VOX Starstream Owner’s Manual
Precautions
Location
Using the unit in the following locations can result in a malfunction.
- In direct sunlight
- Locations of extreme temperature or humidity
- Excessively dusty or dirty locations
- Locations of excessive vibration
- Close to magnetic fields
Power supplyBe sure to turn the power switch to OFF when the unit is not in use. Remove the battery in order to prevent it from leaking when the unit is not in use for extended periods.
Interference with other electrical devicesRadios and televisions placed nearby may experience reception interference. Operate this unit at a suitable distance from radios and televisions.
HandlingTo avoid breakage, do not apply excessive force to the switches or controls.
CareIf the exterior becomes dirty, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners such as benzene or thinner, or cleaning compounds or flammable polishes.
Keep this manualAfter reading this manual, please keep it for later reference.
Keeping foreign matter out of your equipmentNever set any container with liquid in it near this equipment. If liquid gets into the equipment, it could cause a breakdown, fire, or electrical shock. Be careful not to let metal objects get into the equipment.
Notice regarding disposal (EU only)
When this “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol is displayed on the product, owner’s manual, battery, or battery package, it signifies that when you wish to dispose of this product, manual, package or battery you must do so in an approved manner.
Do not discard this product, manual, package or battery along with ordinary household waste. Disposing in the correct manner will prevent harm to human health and potential damage to the environment. Since the correct method of disposal will depend on the applicable laws and regulations in your locality, please contact your local administrative body for details. If the battery contains heavy metals in excess of the regulated amount, a chemical symbol is displayed below the “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol on the battery or battery package.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONSUMERS
This product has been manufactured according to strict specifications and voltage requirements that are applicable in the country in which it is intended that this product should be used. If you have purchased this product via the internet, through mail order, and/or via a telephone sale, you must verify that this product is intended to be used in the country in which you reside.WARNING: Use of this product in any country other than that for which it is intended could be dangerous and could invalidate the manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty. Please also retain your receipt as proof of purchase otherwise your product may be disqualified from the manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty.
- All product names and company names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a VOX Starstream Active Bass 1H/2S Artist bass guitar. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the features, setup, and care of your new instrument.
- This instrument utilizes an easy-to-play short scale, a lightweight frame structure, and a compact body. The weight of the instrument is also balanced.
- The Starstream Active Bass 2S Artist takes cues from the classic Jazz Bass® soundof the 1970’s and features Aguilar ® AG 4J-70 pickups. These pickups provide a clear and deep low end, as well as a sparkling high end that rings out nicely.The Starstream Active Bass 1H Artist offers a classic Stringray® tone with superior balance between the strings, which is characteristic of the Aguilar ® AG-4M pickup. This pickup provides a combination of rich overtones throughout the entire audio spectrum.
- Both Artist basses are equipped with Aguilar ® OBP-2 preamps. These circuits allow for a wide range of control and excel at providing fat bass tones.
Features
- TUNERS (X4)
- TRUSS ROD ADJUST NUT
- PICKUPS
- BRIDGE
- 4a SADDLE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT SCREWS
- 4b INTONATION ADJUSTMENT SCREWS
- VOLUME KNOB
- TOGGLE SWICH
- TONE KNOB (Treble)
- TONE KNOB (Bass)
- OUTPUT JACK
Inserting batteries
Open the battery cover located on the back panel, and install two 9V alkaline batteries.
Be sure to insert batteries in the correct orientation.
TIP Insert the second battery in the same direction as the first.
Replacing the batteries
You may experience problems such as low volume or no sound, distortion and noise if the battery power is low. If this occurs, it’s time to replace the batteries.
TIP You can use the toggle switch to bypass the preamp and still get sound, even if the batteries run down.
Remove exhausted batteries immediately. Exhausted batteries left installed may leak, causing a malfunction. You should also remove the batteries if you do not expect to use the instrument for a long period of time.
Operating the knobs and switch
Volume knob: The 1H model has one volume knob, whereas the 2S model has a volume knob for each pickup.Tone knob: The 1H model has dedicated knobs for treble and bass. These knobs will boost or cut the sound accordingly. Both knobs feature center detents. The 2S model has a two-ring knob with center detent. The upper ring is for boosting/cutting the treble, and the lower ring is for the bass.Toggle switch: Switching this towards the knobs will activate the internal preamp and enable the tone knob(s). Switch this towards the pickup to bypass the internal preamp. The pickup will operate in passive mode, and the tone knob(s) will be disabled. The preamp power will be off until you insert a plug into the output jack.
Set up
Each VOX bass is adjusted at the factory for a wide range of playing styles, with .045″ to .105″ gauge strings. You may want to fine tune the playability for your own personal style, different string gauges, or after a change in the weather.
Adjusting the Neck Relief
Before making any adjustments, you’ll need to verify the correct relief, or concave bow, in the neck. With the bass tuned, press the low E string down at both the 1st and 21st frets (a capo at the first fret makes this easier) and check the distance between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the low E string. Ideally, you’ll see a very small gap, similar to the thickness of a thin pick. If you see too much relief, you’ll need to tighten the truss rod by turning the truss rod adjust nut clockwise with the supplied wrench. If you don’t see enough relief, or if the string is touching the 8th fret, you’ll need to loosen the truss rod by turning the truss rod adjust nut counter-clockwise. Never force the truss rod. If you are uncomfortable with this kind of adjustment, take your bass to a qualified service center.
Adjusting the String Height
Unless a large change in action is necessary, it is best to adjust action at the saddles instead of the bridge posts. To raise the action of a particular string, turn the appropriate bridge saddle height adjust screws clockwise with the supplied tool. To lower the action, turn the appropriate bridge saddle height adjust screws counterclockwise. Each bridge saddle has two saddle height adjust screws, so try to adjust each screw by the same amount to keep the saddle level.
Adjusting the Intonation (Octave Tuning)
Changes in neck relief, string action, or string gauges can all change intonation. To check the intonation, compare the pitch of the note fretted at the 12th fret to the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic for each string. If the fretted note is sharp (higher in pitch than the harmonic), you’ll need to make the string longer by turning the intonation adjust screw clockwise. If the fretted note is flat (lower in pitch than the harmonic), you’ll need to make the string shorter by turning the intonation adjust screw counterclockwise.
Adjusting the Pickup Height
The height of the pickups is adjusted in a similar way to the height of the bridge saddles–by turning the height adjust screws either clockwise (up, higher output) or counter clockwise (down, lower output). Remember to leave plenty of clearance for the vibrating strings.
Care
When you finish playing, wipe the bass down with a clean, soft cloth. Use a quality guitar polish occasionally, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Protect your instrument from temperature extremes and sudden changes in temperature. A bass left in a hot trunk of a car at full string tension can literally pull itself apart. If a cold bass is brought suddenly into a heated room, the finish can crack.
Restringing with new strings
Your VOX bass will sound best with fresh strings. When installing new strings, first load the string through the back of the bridge, then trim the length so that the string extends 22 ½ inches (50mm60mm) beyond its tuner. Insert the trimmed end into the tuner, and wrap the string around and down the tuner shaft. If you will not be using the instrument for a long time, we recommend that you loosen the pegs by one rotation to reduce the load on the strings.
Specifications
| Scale : | 770mm |
| Number of Frets : | 21 |
| Power source: | Two 9V alkaline batteries (6LF22/6LR61) |
| Battery life: | Approximately 324 hours |
| Accessories : | Truss rod adjustment wrench, Saddle height adjustment wrench, Gigbag, Owner’s Manual, Two 9V alkaline batteries |
- Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for improvement.
References
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