REVIEWS
Tape Op May/June 2010
The following is the JC1272 portion of Allen Farmelo's 'Neve Style Preamps' article and review printed in the May/June 2010 issue of Tape Op:
"JC1272
Joel Cameron (JC) has devised a very unique (and secret) approach to getting extra gain out of his 1272-style circuit. Furthermore, his approach to gain manipulation is unique. By separating the pad from the gain switch, Joel was able to put a separate, continuously variable alternator before the gain control, allowing the user to manipulate the gain stages in ways previously impossible. The result? - a totally unique take on the Neve preamp that allows you to dial in everything from standard-issue Neve sounds to cleaner tones with less color to complete solid-state fuzz. With no EQ, no line inputs and the distinction of being the only unit without a phase reverse switch, the JC1272's three knobs are solely focused on shaping tone via gain manipulation.
Joel loads the JC1272 with specially designed Carnhill transformers, and this hand-wired beauty sounds as good as any Neve-style preamp I've ever tried - wow! When you dial it in to sound like a Neve, it produces rich, bold, fat sounds that hold their own against any of the best clones and originals out there. In the guitar-riff shoot-out I was stunned by how my Tele seemed to jump straight out of the speakers and into the room. Huge, 3D, musical tone! Then we manipulated the gain stages to get squished fuzz, more hi-fi open sounds, and many tone in-between. I'm accustomed to the set-it-and-forget-it Neve gain switch, so the JC1272 requires a little more attention in use.
The DI, which is activated by plugging in a 1/4" cable on the front, is hearty and punchy. Because the JC1272's unique gain network stops at 65 dB of gain, low output ribbon mic enthusiasts should take note. However, if you don't need an EQ or line-inputs, but want a boutique-grade preamp with unsurpassed tone that can do classic Neve sound and a whole lot more, this is your preamp. (www.JC1272.com)"
[emphasis mine - JC]
