OWNERS MANUAL
KAA30
Thank you for purchasing the Kustom KAA30 model acoustic/electric guitar amplifier.
Kustom has listened to musicians throughout the world and stands proudly behind each
and every one we make. It was designed with your needs in mind. Flexible, feature
laden, great sounding, able to adapt to all kinds of music, this amplifier really delivers
what you have been looking and waiting for. Whatever style you choose, its ready!
Kustom, with a 30 year tradition of excellence in design, proudly delivers to you this
amp and rewards you with a rugged and dependable amp designed and engineered
in the USA. Again, thank you for your purchase. Please take a few minutes to learn
about all the professional features that are built in.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model Power Equalizer Channels Impedance Effects Amplifier Type Dimensions Weight
KAA30 30 W 4 Band Two 8 Ohms Reverb MOS-FET Transistor 14.97x18.2x9.7 31 lbs.
Chorus 38x46x24.5cm. 14.06 kg.
DANGER
EXPOSURE TO EXTREMELY HIGH NOISE LEVELS MAY CAUSE A PERMANENT
HEARING LOSS. INDIVIDUALS VARY CONSIDERABLY TO NOISE INDUCED HEARING
LOSS BUT NEARLY EVERYONE WILL LOSE SOME HEARING IF EXPOSED TO
SUFFICIENTLY INTENSE NOISE FOR A SUFFICIENT TIME.
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
(OSHA) HAS SPECIFIED THE FOLLOWING PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVEL EXPOSURES:
DURATION PER DAY IN HOURS
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/2 HR. or LESS
SOUND LEVEL db FLOW RESPONSE
90
93
95
97
100
103
110
ACCORDING TO OSHA, ANY EXPOSURE IN THE ABOVE PERMISSIBLE LIMITS COULD
RESULT IN SOME HEARING LOSS. EAR PLUGS OR PROTECTORS IN THE EAR CANAL
OR OVER THE EARS MUST BE WORN WHEN OPERATING THIS AMPLIFICATION
SYSTEM IN ORDER TO PREVENT A PERMANENT HEARING LOSS. IF EXPOSURE IN
EXCESS OF THE LIMITS AS PUT FORTH ABOVE, TO INSURE AGAINST POTENTIALLY
HARMFUL EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. IT IS RECOMMENDED
THAT ALL PERSONS EXPOSED TO EQUIPMENT CAPABLE OF INDUCING HIGH SOUND
PRESSURE LEVELS, SUCH AS THIS AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM, BE PROTECTED BY
HEARING PROTECTORS WHILE THIS UNIT IS IN OPERATION.
IMPORTANT
1. Read all safety and operating instructions before using this product.
2. All safety and operating instructions should be kept for future reference.
3. Obey all cautions in the operating instructions and on the back of the unit.
4. All operating instructions should be followed.
5. This product should not be used near water i.e. bathtub, sink, swimming
pool, wet basement, etc.
6. This product should be located so that its position does not interfere
with proper ventilation. It should not be placed flat against a wall or
placed in a built-in enclosure that will impede the flow of cooling air.
7. This product should not be placed near a source of heat, such as a
stove, radiator, or another heat producing amplifier.
8. Connect only to a power supply of the type indicated on the back of the
amplifier near the power supply cord.
9. Do not break off the ground pin of the power supply cord.
10. Power supply cords should always handled carefully. Never walk or place
equipment on power supply cords. Periodically check cords for cuts or
signs of stress, especially at the point where the cord exits the unit.
11. The power supply cord should be unplugged when the unit is unused
for long periods of time.
12. If this product is to be mounted in an equipment rack, rear support
should be provided.
13. Metal parts and vinyl covering may be cleaned with a damp rag.
14. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled
into the unit through the ventilation ports or any other openings.
