Custom 50 2-Channel Questions

[mapleleaf14]

I just bought a new Custom 50 2-channel C.A.D. Head and inside the bag that had the footswitch cable, power cord, warranty card, and safety instructions, I didn't see any kind of actual "owners manual"...should there be one?

Is there an online resource? I checked the support/Amplifier Manuals section of the PRS website, but there's not one listed specifically for the Custom 50.



Also, when I want to play quietly at home with it, is there any negatives to doing the "jumper" technique with a patch cable in the effects loop and adjusting the effects loop levels to lower the volume?!?

I probably won't need to do that much, but I was just wondering.



So, anybody else out there have one of these amps?

 

[cyclops]

Bought one of the first ones. Love it! I'm more of a Marshall type of guy, so I switched the tubes out to EL34s. It does kill a *bit* of the shimmer of the clean channel, but it certainly warms up the crunch side. Before the switch, I wasn't really digging the distortion sound, it was either too bright or it didn't feel like it had enough drive. The 34's seem to help the crunch out a bit. Was listening to a video of a gig I did where the tubes were changed. 57/08s into it was really great sound. Too bad my playing was a bit off, or I'd post the video

I did have one problem, there was a weird ground issue with the reverb knob. PRS fixed it under warranty, shipped it both ways. I'm VERY happy!

 

[jfb]

I also feel like I'd want to change it to EL34. Which means ordering it that way cause I'm no tinkerer.

 

[Em7]

I also feel like I'd want to change it to EL34. Which means ordering it that way cause I'm no tinkerer.

It's a simple swap and re-bias job.

 

[jfb]

It's a simple swap and re-bias job.

I could handle that.

 

[vchizzle]

I could handle that.

That's cool, would be seemingly easy with external bias pots/test points.

 

[mapleleaf14]

My last few heads have been EL34 so I'm enjoying the change.

So nobody has any experience or thoughts about the jumper technique with the effects loop?

 

[vchizzle]

My last few heads have been EL34 so I'm enjoying the change.

So nobody has any experience or thoughts about the jumper technique with the effects loop?

I know a lot of guys will use volume pedal in the loop. What you're talking about accomplishes the same thing, right? I seem to remember Paul himself talking about doing what what you're saying, but I'm not 100%. Not sure why it would hurt anything.

 

[mapleleaf14]

Yeah, my dealer said its basically an option for playing lower volume at home - lower the volume via the loop instead of the volume/master.

Like I said, not sure how often I'd need that option, but good to know in case.

 

[alantig]

Not sure about the CAD, but I recall with the 2-channel C that the "sweet spot" on the effects loop volume controls was about 2:00. Other than that...I'm not an amp expert, so I've got nothing other than that.

 

[Em7]

Not sure about the CAD, but I recall with the 2-channel C that the "sweet spot" on the effects loop volume controls was about 2:00. Other than that...I'm not an amp expert, so I've got nothing other than that.

The 2-Channel "C" has a post-phase inverter master volume; therefore, the loop is before the master volume (the early 2-Channel "H" amps also had post-phase inverter master volumes). I could be wrong, but I believe that the loop is after the master volume on the 2-channel Custom.

 

[cyclops]

For some reason, I thought the effect loop volume on the new amps worked whether there was a cable in it or not? Wasn't there a video demonstrating that effect by PRS himself?

 

[WEDGE]

This is for the 2 channel H but should be the same, they mention the loop controls.msweet spot at 2 o'clock and lowering the loop level lowers the output.

http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/manuals/PRS_2CH_Amp_OwnersManual.pdf

 

[László]

As to the owners manual questions, the HX/DA didn't come with a manual either. Might just be how the CAD amps roll.

So to learn how to use it, I just watched Paul Smith walking us through the demo on the website video.

I figured that when the time comes to change/rebias tubes I'll give PRS a call to find out the recommended settings.

 

[mapleleaf14]

Yeah, don't really need a manual, but thought if I should have one with it, I'd as PRS for it.

Seems like you need a "jumper" cable in the loop for the volumes to work. No biggie, I'm getting some SWEET sounds from the amp...it's really an impressive piece of equipment.

 

[jfb]

As to the owners manual questions, the HX/DA didn't come with a manual either. Might just be how the CAD amps roll.

So to learn how to use it, I just watched Paul Smith walking us through the demo on the website video.

I figured that when the time comes to change/rebias tubes I'll give PRS a call to find out the recommended settings.

I agree those videos are a great way to hear and see how to set up those amps.

Yeah, don't really need a manual, but thought if I should have one with it, I'd as PRS for it.

Seems like you need a "jumper" cable in the loop for the volumes to work. No biggie, I'm getting some SWEET sounds from the amp...it's really an impressive piece of equipment.

I think they H's and Customs are insane values.

 

[mapleleaf14]

I think they H's and Customs are insane values.

Absolutely! Some of my recent amps include a Boogie Mark V, a Boogie Royal Atlantic, an Orange Rockerverb 50, and an Egnater Tour Master and I like the Custom 50 better than any of them. Before the PRS, I think the Royal Atlantic was my favorite...fantastic clean channel and reverb.

I hope they are doing well for PRS. Everybody that owns one seems to really like them, but you don't come across very many people that have them! I tried an SE30 combo and an SE20 head into my Boogie 212 and didn't really care for either of them and I hope people don't hear the SE line of amps and assume the USA amps are similar. The SE Line is far more readily available (at least around me) and I know more people are hearing those over the USA amps. The SE's aren't bad, but they're nowhere near what the USA's are! My dealer got the one in that I bought and I demoed it on his recommendation and I'm glad I did, because I absolutely love my Custom 50 2-Channel!

 

[RcRogers]

Absolutely! Some of my recent amps include a Boogie Mark V, a Boogie Royal Atlantic, an Orange Rockerverb 50, and an Egnater Tour Master and I like the Custom 50 better than any of them. Before the PRS, I think the Royal Atlantic was my favorite...fantastic clean channel and reverb.

I hope they are doing well for PRS. Everybody that owns one seems to really like them, but you don't come across very many people that have them! I tried an SE30 combo and an SE20 head into my Boogie 212 and didn't really care for either of them and I hope people don't hear the SE line of amps and assume the USA amps are similar. The SE Line is far more readily available (at least around me) and I know more people are hearing those over the USA amps. The SE's aren't bad, but they're nowhere near what the USA's are! My dealer got the one in that I bought and I demoed it on his recommendation and I'm glad I did, because I absolutely love my Custom 50 2-Channel!

I JUST took delivery of my 2x12 Stealth Cab (Paisley)! I'm excited because my 2 Channel Custom 50 (Paisley) has been sitting in my living room for a month, patiently awaiting the arrival of my PRS Cab Just have to finish out my work day and I will be hooking up the rig tonight. Last year I bought & sold a 2 Channel H. It was great but didn't have as much gain as I desired. Hoping the Custom 50 fits the bill!

 

[dadoffive]

When I took ownership of my prototype, I emailed Matt at Customer Service for "care and feeding" instructions... He was very helpful with tube and bias setting info.