The Science Amplification Mother JFET Dual Channel Preamp is a preamp pedal from Science Amplification, the amp builder whose Mother Preamp was also the company's first pedal, recreating its Mother MkIII amplifier1. The Mother JFET version was developed in collaboration with John Snyder of EAE and recreates the flagship Mother MKII Tube Amplifier's JFET Tube circuit in pedal form2. It is a larger format pedal, which Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson notes may not suit every board, but which he calls exceptionally finely engineered2.
Where it came from
Science Amplification makes the Mother JFET Dual Channel Preamp in fairly small batches, which the maker notes tend to get snapped up very quickly1. The pedal carries two footswitches, one for Channel A/B and one for Bypass/Mute1.
"This is a beautifully expressive, dynamic and characterful whole gain section for your board / rig"
Controls: two channels, shared EQ
The Mother splits its controls between two channels and a shared EQ section. Each channel has its own Loudness and Gain controls, while the tone shaping is universal, applying to both channels2.
| Section | Controls | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| Channel A | Loudness A, Gain A | Level and gain for channel A2 |
| Channel B | Loudness B, Gain B | Level and gain for channel B2 |
| Universal | Bass, Middle, Treble, Absence (Harmonics), Depth (Lows) | Shared EQ for both channels2 |
The Depth control works on the low end in a way Karlsson compares to a more typical resonance control2. Because the EQ is shared, the two channels differ in level and gain rather than in tone shaping: a player sets the universal EQ once and uses the channel Loudness and Gain controls to move between the two voices.
Two footswitches handle switching: a Channel A/B footswitch and a Bypass/Mute footswitch2.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's review found the pedal "super versatile, and fairly crisp and distinct from anything else out there" in overall sound, adding that "It's actually a really wonderful sounding preamp"2. The same review notes that the pedal is made in fairly small batches which seem to get snapped up very quickly2.
Availability and price
The Mother JFET Dual Channel Preamp lists for $299 on the Science Amplification webstore as of November 20242. For UK customers it is stocked by Joe's Pedals Boutique at £2992.
These pedals are made in fairly small batches, which Guitar Pedal X reports get snapped up very quickly2. Limited colorway editions circulate at various dealers: Karlsson reports having seen versions in green, copper, silver and white alongside the original black2.
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Questions
Who designed the Science Amplification Mother JFET Dual Channel Preamp?
Science Amplification collaborated with John Snyder of EAE (Electronic Audio Experiments) on the Mother JFET Dual Channel Preamp. Snyder is described by Guitar Pedal X as one of the builders who does JFET tube circuit recreations particularly well, and the pedal carries his take on the amp maker's own circuit.
Does the Mother preamp have separate EQ for each channel?
No. The Bass, Middle, Treble, Absence (Harmonics) and Depth (Lows) controls are universal, meaning they are shared by both channels. Each channel has its own Loudness and Gain controls, so the two channels differ in level and drive, but the EQ shaping applies to whichever channel is active.
How do you switch between channels A and B on the Mother preamp?
The pedal has two footswitches: a Channel A/B footswitch that moves between the two channels, and a Bypass/Mute footswitch. Channel A has its own Loudness and Gain controls, as does Channel B.
Is the Mother JFET preamp based on a tube amp?
Yes. The pedal recreates the JFET Tube circuit of Science Amplification's flagship Mother MKII Tube Amplifier in pedal form. Guitar Pedal X describes it as one of those JFET tube circuit recreations that John Snyder does so well.
What colors does the Science Amplification Mother come in?
Alongside the original black version, Guitar Pedal X reports having seen limited colorway editions in green, copper, silver and white in circulation at various dealers.
How much does the Science Amplification Mother cost?
As of November 2024, the Mother JFET Dual Channel Preamp goes for $299 on the Science Amplification webstore. For UK customers it is stocked by Joe's Pedals Boutique at £299.
Sources (2)
- Science Amplification Mother Preamp, Delicious Audio, 2024-05-02
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-11-20
