Fryette M30C Owner's Manual

MEMPHIS 30/EIGHTEEN COMBO

OWNERS MANUAL

VACUUM TUBE GUITAR AMPLIFIER

MODEL M30C

www.fryette.com

Welcome to the family!

Congratulations and thank you for choosing the FRYETTE MEMPHIS 30 Guitar Amplifier!

You are constantly searching for new sounds and new ways to improve your existing sound. We understand
the constantly evolving nature of artistic creativity and the search for the perfect sound to complement your
ever-widening musical vision. Providing the tools to help you create your own sonic signature is our primary
mission.

The MEMPHIS 30 amplifier represents a new generation of tube amplifier design, offering players effortless
and intuitive control over different types of amplifier behavior and a wide range of highly refined tonal qualities
previously unavailable from a single amplifier. Our exclusive POWER SHIFT technology gives you two
genuine power output ratings, 30 Watts and 18 watts, each utilizing all four power tubes for beautifully rich and
dynamic power tube response and harmonic character.

The unique front panel preamp tube compartment, not only provides easy access to the tubes for servicing and
tone tuning, but also isolates the tubes from interaction with the internal speaker. This makes it possible to offer
unprecedented amounts of gain while minimizing rattling and feedback often associated with high-gain combo
amplifiers.

In 1980, design engineer Steven Fryette began developing advanced channel switching technology to allow
guitarists the ability to make seamless transitions between channels and gain modes. In 1989 Steven
introduced the first true three-channel tube amplifier – The Pittbull Classic. The MEMPHIS 30 builds on this
technology and establishes a new standard for channel switching amplifiers that blends vintage and modern
character with outstanding tonal flexibility.

As with all FRYETTE amplifiers, the MEMPHIS 30 beautifully accentuates the inherent qualities of any
instrument. It breathes and dynamically responds to your playing technique exactly the way a great guitar amp
should. The MEMPHIS 30 is designed to be pedal friendly and ultra-responsive to a wide array of guitar woods
and pick-up types. It also integrates seamlessly with any combination of internal and external speaker
configurations.

Getting familiar with the MEMPHIS 30 amplifier is easy, so don’t be terribly surprised when you find yourself up
and running in no time. First-hand experience and real world application will yield the ultimate satisfaction of
finding your own path to comprehension and self-expression.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This symbol warns the user of dangerous voltage levels localized within the enclosure.

This symbol advises the user to read all accompanying literature for safe operation of the unit.

¾ Read, retain, and follow all instructions. Heed all warnings.

¾ Only connect the power supply cord to an earth grounded AC receptacle in accordance with the voltage

and frequency ratings listed under the AC input on the rear panel of this product.

¾ WARNING: To prevent damage, fire or shock hazard, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.

¾ Unplug the power supply cord before cleaning the unit exterior (use a damp cloth only). Wait until the unit

is completely dry before reconnecting it to power.

¾ Maintain at least 6 inches (15.25 cm) of unobstructed air space behind the unit to allow for proper

ventilation and cooling of the unit.

¾ This product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other products

that produce heat.

¾ This product may be equipped with a polarized plug (one blade wider than the other). This is a safety

feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact an electrician to replace your obsolete
outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of this plug.

¾ Protect the power supply cord from being pinched or abraded.

¾ The power supply cord of this product should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long

period of time, or during electrical storms.

¾ This product should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: the power supply cord or the plug

has been damaged; or objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled onto the product; or the product has
been exposed to rain; or the product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in
performance; or the product has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

¾ Do not drip nor splash liquids, nor place liquid filled containers on the unit.

¾ CAUTION: No user serviceable parts inside, refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

¾ FRYETTE® amplifiers and loudspeaker systems are capable of producing very high sound pressure

levels which may cause temporary or permanent hearing damage. Use care when setting and adjusting
volume levels during use.

¾ Hazardous voltages may be present within the chassis even with the power switch off and power cord

connected. Therefore, disconnect the power cord from the rear panel power inlet before servicing. The
power inlet must remain readily operable.

FRONT FASCIA:

A. INPUT HI

medium output humbuckers.

FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW

- High sensitivity input (also has a brighter tone). For normal single-coils and low to

B. INPUT LO

medium to high output humbuckers.

C. TUBE COMPARTMENT

tube chart (pg. 12) for details. Set amplifier to STANDBY when replacing or swapping tubes.

