JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

[Pushpin&Poetry]

I've heard some good things about the late 70's early 80's JMP's, mostly that they are worth more than they sell for. They seem to sell for less then the JCM 800's. But I have also heard differn't things like "they are the same amp in a differn't shell", "oh no they are totally differn't"

*Are they very similar in sound? what's the dif?

*Is this just because of all the JCM 800 hype?

*Fill me in yo.

Thanks!!

 

[JeffB]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Late JMP 2203/4s and early 800 2203/4s are essentially the same deal. The big difference in that time period was that the celestions Marshall used started to evolve and the general tones started to sound different between the two..or rather perceived that way.

In the mid 80s, 800 2203/2204s got some circuit and and other changes that many feel ruined them...IDK. Like any Marshall..regardless of year or model, some sound REALLY good...and some don't. They are like guitars. 10 of the same model can vary widely.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Like any Marshall..regardless of year or model, some sound REALLY good...and some don't. They are like guitars. 10 of the same model can vary widely.

That's the truth.


I find the irony of the JCM800/JMP thing to be that the JCM800s (these days) are more revered than the JMPs, but the early JCMs are the prized ones, and those are the ones that are (for all intents an porpoises) identical to the late JMPs.

Go figure.

 

[Pushpin&Poetry]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Thanks for the great replys. I've played a couple Jmc800's before that I really liked but never played a JMP. It really bums me out that I can't find any JMP's or 800's in my area. I've been cruzen ebay for one that looks legit and found a few JMC800's 2204 vertical inputs go for under $1250.

There's only one Jmc in my area for $1395 it's from 1990. Overpriced imo.

Ebay really does scare me that I could win a 2204 vertical input which sounds like junk.

Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Ebay really does scare me that I could win a 2204 vertical input which sounds like junk.

You mean "buy."

 

[Pushpin&Poetry]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Thanks for the help everyone. I've been studying up on the Marshall Marshall JMP series and I think I am sold. I was wondering if anyone had any further recommendations as far as a better year or model #?


What do you guys think about the JMP MKII 100 WATT

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

The auction looks good. I think it's a worthy buy, but don't be fooled by the current bidding prices along the course of the auction. It's a desireable amp, and you're going to have to step up with a big proxy bid to wrap this one up.

It's in clean collectors condition, so Marshall nuts will have their eye on it. Expect it to sell from $950-$1400.

 

[WhammyBar Allstar]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Tons of sweet deals on Craig's List!! You live in CA... you need to look at the SF/bay area, L.A., OC, and San Diego. JMP's and JCM800's 1959's,1987's,2203's,2204's... I see them all the time and I look... every day at least a few times a day. People get in financial jam's or whatever, and they throw it up on Craig's List so that they can get fast cash or whatever and blow them out pretty darn cheap. Most of the time, as soon as the ad goes up for a really good piece, it gets sold that day, if not within the hour. I highly recommend checking it out.

I got this JMP 2203 from Craig's List:

 

[jerryjg]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

YEA, heres my JMP 100MKII w/ the checkerboard cabinet. 700 for the amp last year in excellent recapped /retubed condition, and 325.00 for the Cabinet loaded with 3 Celestions G12's. Got both of em off C-List, but deals around here like that are infrequent to scarce. But some JCM 800's in the 800-900.00 range- not hardly any JCM's, I cant see why they are more highly regarded.

 

[Pushpin&Poetry]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

sweet deals! I live in the middle of nothing right now. Santa Maria, located in the middle of San Luis and Santa Barbara, prob at least 6 hours away from anything decent and there's not much action in the Santa Barbara and San Luis craigslist.


So you guys are both very happy with your JMP's? I'm looking at a


1980 JMP MASTER MODEL 50 WATT MK 2 and a

1978 MARSHALL JMP MKII 100 WATT

That both look pretty clean. Anyone like one over the other? Thanks guys!!!

 

[jerryjg]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

sweet deals! I live in the middle of nothing right now. Santa Maria, located in the middle of San Luis and Santa Barbara, prob at least 6 hours away from anything decent and there's not much action in the Santa Barbara and San Luis craigslist.


So you guys are both very happy with your JMP's? I'm looking at a


1980 JMP MASTER MODEL 50 WATT MK 2 and a

1978 MARSHALL JMP MKII 100 WATT

That both look pretty clean. Anyone like one over the other? Thanks guys!!!

All things being equal, i'd hit on that 100 watter. Thats because you can always full stack it, and they have Master volumes anyway; thats only if they are the same price. New there was a BIG difference in price ! Mines a tank. I Lurve it..no I loave it!!

