Wampler pedals Pinnacle - User Manual

Pinnacle & Pinnacle Deluxe - Distortion
Praised by Zeke Clark (former Van Halen gear tech) as being the pedal which
comes the closest to getting the "Brown Sound" of anything he's ever tried, the
Pinnacle and Pinnacle Deluxe are aimed squarely at trying to emulate every
aspect of that classic tone, from the powerful mids and highs to the low-end sag
when you really hit it.
The main dierence between the two pedals is that the Pinnacle Deluxe model
allows you to switch from a lower to a higher gain mode on the y, while the
Pinnacle standard has that functionality on a toggle switch, less foot-friendly!
(Seriously, don't step on a toggle switch, bad things happen.)
These pedals are for people who want one of two things (or both!). If you're
looking for classic, soaring tone inspired by Eddie's sound during the time David
Lee Roth was with the band especially, with Brian's typical attention to detail and
exibility fully on board, the Pinnacle or Pinnacle Deluxe will get you where
you're going.
If you're looking for a great sounding, versatile, very responsive
Marshall®-in-a-Box type of pedal with lots of high end sizzle available, the
Pinnacle or Pinnacle deluxe can do those sounds too, and very well.
It will even do a killer higher gain tone, though it will always retain that more
classic voicing. Whether you went for the Pinnacle or the Pinnacle Deluxe, you
have in your possession a great pedal. Now I'll tell you how to get the most out of
it!
To get the most out of your new pedal, you'll want to become very familiar with the controls.
The Pinnacle features controls for Gain, Volume, Tone and Contour, as well as a Vint./Modern switch to change the overall tone
from a more classic, darker sound to a brighter, more forward tone, and a Boost switch which changes the internal gain structure
between lower and higher gain modes. If you purchased the Pinnacle Deluxe, the Boost control will be on its own foot switch for
on-the-y gain control. If you are a Pinnacle Deluxe user, to ensure proper behavior, when you power up the pedal it's a good
idea to kick the boost on and let it "juice up" for a few seconds so that it will be 100% available to the pedal when you need it live.
Flexibility is a key feature, as usual, and the tone controls on the Pinnacle are intentionally very interactive, so experimentation
will go far. As with all Wampler Pedals products, the Pinnacle or the Pinnale deluxe includes a high-quality true-bypass switch
which takes it out of the signal path when bypassed. Experiment and enjoy!
Bypass Switch – A true-bypass footswitch ensures solid, mechanical removal of the circuit when it isn't wanted, meaning you
don't lose any tone when the pedal is o.
Volume – This control adjusts the output level of the Pinnacle or Pinnacle Deluxe. There's plenty of volume on tap in either
standard or Boost mode, so whether you want to go farther than your input level or just make sure it can do unity volume (the
same level of signal going out as you feed it, when active), you're covered. The Gain, Tone and Contour knobs, and the Boost
Toggle (or for Pinnacle Deluxe owners, footswitch) all have an impact on total output volume level, so you're probably better o
waiting to adjust the Volume until you've dialed in the other controls. Re-adjustment might be necessary if you get it to the
desired level and still need to tweak the sound.
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Summary

Introduction and Pedal Overview

Pinnacle vs. Pinnacle Deluxe Comparison

Highlights the differences between the two pedals, focusing on gain and touch-sensitivity.

Versatility and Tone Characteristics

Describes the pedal's wide range of sounds, from classic tones to high-gain.

Core Pedal Controls

Bypass Switch

Explains the true-bypass footswitch and its function to ensure signal integrity when off.

Volume Control

Adjusts output level, offering plenty of volume or tap into unity gain.

Boost Control

Adds clean boost with up to 6dB of gain, affecting tone and volume.

Vint.;Mod. Switch

Selects between Vintage and Modern voicings for the overall sound.

Contour Control

Adjusts the frequency emphasis, interacting with the Tone knob.

Gain Control

Sets the amount of distortion, from light breakup to high gain.

Pinnacle Standard Only Boost Toggle

Internal switch on Pinnacle Standard affecting gain and boost functionality.

Suggested Settings

Aint Talkin Bout...

Suggested settings for a specific tone: Boost toggle off, Contour at 1 o'clock.

Running With...

Suggested settings for a specific tone: Contour at Noon, Gain at 2 o'clock.

Its one mean...

Suggested settings for a specific tone: Boost toggle off, Contour at 2 o'clock.

Modern High Gain Rock

Suggested settings for high gain: Contour at Noon, Gain at 2 o'clock.

Power and Policy

Power Requirements

Details power options (9V battery or DC adapter) and voltage requirements.

Return and Warranty Policy

Information regarding returns, warranty, and purchase verification.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Key Differences Between Pinnacle and Pinnacle Deluxe
3. Important Technical Specifications
4. Usage Features
5. Controls (Common to both models)
6. Boost Functionality
7. Suggested Settings (Volume to Suit)
8. Maintenance Features
9. Battery Usage
10. Warranty and Returns

The Wampler Pinnacle and Pinnacle Deluxe are distortion pedals designed to emulate the classic "Brown Sound", a high-gain tone often associated with Eddie Van Halen. These pedals aim to capture the powerful mids and highs, as well as the low-end sag characteristic of that sound.

Function Description:

The primary function of both pedals is to provide a versatile distortion effect, ranging from classic, laid-back early rock tones to modern high-gain sounds. They are designed to be highly responsive and offer a wide range of tonal adjustments.

