Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: PPPMAT on March 24, 2009, 07:35:11 PM

Title: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: PPPMAT on March 24, 2009, 07:35:11 PM: Hi Guys

Well the day has come - I've got my amp (with pics to prove it!)

I was searching for a thick and smooth sounding amp but with an aggressive edge and plenty of gain. But I also wanted it to cleanup nicely. "you dont want much" I hear you say.....well true but today pretty much most things are possible - particularly where Martin is concerned.

So after exchanging a few emails with Martin we decided on a JMP50 with power scaling and minus the pesky bright cap to smooth out the sound at lower volumes. Oh and it had to be RED!

Does it deliver? Oh yes! It is essentially a plexi sound but it is proper beefy. The power scaling really does work well and will go down to bedroom practise levels although it does need a little bit of volume to open up.

The cab is a 2x12 loaded with greenbacks which are perfect for the amp really. I was surprised at the levels of bass and depth of tone you get from the cab.

With the power scaling you get excellent versatility. In order for the power scaling to work properly the amp has effectively a master volume with it to help meter out the signal between pre and power amps. Sounds technical but its easy to use in practise. it also means that you can have:

1. standard plexi
2. a master volume plexi
3. a power scaled plexi

Bringing in power amp distortion gives that great touch sensitivity and it cleans up brilliantly. Cleans are jangly and have depth - they are not jtm45 good but are good enough. The crunch sounds fantastic and once you push the volume past 7 or 8 then it has quite a lot of gain. Certainly more than I was expecting - flat out its Van Halen I territory. Typical great plexi tone but smoother and warmer as the 50 watters are.

It really is very very good - the build quality is top drawer and the quality of service from Martin is as good as you'll get. A lot of people on this forum have bought amps from him and for the most part they will have done this without trying the amp they are going to buy which i suppose can be a leap of faith. You don't need to worry trust me.

Cheers

Matt
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: PPPMAT on March 24, 2009, 07:37:37 PM: More pics
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: 38thBeatle on March 24, 2009, 07:38:02 PM: Congratulations that looks terrific.
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: Twinfan on March 24, 2009, 07:39:32 PM: I was talking to Martin about your amp today, and I heard it in the flesh last week ;) It looks and sounds great!!

By the way, won't two Greenbacks blow if you use it at full power? Or are you only using it at home?
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: dave_mc on March 24, 2009, 07:47:15 PM: oh wow, that looks great :D
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: PPPMAT on March 24, 2009, 07:47:38 PM: Quote from: Twinfan on March 24, 2009, 07:39:32 PM
I was talking to Martin about your amp today, and I heard it in the flesh last week ;) It looks and sounds great!!

By the way, won't two Greenbacks blow if you use it at full power? Or are you only using it at home?

No it will get well gigged - technically yes at full whack it won't do the speakers any good but as plexis are so incredibly loud its unlikely that I will be playing much past half volume or maybe not near that at the pubs we play so no problem for me.

It is very loud if you want it 8)
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: Twinfan on March 24, 2009, 07:49:00 PM: I know, I heard it ;) :lol:

Enjoy it mate :)
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: PPPMAT on March 24, 2009, 07:49:34 PM: arty shot
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: hamfist on March 24, 2009, 08:04:19 PM: Lovely new amp.

Be reasonably careful with your MV and those greenbacks will be fine. Definately no more than 5 or 6 on the Master I reckon.

I'm having another love affair with greenbacks again myself. They sound just awesome with my current rig (which is actually JTM50-based, strangely).
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: WezV on March 24, 2009, 08:21:45 PM: nice colour!
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: ailean on March 24, 2009, 09:33:25 PM: I pity the neighbours PDT_025
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: Jonny on March 24, 2009, 09:51:59 PM: Quote from: ailean on March 24, 2009, 09:33:25 PM
I pity the neighbours PDT_025
I envy the neighbours! I want to hear this beast!
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: hunter on March 24, 2009, 10:23:42 PM: Very nice. I just put the greenback back in my 2x12 (together with a G12H), they are great when pushed a bit!
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: martinw on March 25, 2009, 07:57:02 AM: Thanks Matt. :D
Keep enjoying the amp.
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: PPPMAT on March 25, 2009, 09:14:48 AM: Thanks guys - its a great amp and a classic tone. The neighbours need not worry it can be quiet too :P
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: Johnny Mac on March 25, 2009, 09:38:15 AM: Phroarrw! It looks lovely!! :D
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: Pete24v on March 25, 2009, 11:03:07 AM: i love the red!! giving me ideas... no i must resist!!
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: PPPMAT on March 25, 2009, 01:04:43 PM: Nothing wrong with red - would go great with your blue 8)
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: Pete24v on March 25, 2009, 04:42:03 PM: yeah.. and Martin is building me an amp in the next few weeks..... :?
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: PPPMAT on March 25, 2009, 05:35:05 PM: Decisions decisions - what are you going for amp wise?
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: Pete24v on March 26, 2009, 12:55:33 AM: the amp will be a Roadstar 36 but with a Fender Deluxe/Badcat tone.
Title: Re: NAD MJW Martamp M50PS
Post by: PPPMAT on March 26, 2009, 08:44:23 AM: SOunds great - I quite fancy something fendery or maybe voxy for the next one!