User manual FENDER ULTIMATE CHORUS

THE SOUND THAT CREATES LEGENDS Chorus , Owner s Manual P/N 049106 INTRODUCTION Your new Fender® Ultimate Chorus amplifier is a fine musical instrument that will deliver great tone and pleasure for years to come. It combines many of the great musical features that have made Fender® amplifiers the only serious choice of guitarists for over 45 years, with a few new tricks of its own. The most striking tonal feature of the Ultimate Chorus amp is its fat, full-range chorus. Unlike many other chorus designs that can make an amp sound thin or "washsy", our classic analog circuit actually adds depth and dimension to any style of playing-- whether you're playing rhythm or solo. Also, besides the basic Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass and Reverb controls in the Normal channel, the Ultimate Chorus features completely independent Reverb and Tone controls in the Drive channel. The DRIVE channel also features exclusive Fender® Pre- & De-Emphasis Distortion circuitry based on unique Pre and Post clipper voicing filters. These filters were designed to simulate the preamp tone settings and speaker output of an overdriven tube amplifier. You get the searing smooth highs backed by deep punch that stack amps are known for. The MID BOOST switch provides a second pre-emphasis voice and the PRESENCE control provides continuous variation of the high frequency content in the de-emphasis voicing. The extended range, three band equalization circuitry is after the distortion and can be used to further modify the overall sound of the amp. In addition, a true, stereo chorus circuit utilizing two 65-watt power amplifiers gives this amp that lush, stereo chorus sound. The Fender® ULTIMATE CHORUS is one of the most "Expressive" amplifiers ever made. In addition to convenient features like All Front Panel Mounted Controls and Jacks, the ULTIMATE CHORUS features a detachable footswitch for selecting the Drive Channel and for activating the stereo chorus circuitry. These switching functions are sent over a standard 1/4 inch phone plug for ease of connection or extension of the footswitch to remote pedal boards. The versatility of the ULTIMATE CHORUS is greatly expanded by the individual mono and true, stereo effects loops. These patch points allow for a wide variety of external effects connection schemes and amplifier slaving configurations. They also provide for direct connection to recording and sound reinforcement mixers. Last, but definitely not least, the Fender® ULTIMATE CHORUS packs a new stereo power amp section based on a radically underdamped design that interacts with the speakers in much the same way as a tube amplifier does, producing sparkle and punch with an increase in apparent loudness and power that defies comparison to other similarly rated units. These amps are LOUD, and the Fender Special Design 12 inch speakers can reliably put it out, day after day. This manual is designed to familiarize you with your new amplifier and to acquaint you with its many fine features. Read it carefully so that you will benefit from all the features as soon as you start using the amplifier. The built-in quality of a Fender® amplifier is the result of over four decades of dedication in the combined skills of research and development by our engineers and musicians. That is why we proudly say...FENDER®, The Sound That Creates Legends. WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE AMPLIFIER TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. 1 6 1 7 2 3 4 4 5 2 4 4 2 3 2 1 9 0 NORMAL CHANNEL 5 6 6 7 8 2 1 9 0 DRIVE CHANNEL 5 4 3 8 2 1 9 0 10 10 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 9 9 9 9 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 10 8 8 8 8 8 7 3 7 3 7 3 7 3 7 3 7 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 CHORUS 4 7 3 8 2 1 9 0 10 5 10 10 10 10 0 5 4 7 8 2 1 9 0 0 9 9 1 1 2 2 8 8 8 3 7 3 7 3 6 4 6 4 6 3 6 4 5 5 5 5 - 0+ 1 MONO FX STEREO FX 3 7 3 2 9 10 8 2 1 9 1 0 10 0 SELECT L R INPUTS MID PRESENCE VOLUME BASS REVERB GAIN TREBLE MID BASS REVERB RATE DEPTH VOLUME TREBLE FOOT SWITCH SEND RETURN SEND RETURN POWER 1 6 1 7 2 3 4 4 5 2 4 4 2 3 2 1 0 NORMAL CHANNEL 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 3 2 1 7 3 8 2 1 9 0 DRIVE CHANNEL 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 CHORUS 4 3 2 1 10 0 10 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 7 8 2 1 9 0 10 5 10 10 10 0 0 9 9 1 1 2 2 9 8 8 8 3 3 7 3 7 3 5 4 6 4 6 4 6 6 4 5 5 5 5 - 0+ 1 MONO FX STEREO FX 3 7 3 2 8 2 1 9 1 0 10 0 10 SELECT L R INPUTS MID PRESENCE BASS REVERB GAIN VOLUME