The Gypsy Jazz Amplifier par excellence.
as chosen by Angelo Debarre
This Amp can achieve the sound of Django's early electric days.
The aim when designing the Nuance VLT6‑10 was to recreate the
sound of the original small low power valve amplifiers, in particular, the Stimer M6 as
used by Django Reinhardt, using a valve amplifier assisted by modern technology.
The amplifier is housed in an elegantly designed cabinet that has a "retro" look.
The preamp uses modern electronics to allow a wider range of control than was available
in the original but, of course, this range includes the characteristic sound of those
early amplifiers. All of the controls are easily accessible on the top.
At home, the elegant and unique appearance of the amplifier will grace
any living room or studio.
Features and Specifications - Nuance VLT6‑10
Amplifier
The power amplifier can provide a nominal 5.7 Watts of power from a
single EL84 (6BQ5) driven by an ECC83 (12AX7). The power supply uses carefully crafted
electronics to place the valves in the same electrical environment as in the older
amplifiers. This removes the weight of the smoothing choke and has the added advantage
that a standby switch working at low voltage can also be provided. No dangerous high
voltages are present in the pre-amplifier
Speaker
The standard loudspeaker is a 10-inch Jensen with a neo magnet,
chosen for its
smooth response combined with high sensitivity and light weight. The power from the
amplifier, combined with the sensitivity of the loudspeaker, particularly in the
midrange, gives it a huge reserve of loudness with over 105 dB at full output and even
more as it is pushed into overload.
Inputs
The amplifier has two inputs. The high gain input “H” has the usual high
input impedance of one megohm and is meant for guitar. The other, “L”, has a lower input
impedance of 140 k ohms and half the sensitivity.
Controls
The model VLT6‑10 has three or four pointer style “chicken head” control knobs
and a treble switch. Separate circuitry is used for each function, so that adjusting
one control doesn't affect the others. The controls have been carefully chosen to
combine range with usability. In many situations the neutral setting gives good
results, but the full range of control is always available.
Volume A true gain control. The amplifier is designed so that
with a guitar input, only the output stage can be overloaded and the preamplifier has
the capacity to push it well into overload.
This control, with zero at 2 o'clock allows a modest boost or a deeper cut to the mid range,
centred roughly on A on the top string. Cutting the middle is equivalent to boosting both bass
and treble. When playing rhythm, for example, one can turn down the middle and move the tilt
control a little towards the bass. This will give a clear, bass heavy rhythm tone.
This control, centred roughly
at A on the top string is in its zero or flat position at 12 o'clock. Turning it
clockwise increases treble while reducing bass; turning it anti-clockwise enhances the
bass while reducing the treble. The control thus tilts the amplifier response in various
degrees towards bass or treble.
This switch provides an extra fixed treble boost.
Reverb and FX The VLT6‑10 is also avaliable as the
VLT6‑10R. This has the same preamp as the VLT15‑10, which adds
reverb and an FX input. The FX connector is a Tip / Ring / Sleeve type jack, where the
ring is the send and the tip is the return. To use the FX loop a send / return
Y-cable is necessary.
Power Supply
The main power switch is located on the lower back panel of the
amplifier. It is combined with a mains fuse holder and an IEC input socket for the power
cable.
The standard amplifier is wired to accept the normal European power supply of
nominally 230V. As an alternative, it can be supplied wired to accept 115V. Because the
power input is via an IEC connector, different power sockets can be accommodated by
choosing the appropriate power lead.
The amplifier requires a three core lead which includes a ground
connection.
Standby Switch
The standby switch, marked by a lightning bolt, is mounted on the right hand side of
the control panel with the power LED below it. When the amplifier is in standby, with
power on but no supply to the valve anodes, the power LED glows orange. When the switch
is brought out of standby, the LED changes to green.
Normally, one would switch the amplifier to standby before turning on the power and
then wait for thirty seconds for the valves to warm up before switching to play.
Safety
The valve and power supply sections of the amplifier, which are located at the bottom
of the case, contain high voltages which can kill if touched.
To make the amplifier safe, the whole of the lower part of the case is protected by
a strong metal grille which is connected to ground at the power socket. With the grille
in place, the delicate glass of the valves is protected from damage and the user is
protected from contact with the high voltages and the hot output valve.
The amplifier must never be plugged in to mains power without the grille in
place. If used outdoors, the amplifier should be protected from moisture and rain.
Transport
For carrying between locations, the VLT6‑10 is supplied with an adjustable webbing strap
which attaches using strap locks for security.
In the studio or on a gig, it is convenient to remove the strap and carry the amplifier
by lifting under the back rail.
Size and Weight
The dimensions of the VLT6‑10 are: