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Frog Fx1 Tube Preamp version 1.1 Page | 1
User Manual
Frog Tube Preamp Fx1
Important Safety Instructions
Read, retain, and follow all instructions. Heed all warnings.
Only use the recommended power supply for this unit. Only the 1Spot by Truetone 9VDC center negative
1700ma wall transformer has been tested with the Frog Tube Preamp Fx1.
WARNING: To prevent damage, fire or shock hazard, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.
Unplug the power supply cord before cleaning the unit exterior (use dry cloth only). Keep ANY moisture way
from the Vacuum Tube or the Vacuum Tube socket hole!
During operation: Maintain at least 6 inches (15.25 cm) of unobstructed air space around the unit to allow for
proper ventilation and cooling of the unit.
This product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other products that
produce heat.
Protect the power supply cord from being pinched or abraded.
This product should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: the power supply plug has been damaged;
or objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled onto the product; or the product has been exposed to rain; or
the product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or the product
has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
CAUTION: No user serviceable parts inside, refer servicing to qualified personnel only. Contact
[email protected] for any service issues.
Compliance Information for Frog Tube Preamp Fx1:
The equipment tested demonstrated compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Title 47CFR 15B,
CISPR 22 and 32, and Industry Canada ICES-003 requirements for Class B equipment.
Declaration of Conformity:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Caution: Users that change or make modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Frog Fx1 Tube Preamp version 1.1 Page | 2
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Industry Canada compliance procedures the following applies:
-CAN ICES-3(B) / NMB-3(B)
Party responsible for compliance: Mark Price, [email protected] , 816-392-9690, 26919 E Hunter Rd. Sibley, MO
64088, USA
Frog Fx1 Tube Preamp version 1.1 Page | 3
Power requirements:
- The Frog Fx1 requires a 9 volt direct current (DC) power source with a minimum of 1000ma of loading
capability or more.
- The power source must be center negative and will usually include a symbol on the device or packaging as
follows:
-
- Reverse polarity protections are built-in to the Frog Fx1 so connection of a “center-positive” 9 volt DC power
supply will not damage the unit, however, it will not function at all.
- If you plug in the power supply and the unit does not function, check the following:
o Make sure the connector from the power supply cord is fully inserted into the power jack on the
back of the Frog Fx1 unit.
o Verify the polarity of the power supply unit is correct as stated previously
o Verify the mains power source (100-240 volts AC)is available at the wall plug or extension cord if
used
- IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN FCC COMPLIANCE
o A 1Spot power supply unit 1700ma by TrueTone.com is recommended. The 1Spot was chosen,
because out of 3 different brands of power supplies, the 1Spot was the best at filtering and rejecting
power line noise when used in conjunction with a ferrite bead
o In addition to the above regarding the 1Spot power supply, in order to maintain the FCC certification
compliance, a ferrite core must be installed as close to the Frog Fx1 unit as possible, with the power
supply cord passing through it at least three (3) times. The Laird Technologies 28A2029-0A2 or
functional equivalent was used and is provided with the Frog Fx1 unit. A sample of an installed
ferrite core is pictured below:
-
Warranty information:
As stated earlier, Users that change or make modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance (frogpedals.com) could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. This would include removal of
the ferrite core on the power supply cord.
Frog Fx1 Tube Preamp version 1.1 Page | 4
Frogpedals.com warrants that the Frog Fx1 Tube Preamp product you have purchased shall be free of any defects in
parts and workmanship if used under normal operating conditions for a period of three (3) years from the date of
purchase, except vacuum tubes are warranted for a period of ninety (90) days from date of purchase (“Limited
Warranty”). This Limited Warranty applies only to the original retail purchaser. IMPORTANT: PLEASE RETAIN YOUR
ORIGINAL SALES RECEIPT, AS IT IS YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE VALIDATING THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. To receive
warranty service, return the complete product to Frogpedals.com, with your sales receipt as proof of purchase, during
the applicable Limited Warranty period. To the extent feasible, defective components that qualify for coverage under
this Limited Warranty may be repaired or replaced at Frogpedals.com's discretion without charge. If the qualified
component is not repaired, Frogpedals.com may, at its sole discretion, either replace with a comparable product or
refund the purchase price. All transportation, insurance and freight charges associated with warranty service and
repairs for Frogpedals.com products are the responsibility of the purchaser. Any repair or service performed by any
person or entity other than an Authorized Frogpedals.com service technician is not covered by this Limited Warranty.
This Limited Warranty becomes void if the serial number on any product is defaced or removed, or the product has been
damaged by alteration, misuse, accident, or neglect.
THE FOREGOING CONSTITUTES THE ONLY WARRANTY MADE BY FROGPEDALS.COM WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS
AND IS MADE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. Any implied warranties, including
without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, imposed under state
law are limited to the duration of this Limited Warranty. In so far as such warranties cannot be disclaimed,
Frogpedals.com limits the duration and remedies of such warranties to the duration of this express warranty and, at
Frogpedal.com’s option, to the repair, replacement or refund described herein. Some states, provinces or countries do
not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not be applicable to you.