Key Differences Between Pinnacle and Pinnacle Deluxe:

The main distinction lies in the gain mode switching. The Pinnacle Deluxe model features a dedicated footswitch for on-the-fly switching between lower and higher gain modes, making it more convenient for live performance. The standard Pinnacle model has this functionality on a toggle switch, which is less foot-friendly.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Power Requirements:
  • Can be powered by a 9V battery (terminal located inside the pedal).
  • For power supply, requires 9V DC, regulated, center pin negative (compatible with most standard Boss™/Ibanez™ supplies).
  • Can be safely powered with multi-supplies like the Visual Sound 1SPOT™.
  • Designed and intended to sound best at 9V DC.
  • Important Warnings: Do not exceed 18V DC, do not use center pin positive adapters, and do not use AC power. Using an incorrect power adapter can damage the pedal and void the warranty.
• Current Draw:
  • Pinnacle (standard): 4mA
  • Pinnacle Deluxe: 9mA
• Bypass: High-quality true-bypass switch ensures the circuit is completely removed from the signal path when bypassed, preventing tone loss.

Usage Features:

Controls (Common to both models):

• Gain: This control, in conjunction with the Boost Toggle/Footswitch, allows users to dial in the desired amount of distortion, from classic rock to modern high-gain. It offers significant flexibility in shaping the distortion character.
• Volume: Adjusts the overall output level of the pedal. There is ample volume available to either boost the signal beyond unity gain or match the input level when active. It is recommended to adjust the Volume after setting other tone controls due to their interactive impact on overall output.
• Tone: Adjusts the emphasis on high frequencies. It interacts substantially with the Contour knob and the Vint./Modern switch. Users can start with it maxed and roll off, or start lower and adjust up or down to find the desired amount of highs.
• Contour: Adjusts the overall frequency emphasis, interacting with the Tone knob and affected by the Vint./Modern switch.
  • At noon, it provides a balanced frequency presentation.
  • Counterclockwise: Becomes very midrange-forward.
  • Clockwise: Scoops out the mids heavily, creating a "scooped" tone.
  • Small adjustments can have a significant impact. It's recommended to start at noon and adjust from there, in conjunction with the Tone control.
• Vint./Modern Switch: This switch sets the overall voicing of the pedal's frequencies.
  • Vint (Vintage): Provides a darker, more classic tonality.
  • Modern: Provides a brighter, more forward tone.
  • This control is useful for establishing a starting point for your tone or for making larger tonal shifts after other controls have been adjusted.

Boost Functionality:

• (Pinnacle Standard Only) Boost Toggle: This toggle switch alters the internal gain structure, providing more drive, heavier, and more aggressive distortion when engaged.
• (Pinnacle Deluxe Only) Boost Footswitch: This functionality is on a dedicated footswitch, allowing for on-the-fly adjustment during performance.
• Note on Boost: The boost function is primarily intended to kick in extra gain, not as a volume boost. While it may act as a volume boost at very low Gain knob settings, its main purpose is to increase the amount of distortion.
• Pinnacle Deluxe Specific Usage Tip: To ensure proper behavior, when powering up the pedal, it's a good idea to engage the boost for a few seconds to allow it to "juice up" and be 100% available when needed live.

Suggested Settings (Volume to Suit):

• Ain't Talkin' Bout... (Classic "Brown Sound" emulation)
  • Boost toggle/footswitch: OFF
  • Vint./Modern: VINT
  • Gain: 3-4 o'clock
  • Tone: 2 o'clock
  • Contour: 1 o'clock
• Running With... (Dynamic rock tone)
  • Boost toggle/footswitch: OFF
  • Vint./Modern: VINT
  • Gain: 2 o'clock
  • Tone: 1 o'clock
  • Contour: Noon
• It's one mean street. (Aggressive modern rock)
  • Boost toggle/footswitch: OFF
  • Vint./Modern: MODERN
  • Gain: 3 o'clock
  • Tone: 2 o'clock
  • Contour: 2 o'clock
• Modern High Gain Rock (High-gain lead tone)
  • Boost toggle/footswitch: ON
  • Vint./Modern: MODERN
  • Gain: 2 o'clock
  • Tone: Noon
  • Contour: 2-3 o'clock

Maintenance Features:

Battery Usage:

If using a battery, it will drain when the input cord is plugged in. It is advisable to unplug the input cord when the pedal is not in use to conserve battery life.

Warranty and Returns:

• Direct Sales Returns: For direct purchases, there is a 7-day "no questions asked" return period, provided the pedal is in its original condition with all packaging retained. Customers are responsible for return shipping costs. This period begins upon receipt of the pedal and does not apply to dealer/retailer sales.
• Warranty: All Wampler Pedals, Inc. pedals come with a 5-year, fully transferable warranty covering defects due to parts and labor. The warranty starts from the purchase date.
• Warranty Registration: Users are encouraged to register their pedal as soon as possible after purchase at www.wamplerpedals.com/warranty_registration for quicker service if a warranty claim is needed.
• Support: For warranty repairs or questions, contact Wampler Pedals at www.wamplerpedals.com/contact_us.html.

Wampler pedals Pinnacle Specifications

General

Brand	Wampler pedals
Model	Pinnacle
Category	Music Pedal
Language	English