|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Features
|
 |
| Rhythm Channel |
 |
|
The rhythm channel starts with a classic "blackface" era tonal voicing, familiar to fans of
the late 60's Deluxe Reverb or Super Reverb. It gives you the shimmery clean tones and
gritty, ringing overdrive that this style of amp is known for, but with a vivid clarity
and lush depth which brings out all the harmonics and overtones in your guitar's sound.
A three-position "bright" switch allows you to tailor the response for just the right amount of
shimmer in the top end.
|
|
|
| Lead Channel |
 |
|
The unique and effective Mid-Bite control makes the Lead Channel a lot more versatile than
you would expect from a channel with only 3 controls. The Mid-Bite control is an exclusive
Tone King design feature which does a lot more than simply adjust the midrange level - it completely
transforms the overdrive character.
With Mid-Bite fully off, the Lead Channel reacts much like a tweed amp. When played clean,
the woody resonance of the cabinet, liveliness of the 5AR4 tube rectifer, and the
expressive response of the cathode-biased output stage work together to give you the
raw midrange, silky top end, and soft compression that define the vintage tweed sound - perfect for
honky tonk or blues rhythm playing with a tele.
As you dig in harder, you'll feel the sweet, round top end begin to develop a stinging bite.
Crank it up into the distortion zone, and the tone gets even fatter and thicker.
Compression from the cathode-biased output stage
softens the pick attack as single notes and chords swell and sustain in endlessly evolving
shades of thick, meaty grind.
As you turn up the Mid-Bite control, a midrange peak appears while the bottom end is
simultaneously tightened up, which transforms the tone into more of an English-style crunch.
The amp develops a tighter feel as single notes really start to sing and sustain, and chords become
chunky with a rich array of overtones.
|
|
|
| Reverb |
 |
 |
|
|
The Meteor/II includes a reverb circuit which is inspired by the classic
standalone reverb units of the 1960s. This circuit has its own 12AX7
tube preamp and 6V6 tube driver, driving a
full-size 3-spring pan.
|
|
A 12AX7 tube driven reverb receiver allows for shaping the sound of the
reverb signal with its own reverb tone control, and for
controlling the reverb level for each preamp channel individually, via the
back-panel mix controls for the lead and rhythm channels.
The "dwell" control, located on the front panel, controls the signal level
of the reverb driver, and gives you even more control over the reverb sound.
At lower settings, you'll get a lush sound which is more like a vintage
plate reverb sound. At higher settings, you'll get an over-the-top splashy,
drippy surf sound.
With the dwell, tone, and mix controls, you have the ultimate
flexibility to dial in your own perfect reverb sound.
|
|
|
|
| Tremolo |
 |
|
The Meteor/II uses a vintage circuit which creates the tremolo
effect by modulating the bias current of the output tubes. Compared to
other methods (e.g. the opto-coupler method used in the Fender "blackface"
era amps), this method creates a smooth, gradual, and rounded tremolo effect.
The tremolo effect can be turned on and off via the footswitch.
|
|
|
| Bias Adjustment |
 |
 |
|
Although the output tubes of the Meteor/II are primarily cathode-biased,
bias adjustment controls are provided for precisely setting the bias
current of each output tube. Bias current is measured by attaching
an external ammeter to a set of test jacks, and activating the
each tube, in turn, with a bias activation switch (shown at left). Bias
current is set by adjusting a 20-turn trimmer pot with a small screwdriver.
The entire biasing procedure can be performed in less than 5 minutes, and
does not require disassembly of the amp.
|
|
|
| Speaker |
 |
|
The speaker used in the Meteor/II is the hemp cone model #1891. This speaker
was designed in collaboration with Eminence Speaker Corp. It is a unique
speaker, and is unlike any of the standard Eminence models. It combines the
sweet, articulate top end of an alnico speaker with the percussive power and warmth
of a ceramic magnet speaker. It has a rich, balanced tone which
manages to deliver both exceptional clarity and a sweet, musical top end.
|
|
|
|
Models
|
|
| Amplifier Model Selection |
| The Meteor/II is available in 4 different output power
levels, each with a different selection of output tubes. The 6V6-based models (model 720
and 740) are greatly preferred by the designer, as these define the classic Tone King sound as
described above. The EL-84 based models (model 715 and 730) offer the unique sonic characteristics
of EL-84 output tubes, which have a slightly thinner bottom end, a more prominent midrange, and a more
compressed dynamic response. When driven into distortion, EL-84s cannot create a tweed-like
overdrive, regardless of the setting of the Mid-Bite control, but instead develop a crunchy
growl, which is unique to this tube.
