(NEW!) MGL100 "Jimmy Burkard" Modern/Vintage Series 2-Channel Amp (10th Anniversary Celebration Sale Price)

The New MGL100 “Jimmy Burkard” Modern/Vintage Series 2-channel amp has the same layout and appointments as the Limited Run MGL100 but with a re-voiced circuit. This amp is not replacing the original, just an alternative choice. Jimmy is now using both versions depending on the gig or recorded tones he’s looking for. This series features new versions of our “Hi-Gain” & “Vintage Dirty” voicings with a more modern tone & feel. The new “Hi-Gain” voicing is very reactive and touch sensitive with more gain, aggressiveness, and plenty of tight thump in the bottom end. Great feel under the fingers with just enough compression for a greasy and fluid feel. Will cover lots of tones from ‘80’s modded Marshall metal up thru current low and drop tunings. The “Vintage Dirty” voicing has less gain and is great for ‘70’s to early ‘80’s classic rock & metal. For more gain and compression on either voicing, you can also engage the diode clipping Saturation circuit.

The Modern/Vintage circuit uses a mix of NOS mustard & SoZo tone caps. The 2 different caps work really well together. The real mustard caps retain the authentic Marshall tone and the SoZo’s add the modern vibe. We’ve had Swanson Cabinets make special JMP style head cabs for this series covered in British Garnet Red tolex with blacked out appointments and we’re using matching red anodized preamp tube shields. Plexi style head cab & many other tolex colors also available at no up-charge.

Our amps incorporate an exclusive silent channel switching circuit designed by Evan Cantor, MGL engineer & builder. So, no noisy pops when switching channels, but even more important, this switching circuit has zero effect on tone. Many new amps incorporate switching circuits with solid state components that DO affect the tone.

The Standard Build For This Amp Is 2 Dirty Channels, Clean Channel is an Option:

Channel 1: Dirty channel that offers 2 different voicings & gain levels on a mini switch next to the channel 1 Gain control. With the switch in the down VIN(vintage) position, you get our “Vintage Dirty” voicing that covers ‘70’s to early ‘80’s classic rock and metal type tones. This voicing cleans up great by just rolling your guitar volume back. With the switch in the up MOD(modern) position, you get the “Hi-Gain” voicing.

Channel 2: 2nd Dirty channel with the “Hi-Gain” voicing only.

If you opt for a clean channel, the layout will be reversed. Channel 1 will be clean & Channel 2 Dirty w/ both the Hi-Gain & Vintage Dirty voicings.

See additional switch options in the Build Specs Below

Since each amp is built to order, you can choose to configure your amp's channel selection at the time of your build deposit. The effects loop can also be assigned to only one of the channels if preferred.

A Saturation (diode clipping) circuit is also included that works on both channels and is engaged with a mini switch on the back panel.

BUILD SPECS:

• All amps are hand wired turret board construction

• Custom .090" aluminum chassis w/ welded corners, gloss black powder coating and screened with metallic silver ink for the text

• A mix of NOS Mustard and SoZo tone caps

• Heyboer MGL spec paper layer wound Plexi power & output transformers

• Heyboer MGL spec filter choke

• Black Phenolic power tube sockets

• Belton preamp tube sockets w/  red anodized tube shields

• 18 AWG mil spec Teflon insulated wire 

• 1 watt carbon film resistors

• Real UK Cliff jacks

• Brass shaft CTS pots

• NOS military grade dimmable indicator lamp

• ARS filter caps

• “Zero Loss” effects loop w/ true bypass switch

• Matched quad of EH EL34 power tubes, quad of RFT Siemens EL34's available for a $300.00 up-charge

• 3 NOS square foil getter Chinese 12AX7 preamp tubes

• Additional Switch Options: 2nd “Vintage Dirty” switch $75.00, 3-way bright switch on 1 channel $50.00 

• Swanson Cabinets Baltic Birch plywood head cab available in late ‘70’s JMP or Plexi style, many tolex color choices at no extra charge. 

Mini Switches, Front Panel

There are 5 mini switches along the lower part of the front panel. The first 3 & 5th from left to right are all labeled MOD/ VIN (modern/vintage), and here's what they do: The 1st switch chooses between 2 different types of caps for the Treble circuit voicing. In the VIN position it's an NOS Lemco red "Dogbone" cap used in many of the late Plexi and '70's metal panel amps, the treble with this cap is smooth, open and transparent. In MOD position it's a ceramic disc cap that produces treble that is more aggressive w/ more sizzle & "hair" as in the JMP - JCM800 amps. The 2nd switch from the left chooses between 2 different caps for the first position in the circuit. In the VIN position it’s an NOS mustard cap for a more authentic Marshall voice and in the MOD position it’s a SoZo cap that’s more modern. 3rd switch from the left chooses between 2 different preamp tube bias settings for the first gain stage. In the VIN position it's a hotter Plexi value with a little more gain and smooth feel and in the MOD position it's a cooler 1970 & later value that's a little tighter and focused w/ a slight bump in the mids. The 4th switch from the left labeled 1 & 2 will switch between channels when no foot switch is being used. The last switch between the Gain controls selects the voicing for channel 1, in the down VIN position you get the “Vintage Dirty” voicing and in the up MOD position you get the “Hi-Gain” voicing.

Mini Switches, Back Panel

There are 3 mini switches on the back panel. The first switch from left to right is the ON/OFF true bypass switch for the FX loop. The 2nd switch labeled "SAT" engages the Saturation circuit when in the up "ON" position, in the down "OFF" position the Saturation is completely out of the circuit. The 3rd switch labeled "Voicing" has to do with the amount of negative feedback in the circuit. In the down "Vintage" setting you get more negative feedback for a more Plexi tone and feel that's warmer and has a smoother feel.  In the up "Modern" setting you get less negative feedback for a more metal panel-JCM feel that's tighter, brighter and more aggressive. 

Customer Amp Build Info

We only build to order and make around 30-50 amps a year. So each amp is built one at a time for each customer. When the amp build starts we order your head cab and or speaker cab with Swanson Cabinets who also builds to order. This allows you choices in the style and looks of the cab so you get what you want. Each amp is like a one-off Custom Shop build. To order an amp and reserve a build spot, we get a $500.00 non-refundable deposit. We try to stick to very accurate estimated build times and never take more deposits for more amps than we can build in a reasonable time frame of 2-8 weeks.

No Sales Tax on Walk-In or Shipped Items

3% Discount for Check or Wire

Inquire About This Item or Call 603-868-9805

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