MP-1 Gain section

[DannyjoeCarter]

OK Folks another techie question;
How many stages of gain are in the MP-1 and how much voltage is hitting the two tubes?

I'm figuring the MP-1 is not like the Marshall JMP1 where I believe it's solid state/diodes and gets warmed up a little bit somewhere along the line with a 12AX7? I think the Rocktron Voodoo Valve did the same thing - SS then gets a little tone from a 12AX7 -

[Harley Hexxe]

Hi DJC,

   No, the MP-1 is definitely not like the JMP1.  I think there are two gain stages, but MJMP would be the one to answer that question definitively.

[DannyjoeCarter]

OK thank you Harley, I will wait for MJMP to jump in on this one  :)

[MarshallJMP]

Since each 12ax7 has 2 sections there are 4 gain stages in the MP-1.Same goes for the MP-1 classic and MP-2 (and even the MB-1).

And yes you are right about the JMP-1, solid state with a tube for warmup. One tube for the clean section and one for the distortion section.So no real tube overdrive sounds like in the MP-1.

[Harley Hexxe]

Since each 12ax7 has 2 sections there are 4 gain stages in the MP-1.Same goes for the MP-1 classic and MP-2 (and even the MB-1).

And yes you are right about the JMP-1, solid state with a tube for warmup. One tube for the clean section and one for the distortion section.So no real tube overdrive sounds like in the MP-1.

   Well that solves the mystery for me too! Thank MJMP

[DannyjoeCarter]

OK good to know MarshallJMP!
You can actually feel it when you play the MP-1 because there is a give and a breathe to it. I have been playing my best friend's 1.38 for the last two weeks until mine arrive and I remembered the way the MP-1 responded to your picking attack the same way a regular tube amps feels.
The Rocktron Chameleon and the Marshall JMP1 has a very stiff solid state feel which, can sound good at times but when you crank it really loud is when you really hear and feel that something is missing - like the tubes! LOL!

Still a little curious how much voltage flows through those two tubes -

[MarshallJMP]

The standard high voltage is 190V, with an MDRT you can bump it up to 240V.

[DannyjoeCarter]

The standard high voltage is 190V, with an MDRT you can bump it up to 240V.

Wow that's pretty hot - I like that!! I'm going to for through the forum and find a little more about the MDRT and who on here can do it and how much!
Great info Marshall JMP  :thumb-up:
                       

[rnolan]

Hey DjC, MJMP gets the MDRTs made, prices are on his site (http://www.marshalljmpmodshop.net/miscellaneous_parts_and_replacement_tubes.htm).  It's not a hard mod with minimal soldering, but easy job for any tech.  And as I posted before, really opens up the MP1.

[Harley Hexxe]

Hey DjC, MJMP gets the MDRTs made, prices are on his site (http://www.marshalljmpmodshop.net/miscellaneous_parts_and_replacement_tubes.htm).  It's not a hard mod with minimal soldering, but easy job for any tech.  And as I posted before, really opens up the MP1.

  That's the popular concensus, but to my ears, it seems to alter the core tone of the MP-1. For better or for worse is subjective to your personal taste, and what you are looking for out of your amp. That's why I haven't jumped on that bandwagon. I'm not sure I would like the change.

[rnolan]

Hey Harley, again very salient, and I hear what you mean.  I think you would like the change but ideally you kind of need one of each.  I was gobsmacked after MikeB made the change to his MP-1, the MDRT really opens up the MP-1, but the MP-1 stock has a creamy (almost boxy) sound (kind of warm ??).  With MDRT it's allot more articulate.

[Harley Hexxe]

Hey Harley, again very salient, and I hear what you mean.  I think you would like the change but ideally you kind of need one of each.  I was gobsmacked after MikeB made the change to his MP-1, the MDRT really opens up the MP-1, but the MP-1 stock has a creamy (almost boxy) sound (kind of warm ??).  With MDRT it's allot more articulate.

   So it's not just me who noticed it. That's the thing I like about the original MP-1 it has a warm low end to it. So you lose some of that warmth with the MDRT?

[rnolan]

Hey Harley, no you are correct, the sound changes, is it for the better or worse (subjective). Hey @MikeB you could chime in here.
I think one of my first comments to Mike when I heard it was wow that's going toward the MP2 and what it can do  >:D .

So yeah you loose some of the warmth (but better to say boxyness) of stock.

[Harley Hexxe]

Okay, I don't want to lose that bottom end. Between the MP-1 and the 3TM, I can cover just about anything the MP-2 can give me but with the MP-1 character. There is a difference there.

Of course, that doesn't mean I'll be letting go of my MP-2's  :lol: I have too much invested in the learning curve of those now.

[rnolan]

I cant speak for the 3TM, maybe in the future  >:D ?? But the advantages of the MDRT in stock MP-1 are definitely worth it, it's like lifting off a vale seriously  :thumb-up: .  That said however, there is something in the stock MP-1 sound that you loose (for me it's kind of a boxy/compressed/mud (but nice warm mud)  :dunno: ) so one of each makes sense.