Fender Bronco 40 Bass Amplifier

This manual provides a step-by-step guide to all the advanced features of the Fender Bronco 40 amplifier. For information on using Fender® FUSE™, Ableton® Live, or Amplitube®, please refer to the separate manuals available at www.fender.com/support.

Programmable Knobs

On the Bronco 40 amplifier, the settings for every knob, except MASTER, are part of each preset. Consequently, all programmable knobs are inactive by default. Their physical positions will not reflect the actual settings when a preset is first selected.

How do I activate a programmable knob?

The moment you turn any programmable knob, it instantly becomes active. It remains active until you select a different preset, at which point it becomes inactive again.

[Diagram: Illustration showing a hand turning a programmable knob to activate it.]

You might notice a significant change in volume or tone when you first turn a programmable knob if there's a large difference between its starting position and the stored preset setting. For example, if the VOLUME knob is set to "8" but the stored preset VOLUME is "2," the volume will jump from "2" to "8" when you start turning the knob, as it is now active at "8."

The only way to know the preset setting of a knob before turning it is by using Fender FUSE software and connecting the Bronco 40 to your computer.

Navigation

Understanding a few basic navigation principles will help you explore the Bronco 40's capabilities.

Selecting Presets

The Bronco 40's most powerful feature is its ability to store every amplifier setting and effect selection as a preset. These presets can be instantly recalled using the PRESET knob or remotely via a computer or footswitch.

Use the PRESET knob to select one of 24 presets. Presets are stored in three banks: AMBER, GREEN, and RED. Turn the PRESET knob to scroll through each bank of presets in the following order:

• AMBER Bank (Factory presets)
• GREEN Bank (User presets)
• RED Bank (User presets)

[Diagram: Visual representation of preset banks (AMBER, GREEN, RED) and associated amplifier types.]

Each preset is based on one of eight amplifier types, indicated next to each preset LED, providing three presets for each amplifier type.

The RED and GREEN banks are for creating your own presets. The AMBER bank presets can only be modified using Fender FUSE software, available for free at www.fender.com/support.

Each preset includes the settings for all programmable knobs on the Bronco 40, excluding the MASTER volume and PRESET knobs.

Effects & Compression

Use the FX knob to select effects and the COMP knob to adjust signal compression levels. The FX and COMP knobs share the same three indicator LEDs. The knob that is currently being turned, or was most recently turned, controls these LEDs.

[Diagram: Illustration showing how LEDs indicate the last turned knob (COMP or FX) and their levels (LOW, MED, HIGH).]

You can completely customize the effects list on your Bronco 40 amplifier using Fender® FUSE™™ software, available at www.fender.com/support.

Compression Active

The EXIT button illuminates when the compression circuit is actively compressing the signal volume level. Higher compression settings limit the dynamic volume range of your bass, effectively reducing distortion and increasing sustain. Experiment to find the setting that best suits your playing style.

XLR Line Output

The LINE OUT jack on the rear panel provides a balanced, line-level output suitable for connection to mixing consoles and recording equipment. This is a mono output; however, the USB audio connection offers stereo recording capabilities (see USB Port on page 5).

Tap Button

The TAP button can be used to set delay times and modulation rates:

• Delay time: The TAP button blinks green.
• Modulation rate: The TAP button blinks red.

[Diagram: Visual cue indicating the TAP button blinking green for delay time and red for modulation rate.]

When a delay effect is selected, the TAP button blinks green in time with the delay time. For modulation effects, it blinks red in time with the modulation rate.

To set the TAP interval of effects:

1. Select an effect that causes the TAP button to blink using the FX knob.
2. Press the TAP button twice rhythmically in time with the desired interval.

Pressing the TAP button once sets the delay or modulation interval to its maximum value.

Tuner Button

The Bronco 40 amplifier features a built-in tuner mode that utilizes the control panel LEDs as a chromatic bass tuner.

To use the tuner:

1. Press and hold the TAP button for 2 seconds. The TAP and EXIT buttons will illuminate.
2. Strike any single string on your bass and observe the panel LEDs. The Preset LEDs indicate the note of the string being tuned. The top LED (labeled '#') indicates if the note is sharp.

[Diagram: Illustration of the Bronco 40's control panel LEDs used for tuning, showing note indicators and fine-tuning LEDs.]

Three fine-tuning LEDs, located above the COMP knob, indicate tuning precision. The LEDs turn GREEN when the string is in tune.

[Diagram: Illustration showing the tuning order for a five-string bass: E, B, A, D, G. For a four-string bass, omit the 'B' string.]

3. Turn your bass's tuning peg until the fine-tuning LEDs above the COMP knob indicate the string is in tune.
4. Press EXIT or TAP to exit the tuner mode.

Save Button

The Bronco 40 amplifier allows you to save every setting as part of a preset. When a preset is selected, the level of each knob, including effect selections, is instantly recalled to your pre-programmed settings.

[Diagram: Visual representation of the SAVE button illuminating red to indicate a modified preset.]

The SAVE button lights up red when any programmable knob is turned, indicating a temporary modification to the preset. You can reset these modifications by selecting a different preset and then returning to the original one.

The EXIT button does not cancel changes to the current preset. Temporary changes are only erased by selecting a different preset using the PRESET knob.

To save a preset:

1. First, modify an existing preset by turning any programmable knobs (e.g., GAIN or FX). The SAVE button will illuminate when modifications are made.
2. Press the SAVE button. The SAVE and EXIT buttons will flash rapidly. You can press EXIT at this point to cancel the save process.
3. Turn the PRESET knob to select the preset you wish to overwrite. You can only overwrite presets in the RED or GREEN banks corresponding to the amplifier type you started from. If you began by modifying an AMBER bank preset, you must select either a RED or GREEN bank preset to overwrite.
4. Press SAVE again to complete the save process.

You can modify the AMBER bank of presets using your computer and Fender® FUSE™™ software, available at www.fender.com/support.

Connections

Factory Restore & Firmware Update

FAQ

For more information about the Bronco 40 and music in general, explore these resources:

• Visit www.fender.com/support.
• Join a Fender Community forum to ask questions and read discussions. A dedicated forum for the Bronco 40 is available at www.fender.com/community/forums.
• Access the Fender Knowledge Base to download and read "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) at www.fender.com/support/faqs.php.
• Find music theory learning materials and sheet music at Hal Leonard Publications: www.halleonard.com.

Compliance and Legal Information

RoHS Compliance Table

Notes:

• O: Indicates that the content of the toxic and hazardous substance in all homogeneous materials of this part is below the limit requirements specified in SJ/T 11363-2006.
• X: Indicates that the content of the toxic and hazardous substance in at least one homogeneous material of this part exceeds the limit requirements specified in SJ/T 11363-2006.

This product is covered by one or more of the following patents: US Pat. 6,222,110.

AMPLIFICADOR DE AUDIO

IMPORTADO POR: Instrumentos Musicales Fender S.A. de C.V., Calle Huerta # 132, Col. Carlos Pacheco, C.P. 228890, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. RFC: IMF870506R5A. Hecho en China. Servicio de Cliente: 001-8665045875.

A PRODUCT OF: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION, CORONA, CALIFORNIA, USA.

Fender®, Bronco™, and Fender® FUSE™ are trademarks of FMIC. Other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Copyright © 2011 FMIC. All rights reserved.

Part Number: 0091728000 (ENGLISH) REV A