BlueDoc
39 posts
Mar 20, 2011
11:04 AM
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I recently purchase a used Kinder AFB+ pedal, but have had no luck with it. There were a few shining moments during which I could crank my Fender Champ up to 10 with no feedback, but mostly what I got was tons of terrible rumbling noise.
How am I supposed to use this thing? What do the three knobs do?
Thanks,
Mark
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tmf714
546 posts
Mar 20, 2011
11:18 AM
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Plug your mic cable into the "input" jack-the blue light should be bright-if not ,replace the batteries.
The "output" goes from the AFB unit to the amp. Set all knobs in the middle. Start with the CALIBRATION so that the blue light is only occasionally flashing when blowing heavy. Set the amp volume and tone so you can comfortably hear yourself,and the balance is acceptable. Continue advancing the amp volume until the amp is breaking up when blowing heavily. The idea is to have your amp start to break up at the same time the blue light starts to flash. Thats the basic calibration-you will have to experiment where to set the knobs for different elements-i.e. crystal,ceramic,CR,CM. I leave all my knobs at the 1 o'clock position with a CR element and my Danelectro tube amp.
Last Edited by on Mar 20, 2011 11:19 AM
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BlueDoc
40 posts
Mar 20, 2011
11:35 AM
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Thanks tmf,
The blue light was only coming on intermittently as I recall--so the first thing I'll try is some new batteries.
"Continue advancing the amp volume until the amp is breaking up when blowing heavily. The idea is to have your amp start to break up at the same time the blue light starts to flash."
Which knobs on the Kinder do I adjust as I do this, especially if the amp starts to feed back?
Last Edited by on Mar 20, 2011 11:38 AM
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tmf714
547 posts
Mar 20, 2011
11:52 AM
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Just use the CALIBRATION knob,the middle knob ,for now. If the map is feeding back,reduce the volume slightly until you find a point where the volume is comfortable,and when your blowing hard,the blue light just starts to blink. Slowly increase the volume,keeping an eye on the blue light. Leave the AFB and UB knobs at the 12 o'clock position.
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BlueDoc
41 posts
Mar 20, 2011
9:59 PM
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Thanks again tmf. I will try this as soon as I get a chance (when I'm home but wife and kid are out of the house...)
What do the AFB and UB knobs do?
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tmf714
551 posts
Mar 21, 2011
6:06 AM
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The UB adjusts the level of "even" harmonics,and the AFB adjusts the "odd" harmonics-both reduce feedback.
Think of even and odd harmonics as distortion-even being "clean" or "nice"-odd being "harsh",like a Marshall amp cranked all the way up.
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HarpNinja
1237 posts
Mar 21, 2011
9:50 AM
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In addition, as a long time owner, the pedal works well to get an amp that is ok for harp to its sweet spot.
Meaning, if you have a loud amp (like a Bassman) that sounds great turned up but feedsback, it will work well. If you have an amp that you want to turn up to 10, it won't help it not sound like crap.
Unless it has been heavily modded, most amps don't sound good for harmonica cranked all the way. Even if feedback was not an issue, the chances of a Champ sounding great for harmonica when cranked is pretty slim. Most amps have a sweet spot between 3-7. I have never played a tube amp with stock tubes that sounded good much past 7.
Best sound from my Double Trouble was a 7. Anything beyond that and even if the Kinder worked well sounded like crap - and often made the speakers crap out.
Bassman RI - never sounded good past 7. It sounded like mushy garbage beyond that.
HG 50 - I like it between 4 and 5, although it sounds good to about 7.
Vibro Champ? 6
Pro Jr with Kinder? 7
Use your ears and not the numbers on the amp. The knob on the far right does the most in fighting feedback (assuming you properly callibarted). Don't turn it past 2 o'clock or it will wreck your tone.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 3/17/11
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