TREBLE VOLUME TREBLE MID BASS REVERB RATE DEPTH FOOT SWITCH SEND RETURN SEND RETURN POWER 1 6 1 7 2 3 4 4 5 2 4 4 2 3 2 1 9 0 NORMAL CHANNEL 5 6 6 7 8 2 1 9 0 DRIVE CHANNEL 5 4 3 8 2 1 9 0 10 10 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 9 9 9 9 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 10 8 8 8 8 8 7 3 7 3 7 3 7 3 7 3 7 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 CHORUS 4 7 3 8 2 1 9 0 10 5 10 10 10 10 0 5 4 7 8 2 1 9 0 0 9 9 1 1 2 2 8 8 8 3 7 3 7 3 6 4 6 4 6 3 6 4 5 5 5 5 - 0+ 1 MONO FX STEREO FX 3 7 3 2 9 10 8 2 1 9 1 0 10 0 SELECT L R INPUTS MID PRESENCE VOLUME BASS REVERB GAIN TREBLE MID BASS REVERB RATE DEPTH VOLUME TREBLE FOOT SWITCH SEND RETURN SEND RETURN POWER 1 6 1 7 2 3 4 4 5 2 4 4 2 3 2 1 0 NORMAL CHANNEL 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 7 3 8 2 1 9 0 DRIVE CHANNEL 5 4 3 2 1 0 CHORUS 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 7 8 2 1 9 0 10 5 10 10 10 0 0 9 9 1 1 2 2 9 10 8 8 8 3 3 7 3 7 3 5 4 6 4 6 4 6 6 4 5 5 5 5 - 0+ 1 MONO FX STEREO FX 3 7 3 2 8 2 1 9 1 0 10 0 SELECT L R INPUTS MID BASS REVERB GAIN PRESENCE VOLUME TREBLE VOLUME TREBLE MID BASS REVERB RATE DEPTH FOOT SWITCH SEND RETURN SEND RETURN POWER ULTIMATE CHORUS EFFECTS LOOP CONNECTION DIAGRAMS 1. For mono effects devices SLEEVE EXTERNAL EFFECTS TIP INPUT OUTPUT SHIELDED CABLE SHIELDED CABLE MONO FX STEREO FX L R SEND RETURN SEND RETURN 2. For stereo in/stereo out effects devices TIP LEFT EXTERNAL EFFECTS LEFT SLEEVE INPUTS OUTPUTS RIGHT RIGHT SHIELDED CABLE SHIELDED CABLE RING TIP SHIELDED CABLE SHIELDED CABLE MONO FX STEREO FX L R SEND RETURN SEND RETURN 3. For mono in/stereo out effects devices TIP EXTERNAL EFFECTS INPUT LEFT OUTPUTS SLEEVE RIGHT SHIELDED CABLE Ring and tip are connected together SHIELDED CABLE SHIELDED CABLE RING TIP Note: Connecting a mono input effects device as shown will cancel the stereo image of the internal Chorus. RING TIP MONO FX STEREO FX L R SEND RETURN SEND RETURN 4. For mono in/stereo out effects devices (Alternate connection) TIP EXTERNAL EFFECTS INPUT LEFT OUTPUTS SLEEVE RIGHT SHIELDED CABLE SHIELDED CABLE SHIELDED CABLE Note: Connecting a mono input effects device as shown will bypass internal Chorus completely MONO FX STEREO FX RING TIP L R SEND RETURN SEND RETURN 1 2 3 2 1 NORMAL CHANNEL 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 10 3 2 1 0 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 2 3 4 1 - 0+ 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 DRIVE CHANNEL 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 4 3 2 1 0 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 2 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 5 5 10 0 10 INPUTS VOLUME TREBLE MID BASS REVERB GAIN PRESENCE VOLUME TREBLE MID A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O ULTIMATE CHORUS FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS A. INPUT 1- A high impedance, high sensitivity plug-in connection for instruments. B. INPUT 2- Plug-in connection for instruments. This input exhibits a lower input impedance and sensitivity than INPUT 1 (Item A) and is useful with active preamp guitars, and will provide a darker tone with passive guitars. Both inputs are identical when used simultaneously. VOLUME- Adjusts the overall loudness of the Normal Channel. NORMAL CHANNEL INDICATOR- This LED is illuminated when the Normal Channel is active. TREBLE- Adjusts the amount of boost (accentuation) or cut (attenuation) in the high frequency range of the Normal Channel. MID- Adjusts the amount of boost or cut in the mid frequency range of the Normal Channel. that accentuates mid range frequencies. This boost occurs pre distortion in the Drive Channel and will further modify the distortion characteristic. K. PRESENCE- Adjusts the amount of boost or cut in the upper high frequency range of the Drive Channel. This control occurs post preamp distortion and is useful in adjusting the distortion characteristic from brash, to smooth. L. VOLUME- Adjusts the overall loudness of the Drive Channel. C. D. M. DRIVE CHANNEL INDICATOR- This LED is illuminated when the Drive Channel is active. N. TREBLE- Adjusts the amount of boost or cut in the high frequency range of the Drive Channel. O. MID- Adjusts the amount of boost or cut in the mid frequency range of the Drive Channel. P. BASS- Adjusts the amount of boost or cut in the low frequency range of the Drive Channel. E. F. G. BASS- Adjusts the amount of boost or cut in the low frequency range of the Normal Channel. H. REVERB- Adjusts the overall amount of reverberated signal mixed with the original dry signal for the Normal