An exemplary modular musical instrument amplification system may comprise a chassis including a power supply, an input gain stage, a control processor and a plurality of modular slots. The modular slots are configured to receive any of a plurality of preamplifier modules for establishing an electrical communication therewith. The input gain stage has a modifiable response behavior and is in signal amplifying communication between at least one instrument input jack and the modular slots. The control processor is preferably in control communication between the modular slots and the input gain stage. Each preamplifier module has a respective input stage profile associated therewith. The control processor may be configured for sensing the input stage profile of a preamplifier module received in an active modular slot, and setting the response behavior based, at least in part, upon the respective input stage profile.