Marshall JMP-1 Tube Pre-Amp

Editing patches doesn't get any easier than this. Hit the front panel key for the parameter you want to adjust, then turn the data knob--it's that simple. Everything is explained quite well in the manual. The unit comes with 25 presets (which can be written over with user programs) and 75 user-programmable patches. The presets attempt to mimic classic Marshall amps (SuperLead, JTM-45, JCM 800 and 900, etc). Overall, I think the presets are great.

As a MIDI preamp designed to emulate the classic Marshall sounds this unit succeeds wonderfully. As you might expect, the clean sounds on the whole are weaker than the overdriven sounds--they are much grittier and don't have the punch and low-end of the Fender/Boogie clean sounds. However, you can coax a convincing Eric Johnson clean tone a la Trademark out of it when combining the neck pickup of a strat with preset #22. True SRV tones are difficult to get, but then again, great clean sounds have never been Marshall's forte. In order to get the best sounds out of the JMP1, however, you'll probably have to shell out the bucks for a high-quality all-tube poweramp and a Marshall speaker cabinet(s). Also, it is very, very noisy in both the overdrive modes, so if you plan to use it for recording you'll also need a good noise gate/expander. The speaker-emulated outputs are great: it would be hard to ask for a better DI sound out of just a preamp.

I've used the JMP1 for over three years now and never had any problems with. It has always worked perfectly on the road. Just make sure you change the tubes every once in a while because they are difficult to access (i.e. you don't want to have to change them at a gig!).

I've never had to use their customer support, so I don't know.

If you love the sound of Marshall amps (Hendrix, Van Halen, Page, etc) you'll love the JMP-1. The Boogie Triaxis and some other more expensive preamps are probably more versatile, but if you want that Marshall sound this is the only way to go!

Very easy. The manual is neat; it has personality unlike the manuals you get with most American

I use the speaker cabinet emulator outputs and sound is awsome for recording which is all I do.
I notice that even with shielded pickups you shouldn't get too close to it with your guitar with your volume all the way up. There is so much high gain circuitry in this beast that it will hum; but stand back away from the unit and it is VERY quiet.
From the first time I tried one I saw the image of GOD on the wall behind it. That was REAL cool.

Uhmmmm....I just bought it 2 days ago, and no problimo yet.

I would buy one again. The tone blows Mesa Boogie out of the water. By the way, anyone want to buy my Mesa Boogie Quad pre amp?
I wish I had one of these when I was 18, I would have been a rock star by now.......

Following my review of the DRP-1, I'll start by giving a layout of the front and back panels. Front we have Input and Stereo headphone jacks Output Level, LED Display, Data Switch, Patch and Store switches. Then Volume, Gain, 3band EQ, Presence and Effect Level. OD1 & 2, Clean1 & 2 Bass Boost, and midi assignment complete the front panel.
A Very comprehensive rear panel includes Midi In, Out and Thru, Effect send and stereo returns, footswitch (optional extra) and -4 +20db switches for effect and output (useful for home!!!) and master outputs.
Editing/creating patches is a breeze - use the rotary data switch to select the patch, hit the relevent button that you want to change e.g. Gain, then use the data switch to amend the value. Simple. To store just hit Store and either overwrite the original patch, or dial-up another patch and then press Store.
The manual is pretty basic, but covers most things that you'll need to know, unless you're like me and discover things just by playing with it for a few days before it goe into your rack. Most people should be able to have a quick look and forget about it!

Let's get one thing straight..if you've bought a Marshall you'll not be wanting to play 'Oh My Darling' at the local tea-dance! This amp is NOT designed to be everything to everyone, but ALL MARSHALLS to everyone. I'd say this is like having a Marshall museum in one room! Go in, pick your sound and use it. The OD1 channel is deceptive one. It doesn't have the bite of OD2, but play a humbucker shod guitar on the neck PU and it has a stunning lead tone, great for the Gary Moore/ Pete Green sort of thing. If you want more modern stuff, just switch onto OD2, scoop out the Mid to about -2 (yup!) leave the Bass and High on 3 or 4 and shred!!! There's 26 factory preset's one of which is bound to suit your basic sound (try preset 10!! - pure Rock!) and then modify it to taste! On the clean side (boo! hiss!) there's enough useful sounds but it's not where this amp's forte lies.
Even with a humbucker equipped guitar (Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro) this will still hum if you get a bit close to it at high gain settings, but as it's a rack why should it even be on the stage?

