Marshall JMP-1 VS 9001 review

[neilrocks25]

I got a couple of pre amps this week so I thought I would share my thoughts.


JMP-1

When I first turned this thing on, I thought oh its not so nice.
Then I dialed in some settings, its sounds very nice. Forget about how you would set up an amp though, just close your eyes and use your ears. Conventional settings don't write sound right with this.
I find it a little lacking in low end, though I am using a 2x12. I really back off the treble and presence setting's too.
I am going to change the tubes as it has not been re-tubed. I have read that the tubes play a big part in the sound (I know its a hybrid). So I will update once this has been done.

I can get a great AC/DC tone and some nice high gain, not enough low end for some modern stuff (2x12 remember) the cleans are average.

It also sounds good at bedroom and live levels (my neighbour's are gonna kill me now).


9001


This arrived today, I will be honest I didn't know what to expect.

Turned it on, set everything to 12 o'clock and some nice cleans came out.
run a little drive, hello AC/DC .

Now the 2 the lead channel, it kinda of reminds me of a JCM 800 mixed a Laney which added low midrange. Think Black Sabbath and thats the kind of sound this things does best.
Roll back the bass and low midrange and your more into JCM 800 territory.
I got a nice pearl jam sound with my strat (ten/vs).
Its good for classic rock and punk, not so good for modern sounds as the bass is very flabby. (until you boost it with an SD1).
Loud this thing really wakes up its sounds sweet.


The 9005 power amp.

I have had this for around 6 weeks now and I fully recommend it. Its loud and warm sounding (I have JJ's in it).
These are going for a good price on Ebayz at the moment. VERY HEAVY though.

The winner, I am not sure I am enjoying them both for different reasons.
JMP-1 is tighter and has more flexabilaty. It has a lot of sounds.

The 9001 sounds a little more like your classic Marshall. Though a little to much low mid, but you can dial this out to taste.

I will just keep the both, between them they cover 90% of my Marshall love.


Here is some pics.

Note I originally posted this at HCAF, but seeing this is a real amp forum people might appreciated this review here much more.

 

[neilrocks25]

Any comments?

 

[neilrocks25]

Bumped because I need to be loved

 

[Shiny_Surface]

I've never seen a Marshall poweramp that looks like that. I'm used to seeing the gold paneled monoblocs or whatever they are called

Back in the late 90's early 00's I saw a video of Lynch doing a clinic (somewhere in Europe I think) and he was using a JMP1 through a Marshall 4x12 and sounded like it had plenty of gain....don't know if he was using outboard gear tho.

 

[duesentrieb]

Good review IMO.
The poweramps are good, no doubt about that, just way too big and heavy, but their basics, the transformers, are damn good.
The JMP-1 is nice for the typical Marshall stuff IMO including some hot rodded sounds, although I always kept the gain <16 on mine - and presence/treble pretty low. For what it does, its a cool unit, esp. with built in midi and just 1 RU.

I'm not experienced with the 9series tube pre, so thanks for the review.

 

[guitarslinger]

Good review IMO.
The poweramps are good, no doubt about that, just way too big and heavy, but their basics, the transformers, are damn good.
The JMP-1 is nice for the typical Marshall stuff IMO including some hot rodded sounds, although I always kept the gain <16 on mine - and presence/treble pretty low. For what it does, its a cool unit, esp. with built in midi and just 1 RU.

I'm not experienced with the 9series tube pre, so thanks for the review.

agree with all points.

the power amps are beastly.

I think I might sell my jmp1 though, I'm having an Egnater gas attack.

 

[neilrocks25]

I think I might sell my jmp1 though, I'm having an Egnater gas attack.

WOW that was Quick

 

[neilrocks25]

Good review IMO.
The poweramps are good, no doubt about that, just way too big and heavy, but their basics, the transformers, are damn good.
The JMP-1 is nice for the typical Marshall stuff IMO including some hot rodded sounds, although I always kept the gain <16 on mine - and presence/treble pretty low. For what it does, its a cool unit, esp. with built in midi and just 1 RU.