Channel. I. GAIN- Adjusts the amount of preamp amplification in the Drive Channel. Cleaner sound is achieved at lower gain settings; high gain settings will produce more sustain and distortion. This control works in conjunction with the DRIVE VOLUME control (Item L) to set the overall loudness at the output while the Drive Channel is active. MID BOOST- Activates a special pre-emphasis filter Q. DRIVE SELECT- Activates the Drive Channel. NOTE: This switch disables the Channel Select Footswitch and the Normal Channel controls. R. REVERB- Adjusts the overall amount of reverberated signal mixed with the original dry signal for the Drive Channel. S. RATE- Adjusts the sweep rate of the chorus generating circuitry. A lower number corresponds to a slower rate of sweep. SELECT- Activates the stereo CHORUS mode for both the Normal and Drive channels. NOTE: This switch disables the Chorus Select Footswitch. T. J. IVE CHANNEL 4 3 2 1 0 CHORUS 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 10 3 2 1 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 0 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 MONO FX STEREO FX 0 10 0 10 SELECT TREBLE MID BASS REVERB RATE DEPTH FOOT SWITCH L R SEND RETURN SEND RETURN POWER N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z AA BB U. DEPTH- Adjusts the intensity of the chorus effect. A lower setting will introduce a subtle yet distinct effect, whereas a higher setting will create a more dramatic effect. With both the RATE (Item S) and DEPTH controls set midway or higher, a variety of vibrato/tremolo type effects can be achieved. CHORUS INDICATOR- This LED is illuminated when the stereo chorus is active. The color of the LED is modulated red and green by the chorus sweep LFO to give a visual indication of the sweep rate. V. Y. MONO FX RETURN- This unbalanced jack inputs signal to the stereo chorus generating circuitry, which drives the stereo power amp section. It automatically disconnects the preamp and reverb circuitry when used. This is useful when using the MONO FX option or when using the ULTIMATE CHORUS as a slave amplifier for a mono signal source. The CHORUS is active in the slave so that a stereo image will be generated if it is used. Z. STEREO FX SEND- This jack provides an unbalanced stereo output from the preamp, reverb and chorus circuits of the ULTIMATE CHORUS. This output can be used in conjunction with the STEREO FX RETURN (Item AA) as a patch point for stereo effects devices. (SEE EFFECTS LOOP CONNECTION DIAGRAMS.) The Stereo Effects Loop jacks are standard 1/4 inch TipRing-Sleeve types, with the left channel signal on the tip and the right channel signal on the ring. This send can also be used to feed a stereo signal to two channels of a recording or sound reinforcement mixer. Additionally this output can be used to drive another ULTIMATE CHORUS as a slave amp. This is done by connecting a shielded stereo cord from the STEREO FX SEND jack of the master amplifier to the STEREO FX RETURN jack of the slave. AA. STEREO FX RETURN- This stereo jack inputs signal directly to the left and right power amps. It automatically disconnects the preamp, reverb and chorus circuitry when used. This is useful when using the ULTIMATE CHORUS as a slave amplifier for a stereo signal source. BB. POWER SWITCH- Turns AC power ON and OFF. When the switch is OFF the amplifier is completely shut down. W. FOOTSWITCH- Plug-in connection for remote footswitch to switch between the Normal and Drive channels and to activate the Stereo Chorus mode. For proper operation of the footswitch, both DRIVE SELECT (item Q) and CHORUS SELECT (Item T) switches should be out. NOTE: Any good quality patch cord will work with the remote footswitch; however, a speaker grade cord is preferable to a coax guitar cord when it is available. X. MONO FX SEND- This jack provides an unbalanced mono output signal from the preamp at a point before the internal CHORUS circuits. This output can be used in conjunction with the MONO FX RETURN (Item Y) as a patch point for mono effects devices. (SEE EFFECTS LOOP CONNECTION DIAGRAMS.) The MONO FX SEND can also be used to feed recording and sound reinforcement mixers a dry signal. (For a signal with internal CHORUS, use the STEREO FX SEND (Item Z) jack.) Additionally this output can be used to drive another ULTIMATE CHORUS as a slave amp. This is done by connecting a standard guitar cord from the MONO FX SEND jack of the master amplifier to the MONO FX RETURN jack of the slave. A PRODUCT OF: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORP., BREA, CA 92621 MADE IN U.S.A. INPUT POWER 120V 60Hz