Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
- Thread starter Dr. Lo
- Start date
Gr8Scott
Wookieologist
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
Have someone build you an 18 Watt Marshall copy. It's as close as you're gonna get to Marshall tone in under 20 watts. Get the TMB version from Trinity amps and you should be happy with it. I'd like one myself.
Have someone build you an 18 Watt Marshall copy. It's as close as you're gonna get to Marshall tone in under 20 watts. Get the TMB version from Trinity amps and you should be happy with it. I'd like one myself.
JacksonMIA
Lemur-buckerologist
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
Yep, there's some good Marshall clones at 18W out there. I've been thinking about one, myself.
Yep, there's some good Marshall clones at 18W out there. I've been thinking about one, myself.
Stratman
Guitaris Maximus
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
Yes, that 18 watt Marshall clone from Trinity is good tone machine as a similar 18 watt tone machine from Nik @ Ceriatone.
Scott, Lew, Curly - Are any of you going to start building one?
Gr8Scott said:
Yes, that 18 watt Marshall clone from Trinity is good tone machine as a similar 18 watt tone machine from Nik @ Ceriatone.
Scott, Lew, Curly - Are any of you going to start building one?
Fresh_Start
New member
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
You might want to check out the 18 Watt forum to find builders and check out variants of the Marshall 18 Watt.
Also, there are sound clips on the Trinity site of two versions of the 18 Watt... personally, I'm dying to build an sIII kit myself but am holding off until I've cut my teeth on something simpler.
Chip
You might want to check out the 18 Watt forum to find builders and check out variants of the Marshall 18 Watt.
Also, there are sound clips on the Trinity site of two versions of the 18 Watt... personally, I'm dying to build an sIII kit myself but am holding off until I've cut my teeth on something simpler.
Chip
Gr8Scott
Wookieologist
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
That sIII sure does make the mouth water doesn't it?... I've been thinking of building a 36w TMB out of my classic 50, but most of the parts don't really lend themselves to the 36w design and the voltage out of the tranny is too high. I might just buy the transformers and the board and custom fab everything else for the amp myself.
Wonder what the parts would cost...
That sIII sure does make the mouth water doesn't it?... I've been thinking of building a 36w TMB out of my classic 50, but most of the parts don't really lend themselves to the 36w design and the voltage out of the tranny is too high. I might just buy the transformers and the board and custom fab everything else for the amp myself.
Wonder what the parts would cost...
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
He said JCM800 tone, not the 18 Watt tone. Although both are Marshalls, they sound COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from each other, IMO.
So, that said, to get the JCM800 sound at lower volumes, other than going with the real thing and an attenuator, look at a modeller like a POD XT or even the Vox Valvetronix amps. I've tried both and like the Valvetronix JCM800 model better. It sounds more authentic and reacts better to picking and rolling back of the guitar volume than the POD. The 50 watt combo is really nice and has a "Power Level" knob that allows you to adjust the overall like an attenuator. The 100 watt head and 30 watt combo have this well.
He said JCM800 tone, not the 18 Watt tone. Although both are Marshalls, they sound COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from each other, IMO.
So, that said, to get the JCM800 sound at lower volumes, other than going with the real thing and an attenuator, look at a modeller like a POD XT or even the Vox Valvetronix amps. I've tried both and like the Valvetronix JCM800 model better. It sounds more authentic and reacts better to picking and rolling back of the guitar volume than the POD. The 50 watt combo is really nice and has a "Power Level" knob that allows you to adjust the overall like an attenuator. The 100 watt head and 30 watt combo have this well.
B
BigDaddy
Guest
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
So the answer is no.
It's almost impossible to get a similar sound out of an amp that has 50 or 100 watts with something that has 20 watts.
It just doesn't work.
You can get close but there are so many variables electronically and acoustically. It can turn out to be a costly undertaking.
I would find out what it is specifically you like about the amp and try to find a smaller amp that responds and sounds similar. You might be surprised at what sounds similar but at a lower volume so keep an open mind.
So the answer is no.
It's almost impossible to get a similar sound out of an amp that has 50 or 100 watts with something that has 20 watts.
It just doesn't work.
You can get close but there are so many variables electronically and acoustically. It can turn out to be a costly undertaking.
I would find out what it is specifically you like about the amp and try to find a smaller amp that responds and sounds similar. You might be surprised at what sounds similar but at a lower volume so keep an open mind.
