The history of JVM
The performance powerhouse that is the JVM can do a little bit of everything. We look back at the origins of the JVM series and see why it has become the ultimate all rounder for professional musicians.
Posted: 12 May 2020
Clean
Crunch
OD1
OD2
Unlike almost every Marshall amp up to this point, for the JVM’s clean channel the gain is added after the tonestack. On the Green setting the volume control is removed from the circuit just like on vintage Marshall amps and provides bright, chimey, clean tones. The Orange setting adds the volume control back in to the circuit along with an additional gain stage post EQ, where as the Red setting also adds another gain stage after the tonestack providing more potential to overdrive the amp.
This channel reverts back to adding the gain before the tonestack, and on the Green setting is loosely modelled on a JTM45 or 1959 preamp but with a little more gain. Flick over to the Orange mode and an additional gain stage moves the sound on to be 2203-esque, where as the Red mode is more like a hot rodded 2203.
Like the Crunch channel on the Red setting, this channel follows the feel of a hot rodded 2203, particularly on the Green setting. Switch to the Orange setting and another gain stage is added. When you flick to the Red setting yet another gain stage is added to the circuit for a heavy Marshall roar.
This channel is typically reserved for heavier rock and metal playing, thanks to the frequency of the mids being shifted down. The Green setting provides a new take on high gain playing and is well suited to searing leads and modern metal. The Orange setting has similar features but with even more gain, whereas the Red setting features… you guessed it, even more gain.