GUITAR BOARD

(It must be an hour since my last post!)

So as you may have read from my previous posts, Im lucky enough to be
using a Marshall JMP combo. Last night I didnt have time to experiment
with settings too much, and merely adjusted volume on my guitar to five
me more oomph But I remember that there is a balancing act to be had
between the master vol. and the preamp vol. Any suggestions on how to
set this for a good blues rhythm/lead/slide sound (I use a korean strat
clone with Mighty Mite pickups.)
cheers
Gary

http://thumbrella.blogspot.com

Gary Grainger wrote in message
news:445cf848$1 2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...


I remember that there is a balancing act to be had

> between the master vol. and the preamp vol. Any suggestions on how to set
> this for a good blues rhythm/lead/slide sound (I use a korean strat clone
> with Mighty Mite pickups.)
> cheers
> Gary

The JMP Master volume range first appeared in 1976 and was designed to
address the demand for the famed overdriven valve crunch at sensible
volumes.

The predecessors to these amps were driven into distortion by overloading
the output stage, merely by turning up the volume control. This also had the
effect of making the amplifier painfully loud.

With a MV design, the preamp section of the amplifier can be driven into
harmonic distortion, whilst the overall volume is governed by the master
control.

This works well, up to a point, but the sound produced is not as
harmonically rich as that produced by driving the output valves hard. Mind
you, I choose a less than perfect sound in preference to permanent hearing
loss every time . Power amp distortion, imo, is overrated anyway.

So, to arrive at a sound that is aesthetically pleasing, combined with the
natural compression of the signal that happens when the output stage is
cooking, its largely a case of dialing in the crunch and turning up the
volume to taste and watch for blood issuing from the ears (just kidding)

With a JMP50, Id personally go for a setting of around 7 on the preamp and
no more than 3 on the master. That way, you can back off on your Strat to
clean up the tone, crank the guitar to 10 for your solos. But thats just
me.

Do it that way and your singer and the venue owner will love you, not to
mention the sound engineer sat out front.

These days, I use a THD Hotplate and turn up the wick on both preamp and
master and attenuate the signal twixt amp and speakers.

Dont know were born, nowadays ;)

Trev Ridney
Tipton Amplification

Gary Grainger wrote in message
news:445cf848$1 2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...

Yep. Turn everything up to 11, strike a pose, pull that guitarist face and
hit an open E chord.

:-)
Steve W

Steve White wrote:
Might be great for a split second! But I bet Id get sacked in the next
set break! (Hired hand, you see)
cheers
Gary
http://thumbrella.blogspot.com

Trev Ridney wrote:
Another excellent educative an informative response! If I *do* end up
owning this amp, I know where Ill be bringing it to be looked after!
cheers
Gary
http://thumbrella.blogspot.com

[snip]

That setting worked well with the JMP 50 2x12 I had, with my (USA) strat.
For humbuckers, a little less pre amp gain, say 5-6. The JMP50 2x12 I had
was a 1977 cracker. Only sold it due to the weight, getting older you see.
Replaced with the JMP100 watt head 2203 (later renamed JCM800 before they
introduced the split channel 800s)

Andrew(lefty)

Gary Grainger wrote in message
news:445cf848$1 2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...

Interesting responses you have here.

Trev said:
no more than 3 on the master. That way, you can back off on your Strat to
clean up the tone, crank the guitar to 10 for your solos. But thats just
me. <<

Now, I dont know the JMP50, so Im probably talking out of my proverbial.
But I go for lots of master, and as little as possible of pre-amp. I like a
clean tone that breaks up in the speaker and/or output stage, rather than in
the amp. And, like Trev said, that way I can control everything with the
guitar (or my fingers). I like an articulate tone that isnt lost in gain,
where the dynamics are up to me, not the gear

But thats just me ;).

Steve
http://www.fivetrees.com

Just want to say thanks for all the advice - I cant wait until tonight!
Im gonna take some pictures of the old girl in question, and continue
to work on her owner to try and translate this short term loan into
something more permanent!
cheers
Gary
http://thumbrella.blogspot.com