How do I choose a JCM800?
- Thread starter JammerMatt
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54stratlover
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
the Jubilee has two channels and individual drives for each channel, and a master volume of course. I played a 25/50 recently. the midsized stack with 2 2x12 cabs. they look like smaller 4x12s. Very good amp. BALLS. i should have bought the amp (1450). but didn't have the cash and wasn't sure if I wanted to do any horse trading. it is sold now :smack: i need to go to the Jonser school of instrument trading! i am such a horder. I have a hard time getting rid of anything.
JammerMatt said:
the Jubilee has two channels and individual drives for each channel, and a master volume of course. I played a 25/50 recently. the midsized stack with 2 2x12 cabs. they look like smaller 4x12s. Very good amp. BALLS. i should have bought the amp (1450). but didn't have the cash and wasn't sure if I wanted to do any horse trading. it is sold now :smack: i need to go to the Jonser school of instrument trading! i am such a horder. I have a hard time getting rid of anything.
54stratlover
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
Kerry King from slayer has used the 800. There is another man who uses the 800 base tone. His sound is pretty heavy. the 800 is the sound of Robin Trower, Zack Wylde, Kerry king, and a slew of other players.
\m/(00)\m/ said:well im not looking for a thrash amp, im not like that anymore. but ti sounded kinda week, i guess it needs to be cranked to sound best. but i'll try it out again.
Kerry King from slayer has used the 800. There is another man who uses the 800 base tone. His sound is pretty heavy. the 800 is the sound of Robin Trower, Zack Wylde, Kerry king, and a slew of other players.
paradesend
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
I went in to a guitar store yesterday and plugged in to the best amp I have ever heard. It was an 800 and heavily modded. Apparently the guy said that a guy from solando modded it and sent it to australia and it was the tone he was searching for his whole career. My bf (16yrs playing) said it was also the tone that he had been searching for, but is not familar with mods or nothing.
I might have to look in to the amps a bit more.......
I went in to a guitar store yesterday and plugged in to the best amp I have ever heard. It was an 800 and heavily modded. Apparently the guy said that a guy from solando modded it and sent it to australia and it was the tone he was searching for his whole career. My bf (16yrs playing) said it was also the tone that he had been searching for, but is not familar with mods or nothing.
I might have to look in to the amps a bit more.......
Soulman
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
I have a horizontal input JCM800 from 1985.
The horizontal 50watters had exactly the same circuit as the vertical 2004 heads, the only difference being that the pots where now soldered to the PCB board...which doesn't affect tone at all. :32:
I have played vertical input heads and combos and I bought my combo because the TONE was so f***** excellent even though I knew that this was an "inferior" model.
Trust your ears and take internet snake oil and mumbo jumbo with a large grain of salt. :13:
Soulman :saeek:
I have a horizontal input JCM800 from 1985.
The horizontal 50watters had exactly the same circuit as the vertical 2004 heads, the only difference being that the pots where now soldered to the PCB board...which doesn't affect tone at all. :32:
I have played vertical input heads and combos and I bought my combo because the TONE was so f***** excellent even though I knew that this was an "inferior" model.
Trust your ears and take internet snake oil and mumbo jumbo with a large grain of salt. :13:
Soulman :saeek:
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
NOT TRUE! Trust your eyes: open both up and put them side to side. You'll see some big differences right there on the two very differant circuit boards, including a choke or two replaced by a resistor in the later version. Trust your ears too...they sound slightly differant: the later version has a differant power supply and higher voltages on the plates of the tubes.
Soulman said:I have a horizontal input JCM800 from 1985.
The horizontal 50watters had exactly the same circuit as the vertical 2004 heads, the only difference being that the pots where now soldered to the PCB board...which doesn't affect tone at all. :32:
I have played vertical input heads and combos and I bought my combo because the TONE was so f***** excellent even though I knew that this was an "inferior" model.
Trust your ears and take internet snake oil and mumbo jumbo with a large grain of salt. :13:
Soulman :saeek:
NOT TRUE! Trust your eyes: open both up and put them side to side. You'll see some big differences right there on the two very differant circuit boards, including a choke or two replaced by a resistor in the later version. Trust your ears too...they sound slightly differant: the later version has a differant power supply and higher voltages on the plates of the tubes.
Last edited:
Soulman
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
OK...they might sound "slightly different".
With a bit of different EQ-ing they might sound the same.
And which is better? How do you measure tone...or taste?
A lot has to do with fashion as well. The coolest sounds around in the 80's ("L.A. production") today just make me laugh and think...what did those guys stuff into their earholes??? :laugh2: :smack:
It's all a matter of personal taste, IMHO, there is nothing structurally wrong with the horizontal JCM800's. I do not plan to throw mine out of a train. :laugh2:
Just try them and buy what sounds best to you. :newangel:
OK...they might sound "slightly different".
With a bit of different EQ-ing they might sound the same.
And which is better? How do you measure tone...or taste?
