Amp suggestions?

Surgeon

New member
Hey guys,

I never thought I'd start a thread like this one but...

I kinda feel like my jcm800 4210 is not everything I expect it to be. I've had it for 4-5 years, it's a good sounding amp but I'm getting to a point where it's not that satisfying to me. I'd like more warmth from it, more gain too... Might be because it's not one of those higher praised vertical input, it's a channel switcher, whatever. The fact is that I've come to realize that I hang on to it because: it's a 800.... not easily found around here (especially in the combo version), everybody who saw it told me to keep it, etc... still, I think I need something else.
I'm looking for something around 50 watts in combo form if possible...

I like heavier sounding amps (I've always been into heavier punk and some metal) but I still like/need a good clean channel (I play many styles too). Versatility is an important point but I know that I'll never find a fender clean, marshall crunch/mesa gain in one amp... I'm willing to compromise.

I still own a Mesa V-twin, so heavier gain can/could also be covered by this unit, although doing without could be preferable (I like simple things).

I'm thinking about a good versatile amp, or just a good clean amp with some crunch and use the V-twin over it...

Any suggestions? Boutique amps are hard to come by around here (and out of my budget)... Mesas, Marshalls, Traynors, etc... these are ok. Ebay's cool but a lot of american sellers are reluctant to ship to Canada or will charge a lot for shipping, making it harder for me.

I tried the 2000 series from Marshall and never really like 'em, although I may have to give 'em another try. I was looking into the Mesa Nomads but read mixed reviews... A few bands around here use Hiwatts and the Custom sounds like something I may like, although I'm yet to find a combo version around here for sale...

Anybody care to suggest something?

Thanks in advance.
 
Re: Amp suggestions?

oh man, check out my JVM thread. the JVM is what you need man. the cleans are awesome and the gain is more than enough. it goes to numetal territory. i'm so impressed with this amp, especially getting a chance to compare it directly with a jcm800 & 900, vintage modern, and dsl 100.
 
Re: Amp suggestions?

i dunno, i thought the JVM was sterile as hell

hmmm, that's strange. i sat with it for 3 1/2 hours and that thought never crossed my mind. it's very warm sounding in fact. it is more articulate than the dsl 100 though, but not sterile in any sense of the word. admittedly, it's not a simple amp to operate. there is a lot of tweaking to be done to dial in the right tones.

it took me a while to really figure out the trick to it, but once i figured it out that was it. there is a LOT of distortion available. sterile, no way. warm, vibrant and full of tone, yes. i'd say it's still rude like the dsl line, but more refined.

oh man - motorhead, iron maiden, malmsteen, eric johnson, you name it. that amp can do it man.
 
Re: Amp suggestions?

I do just happen to know somebody that mods Marshall ch. switchers almost exclusively....:27: BF Fender Cleans and Marshall/Mesa OD is not impossible (trust me, it's been done quite successfully), and probably less costly than you might think. However, it would sort of help if I knew what year your 800 was... The first letter of the serial number is the year code.

just fwiw...

Jeff Seal
 
Re: Amp suggestions?

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Engl: never even tried one... that's a good idea, I'll see if I can find one around here...

JMV: thanks for the suggestion, I was interested in those back when they came out. Haven't seen one in a shop around here though... I'll check harder.

Jeff: Believe it or not, I thought about you for mods. It's mostly the shipping that'll probably be a hassle. I'll most likely end-up paying duty fees on the value of my own amp once it crosses the border back to me... still, I'll have to pM you, I'm afraid I don't have a clue about how much you charge for this kind of work. My amp is an '83... I'll send you the serial # when I get a chance... thanks for the offer.
 
Re: Amp suggestions?

I'd say look for an Engl Screamer 50 combo.
Definitely great cleans,nice crunch(Marineblues had some great clips of a screamer doing blues), classic hardrock sounds and all out metal(not death metal but enough for most things). Four channels, super versetaille and at quite a good price.
 
Re: Amp suggestions?

Hey guys,

I never thought I'd start a thread like this one but...

I kinda feel like my jcm800 4210 is not everything I expect it to be. Thanks in advance.

He he, Thats what she said!
Anyway, what about a Kustom wave?
 
Re: Amp suggestions?

I have no clue about how kustoms sound...

Loser: thanks for the advice, I'll try to find an engl somewhere to try out...
 
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