JCM 800 Combos?

[CoryXC]

Hey guys..

I'm getting tired of my 5150, considering it doesn't fit my needs anymore. I'm more into classic heavy-mid stuff now. The 5150 isn't cutting it anymore, or cutting through at all. Great lows and highs.. just no guts! Anyway.. I want that EL34 marshall tone. I've love to get a 2205 50-watter 800 head, but that's just too much for my needs.

So I was wondering what's the equivalent combo model for the 2204? OR is there one? I hear the 1 X12's are pretty damn loud.. I play *small* venues, and band practice at home! IF, this amp is possible to find, what year? Which are the bad ones? Help me out here guys! Plexis are way too loud for me! And I hear 900's suck! So I'm going with an 800! Point me in the right direction for the best 800 combo. (and cheapest of course! :dance: )

Cory

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

A friend of mine has a JCM800 combo from the 80's, with a 1x12. With a Les Paul, you can nail that old Alex Lifeson tone!!

 

[Thames]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

A friend of mine has a JCM800 combo from the 80's, with a 1x12. With a Les Paul, you can nail that old Alex Lifeson tone!!

Aah.. why did you said that? :smack: :smack:

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Aah.. why did you said that? :smack: :smack:

Hehe ... from one Rush fanatic to another, man -->
w/a LP Custom, I was able to nail the tones from the 1st album up to Kings, with no problem!!
(I can play every song from the 1st album thru to about Signals by heart )

 

[B2D]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

I used to own a wonderful JCM800 2x12 combo from 1982. mig50 owns it now. I forget the model number but it was pretty much a 2204 50W single channel, vertical-input JCM800 in 2x12 combo form.

You'll need an attenuator... this thing is loud enough to slay most 100w stacks. But once you get it hot and loud and cookin' HOOOO man vintage marshall tone up the ho-ho!

Look for a JCM600, JTM30 or JTM60 combo... if you're looking for something a little more controllable. A few forum members have them and they're really cool amps! I found three of them (2 60s and one 30) at a little shop in Petaluma, CA and would've bought it on the spot if i'd had the cash.



EDIT: here it is!!! the 4104 combo http://marshallamps.com/images/archive/jcm800combos.html

 

[CoryXC]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Cool... B2D, what about a 1X12 combo? It's still 50 watts! Don't you think it'll suit the needs of playing small venues? Anyone else have some insight on 800's? I hear they're the best Marshall's beside 1959's and 1987's..

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

I'd go for the 2 x 12 version. I don't think one 12 moves enough air for most live situations. And the '82 vertical input JCM 800 50 watt is a killer amp. One of my very favorite Marshalls. I sold mine only after finding the '70 handwired small box Marshall 50 watt head I have now...a model 1987. There's usually a few Marshalls on Ebay...just do a search for Marshall amp or amplifier. I found several of the 2 x 12 50 watt combo amps on Ebay just last week.


I WOULD NOT BUY THE SIDE BY SIDE INPUT VERSION THO...WAIT FOR A VERTICAL INPUT AMP TO SHOW UP. They sound better.


Lew

 

[drp555]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

I WOULD NOT BUY THE SIDE BY SIDE INPUT VERSION THO...WAIT FOR A VERTICAL INPUT AMP TO SHOW UP. They sound better.

Lew, what's the difference between the vertical and side by side input? (I have a '84 JCM 800 2x12 combo, I believe it has the side by side inputs. It's been broken for some time now. I'm probably going to get it fixed soon.)

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Are they comparable tone wise, to the full-on JCM800 head and 4x12 cab?

 

[Thames]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Are they comparable tone wise, to the full-on JCM800 head and 4x12 cab?

Nuthin', I mean, Nuthin' is comparable to a JCM800 stack... :smokin:

Except maybe a hungry blonde asian bitch with long boots and a whip :naughty:

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Are they comparable tone wise, to the full-on JCM800 head and 4x12 cab?

