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ADA Preamps => Original MP-1 => Topic started by: martinmarkvoll on September 14, 2014, 04:03:53 PM

Title: Year of production?
Post by: martinmarkvoll on September 14, 2014, 04:03:53 PM
Hi,

Is there any way to tell when my MP-1 is produced?
It says 1.38 when I turn it on, has the line/instrument switch on top of it and serial number 805284.


Martin
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: RobbHell on September 14, 2014, 10:40:19 PM
Probably 88. Take the top off and in the right back corner where the transformer connects to the main board you'll  the date of productions and (Rev) and a letter for what board revision it is.
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: MarshallJMP on September 15, 2014, 12:55:37 PM
Yes 88 seems also correct to me.
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: martinmarkvoll on September 15, 2014, 02:34:56 PM
Thanks guys! You were right - 1988, rev D.
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: patsanger on October 07, 2014, 09:36:22 AM
Hi,

Is there any way to tell when my MP-1 is produced?
It says 1.38 when I turn it on, has the line/instrument switch on top of it and serial number 805284.


Martin

Hey Martin - I just got serial 805299.  Guess ours were probably made the same week :)
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on February 28, 2017, 09:32:13 PM
Just curious guys what year my Holy Grail was made?
 I have not as of yet seen another 2.00, just 1.38s and 2.01 seem to be the most common.
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: rnolan on March 01, 2017, 04:16:21 AM
Hey DjC, I suspect MJMP will be able to tell you ? yours is a later unit than both of mine, 240v model is 803570 and US model is 811390.  Both of mine are top switch v1 (hardware) models. What EPROMS are in them isn't relevant really (to the longitude oops sorry, longevity problem (mmm we need to build a (very accurate) wooden clock (for those who get the oblique reference..LoL)).

Question, when ADA released the MP1 without top switch ie V2 hardware ?? (and did this also include dropping the rear jack line input to be inst level ?) and what EPROM version was in them (I'm guessing 2.0  :dunno: ).  The 2.01 EPROM was the last EPROM (firmware) update ADA issued.

But DjC, if I put a 1.38 EPROM in the last MP1 ADA made, it would work fine, would you call that a 1.38 version ? and really what would that mean ?  Since the goal here (as I understand it) is to get the latest (youngest MP1s) possible. However, it seems to me (based on experience (personal and though the depot) that it more depends on how the unit has been treated (used, looked after etc). And realising (as I'm sure you're across) that these units are getting on and some electronics wear out (after 25+ years pumping it out  >:D ).  Seems to me, getting a decent unit that has no major dilemmas and upgrading everything you can (and that's quite a few things) should (as SC said) give you another 15 years ish of reliable performance (regardless of the EPROM version (not saying don't put in the 2.01 EPROM but it doesn't directly version your MP1 (although "can" be indicative))).
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 01, 2017, 04:45:14 AM
I guess this would be a late 89 early 90's mp-1.
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on March 01, 2017, 09:15:52 PM
Hey DjC, I suspect MJMP will be able to tell you ? yours is a later unit than both of mine, 240v model is 803570 and US model is 811390.  Both of mine are top switch v1 (hardware) models. What EPROMS are in them isn't relevant really (to the longitude oops sorry, longevity problem (mmm we need to build a (very accurate) wooden clock (for those who get the oblique reference..LoL)).

Question, when ADA released the MP1 without top switch ie V2 hardware ?? (and did this also include dropping the rear jack line input to be inst level ?) and what EPROM version was in them (I'm guessing 2.0  :dunno: ).  The 2.01 EPROM was the last EPROM (firmware) update ADA issued.

But DjC, if I put a 1.38 EPROM in the last MP1 ADA made, it would work fine, would you call that a 1.38 version ? and really what would that mean ?  Since the goal here (as I understand it) is to get the latest (youngest MP1s) possible. However, it seems to me (based on experience (personal and though the depot) that it more depends on how the unit has been treated (used, looked after etc). And realising (as I'm sure you're across) that these units are getting on and some electronics wear out (after 25+ years pumping it out  >:D ).  Seems to me, getting a decent unit that has no major dilemmas and upgrading everything you can (and that's quite a few things) should (as SC said) give you another 15 years ish of reliable performance (regardless of the EPROM version (not saying don't put in the 2.01 EPROM but it doesn't directly version your MP1 (although "can" be indicative))).