FROGPEDALS.COM ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM FAILURE OF THIS PRODUCT NOR
ANY LOSS OF INCOME, SATISFACTION, OR DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE LOSS OF USE OF SAME DUE TO DEFECTS OR
AVAILABILITY OF SAME DURING SERVICE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM STATE
TO STATE (OR BY COUNTRY OR PROVINCE). OTHER THAN AS PERMITTED BY LAW, FROGPEDALS.COM DOES NOT
EXCLUDE, LIMIT OR SUSPEND OTHER RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE, INCLUDING ANY RIGHTS UNDER CONSUMER PROTECTION
LAWS THAT CANNOT BE LAWFULLY CHANGED OR EXCLUDED. FURTHER, FROGPEDALS.COM DOES NOT EXCLUDE, LIMIT
OR SUSPEND OTHER RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE PERSON WHO SOLD THE FROGPEDALS.COM PRODUCT TO
YOU IF THAT PERSON HAS BREACHED THEIR SALES CONTRACT WITH YOU. FOR A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR
RIGHTS YOU SHOULD CONSULT THE LAWS OF YOUR COUNTRY, PROVINCE OR STATE.
Effective Date: February 1, 2017
Frogpedals.com
26919 E Hunter Rd
Sibley, MO 64088
816-392-9690
Background:
The Frog Tube Fx1 is the culmination of a 2 year effort to create a high quality, pedal sized,
reasonably priced tube preamplifier. The Frog Tube Preamp Fx1, inspired by the Alembic F2b,
Frog Fx1 Tube Preamp version 1.1 Page | 5
is based on the first preamp stage of the iconic Fender Dual Showman of the late 60’s which
was famous for its clean powerful tone. The folks at Alembic started producing a rack
mounted version (F2b) of the Fender preamp in the 70’s. It could be found in the racks of
guitarists like David Gilmour and bassists like Phil Lesh, Roger Waters, Bootsy Collins among
many others. In recent years, the price of these units has begun to climb all the way up to
$1000 - $1500. This single channel build allows for the same legendary tone in an affordable
pedal sized enclosure, powered by a 9 volt DC power supply (center negative).
Controls:
Input: (right side) ¼ inch plug-in connection for your guitar or other
compatible instrument
Output: (left side) ¼ inch plug for cabling to other instrument effects and/or
amplifiers
Frog Fx1 Tube Preamp version 1.1 Page | 6
Bass: By turning further to the right (clockwise), increases low tones in the
output mix based on the bass capabilities of the attached instrument.
Mid: By turning further to the right (clockwise), increases midrange tones
in the output mix based on the midrange capabilities of the attached
instrument
Treble: By turning further to the right (clockwise), increases treble tones in
the based on the treble capabilities of the attached instrument
Heater switch: Just to the left of the vacuum tube, the heater switch lets you select
the heater circuit for 12 volt heater tubes (such as 12AX7, 12AT7,
12AU7, etc.) or 6 volt heater tubes (6CA7, 6N1P or 6N2P). Having the
switch in the incorrect position will NOT damage vacuum tubes, but
the heaters will not heat the tube correctly, or at all, and you will get
no sound from the preamplifier. Heaters will take about 10-15
seconds to heat up enough to begin amplification of sound.
Mid Boost/ Bright switch: The mid boost switch, boosts output in the mid-range
frequencies. Even if the Mid control is all the way up, you will get
increased mid boost. Placing the switch in the center “normal”
position removes any effect of the Mid Boost switch. The bright
switch allows all the highest frequencies through. If the Drive control
is all the way up, you will see no real effect because if the Drive
control is all the way up, all the treble frequencies are already
allowed through. With the Drive control down, you will notice the
high frequencies boosted. Placing the switch in the center “normal”
position removes any effect of the Bright switch.
Drive Control: The drive control is like a volume control, but is very interactive with
the whole tone stack (as illustrated in the Bright control description
above). It controls how hard the second vacuum tube amplification
stage is driven after the tone controls.
Master Control: The Master control allows you to set the overall output volume once
you have set the tone and drive controls. The Fx1 unit has a lot of
output capability, so having the ability to tame the output volume is
a handy feature. By turning the Master volume control all the way to
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10, you effectively “remove” the master volume from the audio
circuit.
Clipping Switch: The Clip1 and Clip2 switch positions give you two distinctly different
fuzz/overdrive effects. The Clip1 position provides a warmer almost
overdrive effect and the Clip2 position provides a “fuzz” effect. It is
very touch sensitive, so, if one of the clip options is selected, you can
play lighter and have almost no effect, however the harder you play
the more each clipping option effects the output. These are modeled
after the iconic Klon Centaur overdrive box and though the Klon is
not a vacuum tube based effect, the clipping diodes in the Frog Fx1
have been placed in a similar portion of the circuit as compared to
the Klon. Note: you will notice ,when either Clip1 or Clip 2 are
selected, lower overall volume output. That is because a portion of
the audio signal is literally “clipped” off. You can compensate by
adjusting the Drive or Master control. Moving the Clipping switch
back to center will remove any effect the clipping sections have on
the audio signal.
Continue to next page for Tone Stack Settings-
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TONE STACK Settings:
The original Alembic F2b, used a Fender style tonestack, but you can request a Marshall styled
tonestack for your Frog Tube Preamp Fx1. You can see by the following illustrations, the vastly
different settings required to get a “nearly” flat tone output. For bass guitar, the Fender
tonestack has the most effective settings for the typical low tones of the bass guitar (unless
you are Motorhead). The Marshall tonestack is more about mid-range and high tones.
For Fender tone stack style – approximate flat output settings are:
Settings (approx.) Bass at 1, Mid at 10, Treble at 1
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For Marshall tone stack style (by special request) – approximate flat output settings are:
Note: For Marshall style tone stacks, there are no real flat settings, as you know,
Marshall is all about mids and highs! (as illustrated below)
Settings (approx.) Bass at 4, Mid at 5, Treble at 1
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