Amps like Marshall JCM800?

DankStar

DankStar

Her Little Mojo Minion
I guess there's been several versions of the JCM 800, and I used to have one of them (a single channel "lead" head, the numbers of which I don't recall). I did need to use a Tube King pedal with it, but it sounded pretty good with that and without.

I'm wondering what comes close to the JCM 800 sound that is actually reasonably priced. I can't justify paying the going rate for a JCM800 used or new because to me, it's a little too high usually for my comfort range. So, what are some heads from $350-$500 that come close to that sound? Obviously, I don't care if the amp has "sparkling cleans" and channel-switching capabilities.

The ones that come to mind are the Sovtek mg50, Red Bear, and...that's about all I know. Any help? I would also consider a preamp/power amp setup.
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

There's nothing that sounds "close" to a JCM800 but a JCM 800. That being said, you have a better chance at getting a JCM800 tone out of a Line 6 amp modeling amp than any other amp.

I have a JCM800 4211 channel switching 100 watt 2x12 combo. The key with JCM800's is that they are pedal friendly. They have great tone on their own, but can get killer tone if you put a booster, like a tube screamer in front, an EQ in the effects loop, and anything else you may like.

I hear there are some Laney's that are close, but I don't know which model.
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

jmh151 said:
There's nothing that sounds "close" to a JCM800 but a JCM 800. That being said, you have a better chance at getting a JCM800 tone out of a Line 6 amp modeling amp than any other amp.

I have a JCM800 4211 channel switching 100 watt 2x12 combo. The key with JCM800's is that they are pedal friendly. They have great tone on their own, but can get killer tone if you put a booster, like a tube screamer in front, an EQ in the effects loop, and anything else you may like.

I hear there are some Laney's that are close, but I don't know which model.
Click to expand...

He stated he's looking for a "reasonbly" priced copy of an 800....An 800 will run him pretty big bucks right now! :smack:
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

-PV Butcher
-Sovtek Mig 100H
-Sovtek Mig 50H

Those are the 3 amps that come to mind that have a JCM 800'ish vibe to them...there are a couple of Laney's but Im not sure of the model numbers.
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

Yup, The Laney Pro Tube's are as close to a Marshall JCM800 as you can get. I had a Pro Tube Fifty (Non-AOR) It was one Capacitor and two resistors different than a Marshall 2204 circuit. The Main difference is Laney used Skot transformer's. ( Some claim there better than the Drake's used by Marshall??)
Here is a AOR model on ebay.Laney
 
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Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

The Traynor YCV50 sounds kinda JCM800ish. Its not a head however, but you could always run it into a bigger cab if you wanted. Also, they are coming out with a new head soon thats supposed to be similar to the YCV50.
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

the guy who invented fire said:
That one has been on Ebay before...last time the reseerve wasn't met so it got relisted...the last one that sold on Ebay sold for $250 BIN...great amp for $250!
Click to expand...

Anything decent with tubes is well worth $250...Then with a little magic....A good amp becomes a great amp! :smack: :laugh2:

Hey Christian I got those ARS caps into my Marshall....No tonal difference of course,but there in my amp now..:banana:
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

STRATDELUXER97 said:
Anything decent with tubes is well worth $250...Then with a little magic....A good amp becomes a great amp! :smack: :laugh2:

Hey Christian I got those ARS caps into my Marshall....No tonal difference of course,but there in my amp now..:banana:
Click to expand...


Anything that runs is worth $250 for sure!

As for those ARS caps...cool deal! I bet it looks mean now!
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

I'd have to agree with the old Laney heads. I had one as well. It was close...not the same, but close to tone of my 800s...a little darker..a little fizzier on top...typical Laney.

I'm not fam with the Peavey Butcher (only in name), but the VTM series I think it was? The one with the dip switches? That was a good sounding Marshall type amp. Lot higher gain, but did lower 2203 type gain well too (Vandenberg used it for awhile).
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

It all depends on what you're playing. If you're looking for an JCM 800-ish amp to play more contemporary rock (i.e. hard rock, heavy metal) then a Krank Chadwick would work pretty well. Marshall mid-range focus with a hint of Boogie bubbly. They're a little expensive brand new though and LOUD as sin, but they sound really good for a brand that isn't quite established yet.

A Sovtek Mig could get you a more vintage JCM 800 tone. They're kind of utilitarian without many features, but they're good amps and very cheap considering what you get.
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

frigginalex said:
It all depends on what you're playing. If you're looking for an JCM 800-ish amp to play more contemporary rock (i.e. hard rock, heavy metal) then a Krank Chadwick would work pretty well. Marshall mid-range focus with a hint of Boogie bubbly. They're a little expensive brand new though and LOUD as sin, but they sound really good for a brand that isn't quite established yet.

A Sovtek Mig could get you a more vintage JCM 800 tone. They're kind of utilitarian without many features, but they're good amps and very cheap considering what you get.
Click to expand...

good question. what I had liked about my old JCM800 was that I would play thrash with it using an Ibanez Tube King (definitely needed a Hush pedal with all the noise), and I'd switch off the pedal for a dirtied-up "clean" sound. I was never one for crystal clear cleans, so I loved it's natural gain for that purpose. I guess classic rock folks would have used that "clean" sound as their main distorted sound, but I always needed a pedal to make it scream. I like pedals so that's not a huge deal. Now that I think about it, I recall one of my dilemmas was having to also switch the Hush pedal to a less rigorous clipping range when I clicked off the OD. Not the most versatile live set up, but it really did sound good. Should have kept the dang thing. :smack:
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

You might want to check for the jcm 900 master volume high gain amps. The ones closest to the 800s are the mkIII versions. Erikh and Theodie have them. I have a high gain version of their's the mkIV. These series of the 900s are like modded 800s and you can find some decent prices for them.
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

the guy who invented fire said:
-PV Butcher
-Sovtek Mig 100H
-Sovtek Mig 50H

Those are the 3 amps that come to mind that have a JCM 800'ish vibe to them...there are a couple of Laney's but Im not sure of the model numbers.
Click to expand...

Great thread...

I've heard Sovtek Migs mentioned before as great cheapie amps. What does the "H" designate? It seems some Sovteks have an "H" and some don't. Is a Sovtek Mig 50 (sans H) somehow inferior?
 
Re: Amps like Marshall JCM800?

PoorMan said:
Great thread...

I've heard Sovtek Migs mentioned before as great cheapie amps. What does the "H" designate? It seems some Sovteks have an "H" and some don't. Is a Sovtek Mig 50 (sans H) somehow inferior?
Click to expand...

There was a short lived Mig 30 that was a great budget Blues amp...not very high gain but sounded good cranked

Then there was a Mig 50 and a Mig 100 these amps were voiced a bit like a Plexi, had no master volumes and are great amps but can be pretty loud.

Then there was a Mig 50H and 100H, the H was for High gain, they were voiced more like a JCM 800 and had master volumes...most if the ones you see for sale are the 50 watt versions, the Mig 100H's are not veru common.

Then there was a Mig 60 which used EL34's, also had a master volume and was the highest gain Mig head ever.

IMO, all of these amps are great values for their current going prices. I would also say that they can get a few small upgrades and they will be much better amps...many of them need some (or all) new pots, new imput jacks and heavier wire inside also helps but even as is most of them are pretty rockin amps for very little money.
 
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