well sir, you may be completely right, completely wrong, a little of both about that, or none at all.
speaking for myself, as a business owner and manufacturer who is barely making a living, here goes something....
I know SM has many like mods that JF has. It is also my understanding that these are wildly sought after requested copies of other designs, probably highly requested for both companies...I know I've been emailing JF about a HiWatt since I found this MTS world. I also doubt very much that the circuitry within is copied by either company. it's all about flavor, interpretation, and method. If you know otherwise, perhaps you ought to say as much
one thing I can tell about the Hiwatt copy that both companies make, is that the JF is designed to have more gain than the SM version of the same HiWatt preamp interpretation. they seem to be so different in fact that when I get myself a RM4, I would like to have both versions for a perfectly varied HiWatt sound.
The Vox mod, which I have owned the SM version, was not for me. The JF version which I do not own, seems to be different altogether, maybe I'll try it too.
I also know that Catalinbread, for one, makes a Hiwatt, Plexi, AC30, Ampeg, Top Boost and other pedals for less than either mod companies make. I own some, they are awesome. There are many other like companies making various versions of the same amps-in-box pedals.
I think it may have been the density board that put you to making this post, which may make momentary sense on the surface. I will remind you that Rob at JF has taken clinics with Bruce in Michigan and has serviced these amps for years. It would also make sense that he would have a few of his own ideas about a mod like this.
I know little else about Salvation except their mods seem wonderful. I just didn't care for the one I had. I'd love to own a couple of them
Plexis, Diesels, Voxes, Fenders, Saldos, etc.. as well as hod rod mods to amps like modding various portions of circuits like presence/density, seems to be natural for folks who know these circuits inside and out by having their hands in them day in/day out.
I would say that, from what I can tell, the sounds coming from thrice emulated preamps on both sides of the pond are yielding vastly different results, such do the Line6s and Boss's, YATS and hot-rodded Marshalls in the world
I believe the important thing to think about is how each artist/company in this case is interpreting wildly popular, pre-existing, highly requested designs for the MTS platform.
If you can distribute SM in the States for nice money I say do it.. I'd give a few a whirl. I have nothing against the Czech Republic, although I was married on the beach in Asbury. Both have great products as far as I'm concerned. Who owns the rights to interpret already existing designs anyway?
Plexi/Tweed maybe also sticks you in the side, not sure. i think it's natural since there are thousands of forums discussing the similarities of the circuits.
I will leave this with one thing to consider, JF has released 3 very original mods in the course of a few months the Vybe, THD, and Ampeg. there may be more in the high gain arena that i am not aware of.
I enjoy my MTS very much.
Carry on