JCM 600 users (current and old)

motorhead

motorhead

New member
A while ago a few of you Guys gave me advice on a JCM 600.

You mentionned something with the Fx loop which now eludes me. Please refresh my memory as I'm getting a JCM 600 head this week.

Also, what speakers did you use with it. I kinda worried that 2x25watt Greenbacks might have some drawbacks even though the Ohmage will match.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

The JCM 600 has a parallel and series effects loop. The parallel loop has a blend control knob on the front of the amp...just like all the other control's. Put a small patch cord (the type you'de use to connect 2 pedals, as short as possible) in the parallel loop in back. One end in the "in" plug and the other end in the "out" plug.

Use the knob for the parallel loop on the front as an additional gain stage. The higher you turn it, the more gain you get. It's really a neat trick for adding some thickness to the OD tone of the amp. You're getting a great amp, awsome clean tones and very, very decent OD on it's own. I sold my 600 because the JCM 800 I had provided a thicker, meatier tone in OD mode. What I sacrificed was a great clean channel and versatility.

I often wonder if I made the right decision. The OD on the 600 is really quite good. Enjoy.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

Jeff_H said:
The JCM 600 has a parallel and series effects loop. The parallel loop has a blend control knob on the front of the amp...just like all the other control's. Put a small patch cord (the type you'de use to connect 2 pedals, as short as possible) in the parallel loop in back. One end in the "in" plug and the other end in the "out" plug.

Use the knob for the parallel loop on the front as an additional gain stage. The higher you turn it, the more gain you get. It's really a neat trick for adding some thickness to the OD tone of the amp. You're getting a great amp, awsome clean tones and very, very decent OD on it's own. I sold my 600 because the JCM 800 I had provided a thicker, meatier tone in OD mode. What I sacrificed was a great clean channel and versatility.

I often wonder if I made the right decision. The OD on the 600 is really quite good. Enjoy.
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch Jeff .... Now I remember you, sorry I forgot your previous comments.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

No problem....I got so carried away with my memory of how nice that amp is I forgot to tell you about the speakers.

If you're running a 2x12 cab the greenbacks may not have enough power handling capability...that's a 60w head right? If it's a 4x12 then you have no worries. I used the Eminence V12's, which is their V30 clone. Great sound. I'm sold on Eminence right now as they are all made in the USA and have just come out with a bunch of new speakers. Check out their website for the new ones. That or Weber is the route I'd go.

But at least 30 watts per speaker in a 2x12.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

Jeff_H said:
No problem....I got so carried away with my memory of how nice that amp is I forgot to tell you about the speakers.

If you're running a 2x12 cab the greenbacks may not have enough power handling capability...that's a 60w head right? If it's a 4x12 then you have no worries. I used the Eminence V12's, which is their V30 clone. Great sound. I'm sold on Eminence right now as they are all made in the USA and have just come out with a bunch of new speakers. Check out their website for the new ones. That or Weber is the route I'd go.

But at least 30 watts per speaker in a 2x12.
Click to expand...

I've always used Celestion G12T-75 (1960 cab) so I'm really new to what Eminence has to offer ... I'' check them out. I recently got into Greenbacks which I like for a blues tone.

I'm 66% metal and 33% Power Blues.

What do you think? :
- 2x12" ~ G12T-75
- 2x12" ~ V30
- 4x12" ~ Greenbacks
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

The G12T's are an old stand by, and great for metal. I personally find them a bit too harsh for my taste, but I'm more classic rock, hard rock, blues and a little metal myself. For an all around speaker, it's hard to beat the V30, or the Eminence clone of it. The greenbacks have a woodier tone, and an earlier break up. I think you can do much better than the G12T's for your tone. The G12H provides some serious bottom end, and matches well with the V30's. I won't be buying Celestion any longer as they are made in China now, not the UK. Different speaker now in my opinion. I'll find what I need thru Eminence or Weber.

