, your
cable DOES matter. Always use a high quality cable when possible. Try to remember that
when a cable is plugged into the input of the amp, it’s always best to make sure it’s also
plugged into a guitar. Otherwise, you assuredly encounter lots of popping and annoying
sounds.

Effects loop. Your effects loop is a series loop with a “shorting” jack in the Return position.
What does this mean to you? When you plug a cable into the effects return, it goes active.
When you unplug the cable in the Return position, the loop return goes inactive.

If you are using, for whatever reason, your amp just for its power stage, no problem. When
you plug into the loop return, you’re set. When you do, the E. Return knob on the front panel
becomes the power stage (master) volume (more on this later).

If you are using, for whatever reason, your amp just for its preamp stage (e.g., your amp’s
preamp stage will be feeding another power amp instead), you should put a shorting jack into
the Return jack. You should also ensure that the E. Return knob is set to 0. Note, if you run

your amp this way, it is highly recommended that you pull all 4 power tubes out of the
amp or ensure the amp has a load on it. When the amp is used in this manner, the

particular channel volume control becomes that channel’s “master” volume, which is
functionally operating as the loop “send” level.

Spec op owner’s manual (rev 2) Page 4 of 18

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Ensure your guitar is plugged into the front panel “Input” jack. Make sure your amplifier is
connected to a speaker (or speakers) and ensure your impedance is set correctly (more on
this in the previous section). Flip the “Power” switch up with the amp on standby and let it
warm up. A minute or two of warm up is usually recommended before using the amp. As
most of you know, a solid 15 minutes is optimal to ensure the tubes are nice and warm. If
you’re going to play loud and haven’t let the amp warm up at least 15 minutes, try to control
the volume (challenging for us guitar players, I know – just ask your singer if you don’t believe
me) until the amp has warmed up some more.

If you’re plugging in for the first time, ensure your amp is prepared for the correct voltage.
DA’s products ship ready for 120v. If you’re using your amp in a country outside the US,
make sure you adjust the corcom and change the appropriate fuse before plugging in and
turning the amp on. (Use of the corcom is addressed at or near the end of this user’s guide)

Following these guidelines will extend the life of your amp! Enjoy!

QUICK START GUIDE

So you’re an experienced user, you’ve made your connections and you’re ready to go.
Here’s a few settings to get you started and dial you in some quick tones to get rockin’.

NOTE: This amp is like and unlike every other amp you’ve owned. Unlike most amps,
dialing any control to or near 10 is not recommended. Like most good amps, you
won’t need or want to vary too far from 5 (other than volume) to dial in.

NOTE: if you the amp is too loud for you when trying to achieve the tone you want, or
if you do not want very, very high volumes when running through this Quick Start
Guide, please read the section(s) in this manual on the Effects Loop. It will show you

how to activate the Effects Loop, allowing you to run your preamp channels much hotter, but
control volume through the E. Return knob on the front panel. For this quick start, however,
plug a short patch cable in from Send to Return, turn the E. Return knob to a low setting
(around 1 or 2) on the front panel. Then after dialing the settings below, bring the E. Return
up to the desired volume as you play.

1. Dial Channel 1 like this:

a. Gain 2
b. Volume 5
c. Treble 5
d. Middle 5
e. Bass 4
f. Presence 5

2. Dial Channel 2 like this:

a. Gain A 6
b. Volume A 6
c. Treble 5
d. Middle 4.5