Radial Engineering TONEBONE Owner`s Manual

TONEBONE

™

Owner’s Manual

1638 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5W9
tel: [phone] fax: [phone] email: [e-mail]

www.radialeng.com

Owner’s Manual

Index Page

1. Introduction ..................................................... 1

2. Unpacking, powering & getting connected .....2

3. Powering & getting connected ........................ 2

4. Using Tonebone – the starting point ............... 2

5. Tonebone Classic function overview .............. 3

6. Tonebone Hot British function overview......... 4

7. Changing the tube ...................................... 5~6

8. Trouble shooting ............................................. 6

Factory setups - Classic ...........................7~10

Factory setups - Hot British .................... 11~14

User setting charts - Classic ................... 15~16

User setting charts - Hot British ............. 17~18

Warranty ......................................... back cover

1. Introduction:

Congratulations on your purchase of the Radial Tonebone™
Tonebone pedals bring forth a level of quality and performance

never before realized in a tube distortion pedal. Whether set for
tones commonly described as 'edge', 'crunch', 'metal' or just
plain 'scream' the Tonebone gives you rich harmonics and deep
bass throughout a wide range of sounds.

This manual has been designed to show the user how to gain
access to those sounds and more. Once you have read through,
take time to experiment. You will find that the Tonebone is so
well designed; it is practically impossible to make it sound bad!

Most of all, enjoy. If it isn't fun, it isn't music!

™

True to the Music

1638 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5W9 www.radialeng.com
tel: [phone] fax: [phone] email: [e-mail]

www.radialeng.com

Radial is a division of JP Cabletek Electronics Ltd. Radial Tonebone™ manual V1.1 - 07-09-02
Specifications and appearence subject to change without notice.

1

2. Unpacking your Tonebone:

Your Radial Tonebone pedal has been thoroughly tested at the
factory, and comes with a 15VDC power supply and this owner’s
manual. We recommend that you keep the box and original
receipt in the unlikely event that you should need to send the
unit back for servicing.

3. Powering up and getting connected:

Before you start, turn your guitar amp volume down to zero.
Tonebone comes equipped with a special 15VAC power adapter
with enough power to drive the 12AX7 tube inside. When the power
suppy is connected, the Tonebone will be in standby mode. Like all
tube amps, for best tone let your Tonebone warm up for 5
minutes so that it achieves electrical and thermal stability. The
LED on the unit lights up when the foot switch is depressed to
indicate it is powered up and ready for use.

4. Using Tonebone – The starting point:

Start with all the controls at 12 o’clock and switches set to the
off or flat position. Turn your amp up to a comfortable listening
level and adjust the LEVEL output control for unity gain, i.e.: the
level with Tonebone on (LED is on) matches the level with it off
(LED off). Now start turning knobs!

You will find that most of the controls are intuitive and extremely
sensitive to changes. In other words, small control changes will
make big changes in the sound. Take your time and experiment.

It is important to note that both the Tonebone Classic and the
Tonebone Hot British are ultra-high gain devices that have been
designed to provide ‘over-compensation’ control on all functions.
What this means is that each control when set to maximum is able
to compensate for other controls that may be completely backed
off. For instance, you may have your LEVEL wide open and your
DRIVE almost fully off. This gives you maximum flexibility but also
opens the door to over-saturation, which could lead to
uncontrollable feedback. To safeguard against this, you should
never drive all functions to maximum.

At the back of this manual are a number of setups for popular
sounds for both Tonebone models. Note that you will have to
tweak the settings shown on the setup chart to match your
specific guitar and amp set up.

In addition to the factory sound charts, a number of blank user
setting charts are included at the back of this manual.
Photocopy these handy charts and use them to save your own
‘found sounds’. Once you get a sound you like, chart the knob
positions and guitar/amp/pickup setting. These setup charts will
aid in you in getting familiar with the controls of your new
Tonebone, and help in quickly recreating your exact sounds in
the studio.

Now Go Play!

2

5. Tonebone Classic Function Overview

®

LEVEL

Made in Canada15VDC · 400mA

OUTPUT

DRIVE control: Used to adjust overall amount of input gain &

1

HIGH

BRIGHT

DARK

FLAT

TOP END

LOW FILTER

12dB HIGH

7dB

OUT

MED

LOW

DRIVE GAINMID BOOST

DISTORTION

distortion. For even more drive, use the GAIN switch.