|
|
| Model |
Output Power |
Output Tubes |
Cabinet |
Size |
Weight |
MSRP |
| 715A |
15W |
2 x EL84 |
1x12 Combo |
24" x 19" x 12" |
38lbs |
$2250 |
| 720A |
20W |
2 x 6V6GT |
1x12 Combo |
24" x 19" x 12" |
38lbs |
$2250 |
| 730A |
30W/15W (switchable) |
4 x EL84 |
1x12 Combo |
24" x 19" x 12" |
40lbs |
$2350 |
| 730B |
30W/15W (switchable) |
4 x EL84 |
2x12 Combo |
28" x 19" x 12" |
52lbs |
$2450 |
| 730H |
30W/15W (switchable) |
4 x EL84 |
Head |
24" x 10" x 10" |
30lbs |
$2250 |
| 740A ** |
40W/20W (switchable) |
4 x 6V6GT |
1x12 Combo |
24" x 19" x 12" |
40lbs |
$2350 |
| 740B |
40W/20W (switchable) |
4 x 6V6GT |
2x12 Combo |
28" x 19" x 12" |
52lbs |
$2450 |
| 740H |
40W/20W (switchable) |
4 x 6V6GT |
Head |
24" x 10" x 10" |
30lbs |
$2250 |
|
** Benchmark configuration; Designer's preferred choice |
|
|
| Extension Cabinet Selection |
|
A variety of extension cabinets are offered, which feature the same design construction as the
combo cabinets. Both 1x12 and 2x12 cabinets offer the option of a straight front or slanted front.
A slanted front cabinet is to be used with an amplifier head, as the depth of the top matches
the depth of the head cabinet. A straight front cabinet is to be used when either a combo or
another extension cabinet is to be set on top of it.
|
|
| Model |
Speakers |
Straight/Slanted Front |
Size |
Weight |
MSRP |
| 700A |
1x12 |
Slanted Front |
24" x 19" x 12" |
24lbs |
$500 |
| 700A-SF |
1x12 |
Straight Front |
24" x 19" x 12" |
24lbs |
$500 |
| 700B |
2x12 |
Slanted Front |
28" x 19" x 12" |
38lbs |
$600 |
| 700B-SF |
2x12 |
Straight Front |
28" x 19" x 12" |
38lbs |
$600 |
|
|
|
|
Specs
|
|
| Model |
715 |
720 |
730 |
740 |
|
| Output Power |
15W |
20W |
30W/15W (switchable) |
40W/20W (switchable) |
| Output Tubes |
2 x EL84 |
2 x 6V6 |
4 x EL84 |
4 x 6V6 |
| Rectifier Tube |
5U4 |
5AR4 |
5U4 |
5AR4 |
| Preamp Tubes |
5 x 12AX7 |
| Reverb Driver Tube |
6V6 |
|
| Preamp Channels |
2 (Rhythm, Lead) |
| Rhythm Channel Controls |
Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Bright Switch (3-pos.) |
| Lead Channel Controls |
Volume, Tone, Mid-Bite |
|
| Reverb |
Tube driven, full size 3-spring pan |
| Reverb Controls |
Dwell, Tone, Mix(Rhythm), Mix(Lead) |
|
| Tremolo |
Bias modulation type, footswitch controllable |
| Tremolo Controls |
Rate, Depth |
|
| Footswitch |
Included, controls both channel switching and tremolo |
|
|
|
|
Colors
|
|
Standard Colors
|
|
The Meteor/II amplifier is offered in your choice of brown "nubtex" vinyl or black vinyl. Both
colors are paired with an attractive "wheat" colored grill cloth.
|
|
| Standard Brown |
Standard Black |
"Wheat" Grill Cloth |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Custom Colors
|
|
A limited number of custom color vinyl materials and grill cloths are available on a
custom-order basis, for an additional charge. These are shown below:
|
|
| Cream |
Gold |
Black Western |
 |
 |
 |
| Red |
Oxblood w/ Stripe |
Black, White, & Silver |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Sample Models
|
|
The following photos show a few of the available Meteor/II amplifier configurations.
|
|
 |
Model 740A, 1x12 Combo in Standard Brown
|
 |
Model 740H (Head) with Model 700B (2x12 Extension Cabinet) in Standard Black
|
 |
Model 740H (Head) in Standard Black
|
 |
Model 700B (2x12 Extension Cabinet) in Standard Black
|
|
|
 |
|
