Webb Steel Guitar Operating Manual - page 3
4
True Instrument Tone Determination: As a starting point, you might want to determine the true tone of your
guitar. To do so, turn all 3 tone controls to 5, while making sure the 3-position Tone Selector switch is in the 3
rd
position and the EQ section is turned OFF before playing your instrument. The tone you will hear is what your
instrument provides without amplifier coloration. If this proves to be the tone you prefer, the maker of the guitar
achieved his goal: providing the tone you like best. Thus, your quest for the “perfect sound” has been realized.
The initial tone may be adequate but you may want something better. The Webb amp is designed to make any
and all guitars sound good, but more preferably, provide a much better sound. If your pickup “doesn’t have it”,
your Webb amp will help your guitar with its limitations. Therefore, it is recommended that you spend some time
experimenting with the amp’s controlsparticularly with the 3-position tone switchto find the best sound you
can get from your guitar.
As you experiment, write down the settings that you initially selected as providing a “good” sound. You will
discover that different sized rooms will likely require different settings. Tone preferences are very subjective and
personal. The limitations to a good sound are typically 1) your instrument, 2) the negative impact your effects
have on your sound, 3) the playing environment, 4) the positioning of your amplifier, and 5) the influence of the
opinions and recommendations of other musicians who accompany you. Most musicians will tell you that your
tone needs to be adjusted to suit “their” ears. Obviously, your Webb amp does not have control over all of the
influences mentioned, but all are important for you to consider!
It is likely that your tone controls will end up with blended settings, rather than just being turned up or down. For
example, even if you set your highs (treble) correctly, you may discover that the "body" of your guitar’s tone is a
bit thin. Try adding some Midrange, then Bass, rather than turning the Treble control down. Experiment to reach
the blending of your preference. The options are nearly infinite on your Webb amplifier.
REVERB and optional REMOTE REVERB control accessory (H):
The Reverb knob controls the amount
of signal from the spring reverb unit that is added to the mix.
A Remote Reverb Control (an optional accessory - See Figure 2 Below) duplicates the function of the Reverb
control. It plugs into the rear panel, and is typically clipped to the right rear leg of your steel guitar where it is
conveniently available for making occasional adjustments. If you use a distortion effect with your steel guitar, you
may wish to use the reverb remote control for quick and easy changes in the level of the reverb effect. This is
occasionally needed to emphasize the fuzz effect needed for also mimicking the sound of the violin and cello. For
fuzz or overdrive/rock effects, you might need to set it to a wide range of positions, depending on what effect you
want to create. Thus, the closer proximity of a Remote Reverb Control to the player, allows for quickly adapt to
any playing mode that the musical selection might dictate.
Optional Remote Reverb Unit Accessory
REMOTE REVERB JACK:
This output jack is located on the amplifier’s back panel. It has three functions.
Functions and Benefits:
1. First, and as explained above, it allows for the connection of a remote reverb control (an optional accessory
utilizing a 50K audio taper potentiometer). This remote control can regulate the amount of reverb that is mixed
with a musical instrument’s primary signal. When utilizing this remote control, the user should first turn the
reverb control on the amplifier to it’s full “on” (10) setting.