European version

[Soloist]

Is there any difference in the European version of the MP-1?
Cosmetically yes, soft buttons are smaller, lcd screen is smaller and of course that ridiculous plug.
However it seems to sound a bit brighter than mine (and I have newer tubes in mine). Going to open it up tomorrow and see if maybe it has the long tubes in it. :dunno:

[Systematic Chaos]

It´s just made to run on real man´s power  :lol: :lol:

[rnolan]

It´s just made to run on real man´s power  :lol: :lol:

+1  :thumb-up: LOL
There were different versions of the MP1 over time (MJMP and others will know the history better than me). I bought the first model. Based on having 2 MP2s which I've set up the same (tubes etc), they sound a bit different from one another. And later tonight I'll fire up my 3rd MP2 which I picked up from the post office this morning  :whoohoo!: . It has the same tubes also (Mullard LPs) so that will be interesting.

[Soloist]

Ok the difference is my latest mp1 is the original 1.38 firmware. It actually sounds better than the newer version. Cleans are cleaner and the high gain has more bite to it.

[MarshallJMP]

There are a few revisions of the mp-1,the original was the A rev (very rare) and then it goes up to the G rev.But the only difference between the US,EU/AU,and Japanese version was the different transformer.

[rnolan]

Ok the difference is my latest mp1 is the original 1.38 firmware. It actually sounds better than the newer version. Cleans are cleaner and the high gain has more bite to it.

To rule out the differences between units (and they do sound subtly different (also different trim pot tweaks etc)) is swap the EPROM in the same unit and compare, I wouldn't have thought the later Firmware changed to sound much, so will be good to know if it has an affect on the tones and what that affect is.

[Systematic Chaos]

AFAIK the firmware has no impact on the sound/tone. It´s the different components/brands of components used on the various revisions of the board....There is however a difference in tone between the "old" top switch units and the later ones. Common consensus was/is that the older top-switch units sound a tad bit better (with "better" being once again subjective).

[rnolan]

Also how old the tubes are (and what they are) makes a big difference. Picked up my latest MP2 yesterday, tubes wern't even burnt in, sounded so bright and full of life, made me realise it's probably time to change the tubes in my live MP2 LOL they've been in there a while now.. Also given they don't pump (vacuum) tubes as much anymore, so they don't last as long.

[Soloist]

I'm did some tube and EPROM swapping back and forth and from what I can tell:

A:  the one unit is brighter than the other. Might be the different components like SC was saying, or maybe somethings starting to go on my original unit  :dunno:.

B: EPROMS do sound different:
V1.38 seems to have more presence and wider dynamic range (if that makes sense to you)
v2.01 seems more compressed on the high end.

I also read an article by Michael Wagener (Record Producer for Skid Row/Dokken ect.), he states the 1.38 version sounds better than the 2.01.(subjective I know) but I have used both EPROMS with the same unit, same tubes and they do sound different.
I know the firmware update doesn't include any tone changes however it does seem to add more compression to it.
Does anyone have any release notes from the 2.01 firmware update? I would really like to know all of what the update included.

[rnolan]

Interesting results, now where did I put that 1.38 EPROM...LOL

[Systematic Chaos]

That´s interesting indeed...my MP-1s are rev B and C with the top switch and I preferred them after Noise-modding, new tube boards (with Belton Micalex sockets) and replacement of various caps with with Orange Drop 716Ps along with the 2.01 Eprom.
But I also prefer a slightly compressed/sweeter/smoother/creamier top end over an all too bright clear one (-> Boogie Mk sound direction  8) )

[MarshallJMP]

About Wagner,he meant a V1.38 unit and not the eprom,the eprom doesn't change the sound.Mp-1's are abit like marshall amps,they all sound a bit different from each other.And some just have that WAUW factor.

[rnolan]

Hey MJMP, (the eprom doesn't change the sound) That was my understanding also but Soloist says he changed and compared in the same unit and they sounded different (but I have used both EPROMS with the same unit, same tubes and they do sound different)  :dunno:

[Soloist]

I cant explain it either... it shouldn't be.
They sound really good blended together though!

[MarshallJMP]

Hey MJMP, (the eprom doesn't change the sound) That was my understanding also but Soloist says he changed and compared in the same unit and they sounded different (but I have used both EPROMS with the same unit, same tubes and they do sound different)  :dunno:

Mmm have to try that.