Markbass Classic 300 User Manual

v. 22.june.2007

OWNER’S MANUAL

CLASSIC 300

OWNER'S MANUAL

1. INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on purchasing one of the world’s best bass amplifiers! Markbass amps are built to the highest standards by a small team of skilled technicians in San Giovanni Teatino, Italy. We have spent many years researching not only the highest-quality technologies for bass amp design and construction, but also the practical needs of the working bassist. The end result is a product that combines outstanding sound quality with intuitive features, attractive design and extreme reliability---all in one impossibly lightweight unit. This amp will allow your instrument to speak in its natural voice, faithfully conveying your musical ideas to your audience with stunning clarity. Your amplifier has passed rigorous product testing and should survive even the toughest of environments on the road and rehearsal halls. Nonetheless, please treat it with care and you will be rewarded with many, many years of glorious, rich, powerful bass tone! If the clarity and power of this amp inspire you to play better music, we will have succeeded in our mission. Good luck and enjoy your new best friend!

Sincerely, Markbass

1.1 A WORD FROM MARCO DE VIRGILIIS

When I began to develop the Markbass concept in Italy several years ago I had one objective in mind: to produce a top-quality bass amp that would meet the needs of professional bass players everywhere. I wanted my amps to be compact and lightweight, yet able to handle the low frequencies that today’s four, five and six string passive and active basses are capable of producing. Thanks to modern technology and the availability of high-quality components like low-profile toroidal transformers, neodymium speakers and so on, I was able to accomplish this. The Markbass amplifier circuitry is designed specifically not to color the sound of the bass but to faithfully reproduce the unique tonal qualities of whatever instrument is played through it. I have worked very closely with many high-profile professional bass players around the world to fine-tune the Markbass product line. I am confident that the Markbass line of amps and cabinets is now ready to satisfy the needs of bass players all over the world. Thanks for choosing Markbass; I hope you will find your new amp to be an inspiring upgrade to your sound! We encourage you to use your Markbass gear in all kinds of musical situations---and please help us to continue developing our products by sending your comments to info@markbass.it.

And above all, enjoy the music.

Marco De Virgiliis

MARKBASS - ITALY

www.markbass.it

2. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1) Read these instructions;

2) Keep these instructions;

3) Heed all warnings;

4) Follow all instructions;

5) Do not use this apparatus near water;

6) Clean only with dry cloth;

7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;

8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat;

9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or ground-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.

10) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus;

11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer;

12) Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time;

13) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when the power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen

14) “Warning: to reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture; and objects filled with liquids, such as vases, should not be placed on this apparatus”;

15) The socket outlet shall be installed near the equipment and shall be easily accessible;

16) The power cord must be unplugged prior to servicing.

2. PRÉCAUTIONS D’EMPLOI

1) Lire ces instructions;

2) Conserver ces instructions;

3) Suivre tous les conseils d’utilisations;

4) Suivre toutes les instructions;

5) Ne pas utiliser cet appareil au bord de l’eau;

6) Nettoyer uniquement avec un chiffon humide;

7) Ne pas bloquer le système de ventilation. Installer conformément aux instructions du fabricant;

8) Ne pas installer l’appareil près d’une source de chaleur tel qu’un radiateur, un fourneau, ou bien un autre appareil qui produit de la chaleur;

9) Ne pas modifier le système de sécurité de la fiche polarisée ou de de la fiche pour les prises de terre. Une fiche polarisée a deux broches, l’une étant plus distante de l’autre. Une fiche pour prise de terre a deux broches et

10) Protéger le cordon d’alimentation afin qu’il ne soit pas piétiné ou écrasé tout particulièrement au niveau des fiches, des prises de courant femelles, et des parties qui sortent de l’appareil;

11) Utiliser uniquement les accessoires recommendés par le fabricant;

12) Ne pas branché l’appareil en cas d’orage accompagné d’éclairs. Le débrancher en cas de non utilisation prolongée;

13) S’adresser à un service assistance agréé si l’appareil a subi des dommages, si le cordon d’alimentation ou la fiche a été endommagé, si un liquide a été renversé sur l’appareil ou bien si un object est tombé dans l’appareil,

14) “Avertissant: pour réduire le risque du feu ou de décharge électrique, n’exposez pas cet appareil à la pluie ou l’humidité et les objets remplis de liquides; tels que des vases, ne devraient pas être placés sur cet appareil”;

15) La prise de courant doit être installée près de l’appareil et doit être facilement accessible;

16) La fiche principale doit être débranchée avant toute opération d’entretien.

The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet;

into the apparatus, or when the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped;

une pointe pour la masse. La broche plus distante et la pointe pour la masse ont été installées pour votre sécurité. Si la fiche fournie de rentre pas dans votre prise de courant consulter un électricien pour la substitution;

si ce dernier a été exposé à la pluie ou à l’humidité, s’il ne fonctionne pas correctement ou s’il est tombé;

MORE INFORMATION For warrantee and service information, please contact your local Markbass distributor (contact information available at www.markbass.it). For more technical information, please visit us at www.markbass.it and fill out the form on the Contact Us page. We hope you enjoy your amp and use it to make great music!

“The Lightning Flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of shock to persons.”

“The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.”

3. CLASSIC 300 PRODUCT OVERVIEW The Classic 300 is a high-quality all-tube bass amplifier, which delivers 300W of power into a 4 or 2 ohm cabinet or 175W into an 8 ohm cabinet.

3.1 Classic 300 Front Panel

INPUT The input jack (1) can be used for both passive and active basses.

GAIN and MASTER There are two knobs on the front panel of the Classic 300 that control the volume of your bass. The GAIN (2) control determines how much signal is passed through the preamp stage of the unit, which includes the preamp tubes, the equalization circuits and the effects loop. The MASTER (9) volume regulates how much output comes out of the power amp into your cabinet/s. If playing through the amp causes the red CLIP (3) light to turn on at all, you should turn down the GAIN (2) control to avoid distortion. When you first plug into the amp, start with the GAIN (2) and MASTER (9) controls set at their lowest levels, in other words turned all the way counter-clockwise. Then, turn your instrument’s volume up to its full level and play as hard as you do in your most aggressive moments, and turn up the GAIN (2) control until the red light starts illuminating. Next, back off on the GAIN (2) just enough so that the light stays off as you play. This method will result in the optimal gain setting for the bass you’re playing. Different basses have different output levels, mostly depending on their pickups—and in the case of active basses, the instrument’s onboard preamp and EQ settings. Once you’ve set the GAIN (2) level, use your MASTER (9) knob to control the volume of your bass. For more distorted tones at the same volume, turn up the GAIN (2) knob and turn down the MASTER (9).

4567 8

11 12

LINE OUT This LINE OUT (8) knob controls the volume level of the rear XLR LINE OUT (15), which is connected to the mixing console in live or studio situations.

BIAS CONTROL When this button (11) is pressed the power tubes work in HIGH FIDELITY mode. In the "out" position, the power tubes work in LONG LIFE mode. For more details, please read the Microcontrolled Amp Management System chapter on page 9.

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