Ventura Valve Amplifiers Ventura, CA v v a m p s . c o m
Thank you for purchasing your new VVA50 guitar amplifier head! The VVA50 features a simple, yet
supremely flexible Four Stage Preamp gain design and premium transformers. The result is an amp
with big, touch responsive tone that enhances the personality of individual instruments and musicians.
VVA50 Features
• Front Panel Controls: Gain1, Gain2, Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, Master
• Four Stage Preamp Gain
• Preamp Boost, (selectable via footswitch or back panel switch)
• Aluminum chassis
• Output Impedance Selector (4, 8, or 16 ohms)
• Solid wood enclousure
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
First Time Turning On:
Connect the power and speaker cords, (never turn the amplifier on without connection to a speaker). If
desired, connect the footswitch on the back panel. We recommend starting at medium gain and mid
tone settings.
1. Set all controls at approximately 12:00 o’clock.
2. Set the Master Volume at about 9:00 o’clock.
3. Turn the Power switch on first. Allow the unit to warm up approximately 60 seconds, (just about
the amount of time to tune your guitar!),
4. Turn on the Standby switch. The amplifier powers up with the Preamp Boost feature off.
Depress the footswitch or back panel switch to engage the Preamp Boost. When the front
panel green LED in on, the Boost feature is activated.
5. Adjust the tone settings to obtain the desired tone or to match your guitar.
Ventura Valve Amplifiers Ventura, CA v v a m p s . c o m
Front Panel:
Input: Input Jack for your guitar cable.
Gain1: This control varies the gain for 1st two preamp stages.
Gain2: Adds gain and distortion. Controls the second pair of preamp stages. Increase Gain1 and
Gain2 to obtain more crunch and sustain.
Boost Indicator: Green LED will be on when Boost is engaged. The Boost Feature is dependent on
the gain settings. At higher gain settings, Boost will be less effective. Experimentation is suggested.
Bass: This control adds or reduces bass tone.
Mid: Adds or takes away midrange EQ. This is a responsive frequency control for guitar.
Treble: Increases or reduces treble. Start around 12 o’clock and adjust to taste.
Presence: Adjusts the midrange and high end in the power amp section. Also has a slight effect on
the gain.
Master: Final volume control. While the VVA50 sounds good at low to mid volume levels, the amplifier
will really start to sing as the Master is increased.
Standby Switch: Wait approximately one minute, after the Power switch is engaged, before placing
this switch in the ON position.
Power Switch: Turn this ON for about one minute before taking the amp out of Standby for maximum
tube life.
Power Indicator: This lamp is on when the Power switch is enabled. There is no indication for
Standby, other than the switch position. Up is on.
Ventura Valve Amplifiers Ventura, CA v v a m p s . c o m
Rear Panel:
Fuse: Holder for fuse. Replace if needed with Slow-Blow 250V 3.5A, 5mm x 20mm.
AC Input: Only connect to 120V 60Hz, (North American standard supply 100-127V AC. The VVA50 is
not configured to run in Europe or other countries that use 230V AC.
Output Impedance: Set this selector switch to match your speaker cabinet impedance. Changes to
the Impedance selector should be made while the main power switch is OFF. VVA cabinets and most
commercial speaker cabinets are 8 ohms. If a second 8 ohm cabinet is connected in parallel, switch
the impedance selector to 4 ohms. When connecting two 8 ohm cabinets in series, the impedance
selector should be switched to 16 ohms. Note: Connecting speaker cabinets in series is very
uncommon. In almost every case, the impedace selector should be set to 4 or 8 ohms. Unless marked
otherwise, all VVA cabinets are 8 ohms. Please contact us if you have questions: [email protected]
Speaker Out: Connect to your speaker cabinet, (never turn the amplifier on without connection to a
speaker or load with the correct impedance and power rating).
Boost Pushbutton and Footswitch: Connect the supplied footswitch into the ¼” Jack. The footswitch
and pushbutton switch operate identically. They both toggle the Boost Feature On / Off
VENTURA VALVE AMPLIFIERS LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
We appreciate your choosing Ventura Valve Amplifiers. VVA products are built to aircraft standards. If
you do have an issue with you amp, please refer to warranty information below.
AMPLIFIERS: Ventura Valve Amplifiers offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. This
warranty does not cover service or parts to repair damage caused by neglect, abuse, normal wear,
disaster, accident, overpowering, negligence, inadequate packing or shipping procedures and service,
repair or any modifications to the product which have not been authorized or approved by Ventura
Valve Amplifiers in writing. Any internal modifications to the amplifier will void your warranty. If this
product is defective in materials or workmanship as warranted above, your sole remedy shall be repair
or replacement by Ventura Valve Amplifiers as provided below. The voltages present inside your amp
can cause injury or death. Do not remove the chassis from the amplifier. Any unauthorized rework or
repair will void your warranty.
TUBES: Ventura Valve Amplifiers warrants the original purchaser that all new tubes are guaranteed to
meet manufacturers specifications for 90 days, except for breakage or when damaged by operation
outside manufacturers' specified ratings. The tube warranty will end 90 days after the purchase date.
SPEAKERS: VVA Amplifiers warrants the original purchaser that all new tubes are guaranteed to meet
manufacturers specifications for 2 years, except when damaged by operation outside manufacturers'
specified ratings. The speaker warranty will end 2 years after the purchase date.
Ventura Valve Amplifiers Ventura, CA v v a m p s . c o m
RETURN PROCEDURES:
In the unlikely event that a defect occurs please call us at 805 340-1642. 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.
• Defective products are to be shipped,
together with freight pre‐paid and insured
to the directly to Ventura Valve Amplifiers.
• If a product must be returned to VVA
for warranty replacement/repair, a Return
Authorization Number must be obtained
from our Customer Service Department
prior to shipping the product.
• Please contact Ventura Valve Amplifiers
Customer Service Department to obtain a
Return Authorization Number.
• Products must be shipped in their original
packaging or its equivalent. The risk of loss
or damage in transit is to be borne by the purchaser.
• Always include a brief description of the
defect, along with your correct return
address and telephone number.
• When calling to inquire about a returned
product, always refer to the Return
Authorization Number.
/