A lot has to do with fashion as well. The coolest sounds around in the 80's ("L.A. production") today just make me laugh and think...what did those guys stuff into their earholes??? :laugh2: :smack:
It's all a matter of personal taste, IMHO, there is nothing structurally wrong with the horizontal JCM800's. I do not plan to throw mine out of a train. :laugh2:
Just try them and buy what sounds best to you. :newangel:
Pandemonium
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
This is from the article I linked on page one:
"However, during circa 1985, the design of the 100 watt JCM 800 series changed in order to cut costs. The age of the “vertical input” style of inputs as used on 2203s and 2204s for years had ended. A new “horizontal input” configuration began and this in itself only meant that the potentiometers and input jacks were now mounted directly to the printed circuit boards rather than being wired up with flying lead wires. This obviously simplified construction and in itself was NOT such a big deal, but what WAS a big deal was the change in the filtering and power supply structure of the 2203 (but NOT the 2204 - which remained unchanged) that took place later in l986 – this was also designed to reduce costs."
If this is true Soulman is correct, at least regarding his amp [and mine too :wink: ].
This is from the article I linked on page one:
"However, during circa 1985, the design of the 100 watt JCM 800 series changed in order to cut costs. The age of the “vertical input” style of inputs as used on 2203s and 2204s for years had ended. A new “horizontal input” configuration began and this in itself only meant that the potentiometers and input jacks were now mounted directly to the printed circuit boards rather than being wired up with flying lead wires. This obviously simplified construction and in itself was NOT such a big deal, but what WAS a big deal was the change in the filtering and power supply structure of the 2203 (but NOT the 2204 - which remained unchanged) that took place later in l986 – this was also designed to reduce costs."
If this is true Soulman is correct, at least regarding his amp [and mine too :wink: ].
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
That sounds right. I would advise not modding the amp until you live with it a while. You know my sound, Matt, and we're on the same page, musically. I have a 1985 50W that only have a single input & EL34s.
JammerMatt said:
That sounds right. I would advise not modding the amp until you live with it a while. You know my sound, Matt, and we're on the same page, musically. I have a 1985 50W that only have a single input & EL34s.
54stratlover
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
before soldano was producing a large quantity of amps you could send a marshall to him and he would basically do the SLO mod to the amp. I think the SLO 100 started out as a Mod he did to marshall amps. I think one can still send and amp to him and have it modded.
paradesend said:
before soldano was producing a large quantity of amps you could send a marshall to him and he would basically do the SLO mod to the amp. I think the SLO 100 started out as a Mod he did to marshall amps. I think one can still send and amp to him and have it modded.
JammerMatt
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
StratLover: Where in Washington State are you?
Twilight O: Yeah, I dig your sound. I was thinking about a 50 watter. How was the gig?
All: Here's a big dumb question. Can the JCM800 be played at reasonable household levels?
StratLover: Where in Washington State are you?
Twilight O: Yeah, I dig your sound. I was thinking about a 50 watter. How was the gig?
All: Here's a big dumb question. Can the JCM800 be played at reasonable household levels?
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
Yes with pedals it can be done, but if you want the full glory...crank it.
Yes with pedals it can be done, but if you want the full glory...crank it.
Usurper666
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
I am the proud owner of a 1982 JCM 800 2204, so I can give some advice here.
1. ANY 2203/2204 from 1975 to 1983 is a keeper! They stopped the vertical inputs in 1983 and they do sound slightly different.
2. DO NOT MOD IT! Try to get a stock amp, mods lower the value and IMO, the sound.
3. GET A HOT PLATE! Money well spent and a must have to get the real Marshall sound in all it's glory at household volumes.
4. Take it to a good tech that really knows his Marshalls and make sure it's running to spec.
5. Get a good boost pedal. This will give you all of the gain you will ever need. A TS-9 is the standard but I highly advise looking into Barber's Direct Drive SS. It's cheaper, built better and sounds better as well.
By the way, I don't know where Camas is but Guitarville here in Seattle has an 83 2204, stock with vertical inputs in great shape. www.guitarville.com. Really good guys, give 'em a call.
Cheers,
CJ
I am the proud owner of a 1982 JCM 800 2204, so I can give some advice here.
1. ANY 2203/2204 from 1975 to 1983 is a keeper! They stopped the vertical inputs in 1983 and they do sound slightly different.
2. DO NOT MOD IT! Try to get a stock amp, mods lower the value and IMO, the sound.
3. GET A HOT PLATE! Money well spent and a must have to get the real Marshall sound in all it's glory at household volumes.
4. Take it to a good tech that really knows his Marshalls and make sure it's running to spec.
5. Get a good boost pedal. This will give you all of the gain you will ever need. A TS-9 is the standard but I highly advise looking into Barber's Direct Drive SS. It's cheaper, built better and sounds better as well.
By the way, I don't know where Camas is but Guitarville here in Seattle has an 83 2204, stock with vertical inputs in great shape. www.guitarville.com. Really good guys, give 'em a call.
