Tone King
User’s Manual
Tone King Amplifiers
www.toneking.com
mail@toneking.com
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Note from the Builder
Thank you for choosing Tone King’s “Gremlin” guitar amplifier. The Gremlin is a new
design, and a bit different than its predecessors in the Tone King line.
The Gremlin was developed to deliver the big, bold sounds of larger vintage amps, but
in a smaller, more manageable package - weed champs, Supros, old field coil Gibson
amps, etc. The goal with this design was to maintain some of the loose, raw sound of
smaller amps, but without the raspiness. We also wanted to deliver the strong lows and
strident highs of a larger format amplifier.
There were two key factors to achieving this. First, the smaller port cabinet design,
coupled with a specially designed Celestion speaker deliver a larger sonic footprint than
the cabinet size would imply.
Next, we employed a single-ended output stage loaded stock with a KT66 output tube.
It’s cathode biased. Which means you can also substitute it successfully for a 6L6
(though that’s not the stock sound)
At 8W, the Gremlin was still too loud to be used in a home environment, so we added a
custom version of our Ironman II attenuator, with 6 levels of attenuation, to bring the
volume down by as much as 35db, all the way to a genuine bedroom volume.
In the end, the Gremlin turned out to have a wonderful variety of genuine old-school
tones, and be an absolute blast to play. We thank you for your purchase of the
Gremlin, and hope you enjoy playing it as much as we do.
Best Regards,
Tone King Amplifiers
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Safety Instructions
Please keep this instruction manual for future reference and for the duration of owning
this Tone King Amplifier. Please carefully read and understand the instructions inside
this user’s manual before attempting to operate your new amp. This instruction manual
includes essential safety information regarding the use and maintenance of the
amplifier. Take special care to heed all warning symbols and signs inside this manual
and those printed on the amplifier itself.
WARNING!
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THE AMPLIFIER TO
WATER OR MOISTURE. DO NOT OPERATE NEAR ANY WATER SOURCE
WHAT’S THE MEANING OF THIS?
The lightning flash with an arrow triangular symbol is intended to alert the user to the
presence of non-insulated “dangerous voltage” within the products enclosure, and may
be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock
WHAT’S THE MEANING OF THIS?
The exclamation point triangular symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of
important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the user manual
accompanying this amplifier!
1. Read Instructions – All the safety and operating instructions should be read before
this product is operated.
2. Retain Instructions – The safety and operating instructions should be retained for
future reference.
3. Heed Warnings – All warnings on the amplifier and in the operating instructions
should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions – All operating and use instructions should be followed.
5. Water and Moisture – The amplifier should not be used near water – for example, a
bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, wet basement, or near a swimming pool,
and the like.
6. Carts and Stands – The amplifier should be used only with a cart or stand that is
recommended by the manufacturer.
An amplifier and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive
force, and uneven surfaces may cause the amplifier and cart combination to overturn.
7. Wall or Ceiling Mounting
– The product should never be mounted to a wall or ceiling.
8. Heat – Amplifier should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other amplifier (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Power Sources – This product should be operated only from the type of power source
indicated on the rating label.
If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your product
dealer or local power company.
10. Grounding or Polarization
– This product may be equipped with a polarized alternation-current line plug (a plug
having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one
way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try
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reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace
your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.
11. Power-Cord Protection
– Power-supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or
pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to the cord
in correspondence of plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from
the amplifier.
12. Cleaning – The amplifier should be cleaned only as recommended by the
manufacturer. Clean by wiping with a cloth slightly damp with water. Avoid getting
water inside the amplifier.
14. Non-use Periods – The power cord of the amplifier should be unplugged from the
outlet when left unused for a long period of time.
15. Object and Liquid Entry
– Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the
enclosure through openings.
16. Damage Requiring Service
– The amplifier should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
A. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the amplifier; or
C. The amplifier has been exposed to rain; or
D. The amplifier does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in
performance; or
E. The amplifier has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
F. The amplifier needs tube replacement or biasing
17. Servicing – The user should not attempt any service to the amplifier beyond that
described in the operating instructions.
All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
18. Ventilation – Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation and to
ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, and these
openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by
placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. This product should
not be placed in a built- in installation such as a bookcase or rack.
19. Attachments – do not use attachments not recommended by the product
manufacturer as they may cause hazards.
20. Accessories – Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket,
or table. The product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious
damage to the product. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table
recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with the product.
21. Lightning – For added protection for this product before a lightning storm, or when
it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet.
This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power line surges.
22. Replacement Parts – When replacement parts are required, be sure the service
technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same
characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
electric shock, or other hazards.
