Electric Guitars and Electric Bass Guitars from U.S. Masters Guitar Works Superior Performance Professional Guitars & Basses
US Masters Guitar Works
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
Clean, Overdriven, High Gain Distortion
Outstanding Quality and Versatility - This Amp Has The Sound
In the tradition of revered Class A guitar amps, we introduce our TVA30.

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...

Read the review from Christian Musician Magazine
Specifications

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?
The TVA30 is loaded with features and breathes life into your sound with a dynamic responsiveness and character found in the finest of tube amps. It's rich with tone and versatility, and exciting to play, revisiting decades of legendary guitar music and bringing you into the current era. You just won't want to stop playing.

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.
TVA30 head and the 112S
1 x 12" Speaker Enclosure


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.

Signal Path & Components

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!

Finger-jointed void-free plywood cabinet

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..

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
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 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."

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.
Class A Power Amp
4 EL84/6BQ5 power tubes in a high voltage Class A (adjustable) DC bias grounded cathode design for greater stability and better performance under dynamic and high demand conditions.
Shielded wire is used extensively for all critical signal paths. You won't find this in most amps. It costs a lot more and it adds a lot of labor, but it reduces noise so dramatically it is completely worth it. But wait, there's more. The shield of every shielded wire is only connected at one end. That way it shields the signal path without creating any internal ground loops, again reducing hum and noise. All of this tedious attention to detail adds up in the total performance, quality and reliability of the TVA30.

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.
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 heavy-gauge chassis is mounted top front, top back and both sides using captive nuts and threaded anchors: again, more costly, but far stronger and more durable than simply threading the chassis.
We use ceramic tube sockets
for greater reliability over time.
Effects Send/Return Plus!
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 is 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.

TVA30 Combo, Head and 112S are available in:
Black Cream Red Tweed



The Final Word...

We believe you'll find the TVA30 to be a joy to play, adding to your range of expression and tonal palate. We've worked hard to help insure reliable, long-term performance. As with our guitars, our goal remains to help you

Play Better and Sound Better.

For a better understanding of terms and components on this page, click here

Masters Design Amplification
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