John Mayer is perhaps best known for his well-crafted, chart-topping pop hits, but when you explore his catalog it becomes clear that the man is a serious guitarist — check out his blues work and his appearances filling the role of Jerry Garcia with Dead and Company. In addition to his world-class chops, virtuostic touch, and melodic/rhythmic sensibilities, Mayer is also a tone connoisseur who has amassed an amazing collection of guitars and amps.
So when John Mayer set out to design his perfect go-to amp, he was looking for the best manufacturer for the job. His choice? Paul Reed Smith Guitars. Mayer and the team at PRS began collaborating on a new amp — one based around John’s tonal and dynamic preferences rather than based upon a particular existing or vintage amp model. The result was unveiled at Winter NAMM 2017: the all-new PRS J-MOD 100!
I was privileged to attend a private event at NAMM where Paul Smith and John Mayer candidly discussed the development of and the concepts behind the new amp, and where Mayer ably demonstrated the J-MOD using both his signature PRS Super Eagle guitar and his trusty vintage Stratocaster. Following this event, a press conference was held, and the Sweetwater video team was able to capture front-row video and audio of John and the amp in action.
Up Close and Personal
At the private VIP event, I was sitting about eight feet in front of the amp head, which Mayer demonstrated through a matching PRS 2×12 J-MOD cabinet loaded with Celestion G12-65 Heritage speakers. The J-MOD 100 is truly impressive. This is not a high-gain amplifier. Rather, it provides amazing dynamic response, beautiful sustain, creamy breakup, delicate cleans, and rich harmonic content from the lowest note to the highest note. The amp sounds huge, with articulate top end and solid bottom end, rounded out with smooth midrange. There was not a touch of harshness evident whether demonstrated with humbuckers or single-coil pickups. Even with the bright switch engaged, the J-MOD 100 retains its stately, round, warm tone — no ice-pick screeching here!
The Nitty-Gritty
The J-MOD 100 is a 100-watt amplifier driven by 6L6 (6CA7) power tubes; with a re-bias you can alternatively use EL34s or KT77 power tubes! (The bias points are available right on the back panel for super-easy access.) The transformer, a Cinemag Texas 100, contributes to the beefy tone of the amp. The J-MOD 100 features a single-channel design and is straightforward to dial in and operate. The basics include a volume (input gain) control; well-voiced bass, mid, and treble EQ controls; a bright switch; and master presence and output level controls. Even though this is a single-channel amp, a boost circuit is included that allows you to instantly switch to another stage of gain and volume settings for cranking up solos or dirty rhythm parts. A footswitch-bypassable effects loop with send and return level controls is located on the back panel for connecting your time-based effects. Interestingly, there is no built-in reverb. Mayer was very clear that he prefers the versatility and flexibility of an external digital reverb in the loop when he is playing. (For the demonstration, he was getting killer verb and tremolo effects from a Strymon Flint.)
Life-long Companion
The PRS J-MOD 100 is built to be your companion for as long as you play guitar. This is a “life-time” amp that you’ll enjoy for years and years. A responsive, dynamic amp like this becomes an instrument in its own right as you develop your relationship with it. Matching your attack, vibrato, finger pressure, and touch to the amp via your guitar creates one holistic tone machine from the disparate parts. If you’ve never experienced this synergy between amp, guitar, and player, there’s simply nothing like it! You’ll find your playing becomes more musical and expressive, and you’ll discover shading and inflection you never thought possible from an electric guitar.
John Mayer and the amp team at PRS were going for the ultimate amp with the J-MOD 100, and there’s no question they’ve achieved something very special here. This level of amplifier/instrument may cost a bit more than a lesser amp — though the J-MOD costs tens of thousands of dollars less than “boutique” amps it’s sure to be compared with — but the price of admission is worth every penny.
If you’ve been seeking an amp that can provide a platform for expressing yourself with all types of guitars — humbucker- or single-coil-equipped — then you owe it to yourself to consider investing in the J-MOD 100. It’s rare that you’ll come across an amplifier that not only sounds incredible but also makes you play better. That’s the J-MOD 100 in a nutshell.
Learn more about the J-MOD 100 amp head and matching 2×12 J-MOD cabinet.