Manufacturers of High Performance, All-American Made Electric Guitars & Basses
·precision American craftsmanship
·unequaled sound & playability · innovative patented designs
·uniquely designed to satisfy the worlds best players
phone: 608.836.5505 · toll free: 877.716.0000
30
watt Class A All-Tube Signal Path
•
Point To Point Hand Wired
• 2 Channels with Reverb & Effects Loop
• Boutique Construction and Performance
• 1 x 12" Combo Guitar Amp
• Head and 1 x 12" Closed-Back Cabinet
Outstanding Quality and Versatility - This Amp Has The Sound
It
Has the Sound
With
the TVA30, you'll find an exceptional
range of sounds: clean, overdriven or heavy distortion. The tone controls
and overdrive give you a surprising range of control to address a wide
variety of musical styles and techniques. Rock, jazz, blues, heavy metal,
fusion, country... You'll be able to achieve a big, full sound at low
volume, with room to crank it up for larger stages. Even with heavy distortion
it's articulate and solid - the tone and quality of the distorted sound
sets the TVA30 apart from other
amplifiers. In pre-release listening tests, players have told us they'll
no longer be using their distortion pedals. To generalize their overall
response: "Sparkling clean or intensely
overdriven, TVA30 has the sound."
Now,
look below and see how it's made...
Power and
Signal Path: All tube 30 Watt Class A power amp with 4-EL84/6BQ5 and
3-12AX7 preamp tubes
No solid-state devices are in the signal path nor are any used for creating
overdrive or distortion.
Wiring: Built for highest dependability and lowest noise - Point-to-point, hand wired and printed circuit board (see pictures and text below), shielded wiring for internal signal paths, no connectors are used internally except to connect to the reverb tank (uses RCA connectors)
Channels:
2 channels - Clean and Drive (High Gain), footswitchable
Inputs: 2 - Low (attenuated) and High
Controls: Clean Volume, Drive Gain, Drive Volume, Channel Switch,
LED Channel Indicator, Boost (affects both channels), Treble, Middle,
Bass, Reverb, Effects Level, Standby, Power click
here for image
Rear Panel: Effects Send (Pre-amp Out), Effects Return (Power Amp
In), Stereo Footswitch Jack (reverb and channel switch), 2 Speaker Outputs,
Speaker Impedance Selector (4 or 8 ohm), Power Cord and Fuse Assembly
Speaker: Masters Design RedBack G1280
custom-designed high efficiency 12" speaker
Color Options:
Black, Cream, Red & Tweed *color
swatches below*
Models:
TVA30C - 1 x 12" combo; TVA30H - head; 112S - 1 x 12" closed
back speaker enclosure
Footswitch:
FT-200 metal case footswitch included with TVA30;
switches channels and reverb
Dimensions:
Head: 21-1/4" wide, 10-1/4"
tall, 11" deep
Combo: 18-1/4" tall, 21" wide, 10-3/8"
deep
Cabinet:21" wide,18-1/4" tall, 11"
deep
Price: How
much is a TVA30 and how do I get one? What
do all these terms mean?
Hidden within the relatively straightforward control layout is a range of high quality sounds and a versatility that makes experimenting fun. The tone controls have an interaction and breadth that brings more sound to life than you'd expect from 3 simple controls and a switch! And, there's no need for external overdrive or distortion pedals. The two channels each have their own dynamic for overdrive and distortion that has a feel and response you find in the finest of great amps. And, an important part of the TVA30's versatility is that you can play at low volumes and achieve wonderful sounds - thick and rich, even with heavy distortion.
A wonderful sounding reverb is another hidden treat in the TVA30; custom-designed to fit our sound ideal. It fills out the sound without springiness, a metallic edge or ringing; it adds believable depth without changing your sound. It sounds like - reverb - not like springs in a can.
TVA30 is more in the class of boutique or high-end amplifiers, considering its build quality and performance, though it is priced more affordably.
We're using higher quality components and construction, though much more expensive, to provide greater reliability, more stable operating characteristics and a substantially higher quality of sound. Some of the most critical components, such as the transformers, speaker and reverb tank, have been custom-designed and manufactured specifically for our TVA30 in order to achieve the performance and sound quality we desired.
While it is a more costly approach, the signal paths of the two channels are completely separated and disconnected from each other by electromechanical relay switches to eliminate any interaction between the circuits which would compromise performance.
The attention to detail and commitment to reliability and performance over cost and efficiency have made the TVA30 about 80% more costly for parts, materials and production than you would find in standard amplifiers of this type. But, there is simply no way to have low cost and achieve performance and reliability, even with economies of scale. We have not comprised integrity to the principals in order to minimize cost. This is not a budget, "good for the money" amplifier. The TVA30 is an amplifier designed and manufactured for world-class professional performance and recording.
