Mesa/Boogie JP-2C, Owner'S Manual, Page: 15 / 56

HELPFUL HINTS
NOTE: REDUNDANT INFORMATION: Throughout this Operating Guide you will encounter redundant information and sections that
are repeated for your continued awareness and as reminders. This is done so a person can read only the sections they are interested
in, and yet still get the important points they should know or NEED to know about the JP-2C. We apologize if this gets annoying for
the cover-to-cover reader (often our most loyal fans and MARK aficionados), but even they may appreciate it some time in the future
when referencing this Guide quickly for a specific topic.
• Beware of high settings on the BASS control in Channels 2 and 3, especially when the GAIN is set high. Too much BASS will pro-
duce a flubby, indistinct attack and “slow” the response time. A basic rule regarding the BASS control might be this; As the GAIN
goes up...the BASS should come down.
• The GAIN and TREBLE Controls are the most powerful tone shaping controls in each Channel and should be used with taste.
They determine much about the attack characteristic and the overall personality of the sound in all the Channels. Many of the great
sounds in all the Channels will find these two Controls in their middle ranges.
NOTE: Avoid setting the TREBLE high (above 2:00) when the GAIN is to be set high as this brings about the tendency for a slightly
microphonic tube to ring or squeal.
• When using high GAIN settings try the EQ for adding extra top end as it comes later on in the signal chain and will be less stressful
on the preamp tubes in many cases. Remember the JP-2C is a high performance amp in every sense. Just like a highly tuned car,
you don’t need to drive it “wide open” to have fun. You can get amazing performance in the middle ranges of all the controls. Yeah
sure, there are times when you are going to run flat out...but just like the car needs special tires to run flat out, it takes a special
(and rare) set of preamp tubes to do that without experiencing microphonic problems (ringing, squealing, etc.) .
• For the best clean performance with the sweetest, most balanced sound, we suggest setting the MID in Channel 1 below 11:00,
with many players preferring it much lower, say 9:00 or even all the way down. You can also think of it this way; 12:00 on the MID
here in Channel 1 is like “10” (or all the way up) on most other amplifiers. So if you usually set your MID control at around 11:00 on
most other amps, try setting it at 8:00 - 8:30 here on the JP-2C.
• The PRESENCE, whether the PULL is activated or not–as it affects the sound in much the same way in both Modes–is very pow-
erful at shaping the voicing of high gain sounds in Channels 2 and 3. Set low it fattens and compresses the sound, making for a
more voice-like focused note(s). Higher settings “open up” the sound and allow the full spectrum of harmonics to flow through. Use
this control to fine-tune the top end overall in your Crunch Rhythm and Lead sounds after you have dialed the rest of the preamp
controls to your liking.
• Your JP-2C will sound better and feel better to play if you have at least one speaker cabinet touching the floor you are standing
on while you play. The coupling effect and especially the transmission of bass frequencies will cause the amp to sound fatter and
the strings to feel more substantial and tangible when the amp (or cab) sits on the floor. Wood floors (like stages) are really great!
Let’s face it... the guitar can be one of those weird instruments that rarely feels the same way two days in a row, night to night, from
room to room... and we can use all the help we can get. This usually helps... with the only exception being a stage filled with too
many live mics...sometimes then you are forced to lift the amp to avoid the coupling effect.
• To store amplifier Channel/EQ/Reverb/SHRED and FX LOOP information under a Midi Program number, simply go to the desired
Midi Program number location using your Midi Controller or Computer/Sequencer, choose a Channel on the JP-2C, add the
desired EQ (or not), Set your Reverb mix, and toggle the STORE mini-toggle located on the right side of the JP-2C Rear Panel.
You’re done. The Channel and related amplifier information will now come up every time that Midi Program number is selected.
• Use the STANDBY switch every time you power-up (from cold or hot), during set breaks, cable hook-ups and anytime you are not
playing for a few minutes. Doing so will increase the toneful life of your tubes.
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