| FEATURE PRODUCT |
The new JH series is the first signature amplifier series from Warwick.
It is designed using the most uncompromising electronic solutions available. A super low noise transformer balanced input stage, followed by an inductive (coil based) EQ section. In an age of mass produced amps, the JH series is meticulously hand built in our German factory using the finest audio components. Cost was not an issue, creating the finest bass amp in the world was the the only aim.
The range includes:
JH PR 40 Jonas Hellborg Bass Preamp
JH MP 25 Jonas Hellborg Mono 250 watt poweramp
JH ST 25 Jonas Hellborg Stereo 250 watt / 250 watt poweramp
Here Jonas describes the design and research conducted over 2 years with Warwick. You can also watch the YOUTUBE video below.
"In 1985 I bought my first NEVE console. Not having a maintenance tech handy I had to do a lot of the fixing myself which led to me learning how those old things work and hang together. Every bass player who had the privilege to record thru one of these fine old British monsters knows that it sounds
The JH10 Preampcleaner, bigger, warmer and greater than any bass amp you can find. For me, that was always an annoying fact out of the Studio. I could not find a bass amp comany who would seriously consider my ideas on how to put together the ultimate bass amp. Plus, I found with all bass amp manufacturers is that they claim to be uncompromising in quality but when it comes to production they are guided by cost and will never build a real professional amp. Aproximately two years ago I was in Frankfurt for the Messe [Similar to a NAMM show, but held in Germany]. Strolling around I happened to pass the Warwick both. Since I am very passionate about acoustic bass guitars I was intrigued by the Alien hanging on the Wall. Took it down and started playing. I kid you not it was the most comfortable instrument I had ever played on so I just sat there playing. After about an hour Hans Peter Wilfer showed up and we started talking. We knew each other from various brief meetings at trade shows over 20 years.
Anyway we start discussing a cooperation and finally, somebody was willing to listen seriously to my ideas.So, bit by bit, we investigated the possibilities of making this amp a reality. And after a good year of work and research we have the first presentable version.
What is great about this machine then? To start with, I (as well as many others involved with recording music) have found that transformers have an effect on musical sound kind of similar to magnetic tape. It is a kind of compression with added loudness and presence. So I started with putting an input transformer on the input.
This gives another little advantage since it can provide a balanced low impedance input for your happy Alembic and Wal users for instance. Another thing that has always bothered me is noisy input stages on bass amps. Turn up the gain you get the Niagara Falls sound as a bonus sound effect. These days there are so many cheap great sounding mic pre's in anything from Mackie mixers to Motu sound interfaces thanks to an enormous development in ic based op and mic amps. So we decided to base the input on THAT latest mic amp chip.
From working with my Neve desks (I have been lucky to have owned 2) and other desks and EQ's I've come across in studios throughout my career I came to the conclusion (as have probably many other)
that inductive i.e. coil based EQ's always sounds more pleasing than any other type. Now coils are not easy to come buy these days - they have to be hand wired. So I am really happy that the Warwick R&D team could achieve this.
So the Pre amp is simplicity and sophistication. A clean, warm, super-quiet preamp with the greatest EQ you can imagine and with the extra little necessities you might need like effects loop, DI out and clip indicator and so on.
The Power Amps are basically modern transparent designs with one big difference. The thinking goes like this: A lot of us like tube bass amps a lot. They do sound a bit dirty and are a bit slow in the attack but they sound very full and present. I started to suspect (since I am huge transformer fan) that some of that goodness could come from the fact that you impedance match the amp output to the speaker with a giant transformer. A few test and we achieved a huge improvement to the sound. Sweet and Loud.
So the way I see it here you have an Amp that sounds modern, clear and bright, is extremely dynamic (lots of headroom) and has that room filling warmth that all big old tube amp fans are so attached to. And an EQ that whatever you do with it, it sounds better, just different from what you had before."
THE JH30 POWERAMPTo see & hear JONAS take you on a tour of the new JH series watch this YOUTUBE clip. Please note this is not a professional production but a fan video:
[Back]