Rugged Construction
The Cabinet
We use a finger-jointed void-free plywood
cabinet, more expensive to produce but it's lighter weight, stronger,
more durable and has greater structural integrity than conventional construction
and is more resistant to damage from the bumps and bruises of the normal
course of life.
Component Mounting
Notice
the size of the stud and hardware mounting the power transformer. It's
not going anywhere! And, what is not visible on the other side of the
chassis are the vibration isolation pads with which it is mounted to help
eliminate any potential mechanical, electrical or noise problems.
Tube sockets are fastened with machine screws and hex nuts locked with
thread-lock compound - far more durable than rivets, and they'll hold
tight for years of service on the road..
The output transformer is mounted rock-solid, with machine screws and
nylon-insert lock nuts with lock washers. It's not going anywhere.
Circuit boards are supported with threaded brass standoffs, screws and
lock washers rather than the plastic standoffs (or even lack of these)
common in most amps. This improves reliability and reduces board-level
problems and/or failures that result in small, odd sound inconsistencies
or worse.
These are all details which may seem insignificant, but they add up to
greater reliability and better long-term service and performance.
We use ceramic
tube sockets for greater reliability over time.
Dependable, Highly Reliable, Low Noise, Boutique Class, High Performance Tube Amp Construction
Point-to-Point
Hand Wired construction
and PC boards
are used for greatest reliability. No connectors or multi-pin connectors
are used inside the amp except for RCA connectors to the reverb tank.
Everything is hardwired for reliability, lower noise and better conductivity.
This is a much more expensive way to build an amplifier; so much hand
labor is involved. But, the consistent performance, long-term reliability
and low noise depend upon it.
Notice how neat and clean the whole assembly is. Loose wires can create varying noises in an amplifier. The high-end, hi-fi construction and workmanship of the TVA30 is evident in its performance.
The Output Transformer
... a critical link in performance
Here is the typical size of a 30 watt output transformer as you will see employed in many amplifiers of the 25 to 40 watt power range (including many "high-end" models). Beside it is our custom-made 70% overrated output transformer. It costs 7 times more than the conventional transformer but the difference in sound quality, reliability and performance is huge! Try this amp with a bass through a good bass cabinet and you'll realize the low frequency performance! You can deliver clean strong lows without breaking up, and heavy distortion that won't get thin, mushy or gritty. You're sound can maintain its punch and clarity, even at high volumes.
Those small transformers are like trying to put out a fire with a garden hose.
The TVA30 transformer is a fire hose!
Toroidal
Power Transformer
provides
Higher Performance
We use a Toroidal
Power Transformer made especially for the TVA30.
Toroidal transformers
provide higher performance than conventional transformers, weigh less
and are more compact. They generate less hum, audible noise and magnetic
radiation, and provide higher and more stable output under demand. They're
also more expensive, but the added performance is audible, and worth every
cent. In addition, we're using a higher quality (and even more costly)
toroidal transformer for long-term reliability.
"If you want serious performance from your tube guitar amp, it takes smart circuit design, components and construction like this to achieve it."
It's Quiet! Low hum and noise. A single point chassis ground is employed and internal shielded leads are drained at only one end to help eliminate internal ground loops. There are no connectors in the signal path to add noise or static and high quality capacitors are used to minimize component generated noise. And remember, the toroidal power transformer reduces hum and noise, too.
Reverb - It's custom made with 3 springs of different time constants and envelope characteristics. The drive and recovery circuits are equalized and tailored to control the attack envelope and overall timber. The reverb has a full response and a decay taper that isn't too long, but also not too short. It feels natural and realistic.
The Effects Send can be used as a Preamp Out or Direct Out without breaking the signal flow through the amp. Plugging into the Effects Return jack breaks the signal flow through the amp and can be used as a Power Amp In. The Return has a level control for matching effects levels or setting power amp input levels. The Effect Level Control is not active until a mono ¼" plug is inserted into the Effects Return Jack. You can even use the Effects Loop to make the TVA30 into a Master Volume amp!
Our RedBack
G1280 high efficiency 12" speaker
...
custom-designed for the TVA30
It's also used
in our 112s speaker enclosure.
With 80 watts average power handling,
it won't break up and compromise the amplifier's performance. It has a
wonderful fullness without being the dominating factor in your sound,
allowing the sound of your guitar, your technique and the amp to shine
through with detail and clarity.
The Final Word...
For a better understanding of terms and components on this page, click here
e-mail: sales@usmasters.com
call (608) 836-5505 or TOLL FREE (877) 716-0000
US Masters Guitar Works is a product
of M-Tec Corp.
2324 Pinehurst Dr. Unit B Middleton, WI 53562
608-836-5505 Fax:608-836-6530
The Following are Trademarks of M-Tec Corp./
US Masters Guitar Works:
TVA30,
TVA10, Masters Design, Masters Design Amplification, Masters Total Valve,
RedBack speaker and RedBack graphic logo
the Masters Amplification swoosh logo, the Masters Total Valve V logo,
the Masters Design swoosh logo