23. Safety Check – Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the
service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper
operating condition.
24. FUSES – Always use the correct rating and type of fuse as indicated on the rear
panel. Note the proper rating fuse is determined by the AC line voltage in the country
this unit is being operated.
25. AC SELECT SWITCH: This switch must be set to match the AC line voltage in the
country this unit is being operated.
To change the setting, loosen (do not remove) the two screws above and below the slide
switch. Temporarily move the protective cover strip and slide the actuator to match the
voltage in your country. Place the protective cover strip back over the switch and
tighten the two screws
.
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Contents
1. Top Panel Controls
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Rhythm and Lead Inputs
4
Volume and Tone Controls
4
2. Dialing In Your Sound
5 Rhythm Voicing
5 Lead Voicing
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3. Back Panel Controls
6 AC Power
6 Fuse
6 Power Switch
6 Speaker Jack
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Direct Out Jack
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Attenuation Controls
7 Notes on Using the Attenuator
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4. Tube Installation and Replacement
8 Choice of Tube Types and Brands
8 Important Note Regarding V2
8 12AX7 Tubes
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KT66 Tubes
9 Alternate Tube Choices
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Installing Tubes
10
Replacing Output Tubes
10
Tube Quality
10
5. Warranty
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1. Top Panel Controls
Rhythm and Lead Inputs
Two input jacks are provided, each with a different tone and level of gain. The Rhythm
input has a lower level of gain than the Lead input. This is where you determine the
“channel” of the amplifier. You can plug the cable into either of the two inputs. Or,
using an A/B or A/B/Y switch you can select between them, or jump them together for
a sound that combines the two channels for additional character.
Volume & Tone Controls
… of the Gremlin’s preamplifier is very similar to a vintage tweed deluxe amplifier.
Because of this, the volume and tone controls are highly interactive. This means that
changing the volume control will have some effect on the tone (balance of treble-tomidrange-to-bass), and changing the tone control will have some effect on the volume of
the amp. Although this seems like an inconvenient setup, it actually provides a much
wider range of available tones. If you are not familiar with using interactive Volume and
Tone controls, it may take some experimenting to become familiar with how best to use
it.
2. Dialing In Your Sound
The Gremlin is capable of a surprisingly wide range of tones, between the two inputs.
Each channel is intended for a specific use, and it’s important to know the intention of
each voicing in order to get the most out of the Gremlin.
“Rhythm” Voicing
The "rhythm" voicing is intended to give you more or less a blackface Fender sound.
Cleaner in lower volume settings, but still with good breakup when cranked, and full
saturation when hit with an overdrive.
“Lead” Voicing
The "lead" voicing is intended exclusively for overdriven and distorted tones. It is not
intended for clean tones. This is why it has more gain than the other setting, and why
it begins to break up at low volume control settings. It may take some experimenting to
find the sweet spots that give you the best tones with a particular guitar.
The Gremlin gets much of its overdrive and distortion from the output stage. When
you are pushing it hard in the lead setting, it reaches maximum output early on, and
simply becomes more saturated as you turn up the volume control. This is how any
non-master design works - tweed amps, etc. The Gremlin is designed for rootsy, oldschool vintage tone, and this kind of tone is all about power tubes being driven hard
and generating their own kind of distortion and compression.
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3. Back Panel Controls
AC Power
Always use a grounded AC cord, and make sure that a proper ground connection is
supplied to the amp. Never attempt to lift or defeat the ground connection to the amp.
Fuse
A standard 2A slo-blo fuse should be used. The fuse holder is integrated into the AC
input.
Power Switch
When powering up the amp, it is recommended that you allow the tubes to warm up for
about 1 minute before playing.
Speaker Jack
The speaker jack is located on the back of the chassis, and is labeled “EXT SPEAKER”.
This is because whether using it for the internal speaker, or to power an external
speaker cabinet, this is the jack to be used. It is a standard ¼” mono jack. The output
impedance of the amplifier is 8 Ohms. If you wish to use the Gremlin with an extension
cabinet, it’s best to use an 8-ohm cabinet. You can connect it with a standard ¼” mono
speaker cable by pulling out the plug from the internal speaker, and plugging the cable
into the speaker jack. But you MUST do so with the amplifier OFF.
Attenuation Control
The Gremlin contains a built-in Ironman II precision attenuator. The attenuator allows
you to reduce the volume level of the amplifier while allowing its output tube to operate
at full output power, for natural power tube overdrive and distortion. This attenuator
uses transformer coupling and a precision tuned reactive load to best preserve the
natural tone and feel of the amp, even at very low volume. This is the same general
approach used in the highly regarded Ironman II standalone attenuators.