15.This unit should be checked by a qualified service technician if:
A. The power supply cord or plug has been damaged.
B. Anything has fallen or been spilled into the unit.
C. The unit does not operate correctly.
D. The unit has been dropped or the enclosure damaged.
THIS APPARATUS SHALL NOT BE EXPOSED TO
DRIPPING OR SPLASHING. NO OBJECTS FILLED
WITH LIQUIDS SUCH AS VASES SHALL BE PLACED
ON THE APPARATUS.
TO AVOID ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT
DISASSEMBLE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
PERSONAL ONLY!
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE CHASSIS. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR.
THIS SYMBOL IS INTENDED TO ALERT THE USER TO THE PRESENCE OF
UNINSULATED DANGEROUS VOLTAGE WITHIN THE PRODUCTS ENCLOSURE THAT
MAY BE OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE TO CONSITUTE A RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
TO PERSONS.
THIS SYMBOL IS INTENDED TO ALERT THE USER TO THE PRESENCE OF IMPORTANT
OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE (SERVICING) INSTRUCTIONS IN THE LITERATURE
ACCOMPANYING THE UNIT.
Kustom Inc., 4940 Delhi Pike, Cincinnati, OH USA
(800) 999-5558 Fax: (513) 347-2192 / www.kustom.com
16. The user should not attempt to service this equipment. All service work
must be done by a qualified service technician for warranty repairs.
CAUTION
THIS AMPLIFIER HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
ADEQUATE POWER RESERVE FOR PLAYING MODERN MUSIC WHICH MAY
REQUIRE OCCASIONAL PEAK POWER. EXTENDED OPERATION AT
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM POWER IS NOT RECOMMENDED SINCE THIS
COULD DAMAGE THE ASSOCIATED LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM. PLEASE BE
AWARE THAT MAXIMUM POWER CAN BE OBTAINED WITH VERY LOW
SETTINGS OF THE MASTER VOLUME CONTROLS IF THE INPUT SIGNAL
IS VERY STRONG.
MIC/LINE
GUITAR
INPUT MIDLOW HIGH
INPUT
PREAMP
GUITAR
FEEDBACK
FREQUENCYMIC/LINE
EQUALIZER
EFFECTS
HEADPHONEREVERB CHORUS
KAA30
MIC
1
2
3
4
ACTIVE
30 WATT
65
MOSFET ACOUSTIC GUITAR AMPLIFIER
8
7
9
10
11
ON
12
13
POWER
16
1514
1.) Mic/Line Input - this is a 1/4 2 conductor input jack for plugging in a Hi-Z microphone or instrument. It is intended for
microphones but will accept other instruments as well.
2.) Guitar Input - this is a 1/4 2 conductor input jack for plugging in your instrument. It is intended for guitar or Hi-Z microphones
but will accept other instruments as well.
3.) Mic/Line Volume - this control is the output volume control for the mic/line input. Slowly increase the control to increase the
volume. If you are using a high impedance microphone, be careful when increasing the volume. Depending on mic position, it
may feedback if mic is in front of speaker.
4.) Mic/Line -
this switch will select a mic or line level input. If you are using a high impedence microphone, be careful when
increasing volume. Depending on mic placement, feedback may occur.
5.) Guitar Volume - this control is the output volume control for the guitar input. Slowly increase the control to increase the
volume. If you are using a guitar with an on-board preamp, set its level for a mid position before increasing this control otherwise
distortion may occur.
6.) Active - this switch will place a -20db pad in the circuit which will allow use of active on-board electronics from pre-amplified
guitars. This will help keep the signal extremely clean.
7.) Frequency -
this control is a tight Hi-Q cut filter notch with an extremely narrow width. It sweeps between 50Hz & 500Hz and
fine tunes the midrange of the acoustic guitar. This helps elimate unwanted ringing tones. It is preset to -10db.
8.) Low - this control is the bass control. It is active and set to boost or cut frequencies at 60 Hz. This will effect the low frequency
signals. Turning it counterclockwise, the low will be rolled off -18db. Clockwise, it will boost +18db. Especially good for cleaning
up preset patches or making thin toned guitars sound fuller.