Here's my personal choices:

2x12's

One V30 (or clone)
One G12H

One V30
One Greenback

On 4x12's just go V30's on top and G12H's on bottom or Greenbacks on top and V30's on bottom.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

Jeff_H said:
The G12T's are an old stand by, and great for metal. I personally find them a bit too harsh for my taste, but I'm more classic rock, hard rock, blues and a little metal myself. For an all around speaker, it's hard to beat the V30, or the Eminence clone of it. The greenbacks have a woodier tone, and an earlier break up. I think you can do much better than the G12T's for your tone. The G12H provides some serious bottom end, and matches well with the V30's. I won't be buying Celestion any longer as they are made in China now, not the UK. Different speaker now in my opinion. I'll find what I need thru Eminence or Weber.

Here's my personal choices:

2x12's

One V30 (or clone)
One G12H

One V30
One Greenback

On 4x12's just go V30's on top and G12H's on bottom or Greenbacks on top and V30's on bottom.
Click to expand...

I like your thinking ... great food for though - I'll have fun with this.

The greenbacks were for a THD Uni-Valve which I never got (one day maybe).

Thanks again.

PS: I wasn't aware that Celestions were made in China :smack:
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

I used a JCM 600 Head with a Marshall 1960 cab for a couple years in the late 90's. Mine was a 1997. I thought it was a VERY cool Head !!!! :)
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

motorhead said:
What do you guys think about putting a couple of THD YellowJackets on it to reduce the volume ?

http://www.tubestore.com/thdproducts.html
Click to expand...

If you want to keep the Marshall sound, I don't think that you need the YJ's because you have a master volume. Now if you want to change to tone with 6L6's, by all means go for it. I have been thinking about doing this as well to add even more variety to the tones. It's a great amp, IMHO, even more so after retubing. I just retubed with Svetlana el34's and JJ 12ax7's and they are SMOOTH. A bit darker, but very smooth OD.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

Where have you been? I've been searching for a dual channel Marshall for years now and I find you.

This is the amp that everybody forgot about.

Just plain RAW tone - nothing artificial sounding about it.

With 2 Fx loops I still haven't found my own tone yet. This amp gain channel is brutal and the cleans are CLEAN even when punched.

I applied the trick showed to me by Jeff_H and it made a substantial difference. Thanks again JEFF!

I have it hooked up to 2 Greenbacks right now (Celestion said it was OK as lonmg as I don't drive to hard and for too long). I have another Greenback ordered and I'll match it with a V30 or G12H as suggested by Jeff. I]d love to find a G12L35. The G12L35 and a Greenback in a close cab would probably DO it for me.

It's still the honeymoon but what can I say ... I am Jazzed!
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

Enjoy!!!! It's a great amp! What tubes are you running? I am getting ready to change out the stock Celestion Heritage speakers in mine and am waiting to hear some reviews on the new Eminence Patriot/Red Coat series of speakers.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

Motorhead -

Glad you like the amp so much....it really is an underated amp. New speakers, a set of great pre-amp and power tubes and you've got unlimited potential.

Keep us posted.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

JCM 600 Reverb - weak!?

The 600 has 2 master reverbs 1) Clean and 1) OD.

They are both very weak ... I actually have it to 10 on both.

What's up with that?

It took me a week to realise this so as you can see I'm not a reverb kinda guy but it does seem very odd.

Do reverbs break? Loose wire maybe?
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

Just out of curiousity, what are good, used JCM600 heads going for these days?
I'm yearnin for that Marshall tone myself, and plan on making a Marshall my next choice of amp to buy (eventually).
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

The reverb will be very weak when using the parallel FX loop on a high setting. If you turn it down or take out the cable, then there will be a ton more reverb.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

The reverb on mine was fine. I didn't use it much. I like delay much more than I like reverb. :) Plus, I didn't use the fx loops, I just ran a CryBaby and a TS-808 straight into the front.
 
Re: JCM 600 users (current and old)

Tom M said:
The reverb will be very weak when using the parallel FX loop on a high setting. If you turn it down or take out the cable, then there will be a ton more reverb.
Click to expand...


Resolved ... Thanks a bunch! :dance:
 
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