D. STANDBY

disabled while power is supplied to the tube filaments only. Use STANDBY instead of switching
the power off during short breaks to extend tube life and avoid the warm-up delay upon returning
to play.

E. PILOT LAMP

energy efficient and never needs replacing.

TOP FASCIA:

DRIVE CHANNEL

F. CHANNEL VOICING

pre-gain voicing profile.

G. GAIN

low mid to high end ratio.

H. VOLUME

volume and determines send level to the
EFFECTS LOOP.

I. POWER SHIFT

WATT power output and assigns that
output preference to the selected channel.

J. BOOST

gain stage and assigns it to footswitch
BOOST function.

K. TREBLE/MIDDLE/BASS

Interactive tone controls.

CLEAN CHANNEL

L. CHANNEL VOICING

pre-gain voicing profile.

- Low sensitivity input (also has a slightly darker tone). For hot single-coils and

– Turns on high voltage to preamp and power tubes. In standby, the amplifier output is

– Indicates mains AC operation. This is an LED back-lit jewel assembly. It is highly

– Sets the amount of overdrive and

– Sets the post EQ channel

– Activates an additional tube

– All of the channel and tone shaping tubes are accessible from here. See

– Selects channel

– Selects 30 WATT or 18

– Passive /

– Selects channel

M. VOLUME

volume and determines send level to the
EFFECTS LOOP.

N. POWER SHIFT

WATT power output and assigns that
output preference to the selected channel.

O. BOOST

assigns it to footswitch BOOST function.

P. TREBLE/MIDDLE/BASS

Interactive tone controls.

COMMON CHANNEL CONTROLS

Q. REVERB

channels. Reverb sensitivity is reduced in
DRIVE mode to prevent the reverb sound
from washing out on high gain settings.

R. CHANNEL SELECT

between CLEAN and DRIVE channels.
MUST BE SET TO CLEAN FOR
FOOTSWITCH TO OPERATE.

– Sets the channel gain and

– Selects 30 WATT or 18

– Activates gain boost (6 dB) and

– Passive /

– Sets reverb level for both

– Manually selects

THE DRIVE CHANNEL

The MEMPHIS DRIVE channel is extremely flexible. It can do everything from pristine clean to fully saturated,
highly detailed super-gain at pretty much any desired volume setting. Something to be aware of is the unique
touch sensitivity. Try just touching the strings lightly and then smack an open E chord. Notice how it holds
together and then opens up on the decay. This effect is present regardless of gain or volume setting and will
help bring out overtones and harmonics you have probably never experienced on an amplifier of this power
class before.

• VOICING SWITCH
 SMOOTH - A smooth and balanced voice - perfect for strats or maple top humbucker

equipped guitars. Excellent for medium gain solo work with killer sustain.

 CRISP - Exactly what it implies - a crisp spanking upper mid emphasis. Especially good with

a dark mahogany guitar like a Les Paul Jr, or guitars equipped with EMG pickups.

 FAT - Like CRISP with added mid emphasis. In low gain modes this adds a bit of punch. On

extreme high-gain settings it adds a fat midrange saturation quality.

• GAIN - Increases the gain amount as you rotate the knob clockwise. As the gain increases, the tonal

balance is shifted from a treble and upper mid emphasis, which produces an up-front sparkling tone,
to a lower mid and bass emphasis, which produces a thick meaty tone.

• POWER SHIFT - Selects full power – 30W, or low power – 18W, and assigns that preference to the

channel. The amplifier will operate at the selected power level on this channel. In 30W mode, voltage
is supplied by a heavily filtered silicon rectifier circuit for tight, punchy response and fast attack. In 18W
mode, the voltage is supplied by a lightly filtered low-voltage silicon rectifier circuit for increased
harmonic overtones, smoother saturation and a softer slower attack. Because the amplifier is self

biasing, the power tubes remain properly biased regardless of power setting.

• BOOST - Activates an additional stage of gain when the front panel switch is set to BOOST. The

BOOST switch also assigns the BOOST function to the footswitch.

• VOLUME - This is the MASTER VOLUME control for the DRIVE channel. It sets the channel volume

and determines channel send level to the EFFECTS LOOP.

• TREBLE/MIDDLE/BASS – Passive, interactive tone controls. Adjusts high, low and mid–frequency

tone character of the LEAD channel.