SSS "Unforgiving" vs JM100 "sweetness"

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rccolgan
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SSS "Unforgiving" vs JM100 "sweetness"

Post by rccolgan »

I'm in the process of learning as much as I can about the SSS and the John Mayer two rock sig. I'm trying to understand what in the circuit makes the SSS (#002/#004) "unforgiving" while playing through it vs the JM which delivers similar tones but "less earth shatteringly loud." I've been looking at Hartman's SSS schematic, AmplifiedNation's JM layout, and the SSS #002 schematic to try and figure it out.. Is it the PT voltage? Power Amp circuit? Specifics are appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Ryan
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norburybrook
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Re: SSS "Unforgiving" vs JM100 "sweetness"

Post by norburybrook »

main difference is the Cathode follower.

I've a feeling the reverb circuit might be different too, that kills a hell of a lot of gain in the JM/Wonderland amp.

I have a 100w JM/wonderland and it's a lovely amp but not that loud compared to most 100w amps.



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rccolgan
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Re: SSS "Unforgiving" vs JM100 "sweetness"

Post by rccolgan »

oh! Interesting! I never would have thought the reverb section would have an impact on the compression/expansion of the amp voicing considering you could turn reverb all the way down. I'll indeed look there! An acquaintance of mine knows one of the owners of SSS #004 (non-cathode follower) and he said the amp is very difficult to play through since every pluck of the string is blasted out the speaker (not exactly what I'm looking for). Nik also mentioned there is changes in the reverb section of his Joyful Music and the JM/Wonderland amp so that seems to line up. I'll report back what I find! :)
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Re: SSS "Unforgiving" vs JM100 "sweetness"

Post by amplifiednation »

Marcus is correct. Cathode follower is the main difference. Makes the SSS more cold and sterile than the JM, also with faster attack.

The JM attenuates a lot of dry signal, with a lot of dumping to ground before it mixes back with the reverb. It's a pretty mellow amp...but that has little to do with the response and amount of punch it has.
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rccolgan
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Re: SSS "Unforgiving" vs JM100 "sweetness"

Post by rccolgan »

Thank you so much for the insight! "Attack" was the exact word I was looking for. I am modeling the JM preamp in easeda (spice simulator) to get an idea what the eq curve looks like. I have not done the SSS yet but from the sounds of it, I expect to see db's raised across the spectrum. I'll post the simulation graphs when I finish. Thanks again, TAG!
Ryan
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norburybrook
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Re: SSS "Unforgiving" vs JM100 "sweetness"

Post by norburybrook »

I've just used the JM/wonderland on a Jazz recording with my D'Angelico and it's a great sounding amp for that too :D


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Re: SSS "Unforgiving" vs JM100 "sweetness"

Post by idnotbe »

here is a similar / related question.

i owned / loved TR Crystal (essentially JM Sig) .
according to youtube clips, TR Crystal is fatter / thicker than AN's Wonderland.

when i played Crystal, i enjoyed the full blasted mid & bass with mid boost switch on & deep switch on.
with the setting, it seemed like i played the guitar and the bass at once.

also, i owned Sebago TF (SSS #002 clone).
what i liked for TF is... the extreme dynamics and the attack.
i can hear that attack in many youtube clips of SSS.

so, i always dreamed the thicker / fatter Crystal voicing with SSS's extreme dynamics / attack.
how can i achieve it??
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rccolgan
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Re: SSS "Unforgiving" vs JM100 "sweetness"

Post by rccolgan »

I'd venture to say it's how much the preamp is dumping the signal. That idea didn't make much sense to me until I watch this "Uncle Doug" video that explains tone stacks and how it relates to the attack of the amp. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZHM5BwPLRw You should be able to maintain the Crystal EQ and raise the preserved preamp signal to achieve what you're looking for by increasing the resistance to grounds.
Ryan
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