50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
- Thread starter dr0
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Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
My vote is in for a JVM410h. It features 4 distinct channels with 3 variations each; like others have said, the JVM 205h has only two of those distinct channels.
Not a perfect amp, but pretty great. I modded mine a bit (added a choke, gain/compression reduction, and a couple other things) and the tone and feeling of the amp are incredible. It is truly a joy to plug in and play every time.
I say not perfect because the clean channels leave something to be desired IMO. I don't usually play much clean stuff, and they are satisfactory, but nowhere near that Fender clean tone that we so cherish. I have mine set to run the FX loop on the clean channel so I always have chorus kicked in on it.
The crunch and OD channels are great. Like most users, I prefer red crunch and orange OD1 for my main rock tones. I use red OD2 for silky leads (OD2 has a different mid range than OD1) and love it. Very versatile amp with 2 master volumes, dedicated reverb that is switchable for each channel, FX loop is switchable for each channel.
Marshall doesn't make a 50 watt head with 4 channels so you have to go with the 100 watt head. It is great though - plenty of headroom to work with and sounds good at all volumes. I have never moved my master volumes past 3.5.... it's just so loud.
TLDR: buy a Marshall JVM410h used and mod it (search popular mods). No regrets with this amp.
My vote is in for a JVM410h. It features 4 distinct channels with 3 variations each; like others have said, the JVM 205h has only two of those distinct channels.
Not a perfect amp, but pretty great. I modded mine a bit (added a choke, gain/compression reduction, and a couple other things) and the tone and feeling of the amp are incredible. It is truly a joy to plug in and play every time.
I say not perfect because the clean channels leave something to be desired IMO. I don't usually play much clean stuff, and they are satisfactory, but nowhere near that Fender clean tone that we so cherish. I have mine set to run the FX loop on the clean channel so I always have chorus kicked in on it.
The crunch and OD channels are great. Like most users, I prefer red crunch and orange OD1 for my main rock tones. I use red OD2 for silky leads (OD2 has a different mid range than OD1) and love it. Very versatile amp with 2 master volumes, dedicated reverb that is switchable for each channel, FX loop is switchable for each channel.
Marshall doesn't make a 50 watt head with 4 channels so you have to go with the 100 watt head. It is great though - plenty of headroom to work with and sounds good at all volumes. I have never moved my master volumes past 3.5.... it's just so loud.
TLDR: buy a Marshall JVM410h used and mod it (search popular mods). No regrets with this amp.
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
I really like the lush clean of the JVM. It is one of the JVM's superlative features in my opinion.
I really like the lush clean of the JVM. It is one of the JVM's superlative features in my opinion.
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
The other complaint I had was that there is a ton of preamp hiss. More than any other amp I’ve played.
A noise gate cures it, but without one it’s like Niagra Falls.
It is a very good amp though.
The other complaint I had was that there is a ton of preamp hiss. More than any other amp I’ve played.
A noise gate cures it, but without one it’s like Niagra Falls.
It is a very good amp though.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
I thought he made both 100W and 50W versions. The 100W switch to 50W by cutting the outer tubes, and the 50W switches to 25W by going into Triode power mode.
I’ve got a Quick Rod, and I’m GASsing for a VM, JVM, BE-50 Deluxe, Smallbox, and Victory Sheriff. I’ve probably got everything I need in the Quick Rod though.
I thought he made both 100W and 50W versions. The 100W switch to 50W by cutting the outer tubes, and the 50W switches to 25W by going into Triode power mode.
I’ve got a Quick Rod, and I’m GASsing for a VM, JVM, BE-50 Deluxe, Smallbox, and Victory Sheriff. I’ve probably got everything I need in the Quick Rod though.
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
I’m pretty sure you’re right about the 50/25 switch on the 50 watter. But I wasn’t 100% sure and it doesn’t specifically say on the website (at least not that I saw). So I figured an email for info sake was in order.
I’m pretty sure you’re right about the 50/25 switch on the 50 watter. But I wasn’t 100% sure and it doesn’t specifically say on the website (at least not that I saw). So I figured an email for info sake was in order.
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
I recorded this off the cuff some time ago testing a headstock cam mount. This is the JVM201H on the green channel with a BB preamp and a DD500 delay on.
I'm a little out of tune and there's a mistake in there but it gives you a good idea of the tone that can be had.
I recorded this off the cuff some time ago testing a headstock cam mount. This is the JVM201H on the green channel with a BB preamp and a DD500 delay on.
I'm a little out of tune and there's a mistake in there but it gives you a good idea of the tone that can be had.
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NegativeEase
New member
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
I like my money to work for me, sometimes Mesas are too modern sounding for me, and I don't give EVH my money -so it's the Marshall for me every time over a Mesa or EVH
Marshalls are simple to resell too.
I like my money to work for me, sometimes Mesas are too modern sounding for me, and I don't give EVH my money -so it's the Marshall for me every time over a Mesa or EVH
Marshalls are simple to resell too.
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
Thanks man!!
It's a lot easier to get a Marshall serviced and/or sold than a boutique amp, even though I've gone with boutique several times.
Every time I think I wanna invest money into a Bogner or a Friedman again, I think 'do I really wanna take this down to the low-rent bar on the corner?"
Thanks man!!
It's a lot easier to get a Marshall serviced and/or sold than a boutique amp, even though I've gone with boutique several times.
Every time I think I wanna invest money into a Bogner or a Friedman again, I think 'do I really wanna take this down to the low-rent bar on the corner?"
chadd
New member
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
The Mesa Fillmore is probably worth a look.
My suggestion is a bit "out there", but bear with me. I'm an admitted Mesa fanboy, so factor that in as well. The Roadster and Road King amps are much more versatile than the rest of the Recto series. The clean and fat settings give you options on clean channels, as do the tweed and brit options. I set one up for a gritty clean and one for a more pristine clean. On the dirt channels, the raw channel is lower gain, but much more open and even the vintage setting will do mid gain pretty well. You can run any channel at 50 watts, and the spongy setting will get you down to 30 or 35 of the loudest watts on the planet. The Road King will even give you the option of running EL34s on one channel and 6L6s on another. Personally, that's overkill for me and I think the Roadster is more than adequate. Both have been discontinued, but are available from $1000 to $2000 or so.
The Mesa Fillmore is probably worth a look.
My suggestion is a bit "out there", but bear with me. I'm an admitted Mesa fanboy, so factor that in as well. The Roadster and Road King amps are much more versatile than the rest of the Recto series. The clean and fat settings give you options on clean channels, as do the tweed and brit options. I set one up for a gritty clean and one for a more pristine clean. On the dirt channels, the raw channel is lower gain, but much more open and even the vintage setting will do mid gain pretty well. You can run any channel at 50 watts, and the spongy setting will get you down to 30 or 35 of the loudest watts on the planet. The Road King will even give you the option of running EL34s on one channel and 6L6s on another. Personally, that's overkill for me and I think the Roadster is more than adequate. Both have been discontinued, but are available from $1000 to $2000 or so.
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?
Thanks. Mesa sure changes their line up a lot.
Thanks. Mesa sure changes their line up a lot.