There are many different approaches that can be used to generate overdriven and
distorted tones as a low volume. For example, master volume circuits, or a power
reduction scheme such as London Power Scaling have both been used successfully on
various amp models of other brands. However, for the more vintage sounding tones
that the Gremlin is designed to achieve, a good quality attenuator such as the built-in
Ironman II is the best way to preserve tone and feel at very low volume, because it
allows the output stage to operate the same way at any level of attenuation.
The attenuation control determines the amount of power sent to the speaker, but does
not affect the operation of the output stage of the amplifier itself. The attenuator
absorbs and dissipates any excess power generated by the output tubes that is not sent
to the speaker.
The attenuator is internally connected between the amplifier output and the speaker
jack – the same way an external attenuator would be connected. However, the input of
the attenuator is not accessible, so you cannot use the built-in Ironman attenuator to
attenuate the output of some other amplifier.
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Notes on using the attenuator
In the 0db position, the attenuator is completely bypassed, and the speaker is
connected directly to the output transformer secondary, with no additional circuitry
touching the signal path.
Although the Ironman II attenuator does an excellent job of reducing output power
without changing the tone of the amp’s circuitry, there are other variables in play at
lower volume which do result in some apparent tone change. Here are a few factors
that you should be aware of -
Speaker breakup and compression is a big part of the tone and feel of the amp when
played at high volume. At low power settings, the speaker responds differently, and
does not break up and compress as it does at high power.
The ear’s natural response curve varies at different volume levels, which changes the
way you perceive sounds at different volume levels. Quieter sounds tend to give the
impression of having less bass content.
At lower volume, there is a tendency to hit the guitar strings harder and play more
aggressively than you would if the amp were tuned up very loud. It may take some time
to get used to maintaining your playing style at reduced volume.
4. Tube Installation and Replacement
Choice of Tube Types
I currently recommend the following tube types:
No. Function Brand/Type
V1 1st Gain Stage either Channel 1&2 TAD 12AX7A-C
nd
V2 2
V3 Output Tube KT66
The tube brands shown above are our own preferences. You may want to use other
brands, to tailor the sound to your own tastes.
Alternate Tube Choices You May Want to Try
Reducing Gain: If you find the preamp too gainy, and you find that you’re setting the
volume controls down quite low to get sufficient clean headroom, you may want to try
swapping in a 5751, 12AT7, 12AY7 or even 12AU7 in the V1 position.
Installing Tubes
When installing tubes, you may find it helpful to lay the amp on its side on a table, and
shine a light directly into the back of the amp, to aid in locating the position of each
tube. Tubes must be installed in the correct orientation. The smaller, all-glass tubes
have a blank space in the ring of pins which must line up with the blank space in the
ring of tube pins in the tube socket, located on the chassis. The larger, bakelite-base
tubes have a small cylinder with an indexing key in the center of the ring of tube pins,
and this indexing key must match up with the corresponding slot in the socket on the
chassis.
Stage C.F. Channel 1&2, Driver Stage TAD 12AX7A-C
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Replacing Output Tubes
The output stage of the Gremlin is fully cathode biased, and no bias adjustment is
necessary when changing output tubes. The design of the Gremlin’s output stage
allows a fair amount of margin for variation in tube characteristics, so any known
brand of KT66 can be installed, and will work properly and be appropriately self-biased.
Other popular power amp tubes such as 6V6, 6L6, EL34, 6550 or KT88 or others for
example can also be substituted.
Tube Quality
Currently manufactured tubes are built in China, Russia, or the Czech Republic, and
are not built to the same quality standards as tubes manufactures by the U.S.
manufacturers in the “glory days” of tube manufacturing.
We musicians choose to use to vacuum tubes because of their tone, but we need to
accept that the tubes available to us these days can be imperfect devices, and are most
certainly the least reliable component in the entire amplifier.
It would seem that the obvious solution would be to use new-old-stock tubes that were
made back in the “glory days”, when tubes were properly made. However, we’ve lately
been finding that much of the available stocks of such “new old stock” tubes are either
gassy, noisy, or unreliable – we do believe that we’ve reached the bottom of the barrel of
NOS tubes.
Tube problems generally reveal themselves as a crackling noise or microfonics which
can occur continuously, sporadically, in response to mechanical vibration, or –
especially in Combo amplifiers - in response to your playing (e.g. a crackling or other
type of noise which occurs only when you hit a note).
We subject all tubes to a thorough burn-in and test procedure to ensure that they are
fully up to spec and operating perfectly. However, you must be aware that the majority
of tube failures occur early in their life, and may come about as a result of the jostling
and jarring that an amp can receive in shipping. In spite of the exhaustive testing we
perform at the shop, early-life tube problems cannot always be found in such testing.
