Gibson Falcon 20 - Helpful Hints

HELPFUL HINTS
WARM-UP! Always begin playing sessions with the following Cold Start Procedure at Power Up:
1� With the STANDBY in the OFF position, Flip POWER to ON
2� Wait at LEAST 30 Seconds
3� Flip STANDBY to ON ...and Enjoy!
Following this Cold Start Procedure will help ensure reliability and prolong the toneful life of your tubes, especially
the power tubes. Like an incandescent light bulb that has a filament, much wear and stress on your tubes occurs
at the instant of powering up from a cold state. Much like a dimmer on a light switch being set low when you first
flip it on, the STANDBY being OFF at the instant of power up – and for at least 30 seconds afterward - allows for
a warm-up period and minimizes the shock on tube filaments when they are cold. If you follow this procedure
every time you power up your amplifier, the likelihood of experiencing tube issues will be decreased while their
longevity will be increased.
POWER INTEGRITY AND PROTECTION! IMPORTANT! NEVER ALTER YOUR POWER CABLE! Be sure to connect
all three terminals of your Power Cable, including the Ground! Failure to do so and/or modifying your Power Cable
in any way – including using a 3-2 Ground Lift Adapter - may void your Warranty and increase the risk of Electric
Shock. Always connect your amplifier to a 3-Pin Grounded AC Wall Receptacle with the proper AC Line Voltage
present (117 Volts US/Domestic).
PROTECT YOUR TONE! It’s always a good idea to use a high-quality Shielded Instrument Cable of a reasonable
length - say no more than 15 feet for your instrument to amplifier connection ...unless you plan on using a Buer.
This will ensure the best sound and prevent loss of top end due to increased cable capacitance that can rob your
instrument signal of its integrity.
STRAIGHT-IN IS BEST - BUFFER THE REST! When inserting a pedal setup on your front end (between the guitar
and the amp’s INPUT), keep in mind that EVERYTHING you put in your signal path aects the sound. You’ve
chosen a high-end, professional instrument in your new amplifier, and it stands to reason that your guitar is likely
of similar quality. Try not to compromise that discernment by placing devices of lesser integrity in the signal path.
If you have a string of pedals you rely on for boost, overdrive, wah, compression, and other eects on the front
end (i.e., on the Input), we suggest employing a Buer in your signal chain to make sure you keep levels and
impedances at their optimum and avoid excess cable capacitance created in all the additional wiring. Buers
3
FALCON 20 - TOP PANEL
FALCON 20 - REAR PANEL
VOLUME TONE REVERB DEPTH FREQUENCY
FULL
ON
ON
BASS0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10TREBLE
POWER
STANDBY
INPUT FTSW
LOW
HALF
1
2
20
REV SHIELD MONITOR 4Ω OUT 4Ω OUT 8Ω OUT
AMPLIFIER
44YV
120 V~
60 Hz
1.25 A
1.25 A
SLO
BLO
FUSE
POWER
WARNING:
Replace fuse with same type/rating only.
Do not expose to rain or moisture.
CAUTION:
Risk of Electric Shock. Do Not Open.
No user serviceable parts inside.
GIBSON FALCON 20
ALL TUBE AMPLIFIER
HAND-WIRED IN
PETALUMA, CA, USA
AMPLIFIERS
7,173,488
PATENTED
2 X 6V6 or 6L6
4 X 12AX7
INSIDE
TUBE GUIDE