TC Electronic Jims 45 Dual-Channel Guitar Preamp

Jimi Hendrix is widely accepted as one of the world’s most influential guitarists. Was he the best ever? We would make no such claim, as that is an extremely subjective matter, but he was certainly wildly inspiring and the first to truly define the sound of guitar-driven rock. First and foremost, thanks to his amazing talent, but that talent for playing as well as pushing the envelope of how gear available in the 60’s could be used. Obviously, his Strat was a key component of his sound, but so was his use of a certain tube amp and fuzz pedals. JIMS 45 is TC Electronic's amp modelling version if Jimi’s classic British guitar head!

The passionate and guitar-playing team of engineers set out to faithfully recreate the original amp with the painstaking accuracy and attention to detail that only guitar players with actual hands-on experience with the original amp can achieve. At the heart of JIMS 45, the AMPWORX modelling technology works its magic, carefully recreating the classic guitar tone that’s the sum of each and every component from the circuit of the original. The result? The best and most precise digital amp modelling of this famous amp you have ever run your guitar through.

TC Electronic kept the control layout true to the original to not only give you authentic tone, but also a familiar look that makes you feel right at home right out of the box. From this classic starting point, you can go classic, modern or just downright nuts. It’s all up to you how you want to tweak JIMS 45, but rest assured that no matter what, you’ll be able to sculpt jaw-dropping guitar tones that are perfect for bending notes as well as minds.

Obviously, the cab speaker is a key component of any combo – JIMS 45 is no exception! With today’s convolution-based IR technology it is possible to sample the past with great accuracy and authenticity. And TC Electronic might have done exactly that, only someone else has specialised in this sonic art form – and who would be better at this than the company that has delivered cab speakers for countless classic guitar combos throughout music history: Celestion. After intensive testing, TC Electronic decided to integrate the official impulse response of the beloved 4x12 G12M Creamback speaker cab. It truly is a tone match made in heaven.

When you plug into JIMS 45 for the first time, it’s in the always-on Dual Channel mode. This means you toggle between a green and a red channel. The green channel models the original circuit with the master volume set at 12 ‘o’clock after the tonestack. And the red channel models the original amp’s stock circuit, which didn’t have a master volume control. If you press BOOST and CHANNEL at the same time, you will change to Bypass mode. Now, JIMS 45 simply works as a stompbox that you can punch in and out whenever you want. The channel that was selected when in Dual Channel mode is the one to be used if you switch to Bypass mode.

In its first version, the original amp did not come with a Presence knob, but in later revisions it was added. TC Electronic want you to have the option of choosing whether this feature should be part of your tone or not – so TC Electronic added it. It allows you to adjust the overall vibe for a darker or brighter feel. And in case you want to bypass it, simply leave it at 12 ‘o’clock. You can use the Boost circuit in two different ways. If you set it in the PRE mode, it will be like having a vintage tubescreamer in front of the amp – the amp will simply be driven even harder when you kick in the Boost. And if you go for the POST mode, the boost circuit is patched in after the amp, which means that the core of your tone remains unchanged – it just gets louder.

Your guitar signal can exit JIMS 45 in three different ways. The DI output includes the cab sim and is ideal if you go directly to a PA system, or if you record through an audio interface. The OUT jack does not include the cab sim, which is useful for when you go to a combo or an amp with a cab, or when inserting the pedal in the FX Loop on an amplifier. Finally, the HEADPHONES jack includes the cab sim to give you the perfect silent rehearsal scenario.