Tonally? Yeah, I would say yes.
A stack sounds different, of course, because you have all that pants-flapping power!!!! \m/ :evil:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Lew, what's the difference between the vertical and side by side input? (I have a '84 JCM 800 2x12 combo, I believe it has the side by side inputs. It's been broken for some time now. I'm probably going to get it fixed soon.)

The '82 model and the '86 models I owned had very differant circuit boards and a slightly differant circuit. People think they are exactly the same but they are not. If I remember right, the '82 model had pots that were connected by hand wired leads where the '86 had pots that were attached directly to the circuit board...tho, I could be wrong about that. It's been a long time since I've worked on those amps of mine.

All I know is that anyone who has owned both and compared them side by side, like I have, says the same thing: the '82 version, those with the vertical inputs, just sound better. Richer, ballsier...just better.

 

[JeffB]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Most of them sound really good. Some better than others, but still most are very nice, IME.

I would suggest two things..

1) ensure you are getting a model that has EL34s in it. Many of the 800s had 6550 tubes...which are not conducive to the best Marshallesque tones. Chris Sniders amp clips page has a couple of examples.

2) Try and stick with a Single channel combos. The channel switching combos (clean and "gain") don't sound as good..regardless of power tube.

I'll have to go grab my Marshall Handbook (not the manual, but a big book all about Marshall amps from the beginning to the mid 90's) tonight and give ya some model #s to look for.

As for the suggestion of the JTM60's..I have an mid 90's combo that fried something..never got it fixed. According to many of the Marshall gurus here, that series had a high failure rate, and was modified/fixed and renamed the JCM600 series soon after...so you may want to stay away from a JTM 60, proper. They do sound good though.

And not trying to spam on this forum..but if you need a good head, I'm afraid my 1987 RI has to go

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

I'll have to go grab my Marshall Handbook (not the manual, but a big book all about Marshall amps from the beginning to the mid 90's) tonight and give ya some model #s to look for.

The History of Marshall, by Michael Doyle. I have that book at home.
It rocks!!

 

[JeffB]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

The History of Marshall, by Michael Doyle. I have that book at home.
It rocks!!

Indeed it does Ben.

I found it a few days ago packed away in a box of my old guitar gear. Had completly forgotten about it (as well as the name ..thanx for the clarification on the title!).

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Two of my JCM 800's came with those 6550's...changing them to EL-34's improved the tone and wasn't that big a deal but it takes a tech with a little experience to do it properly. Still, if I found a great JCM-800 with 6550's I wouldn't let that put me off. I'd just get it modded. Lew

 

[Mkf411]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Nuthin', I mean, Nuthin' is comparable to a JCM800 stack... :smokin:

Except maybe a hungry blonde asian bitch with long boots and a whip :naughty:

I'll take a horny blonde asian bitch, please. :13:

 

[JeffB]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Two of my JCM 800's came with those 6550's...changing them to EL-34's improved the tone and wasn't that big a deal but it takes a tech with a little experience to do it properly. Still, if I found a great JCM-800 with 6550's I wouldn't let that put me off. I'd just get it modded. Lew

Absolutely! I should have been more clear in my post. Have EL34s installed by a competent tech, and don't base your (a general "your") impressions on a 6550 equipped version.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Nuthin', I mean, Nuthin' is comparable to a JCM800 stack... :smokin:

Except maybe a hungry blonde asian bitch with long boots and a whip :naughty:

:laugh2: :laugh2:

Oh my, I know there's a great story behind that one, bro! But, there's kiddies on this board.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: JCM 800 Combos?

Tonally? Yeah, I would say yes.
A stack sounds different, of course, because you have all that pants-flapping power!!!! \m/ :evil:

Well Ben, you know my situation I think. Married with children, blah blah blah. I play at home, will maybe some day think about the 80's revival band to play out (once you get me sweeping properly). I've been seriously considering a Slash or a Jubilee - for playing and collecting purposes, but the practical side says that I can't use one in my house where I do 99% of my playing. I was thining maybe a 2-12 combo would be a good compromise