JCM 800 2203 vs. reissue
- Thread starter motorhead
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dystrust
Well-known member
Re: JCM 800 2203 vs. reissue
Original 2203s vary a lot. I've heard some that I'd nearly kill for, and I've played some others that you couldn't pay me to use. The reissue sounds like a very middle of the road 2203. This being the case, you'd be better off buying an original and having an effects loop added if you really need one.
Original 2203s vary a lot. I've heard some that I'd nearly kill for, and I've played some others that you couldn't pay me to use. The reissue sounds like a very middle of the road 2203. This being the case, you'd be better off buying an original and having an effects loop added if you really need one.
Re: JCM 800 2203 vs. reissue
Why get the new one for $1300 when you can get the real thing for $750 on ebay?
The FX loop mod is a simple thing to do as well. I'd just have a pre-out/power in jack put in it.
JCM800's DO vary a lot, though. Try to look for earlier examples with vertical inputs and Drake Transformers.
I had a 2x12 combo from 1982 with those features, and many Marshall nuts who played it told me it was one of the better-sounding ones they'd heard.
Why get the new one for $1300 when you can get the real thing for $750 on ebay?
The FX loop mod is a simple thing to do as well. I'd just have a pre-out/power in jack put in it.
JCM800's DO vary a lot, though. Try to look for earlier examples with vertical inputs and Drake Transformers.
I had a 2x12 combo from 1982 with those features, and many Marshall nuts who played it told me it was one of the better-sounding ones they'd heard.
motorhead
New member
Re: JCM 800 2203 vs. reissue
What about Tone? .... has anyone tried the reissued 2203s?
I believe in the 'real thing' for guitars and some effects but amps ... ehh .... tired of finding lemons. At least Mesa put a '+' for circuitry upgrades. $1300 for a warranty and an effect loop and some piece off mind that I don't need to have it overhauled sounds right but does it 'tone' right
What about Tone? .... has anyone tried the reissued 2203s?
I believe in the 'real thing' for guitars and some effects but amps ... ehh .... tired of finding lemons. At least Mesa put a '+' for circuitry upgrades. $1300 for a warranty and an effect loop and some piece off mind that I don't need to have it overhauled sounds right but does it 'tone' right
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: JCM 800 2203 vs. reissue
Stick with a single channel JCM 800 with vertical inputs like my '82 had. Those sound better and they'll last forever. My '86 had side by side inputs and the circuit board is differant and the amp was not nearly so ballsy as my '82...regardless of what anyone tells you. The '86 cannot be easily modded to sound as good as the '82 either. Personally, I'd avoid the dual channel, channel switching model altogether. Simpler is better, IMO. Lew
Stick with a single channel JCM 800 with vertical inputs like my '82 had. Those sound better and they'll last forever. My '86 had side by side inputs and the circuit board is differant and the amp was not nearly so ballsy as my '82...regardless of what anyone tells you. The '86 cannot be easily modded to sound as good as the '82 either. Personally, I'd avoid the dual channel, channel switching model altogether. Simpler is better, IMO. Lew
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motorhead
New member
Re: JCM 800 2203 vs. reissue
Dual Channel ?
JCM 800 2203 Reissue
Has anybody tried the above?
Lewguitar said:
Dual Channel ?
JCM 800 2203 Reissue
Has anybody tried the above?
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: JCM 800 2203 vs. reissue
No...that's the single channel with master volume and hi/lo inputs. That's the model I prefer. But why buy a new one when old ones are available for alot less? Those amps last forever! Lew
motorhead said:
No...that's the single channel with master volume and hi/lo inputs. That's the model I prefer. But why buy a new one when old ones are available for alot less? Those amps last forever! Lew
motorhead
New member
Re: JCM 800 2203 vs. reissue
I've blown an early '80s 2203 already. That's why.
____________________________________________Lewguitar said:
motorhead said:I believe in the 'real thing' for guitars and some effects but amps ... ehh .... tired of finding lemons. At least Mesa put a '+' for circuitry upgrades. $1300 for a warranty and an effect loop and some piece off mind that I don't need to have it overhauled sounds right but does it 'tone' right
I've blown an early '80s 2203 already. That's why.
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dystrust
Well-known member
Re: JCM 800 2203 vs. reissue
The one "you couldn't pay me to play" was a horizontal input model dating to '87. The best sounding orginal 2203 I've ever played was an '83 or '84 model with vertical inputs and 6550 output tubes :eek2:. I have never liked 6550s as a rule, but they screamed in that amp.
The one "you couldn't pay me to play" was a horizontal input model dating to '87. The best sounding orginal 2203 I've ever played was an '83 or '84 model with vertical inputs and 6550 output tubes :eek2:. I have never liked 6550s as a rule, but they screamed in that amp.
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