GAIN switch: Used to boost the gain at preamp input. LOW = 0dB

2

MED = +9dB HIGH = +20dB.[+] Hint: Start with GAIN in low position

and DRIVE at 9:00 o’clock and LEVEL at 3:00. Then add DRIVE.

FILTER control: Used to balance the high frequency ratio between

3

the amplifier and the ToneBone - Hint: start adjustments at the
full clockwise position and work backwards.

MID BOOST switch: Gives you +7dB & +12dB boost @ 360Hz.

4

Allows guitar to cut through the mix; especially useful for soloing.

DRIVE

INPUT

LOW control: Active ‘post-distortion’ tone control. Boost or cut

5

±14.5 dB @ 100 Hz from 12 o’clock position.

TOP END switch: BRIGHT = +6dB @ 10KHz FLAT is the

6

Recommended position when the amp’s bright switch is on. DARK: ­6dB @ 3.3KHz, normally used with super bright inputs.

HIGH control: Active ‘post-distortion’ tone control. Boost or cut

7

±10dB @ 4.3KHz from 12 o’clock position.

LEVEL control: This is used to adjust the output level without

8

altering any of the tonal characteristics.

Foot-switch: True-Bypass type; i.e.: when the Tonebone is off,

9

the signal passes straight through without any effect. An on/off
status indicator LED is provided.

3

6. Tonebone Hot British Function Overview

®

®

LEVEL

Made in Canada15VDC · 400mA

OUTPUT

DRIVE control: Used to adjust overall amount of input gain &

1

HIGH

BRIGHT

DARK OUT

FLAT

TOP END

LOW

CONTOUR

FAT 12dB

NOTCH 7dB

OUT

MID BOOSTVOICING

DISTORTION

distortion. For even more drive, use the GAIN switch.

MID BOOST switch: This gives you +7dB & +12dB @ 360Hz.

2

This allows the guitar to cut through the mix and is especially useful
for soloing.

CONTOUR control: Adjust balance of low & high frequencies in the

3

“NOTCH” & “FAT” VOICING mode. Hint: start at 12 o’clock position

VOICING switch: In NOTCH position: passive boost coloration of

4

low’s & high’s in FAT position: passive midrange tight filter.

LOW control: Active ‘post-distortion’ tone control. Boost or cut

5

±14.5dB @ 100 Hz from 12 o’clock position.

DRIVE

INPUT

TOP END switch: BRIGHT = +6dB @ 10KHz; FLAT is the

6

Recommended position when the amp’s bright switch is on. DARK =
6dB @ 3.3KHz; normally used with super bright inputs.

HIGH control: Active ‘post-distortion’ tone control. Boost or cut

7

±10dB @ 4.3KHz from 12 o’clock position.

LEVEL control: This is used to adjust the output level without

8

altering any of the tonal characteristics.

Foot-switch: True-Bypass type; i.e.: when the Tonebone is off,

9

the signal passes straight through without any effect. An on/off
status indicator LED is provided.

4

7. Changing the tube:

Your Tonebone has been designed to provide years of performance
before changing the tube. In fact, it is unlikely that a tube change will be
necessary for two to three years or more, depending on use. Change the
tube only when a degradation of sound is noticeable.

Disassembly

1. Remove the rubber knobs by pulling them straight up. These

pressure fitted knobs should be removed with care to avoid damage.

2. Remove the nuts and washers securing the potentiometer, foot
switch, and input/output using an open ended wrench or socket.
Please use caution so as not to mar the exterior finish.

Ready to change the tube? Ok, lets
start here.

3. Remove the 4 bottom screws that hold the top and bottom
chassis halves together. Carefully separate them. Note that the
chassis top and bottom fit snugly so a little careful force may be
needed to clear the two side mounted ¼” input and output connectors.
Watch you don’t loose the nylon washer between the footswitch and
the chassis top!

Ready to wiggle tube out of the socket.

4. Remove and replace the tube: Gently loosen the 12AX7 tube in
the socket by wiggling it back and forth.

Reassembly

1. Install the PC board to the Chassis top: Carefully align the

potentiometers, LED and footswitch with the holes in the chassis and
assemble through the top. Don’t forget the nylon footswitch washer!

2. Attach the pot and footswitch washers and nuts, just finger
tight for now, to allow alignment of the jacks when the bottom is
attached.

Knobs off, nuts & washers off, side jack
nuts & washers off, now removing screws.

12AX7 tube replacement.

5