JMP-1: tube or solid state?

[talltxguy]

Read a lot of stuff about how the JMP-1 sounds more solid state than tube. Seen convincing arguments for both sides of the issue. Heard the JMP-1 in person a few times and was totally impressed with it, but that could've been the beer listening.

After playing it through my 20/20, I'm gonna have to call bullsh*t on this one. If those 2 tubes are just for show, then put me down as a lover of the solid state sound. :shock:

Yes, the JMP-1 is a bit more edgey and abrasive than my Studio Pre, but I wouldn't say it sounds solid state by any stretch of the imagination. I'm able to get a whole slew of Marshall tones to include so nice soloing tones.

Perhaps it's the 20/20 that's helping things? I will admit that I dime the 20/20 and control loudness with the output level on the JMP-1, in addition to using the -10db output selection on the back. Come to think of it, I've read a lot people's reviews about how a Prophesy, a Voodoo Valve, or even a Digitech 2120 sounds incredible with a 20/20.

Maybe the JMP-1 isn't anything special and it's the 20/20? I wouldn't doubt it, but I'm not complaining. :lol:

 

[MesaENGR412]

I recorded solos abd leads with a JMP-1 on my band's new record and that thing is amazing. I plan on getting one sometime soon just to have, maybe incorporate it sometime into my live rig if I can. I love the leads I was able to get out of it. We ran it direct too. So I don't think it's just your 20/20. haha

-AJH

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

If I'm not mistaken, the highest gain mode actually introduces solid state clipping into your tone, a bit like boosting a valve amp with a solid state pedal. If you like the tone, just keep on rocking...

 

[94Tremoverb]

Exactly. The JMP-1 is a hybrid unit with more solid-state than tube in the signal path, but does it matter? It sounds great - just like a Tube Screamer into a tube amp sounds great, or many other hybrid signal paths.

The tubes are also more than just for show - they're run at proper tube-amp voltages and one is configured as the classic Marshall DC-coupled cathode follower. The diode bridge that produces the solid-state part of the distortion comes immediately before this, quite like the Mesa V-Twin Blues/Solo channel. In fact the whole thing looks quite like the V-Twin in many ways... it uses the same arrangement of the diode/tube cathode follower for the distortion sounds and a separate tube with individual plate-coupled stages for the clean sounds. Obviously it has a lot more control circuitry too, but that's not part of the actual signal path.

 

[MesaENGR412]

That's cool man. Sounds good to me. I'd like to get one of those v-twin pedal or rack units (or maybe a formula) just to see what sounds are in them too. I really liked the sound of the JMP-1 though, that's a definite future purchase.

-AJH

 

[stephen sawall]

Who cares ? .... Does it sound good ? Simple enough.

 

[madryan]

For less money you can score a modded ADA MP-1 and they sound absolutely killer.

 

[talltxguy]

I've played through the ADAs & think they rock as well - just in a different way. Too bad that company went under because I always thought the MP-1 was a great product.

I got a JMP-1 not because it's the ultimate preamp but because I wanted some Marshallesque rhythm tones. I was pleasantly surprised to find many usuable solo tones as well.

Since we're on the subject of preamps, when is Fender gonna come out with a MIDI tube preamp? And if they did, would I really want to see the price?

I thought I read somewhere that the JMP-1 retailed for $1,500 new? I like the palette of Marshall tones but not that much! The guys on the Marshall board are hoping for a JMP-2 with more tubes. Perhaps Marshall is scared to do that because nobody will buy their heads anymore? :lol: And I'm guessing that a JMP-2 with more tubes would retail for the same as a Triaxis.

 

[94Tremoverb]

Marshall are probably not going to do it because no-one will buy it anyway. I think the market for full-blown tube rack separates with MIDI control is all but dead. I know there are still a fair number of players doing it, but it doesn't have the same appeal for most now that it did twenty years ago when it was the fashionable way to go. The push these days is for smaller combos, more vintage-inspired amps, standard channel switchers and digital modelers. Even the big name guys that are still using racks have them already and there doesn't seem to be too much of a fresh market. I think Mesa will soldier on with the Triaxis because the R&D is long since paid for and they can produce it for no more than the parts and assembly cost now - but notice there hasn't been anything to replace it from Mesa either. The preamps they've made since are more conventional two or three mode channel switching units with physical controls and no MIDI. When was the last new even plain tube rack preamp from any major manufacturer - has there been one since the Recto Pre? (I really don't know.)

 

[madryan]

I've A/B'd my buddies AXE-FX with my '74 JMP (absolutely killer example of what a Marshall should be) as well as my various boogies (Mark V, DC-5, etc.) and the AXE-FX will nail, as in you can't tell the difference, any of them if you take the time to dial it in. Especially with the newest firmware upgrade. Absolutely stunning unit. It even cops the feel.

 

[stephen sawall]

I believe I well be picking up a Axe FX myself this year.

As for the future of what Marshall is doing .....a new era ... the JMD:1

http://www.marshallamps.com/#

 

[MesaENGR412]

I'm intrigued. What is the JMD:1?
That'd be sweet if they came out with an updated version of the JMP-1 with JVM pre-amps in it.


-AJH

 

[stephen sawall]

I'm intrigued. What is the JMD:1?
That'd be sweet if they came out with an updated version of the JMP-1 with JVM pre-amps in it.


-AJH

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-JMP1-Tube-MIDI-Guitar-Preamp?sku=180410

 

[MesaENGR412]

I'm intrigued. What is the JMD:1?
That'd be sweet if they came out with an updated version of the JMP-1 with JVM pre-amps in it.


-AJH

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-JMP1-Tube-MIDI-Guitar-Preamp?sku=180410

I know what a JMP-1 is....we used it to record my solos on the cd we have coming out in 17 days :lol:

-AJH

 

[stephen sawall]

My mistake .... I was not awake.

The other one I know as much as you. I heard it has a EL34 output section and one 12AX7. .... a digital simulation amp ... I think ?

 

[MesaENGR412]

My mistake .... I was not awake.

The other one I know as much as you. I heard it has a EL34 output section and one 12AX7. .... a digital simulation amp ... I think ?

no worries bud. I saw it on their website, but there's not link. Kinda aggravating. Anyone see the Dave Mustaine Siggy Marshall cabs? They actually look pretty cool. I wouldn't trade my Mesas for them though, unless they were endorsing me haha.\


-AJH

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Call me crazy, but the gain on the JCM 2000s are more useable than the gain on the JVM IMO...

 

[stephen sawall]

Call me crazy, but the gain on the JCM 2000s are more useable than the gain on the JVM IMO...

I like the JCM 2000 better than the JVM myself.

 

[Anonymous]

I used to run a dual JMP-1 rig and found it sounded just as "tube-like" as my 2203 heads that I pushed with a Boss SD-1 OD and CS-2 Compressor (plus various other stomps).
I used them with Marshall 50/50 tube power amps. Great rig, just heavy.
Here's some photo joy:

 

[rabies]

Trey Spruance used JMP1 for Mr. Bungle and FNM (Fool for a Day...) recordings for the distorted sounds. I have a JMP1 and think it is better suited for metal (think Filth Pig Ministry stuff or Filter) than for blues, etc.