4.52am Issue: 003 9th October 2016

Similarly, speakers are such a big part of
the sound, I wondered whether Martin had
particular favourites or whether it would
vary depending upon the amp?
“It varies, depending on what the customer
wants. My default is the Celestion G12T-
100 ‘Hot 100’ which is an unsung gem in
the Celestion range. Sounds like a
Greenback, with a very sweet, but neutral
tone, a very linear response (sounds good
at low and high volume), a good power
rating and a very decent price. I also like
the G12M and H Creambacks, and the new
Neo Creambacks are also excellent
speakers.”
One thing I (personally) have never gotten
my head around, is the difference things
like cryogenics and NOS/VOS valves offer if
anything at all, as you’d expect Martin cuts
to the chase,
“I mainly use JJ as standard, but will use
other brands. Cryogenics is a gimmick, full
stop. There’s a lot of nonsense talked
about old, or NOS, valves, with no data to
back it up. Proper blind listening tests would
be quite revealing I think. I have to build my
amps using new production valves, and
have been using JJ for nearly 10 years now
with no issues.”
So that is that.
And one final question finished things for
today - what is the average build time for
one of your amps, from order to delivery?
“Depends on how busy I am, but at the
moment 5-6 months. Rarely less than that,
occasionally more. It’s difficult to maintain
schedules as a one-man business, so I rely
on my customers being patient!”
Martin Whelan of MJW Amps, I keep saying
it, but when I grow up, it is what I’ll be
playing through and the Twin with its
options giving so much flexibility from the
start looks like the ideal place to start.
Check MJW Amps out Here