Cheers,
CJ
JammerMatt
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
3. Never considered a Hot Plate, but that makes good sense.
6. Camas is just directly NE of Portland. I checked that link. That looks nice. You got $949 I can borrow? I need to go sell some blood now.
Thanx!
Usurper666 said:
3. Never considered a Hot Plate, but that makes good sense.
6. Camas is just directly NE of Portland. I checked that link. That looks nice. You got $949 I can borrow? I need to go sell some blood now.
Thanx!
PUCKBOY99
Irish Flagologist
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
Hi Matt...I've been following this thread & thought I'd add my .02 :
I've got a 1988 Marshall JCM800 2204 with horizontal inputs. Now aside from the earlier (vertical) models not having the pots soldered to the board, I don't quite get how that makes such a huge difference in the overall TONE of the amp. It seems to me that that only makes mods a little easier. I've never played one & I'm fairly new to tube amps, so I'll have to take everyones word for it but IMHO, I think were getting a lot of snobbery here. Desirable is being confused with quality. In the thread I started before buying mine, everyone lauded it as being a fantastic amp....now everyone seems to be saying it's a piece of crap compared to the verticals.
I don't know what to tell ya' other than it's a great amp, so leave it to your ears!
Yes, I happen to be selling mine, but only because I prefer the massive headroom of my Hiwatt with an OD pedal in front....and I'm not gigging/touring, so it is a little overkill for the garage if you know what I mean!
BTW the Hot Plate has a fantastic reputation, but I opted for the Weber MASS. A fully loaded MASS with all the options, including an impedance switch (switch from 2-4-8-16ohms!) was less than a single impedance Hot Plate. But it is a MUST because they are LOUD!!!
Whichever way you go....ROCK ON BROTHER ! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the amps mentioned!
Hi Matt...I've been following this thread & thought I'd add my .02 :
I've got a 1988 Marshall JCM800 2204 with horizontal inputs. Now aside from the earlier (vertical) models not having the pots soldered to the board, I don't quite get how that makes such a huge difference in the overall TONE of the amp. It seems to me that that only makes mods a little easier. I've never played one & I'm fairly new to tube amps, so I'll have to take everyones word for it but IMHO, I think were getting a lot of snobbery here. Desirable is being confused with quality. In the thread I started before buying mine, everyone lauded it as being a fantastic amp....now everyone seems to be saying it's a piece of crap compared to the verticals.
I don't know what to tell ya' other than it's a great amp, so leave it to your ears!
Yes, I happen to be selling mine, but only because I prefer the massive headroom of my Hiwatt with an OD pedal in front....and I'm not gigging/touring, so it is a little overkill for the garage if you know what I mean!
BTW the Hot Plate has a fantastic reputation, but I opted for the Weber MASS. A fully loaded MASS with all the options, including an impedance switch (switch from 2-4-8-16ohms!) was less than a single impedance Hot Plate. But it is a MUST because they are LOUD!!!
Whichever way you go....ROCK ON BROTHER ! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the amps mentioned!
54stratlover
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
i am in Wenatchee. but i travel to seattle and spokane often.
JammerMatt said:
i am in Wenatchee. but i travel to seattle and spokane often.
54stratlover
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
i was just there todayUsurper666 said:I am the proud owner of a 1982 JCM 800 2204, so I can give some advice here.
1. ANY 2203/2204 from 1975 to 1983 is a keeper! They stopped the vertical inputs in 1983 and they do sound slightly different.
2. DO NOT MOD IT! Try to get a stock amp, mods lower the value and IMO, the sound.
3. GET A HOT PLATE! Money well spent and a must have to get the real Marshall sound in all it's glory at household volumes.
4. Take it to a good tech that really knows his Marshalls and make sure it's running to spec.
5. Get a good boost pedal. This will give you all of the gain you will ever need. A TS-9 is the standard but I highly advise looking into Barber's Direct Drive SS. It's cheaper, built better and sounds better as well.
By the way, I don't know where Camas is but Guitarville here in Seattle has an 83 2204, stock with vertical inputs in great shape. www.guitarville.com. Really good guys, give 'em a call.
Cheers,
CJ
Duncan
New member
Re: How do I choose a JCM800?
I'd listen to Jeff if I were you guys...the guy is THE guru where it comes to 2210/2205's...
They are great amps as long as you avoid the earliest models...the later ones (86-89) had a change to the schematic that made it less fizzy and buzzy...
Get a 2210/2205 from the late 80's and you are in very siimilar territory to the Jub's - for a lot less money...
Jeff Seal said:
I'd listen to Jeff if I were you guys...the guy is THE guru where it comes to 2210/2205's...
They are great amps as long as you avoid the earliest models...the later ones (86-89) had a change to the schematic that made it less fizzy and buzzy...
Get a 2210/2205 from the late 80's and you are in very siimilar territory to the Jub's - for a lot less money...
