The model is now based on a Silver Jubilee. The Lerxst is actually almost identical except for the taper of the mid control. In a Silver Jubilee the mid pot is log, in the Lerxst it's linear. Guess Alex likes mids.
So if you want the sound of the old model turn up the mids.
FWIW, Alex actually signed my Lerxst. Probably worth some bucks but I'll never sell it because he's one of my heroes.
Yes, it's the lead channel w/ the gain knob pushed in.
The pull rhythm clip thing is this amp is an enigma. If implies that it's only active in the rhythm channel but it affects the lead channel too.
Anyone who has experience with the real Jubilee knows that about the pull rhythm clip on the lead ch. Oddly, you can find the rare person who likes that on....??? I don't know why? It does work well on the clean ch and is probably why Joe Bonamassa likes the amp.
So, put it on the clean ch, set the gain to about 5 and pull the rhythm clip.........Killer blues tones here.
When it comes to the lead channel, the amp has loads of different tones in there depending on the Gain-EQ-"Lead Master" settings. The key point here is that "Lead Master" knob.
From an experienced Jubilee owner:
The amp sounds best with the gain always around 5 give or take a little. Too much and it gets muddy. When you need more gain, you lower the Master Output volume and crank the "Lead Master" up. Need more? Add a boost in front. Now, do you want it to be a two channel amp? Forget it! Marshall should have made to versions of this amp 1) The "Killer Blues" with only the clean ch and the pull rhythm clip - EQ and Output Master. I bet you this is how JB is using his. Then the 2) Killer Plexi to DSL version. This only has the lead ch with no pull rhythm clip along with the EQ AND MOST IMPORTANTLY the "LEAD MASTER" and Output Master. Oh, and to make this 2nd version even better, ship it with JJ E34L power tubes.
So, again, please model this amp correctly!
I have owned the AF3 now for almost 3 years. When I first got it, being a Marshall JMP-1 fan, I said, "Nope....does not sound like the JMP-1". I was right. You fixed that and it is perfect now. Huge thank you!!!
Now, I am also a big fan of the Jubilee series, From the get go 3 years ago....Nope ...does not sound like a Jubilee! No Lead Master knob and it just sounds weird.
Please....FIX THIS!!!!!
ADD the "Lead Master" control!!!!! That control is the heart and soul of the lead channel.