The Morgan AC20 is a single-channel, all-tube guitar amplifier designed to deliver a versatile range of tones reminiscent of early 1960s Class A British amplifiers. It is engineered to integrate seamlessly with a wide array of guitar pedals, both modern and vintage, making it suitable for various musical styles.
Function Description
The primary function of the AC20 is to amplify a guitar's signal, allowing musicians to achieve a desired tone and volume. It features a power section that can operate from ¼ watt up to 20 watts, providing flexibility for different playing environments, from quiet practice to live performances. The amplifier's design emphasizes tonal versatility, allowing users to sculpt their sound through a combination of volume, cut, and power level controls, along with bright and bass cut switches. It is particularly noted for its ability to handle various effects pedals, including fuzzes, boosts, overdrives, phasers, flangers, tremolos, wahs, and delay pedals, making it a robust platform for pedal-based setups.
Usage Features
The AC20 offers several features designed to enhance its usability and tonal shaping capabilities:
- Power Switch: This switch, along with the standby switch, is used to power on the amplifier. Turning both on simultaneously is recommended for optimal tube life.
- Standby Switch: This switch puts the amplifier into a "play" mode. When not actively playing but needing to keep the amp warm, it can be used to put the amp into a "wait" state, removing high voltage from the tubes and extending their lifespan.
- Volume Control (Vol): This knob controls the amount of gain. As the volume is increased, particularly past the 10 o'clock position, the amplifier will introduce more overdrive. Even at higher settings, a clean tone can be achieved by simply rolling back the volume knob on the guitar.
- Cut Control: This tone control knob allows users to remove high frequencies from the power section of the amplifier. Turning it counter-clockwise will decrease the presence of high frequencies, offering a way to fine-tune the treble response.
- Power Level Control: This unique feature acts like a "zoom lens for volume," allowing the user to adjust the output wattage from ¼ watt to 20 watts. This enables players to set their desired gain level using the Volume control and then scale down the overall volume to suit their environment without sacrificing the amplifier's tonal characteristics.
- Bright Switch (Sun and Moon): When engaged in the up position, this switch adds high frequencies to the signal, providing a brighter tone.
- Bass and Treble Switch: This switch, when in the up position, cuts the bass frequencies, offering a way to tighten up the low end.
- Modes: The combination of the Bright and Bass/Treble switches allows for different tonal modes:
- Normal Mode: Achieved with both the Bright switch and the Bass/Treble switch in the down position.
- Brilliant Mode: Achieved with both the Bright switch and the Bass/Treble switch in the up position.
- Input: This is the standard ¼-inch jack where the guitar cable is connected.
- Speaker Jacks: The amplifier is equipped with one 16-ohm and two 8-ohm speaker outputs. It is crucial to connect the amplifier to a speaker cabinet with the correct impedance using a SPEAKER cable. The two 8-ohm jacks are wired in parallel, allowing for the connection of two 16-ohm cabinets, each connected to one of the 8-ohm output jacks.
- MAINS INPUT: This is where the supplied IEC power cord is plugged in, connecting the amplifier to a 115V (or 230V, depending on the region) wall outlet.
Maintenance Features
Proper maintenance is essential for the longevity and safe operation of the Morgan AC20. The instruction manual provides detailed guidelines:
- General Care: The amplifier should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer, typically by wiping with a cloth slightly damp with water. Care should be taken to avoid getting water inside the amplifier.
- Non-use Periods: If the amplifier is to be left unused for extended periods, the power cord should be unplugged from the outlet to prevent potential damage from lightning or power surges.
- Object and Liquid Entry: Users must ensure that objects do not fall into the enclosure and liquids are not spilled through openings, as this can cause damage or electric shock.
- Servicing: Any servicing beyond what is described in the operating instructions should be referred to qualified service personnel. This includes situations where the power-supply cord or plug is damaged, objects or liquids have entered the amplifier, the amplifier has been exposed to rain, it does not operate normally, exhibits a marked change in performance, has been dropped, or the enclosure is damaged. Tube replacement and biasing also fall under qualified service personnel tasks.
- Ventilation: The cabinet's slots and openings are crucial for ventilation to prevent overheating. These openings must not be blocked or covered. The amplifier should not be placed on soft surfaces like beds or sofas, or in built-in installations like bookcases or racks, which could impede airflow.
- Attachments and Accessories: Only attachments and accessories recommended or sold by the manufacturer should be used to avoid potential hazards.
- Fuses: The amplifier uses a MAIN FUSE, typically a 2 Amp slo blow fuse for 120V or a 1.5 Amp slo blow for 230V. If this fuse blows, it is most likely due to a bad tube. However, constant blowing of the fuse, even with new tubes, indicates a more serious underlying issue that requires immediate attention from qualified service personnel. Always use the correct rating and type of fuse as indicated on the rear panel, which is determined by the AC line voltage in the country of operation.
- Safety Checks: After any service or repair, a safety check should be performed by a service technician to ensure the product is in proper operating condition.
- Warranty: Morgan offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser against defects in material and workmanship. A dated sales receipt is required for coverage. The warranty does not cover damage from accident, neglect, abuse, misuse, or unauthorized modifications. Tubes are covered by a separate 90-day warranty. Any unauthorized repairs will void the warranty. In case of a defect, customers should contact Morgan's customer service for diagnosis and, if necessary, obtain a Return Authorization Number before shipping the product back in its original packaging.
- High Voltages: It is explicitly warned that tube amplifiers contain extremely high voltages that can cause serious injury or death. Users should never attempt to repair, modify, or service the amplifier themselves and should not remove the chassis from the amplifier. All repair and service work must be performed by Morgan or an authorized service center.
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