 All very good points -thank you!
Another very interesting thing about my unit is that I never seen a dark blue chassis  :???: Everything about this unit is unique and especially the tone.
 Hopefully MJMP will be able to bring life back into that unit without having the tone change too much; however at this point I would settle for a unit that actually worked  :-\
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: rnolan on March 02, 2017, 03:49:25 AM
Hey DjC, on the whole, from listening to Mike's as he's done it up over time (and he can speak better to it than me), the only upgrade that really changed the tone (well dynamics really, tone was much the same) was the MDRT, the new tranny really opened up the dynamics of the unit (in a really good way IHMO).  Which is why I suggested just get the MDRT in just one for now to see if it works for you (I think it will and you'll like it allot, but...).  Both my MB-1s have MDRT, (not that I've heard one without MDRT), but I have to say (and I'm sure Peter B will agree) they sound "spectacular", and so quiet (just like a bought one).

I've never seen a dark blue chassis either  :dunno: , do tell, what's the deal there ?? (a special MP-1 for a special guy LoL, hey you deserve some good luck IMHO).

Have faith, MJMP will get them singing for you  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: Iperfungus on March 02, 2017, 08:31:43 AM
Have faith, MJMP will get them singing for you  :thumb-up:

I bet DJC will taste this in short times...  :thumb-up:  :headbanger:
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 02, 2017, 09:07:40 AM
Seems the first one is back in Vegas. :green-banana-smiley-emoticon:
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: Iperfungus on March 02, 2017, 09:10:38 AM
Seems the first one is back in Vegas. :green-banana-smiley-emoticon:

Daaaaaannyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :banana-dance:
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: VoxG2 on March 02, 2017, 05:24:26 PM
Why is 2.00 holy grail?
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: Systematic Chaos on March 02, 2017, 10:20:54 PM
Why is 2.00 holy grail?
That specific MP-1 (which happens to be a 2.00) is DJC`s holy grail
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on March 03, 2017, 12:07:20 AM
Why is 2.00 holy grail?

 This one for whatever reason responds like a Bogner head really and of the 8 units we have destroys the others tone, gain and volume wise and is very touch sensitive.  :dunno: Their is also a thickness to it that cuts through and roars like the Bogner Uberschall and it perfectly stock!
 
So for me it's the Holy Grail but some may feels it's too ballsy or responsive; I have a friend that has an original 1.38 that came by last month ( when it actually worked ) and flat out said he did not care for how thick and full the tone was because he enjoyed the more transparent processed sound and wanted it, like his does, to like a studio recording and NOT a head!

 So as always, tone is so very subjective to all of us players and I bet as well there would be several on here that may not care for my "Holy Grail" MP-1.



Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: Iperfungus on March 03, 2017, 12:20:39 AM

 This one for whatever reason responds like a Bogner head really and of the 8 units we have destroys the others tone, gain and volume wise and is very touch sensitive.  :dunno: Their is also a thickness to it that cuts through and roars like the Bogner Uberschall and it perfectly stock!

Are you 100% sure it's perfectly stock?
From how you describe it, it seems to have Mesa/Soldano mod...  :lol:
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: Systematic Chaos on March 03, 2017, 04:05:36 PM

 This one for whatever reason responds like a Bogner head really and of the 8 units we have destroys the others tone, gain and volume wise and is very touch sensitive.  :dunno: Their is also a thickness to it that cuts through and roars like the Bogner Uberschall and it perfectly stock!

Are you 100% sure it's perfectly stock?
From how you describe it, it seems to have Mesa/Soldano mod...  :lol:

Close-up pics of the tube-board will tell
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: rnolan on March 05, 2017, 01:51:56 AM
Hey DjC, sounds like your friend would be happier with a MP2.

So pic of MP-1, is this the one you just got back from MJMP ?  Of the units I've received over time, the most common issue has always been a bent rack ear (more times than not now I think about it).  Fortuitously, the bend has been the only problem (so straighten it with a small shifter spanner) and the units have worked fine.
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: Syntho on July 23, 2017, 04:31:46 PM
My serial is 801707. MarshallJMP said it was an earlier unit from 1987 judging by the chips in it, and the 1707th one made. I don't have another to compare it to, but man it just sounds great. I'll never mod it because it's in very good condition. Only thing I'll do is install a battery mod, and I'm about to pop in the new firmware too.

Do you guys know how many MP-1's were actually made? I didn't think that even 1707 were made. I was thinking like 1500 at most, but judging by the serial numbers out there, thousands were made.
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: MarshallJMP on July 24, 2017, 08:41:00 AM
Around 25000 units were made.
Title: Re: Year of production?
Post by: dmax on December 03, 2018, 10:59:04 PM
FYI. Hope this helps to date your preamp.

I picked up my ADA MP-1 new in July 1989.  It is 807026.
I also bought an ADA MC-1 footswitch (SN 015554) at the same time.  However, it was stolen in the early ‘90’s.