Magic Amps Crossroads – A Killer Low Wattage 1×12 Combo!

The Crossroads is a two channel amplifier developed using a decade of experience building, repairing and modifying 60s JMI amplifiers and the Magic Brit. The goal was to offer an amp with the spirt of vintage JMI AC30's in a smaller, lighter 15 watt package adding flexibility and new tonal possibilities. Both Normal and Top Boost preamp circuits were used in the Crossroads with a couple new twists. The Normal channel has an added tone circuit to add some flexibility to this very simple circuit. This channel has always been famous for taking pedals really well because of its full range sound. The added tone knob provides players with an ability to add or remove highs. It also adds some welcome focus and attack to the sound. The Normal channel sounds great with or without pedals. The Top Boost channel is beautiful on its own and it also mixes quite well with a pedal board. Great sound and feel from clean clang and jangle to all out rock tones reminiscent of the late 60s and early 70s. This channel also provides notably more gain than a typical Top Boost channel.

The JMI design platform has always been a challenge to build, service and repair. The design and layout of the Crossroads are more similar to early Fender and Marshall amplifiers. This provides the Crossroads with a rich character, better feel and touch sensitivity, excellent pick attack, sweet compression on clean sounds and more sustain. It also helps to make maintenance, servicing and repairs much easier.

The Crossroads is built using the best parts available. Heyboer and MercuryTransformers, Watts Audio custom circuit boards with double turrets, Sozo tone capacitors, Sprague and F&T electrolytic capacitors, Dale and Xicon carbon comp, carbon film and metal oxide resistors, CTS and Alpha pots, JJ tubes