I'm not experienced with the 9series tube pre, so thanks for the review.

Its a very heavy rack. But I am happier than I have been for a long time with my tone.

No pain no gain I guess

 

[duesentrieb]

Well, a VHT 2-50-2 is as good, much smaller, with way more options (and useable at lower volumes with "modern" deep - LOL.

But you're young, so . . . enjoy your 100 kilos of Marshalls

 

[Lord Toneking]

I had that same power amp when I had my ADA MP1 years ago. I hated that amp to be honest, I used a Peavey Classic 120 that sounded way better

 

[neilrocks25]

Well, a VHT 2-50-2 is as good, much smaller, with way more options (and useable at lower volumes with "modern" deep - LOL.

But you're young, so . . . enjoy your 100 kilos of Marshalls

Not so young!

VHT is a bit beyond my budget, plus its still lighter than my 2x12 combo.
I am enjoying the sound though and thats what its all about.

 

[neilrocks25]

I had that same power amp when I had my ADA MP1 years ago. I hated that amp to be honest, I used a Peavey Classic 120 that sounded way better

Mine has been fitted with JJ's and to my ears sounds great. I think it really has to be matched with the right pre.

 

[ttosh]

Well, a VHT 2-50-2 is as good, much smaller, with way more options (and useable at lower volumes with "modern" deep - LOL.

But you're young, so . . . enjoy your 100 kilos of Marshalls

Not so young!

VHT is a bit beyond my budget, plus its still lighter than my 2x12 combo.
I am enjoying the sound though and thats what its all about.

+1000 in regards to enjoying the sound you get. As long as you like your tone that is the first step to a savings account.

 

[dstroud]

I would like to pick up a 9001. I remember them sounding like you described. I'm sure hitting it with a sd-1 or ts-9 would make it pretty tight on the low end.

 

[neilrocks25]

Well, a VHT 2-50-2 is as good, much smaller, with way more options (and useable at lower volumes with "modern" deep - LOL.

But you're young, so . . . enjoy your 100 kilos of Marshalls

Not so young!

VHT is a bit beyond my budget, plus its still lighter than my 2x12 combo.
I am enjoying the sound though and thats what its all about.

+1000 in regards to enjoying the sound you get. As long as you like your tone that is the first step to a savings account.

 

[neilrocks25]

I would like to pick up a 9001. I remember them sounding like you described. I'm sure hitting it with a sd-1 or ts-9 would make it pretty tight on the low end.

It helps but so does playing with the EQ defently a pre you have to set up to you taste.

 

[FUZZboat]

JMP-1

hit the input with a eq pedal (soft mid hump) and BBE the output.

ROCK SOLID 80's MARSHALL TONNIES !!!

FWIW, a EL84 base power amp works great for singing leads (I used my JCM900 power section stuffed with yellowjackets).


thanx for the review - always wondered about the 9001 but never took the plunge ! (also curious as hell to find out what plate voltages the 9001 is running)

 

[neilrocks25]

I put JJ's in the JMP-1.


Its made a nice difference.

More bottom, sweeter mids, a smooth treble.

Not a Huge difference but you can feel it, I am happy with the results, its enough to make a nice difference, a lot smoother more natural I guess.

The valves (tubes) were Cryogenically treated jj's.

 

[neilrocks25]

An update while playing around yesterday. I tried messing around with the master level switch.

Now I always thought it would sound better with more output, push the amp tubes right?

No in fact if I set it at -10db and then use the volume on the power amp at a louder setting, I get (IMO) a much warmer better sound, more bass and more response when I adjust the volume on the guitar.

I also found it to much smoother. (not too smooth it is a marshall) but now I am loving it even more.

I probably sound like a noob but I thought I would share my experience with you all.

 

[mrhiwatt]

I run my Marshall el34 50/50 power amps volumes at 90% and use the preamp to control volume or depending how I set up I have also used my GT-8 to control volume. I think it sounds better than cranking preamp output and using power amp volume knobs.

Mr Hiwatt