Vox VBM1 owner manual Gain switch, Tone control, Volume control

IMPORTANT NOTE 1: Using the BOOSTER OUTPUT disconnects the rest of the Brian May Special. So, when you use your Brian May Special as a BOOSTER you can’t use it as an amp as well.

IMPORTANT NOTE 2: When using the BOOSTER OUTPUT, the only two controls that affect its output are the GAIN knob (2) and the GAIN switch (4). The TONE control (5) and VOLUME control (6) have no affect on the BOOSTER OUTPUT what-so-ever.

BRIAN MAY SETTING TIP #1: For the BOOSTER to sound exactly like Brian’s homemade Treble Booster:

—the GAIN control (3) needs to be set on full “10”

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—the GAIN switch (4) needs to be in the HIGH “pushed in” position.

4.GAIN switch

This push switch allows you to select between High and Low gain settings for the “pre-amp” section (see Flow Chart on page 11). The HIGH setting (switch “pushed in”) produces natural sounding, heavily overdriven sounds while the LOW setting (switch “popped up”) gives a smoother, mellower overdrive that’s ideally suited for more subtle, dynamic playing styles. Keep in mind that the effect of this switch will vary depending on how you have the GAIN control (2) set. As always, experimentation is the best way to achieve your desired sound.

5. TONE control

This control has been placed after the overdrive circuitry of the Brian May Spe- cial and adjusts the overall tone of the amp. Turning it clockwise from “0” towards “+” adds in high frequencies and gives you a brighter sound, while turning it counter-clockwise from “0” to “-” adds in bass frequencies, resulting in a rounder, warmer sound. Setting this control in the middle (0) renders it inactive. As with the other controls, please experiment with this one to find the settings that best suit your playing needs.

6. VOLUME control

This adjusts the overall volume of the combo.

BRIAN MAY SETTING TIP #2: For the Brian May Special to sound exactly like Brian’s homemade Treble Booster/Deacy set-up, here are the settings:

—GAIN control on full “10”

—GAIN switch in the HIGH “pushed in” position

—T ONE control in the center “0”

—V OLUME control at “ ”

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