9.) Mid - this control is the midrange control. It is active and set to boost or cut frequencies 1.5KHz. This will effect the mid-low
frequency signals. Turning it counterclockwise, the low-mids will be rolled off -12db. Clockwise, it will boost +12db. Especially
good for cleaning up guitar overtones.
10.) High - this is the high frequency tone control. It is active and set to boost or cut frequencies at 5KHz. This will effect the high
frequency signals. Turning it counterclockwise, the highs will be rolled off -18db. Clockwise, it will boost +18db. This will add or
subtract the high end shimmer and clarity.
11.) Reverb Level - this control adds the spring reverb and mixes it into the main signal buss. Reverberation creates a trail like
effect with the sound. It lets the notes hang in the air longer, extending the sound.
12.) Chorus On/Off - this is the switch to turn on and off the chorus circuit.
13.) Chorus Level - this is the Speed Control for the chorus circuit.
14.) Headphone Jack - this is a 1/4 3 conductor jack for plugging headphones. It will sum the signal and put the sound in both
ears, thereby creating a pseudo-stereo sound. Volume will be determined by the volume control on the channel you are on. It
will disconnect the internal speaker when plugged in. This will allow quiet practicing.
15.) Jewel Light - this jewel light lets you know that the amplifier is on.
16.) Power - this switch turns on and off the AC power to the amp.
Back Panel - (not pictured)
Speaker Out - this is a 2 conductor 1/4 speaker output jack. This will disconnect the internal speaker and allow an external
speaker cabinet to be employed. Rating is 8 ohms.
Line Output - this is a 2 conductor 1/4 line output jack. This will allow an external amplifier or mixing board to be supplied with
the signal from this amp. This signal is attenuated and comes from the power amp.
Effects Loop I/O - these are 2-2 conductor 1/4 jacks. This will allow an external effects device or equalizer to be patched back in before
the power amp section in this amp. One is send and the other is return.
Footswitch Jack - this is a 3 conductor 1/4 jack. This is for hooking up a footswitch to turn on/off the chorus and reverb.
Suggested Settings
(These settings are general starting points. They
are designed to get you close to the sound you are
looking for. If the control is not shown, then it doesnt
apply to this particular sound. )
KAA30
Standard Single Input Setup - in this setup your acoustic/electric guitar is plugged
into inputs 1. (Remember, if you are using an active guitar or pre-amplified guitar, press
the active switch in. We also suggest that you turn its output level to about mid way up
and this will give you a cleaner sound as well as giving you available headroom for
leads.) The tone controls follow both inputs.
Of course, you can adjust the tone controls to any desired sound but in this setup, we
suggest these tone control settings. It will deliver a clear, clean sound that has enough
top end clarity to cut through. Add low and low mid for a beefier presence but be careful
as this can muddy up the sound. Adjust the feedback control to eliminate those unwanted
ringing frequencies.
Adjust the reverb and chorus to suit the music or to your taste.
KAA30
Standard Dual Input Setup - in this setup two inputs are utilized. Guitar is plugged
into guitar input jack and a Hi-Z microphone is plugged into mic/line Input. Assuming you
are also using a microphone, plug it into the mic/line jack and slowly turn up the mic/line
volume control. Balancing the two types of inputs gives you a much more natural acoustic
guitar sound.
You could also plug in any combination of inputs such as: keyboards, microphones or
other guitars.
This can also be a basic mini-PA system. It could be used for plugging in a CD player
or cassette decks and a microphone for singing. It can be used for playing over prerecorded
tapes with mixing capabilities.
As mentioned earlier, you can adjust the tone controls to any desired sound but in this
setup we suggest these tone control settings. Of course it depends on the listening
environment. It will deliver a clear, clean sound that has enough top end clarity to let the
acoustic sound cut through.
Adjust the reverb and chorus to suit the music or to your taste.
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