I've never had any trouble with Marshall gear, but that's not to say I'm 100% sure of everything I use! I take a DRP-1 preamp with me just in case to rehearsal AND gigs (straight into the desk in emergencies!) I'd like to think the JMP-1 will be no different. It's very rugged, nothing sticks out too far and it looks well built. I'll keep you posted.

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I've lusted after one of these for ages and I'm really pleased with it but it's what I wnated. The ADA didn't have quite the same sound, and the Boogie Triaxis was 3 times the price...not 2 times the amp. In my rig (9100 power amp and Rocktron Intellifex Ltd) it's the business. I'd like to get a spare but can't afford it. I wish that there was a rear input, so i don;t have to run a lead from my Nady into the front but that's a minor gripe. If you love Marshall, you've GOT to get one

Extremely user friendly; the manual is fair, but one can really use the unit without it.

Overall comment is that this unit does not have too much bottom end. Starting with the clean channel 1 (the cleanest), one can never achieve the bass depth that a Fender Twin or a Boogie Mark I can offer. Similarly, the lead channels (OD 1 and OD 2) are not too bassy either; I actually found it easier Boogie sounds (i.e., midrange heavy) than mid-scooped sounds in the overdrive modes.
The difference between clean channels 1 and 2 is mild. Channel 2 is quite a bit brighter than one, but they break up in much the same way. So, I do not see too much use in having two different sounds is they're going to be so close to one another.
As far as the overdrive sounds go, they are good. OD 2 is the more aggressive of the two and it gives quite a bit of additional distortion and more trebble attack. One complaint in this department, at high gain setting this preamp hisses very loudly; of course, once a note is hot the hiss disappears in the mix, but it is A LOT noisier than a Boogie Triaxis at comparable levels.
Overall, this is a "one-sound-preamp", changing the settings will change the coloration of the sound, but not the nature of it. Other preamps do experience a change in character with different settings, but the JMP-1 is not one of them. If you dig the Marshall sound, you will like the JMP-1, but if you're looking for an array of sounds, think it over before getting one.

Reliability was 100% for me, however, the Q.A. at Marshall may not be so great. My first unit had a deffective rotary knob (which changes the patch numbers, or function parameters), such that it would skip numbers when turning it. I went back to the dealer, got a new JMP-1, and the knob worked great. However, one the push-buttons used to select trebble, bass, etc., was kind of sticky and would "almost get stuck" when pushed in. Another trip to the dealer and another JMP-1; eventually, my personal disatisfaction with the sound (as expressed above) caused me to sell the thing all together.

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I would not buy it again because the sound didn't suit *my* taste for the money. Compared to other similarly priced units, the Marshall seems to be a good choice. But, and I repeat myself, the Triaxis would be worth the extra money in my opinion; however, I have come to believe that racks are a nuisance to carry around and that in the end, the best sounds I have ever gotten have come from amplifiers and not racks.

As I said before, all the sounds are there. There are two clean and two dirty channels, and the settings are infinite. It's perfect for me, because I was looking for an amp to get a few clean sounds, and also two or three distortions.

A MIDI programmable pre-amplifier IS versatile indeed. It has four different channels, and up to 99 different programs. It's very easy to program, and it has a very wide range of sounds, from the crytal cleaner to the thrashest dirtier. The only feature I would desire it's another effect loop, but this is only because the way my set is made; just one loop it should be OK for most players.

I have used this amp for over a year now, and it never had a problem. It seems to be very dependable.

The documentation is something poor, even when it came a very good description of all the presets, the points from where you start up.

Sure I'd buy it again. The easiness of the features are the best in this unit. I don't know if there is another product to compare it, maybe the ADA MIDI pres, but I never tried one of these.

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