OWNER'S MANUAL
KBA35X DFX
Congratulations on the purchase of your new Kustom amp! Your KBA35X DFX model
successfully draws on more than 30 years of amplifier design and manufacturing
experience at Kustom. This amp was planned from the ground up by our engineers to
offer top-notch tone and dependable performance. Inside this manual, you'll find useful
information about the amp's features and some suggested settings to illustrate its tonal
capabilities. We wish you many years of enjoyment with your Kustom amplifier.
VOLUME
LEVEL
EQUALIZER
LO-MID
DIGITAL EFFECTS
LEVEL PROGRAM
CD/TAPE
INPUT
GUITAR
INPUT
NOTCH
LOW
HI-MID
HIGH
1. LITE CHORUS 1
2. LITE CHORUS 2
3. MEDIUM CHORUS
4. HEAVY CHORUS
5. FLANGE 1
KBA35X DFX
EFFECTS
5
4
6
7
3
6. FLANGE 2
7. SLAPBACK
8
2
POWER
8. DELAY
1
OONN
OFF
OFF
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
1.) CD/Tape Input - this 1/4" 3 conductor jack will allow you to plug in a CD player, tape or any other source
to practice along with. It sums the left and right signals into a mono signal and passes it through to the
amplifier section. To control the volume of the source, adjust the output volume of the device. We suggest
you turn the volume all the way down then plug in and adjust the volume according to your taste.
2.) Guitar Input - this is a 1/4" 2 conductor input jack for plugging in your instrument. It is intended for bass
guitar or Hi-Z microphones but will accept other instruments as well.
3.) Volume Level - this control is the output volume control for the bass guitar input. Slowly increase the
control to increase the volume. If you are using a bass guitar with an on-board preamp, set it's level for a
mid position before increasing this control otherwise distortion may occur.
4.) Notch - this control is a dramatic cut filter. It is "notched" at a rate of -15db. The width of the notch is set at
one octave and can be swept from 45 Hz to 1KHz. It will create a very precise subtraction of undesirable
overtones or allow you to fine tune your tone settings.
5.) Low - this control is the bass control. It is active and set to boost or cut frequencies at 60 Hz. This will
effect the low frequency signals. Turning it fully clockwise, the signal is boosted 15 db. Turning it
counterclockwise, the low will be rolled off -15db. Especially good for making low output, thin toned bass
guitars sound fuller.
6.) Lo Mid - this control is the Low Midrange control. It is active and set to boost or cut frequencies at 250Hz
This will effect the mid-low frequency signals. Turning it fully clockwise, the signal is boosted 10 db.
Turning it counterclockwise, the low-mids will be rolled off -10db. Especially good for "cleaning up" muddy
bass guitar overtones.
7.) Hi Mid - this control is the High Midrange control. It is active and set to boost or cut frequencies at
1.5KHz. This will effect the mid-high frequency signals. Turning it fully clockwise, the signal is boosted 10
db. Turning it counterclockwise, the low-mids will be rolled off -10db. Increasing this will add punch to a
bass guitars' sound.
8.) High - this is the high frequency control. It is active and set to boost or cut frequencies at 8KHz. This will
effect the high frequency signals. Turning it fully clockwise, the signal is boosted 15 db. Turning it
counterclockwise, the highs will be rolled off -15db. This will add or subtract the high end attack of
slapping style sounds or pick attack and clarity.
9.) Effects On/Off - this switch engages the digital effects section.
10.) Effects Level - this control adds the digital effects section and mixes it into the main signal buss. Several
different effects are available.
11.) Program Select - this switch will select any of eight different effects. 4- Chorus, 2- Flanges, 2- Chorus,
and 2- delay.
12.) Jewel Light - this jewel light lets you know that the amplifier is on.
13.) Power - this switch turns on and off the AC power to the amp.
Back Panel - (not pictured)
Speaker Out - this is a 2 conductor 1/4" speaker output jack. This will disconnect the internal speaker and
allow an external speaker cabinet to be employed. Rating is 8 ohms.
Line Output - this is a 2 conductor 1/4" line output jack. This will allow an external amplifier or mixing
board to be supplied with the signal from this amp. This is output is attenuated and comes from the power
amp signal.
Headphone Jack - this is a 1/4" 3 conductor jack for plugging headphones. It will sum the signal and put
the sound in both ears, thereby creating a pseudo-stereo sound. Volume will be determined by the volume
control on the channel you are on. It will disconnect the internal speaker when plugged into. This will allow
quiet practicing.
Footswitch- this is a mono 1/4” jack. Plug a single non LED type footswitch (optional) into this jack to
turn the digital effects on and off.
Suggested Settings
(These settings are general starting points. They
are designed to get you close to the sound you
are looking for. If the control is not shown, then it
doesn't apply to this particular sound. )
VOLUME
LEVEL
EQUALIZER
LO-MID
DIGITAL EFFECTS
LEVEL PROGRAM
NOTCH
LOW
HI-MID
HIGH
1. LITE CHORUS 1
2. LITE CHORUS 2
3. MEDIUM CHORUS
4. HEAVY CHORUS
5. FLANGE 1
EFFECTS
5
4
6
7
3
6. FLANGE 2
7. SLAPBACK
8
2
8. DELAY
1
OONN
OFF
OFF
Traditional Electric Bass Setting - in this setting the amplifier will deliver a standard electric bass
sound. Whether you are playing rock, country, blues or gospel, this setting will get you close.
Because of the Active EQ, you will be able to dial in your preferences from here. If you play with a
pick and want less top end attack on the notes, roll off a bit of the High control. If it's deeper bottom
your looking for, add more low and low mid. The key is to experiment to achieve your own personal
sound.
VOLUME
LEVEL
EQUALIZER
LO-MID
DIGITAL EFFECTS
LEVEL PROGRAM
NOTCH
LOW
HI-MID
HIGH
1. LITE CHORUS 1
2. LITE CHORUS 2
3. MEDIUM CHORUS
4. HEAVY CHORUS
5. FLANGE 1
EFFECTS
5
4
6
7
3
6. FLANGE 2
7. SLAPBACK
8
2
8. DELAY
1
OONN
OFF
OFF
Funk "Slap" Sounds - this style of music needs a good strong attack sound with lots of top end.
Usually a hollowed out middle will produce the extra top end necessary for the punch needed for this
style of music. If you are using a more thumb style, a bit more low end and volume might be needed
for your particular style of playing. Or less if you really hit it hard. Even though this is a practice or
rehearsal level amplifier, it will deliver the punch and clarity that you require. Remember to try this
amp with an additional speaker plugged in. You'll be nicely surprised.
VOLUME
LEVEL
EQUALIZER
LO-MID
DIGITAL EFFECTS
LEVEL PROGRAM
NOTCH
LOW
HI-MID
HIGH
1. LITE CHORUS 1
2. LITE CHORUS 2
3. MEDIUM CHORUS
4. HEAVY CHORUS
5. FLANGE 1
EFFECTS
5
4
6
7
3
6. FLANGE 2
7. SLAPBACK
8
2
8. DELAY
1
OONN
OFF
OFF
Alternative Style - this setting is designed for a upper end punch and edge that will cut through most
any sound. This style will work well with pick or fingers and will add a touch of distortion to the sound
as well. Make sure your instrument's volume control is up all the way. Since you are adding volume,
you need to be careful with the actual amount of e.q.. you use as it also can add distortion to the
sound. Also, you may want to use a compressor pedal in the signal chain before the amp to give it a
smoother sound but still "edgy". As in all the settings above, it is strictly a matter of personal taste in a
achieving the sound you are looking for.....experiment.
|