The first two months or so are the most tenuous period for any set of tubes. Most
manufacturing defects will be revealed in the first two months of their life, but many are
not detectable in initial testing, even after a burn-in period.
If you notice any noises, crackling, humming or any other odd behavior of your
amplifier in this period, note that it is most likely to be the result of a defective tube,
and should be debugged as such.
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TONE KING LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Thank you for choosing Tone King. Tone King manufactures some of the world’s most
reliable hand-wired, all-tube amplifiers and speaker cabinets. Tone King takes great
pride in an extremely thorough testing procedure which is implemented on each
product prior to shipment. In the unlikely event that you have a problem with you
amplifier, please refer to warranty below. Tone King stands behind our products like no
other and we’re here to help you!
AMPLIFIERS:
a Tone King amplifier will be free from defects in material and workmanship. A dated
sales receipt will establish coverage under this warranty, PLEASE KEEP YOUR PROOF
OF PURCHASE TO USE YOUR WARRANTY. This warranty does not cover service or
parts to repair damage caused by accident, neglect, abuse, normal & wear, disaster,
misuse, abuse, over-powering, negligence, inadequate packing or shipping procedures
and service, repair or any modifications to the product which have not been authorized
or approved by Tone King in writing.
VOID YOUR WARRANTY
warranted above, your sole remedy shall be repair or replacement by Tone King as
provided below.
CAUTION: Do NOT attempt to repair, modify or service your amplifier by
yourself!!! Please read the instruction manual for all safety notifications,
warnings and instructions.
voltages that can cause serious injury or death. Do not remove the chassis from the
amplifier. All repair and service work must
service center of Tone King. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPAIRS WILL VOID YOUR
WARRANTY.
TUBES:
King will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 90 days from
the original date of purchase. A dated sales receipt will establish coverage under this
warranty. This tube warranty will automatically terminate 90 days after the original
retail sales date. This tube warranty is in lieu of all other expressed warranties. If tubes
fail within the 90 day warranty period your sole remedy shall be replacement of tubes
as provided below.
RETURN PROCEDURES:
818-505-0391. In most cases we can help you diagnose the problem over the phone. If
a product must be sent to us, please follow the procedure outlined below.
Tone King warrants the original purchaser that the specific tubes used in Tone
Defective products must be shipped, together with proof of purchase, freight pre-
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paid and insured to the Authorized Tone King Service Center or directly to Tone
King.
If a product must be returned to Tone King for warranty replacement/repair, a
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Return Authorization Number must be obtained from our Customer Service
Department prior to shipping the product.
Please contact Tone King Customer Service Department for the Authorized Tone
•
King Service Center nearest you.
Products must be shipped in their original packaging or its equivalent; in any
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case, the risk of loss or damage in transit is to be borne by the purchaser.
The Return Authorization Number must appear in large print directly below the
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shipping address.
Always include a brief description of the defect, along with your correct return
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address and telephone number.
When calling to inquire about a returned product, always refer to the Return
•
Authorization Number.
Tone King offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser that
ANY MODIFICATION TO THE AMPLIFIER WILL
. If this product is defective in materials or workmanship as
Tone King, like all tube amplifiers, have extremely high
be performed by Tone King or an authorized
In the unlikely event that a defect occurs please call us at
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If Tone King determines that the unit was defective in materials or workmanship at any
time during the warranty period, Tone King has the option of repairing or replacing the
product at no additional charge, except as set forth below.
All replaced parts become a property of Tone King. Products replaced or repaired
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under this warranty will be returned via ground shipping within the United
States or Canada - freight prepaid.
Tone King is not responsible for costs associated with expedited shipping, either
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to Tone King or the return of the product to the customer.
All warranty repairs outside the United States and Canada must be directed to the
dealer or distributor from which you purchased the product.
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE:
any incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use of any
Tone King product, even if a Tone King dealer has been advised of the possibility of
such damages, or any other claim by any other party. Some states do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion
may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also
have other rights which may vary from state to state.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION:
www.toneking.com within (10) ten days of the date of purchase so that we may contact
you directly in the event a safety notification issued in accordance with the 1972
Consumer Product Safety Act.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT:
warranty or product questions you may have. Please call us at 323-277-4100 – Monday
– Friday 9AM-4PM (Pacific Standard Time)
Thank you again for choosing Tone King and we look forward to a long relationship!
Please complete the warranty registration online at
Our dedicated and friendly staff is ready to help you with any
In no event will Tone King be liable for
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