Mkf411
New member
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
I've considered those, too. I did try the Astroverb 16 and it didn't remind me of a JCM800, but was a good classic rock amp IMO. The Atomic 16 is supposed to be the one to get. Of course they don't make them anymore. I've almost pulled the trigger several time on one of those on e-bay.
Probably not really an option, but another one I'm interest in is a Matamp mini-mat. It's only two watts, has a built in boost and a built in attenuator (laugh). From what I've read it'll crank through the right speaker. But it's hard to find in the States. Not sure if you're looking for that little power, but it would be fun to try if you ever find one.
Dr. Lo said:
I've considered those, too. I did try the Astroverb 16 and it didn't remind me of a JCM800, but was a good classic rock amp IMO. The Atomic 16 is supposed to be the one to get. Of course they don't make them anymore. I've almost pulled the trigger several time on one of those on e-bay.
Probably not really an option, but another one I'm interest in is a Matamp mini-mat. It's only two watts, has a built in boost and a built in attenuator (laugh). From what I've read it'll crank through the right speaker. But it's hard to find in the States. Not sure if you're looking for that little power, but it would be fun to try if you ever find one.
JumpMarine
18 watts of Mayhemologist
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
I get a VERY convincing plexi lead tone out of my JA-TMB and even at 18 watts, it's very loud. With my R7, it'll make you grin ear to ear with the awsome tones it produces.
I get a VERY convincing plexi lead tone out of my JA-TMB and even at 18 watts, it's very loud. With my R7, it'll make you grin ear to ear with the awsome tones it produces.
Dave
New member
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
Not to derail the thread, but this is worth some time.
http://trinityamps.cohrs.ca/stormy_monday.mp3
Not to derail the thread, but this is worth some time.
http://trinityamps.cohrs.ca/stormy_monday.mp3
JumpMarine
18 watts of Mayhemologist
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
I love that clip!
Dave said:
I love that clip!
PUCKBOY99
Irish Flagologist
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
Dr Z Carmen Ghia :dunno:
http://www.proguitar.de/AudioDemo/CompareAmps/CompareAmps.html
Dr Z Carmen Ghia :dunno:
http://www.proguitar.de/AudioDemo/CompareAmps/CompareAmps.html
V!N
New member
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
Attenuators are pretty safe today, if you have a good one. But if you don't like how it allters your tone, try this:
Get a Weber MASS or any other attenuator that can be used as a dummy load. Don't connect it between your amp and cab, but to one of he other speaker outputs. It will soak up the power and a clean signal at a lower volume will go to your cab.
Attenuators are pretty safe today, if you have a good one. But if you don't like how it allters your tone, try this:
Get a Weber MASS or any other attenuator that can be used as a dummy load. Don't connect it between your amp and cab, but to one of he other speaker outputs. It will soak up the power and a clean signal at a lower volume will go to your cab.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
I'm with erik...as cool as a 18W sounds..*I* have yet to hear one that sounds like a 800 series amp...not even close.
Some of the better ones get into the PLexi type realm..but plexis and a 2203/4 are ENTIRELY different beasts. But heck...a mid 70s NMV metalface sounds worlds different than a 18W.
I think your best bet..and this is coming from someone who has been after the same exact thing for 5 years... is (if you don't mind some SS buzz) a Marshall lead 12/Lead 12 mini stack.
..or go with a good modeler.
I'm with erik...as cool as a 18W sounds..*I* have yet to hear one that sounds like a 800 series amp...not even close.
Some of the better ones get into the PLexi type realm..but plexis and a 2203/4 are ENTIRELY different beasts. But heck...a mid 70s NMV metalface sounds worlds different than a 18W.
I think your best bet..and this is coming from someone who has been after the same exact thing for 5 years... is (if you don't mind some SS buzz) a Marshall lead 12/Lead 12 mini stack.
..or go with a good modeler.
baritone
Well-known member
Re: Is there a 20 watt (or less) amp that sounds like a Marshall JCM 800?
Check out
http://frenzeltubeamps.com/
and ask Jim if he takes requests. He built my amp, but it wasn't by my request; he just happened to make something that matched all of my preferences.
Check out
http://frenzeltubeamps.com/
and ask Jim if he takes requests. He built my amp, but it wasn't by my request; he just happened to make something that matched all of my preferences.
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