 

[WhammyBar Allstar]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Those are both great amps. For me, I think I would go for the older 100 watter.

The JMP I found in the picture was in the SF/Bay Area, however.. I live in Orange County Newport Beach area. I drove up there at midnite Easter Sunday, got there around 6:30AM, crashed in a dumpy hotel til about 1PM in the afternoon, then got up and called the seller... met up, tested the amp, exchanged funds.. then went into SF for the rest of the day. I went back to the hotel after dinner, took a 2 hour nap, and then drove back home. It was kinda brutal, but it was a really cool trip!

 

[Pushpin&Poetry]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Those are both great amps. For me, I think I would go for the older 100 watter.

The JMP I found in the picture was in the SF/Bay Area, however.. I live in Orange County Newport Beach area. I drove up there at midnite Easter Sunday, got there around 6:30AM, crashed in a dumpy hotel til about 1PM in the afternoon, then got up and called the seller... met up, tested the amp, exchanged funds.. then went into SF for the rest of the day. I went back to the hotel after dinner, took a 2 hour nap, and then drove back home. It was kinda brutal, but it was a really cool trip!

Sweeeeeet!

 

[Rich_T]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

I've got the 50 watter, and I love it.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

All things being equal, i'd hit on that 100 watter. Thats because you can always full stack it, and they have Master volumes anyway;

For me, I think I would go for the older 100 watter.

I'll disagree. I've owned a couple JMP 100w MV amps- for everything that the ordinary guitarist is going to be using the amp for- the 50w makes much better noise.

The overall difference in volume between the 50 and 100w amps is barely noticable. However, the tone you're getting at the usable volume range is noticable. IME, the 100w amps- when using the pre low and the balls coming from the power section- they sound great. Much bigger. More "grunt." But when you're using the pre as the gain generator, and have the master set under... say... 1-6, the 50w just sounds better- bigger and fuller at lower volumes. Once you get into pushing the power section- it still sounds great, but I think the 100w sounds better.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO THINK OF WHAT YOU'RE USING THE AMP FOR. Right off hand, I can only remember one time when I had my 50w amp wide open. I've played in loud crashy rock bands my entire life. I've been actively gigging for 20 years. ONE time have I ever had my master beyond 5. (outdoor party, vocals only PA, people all around)
Usually, I'll rely on the the preamp for the gain and have stage vol around 2. For most anything you do, any bar you play, most any stage you'll play, a half-stack is plenty. If you really want to put the effort into a full stack, the 50w will push that fine as well.

I can't think of any professional stage I've been on that would tolerate a 50w half stack at 8.

 

[pinto79]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

I've had both a 1978 2204, and a few JCM800 2204s along with 1 JCM800 2203. All sounded awesome, but one particular JCM and the JMP still sit in my mind as the sweetest. The JMP was bit more "classic" while the JCM was a bit thicker. The JMP probably would have been amazing with a new set of tubes. I never should have traded it for that 100 watter...

 

[Pushpin&Poetry]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Yes, the JMP auction that I listed above has a reserve price of $1400.

Update: the deal I made for a really clean looking 1982 JMC 800 vertical input 2204 canadian model was just accepted. Total comes out to $1175. Pretty pricey, but this is the most legit looking one i've seen on ebay for a while.
I'm very happy. Can't wait to get it!

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

I'll disagree. I've owned a couple JMP 100w MV amps- for everything that the ordinary guitarist is going to be using the amp for- the 50w makes much better noise.

The overall difference in volume between the 50 and 100w amps is barely noticable. However, the tone you're getting at the usable volume range is noticable. IME, the 100w amps- when using the pre low and the balls coming from the power section- they sound great. Much bigger. More "grunt." But when you're using the pre as the gain generator, and have the master set under... say... 1-6, the 50w just sounds better- bigger and fuller at lower volumes. Once you get into pushing the power section- it still sounds great, but I think the 100w sounds better.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO THINK OF WHAT YOU'RE USING THE AMP FOR. Right off hand, I can only remember one time when I had my 50w amp wide open. I've played in loud crashy rock bands my entire life. I've been actively gigging for 20 years. ONE time have I ever had my master beyond 5. (outdoor party, vocals only PA, people all around)
Usually, I'll rely on the the preamp for the gain and have stage vol around 2. For most anything you do, any bar you play, most any stage you'll play, a half-stack is plenty. If you really want to put the effort into a full stack, the 50w will push that fine as well.

I can't think of any professional stage I've been on that would tolerate a 50w half stack at 8.

Man that's a great post!

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

Man that's a great post!

And I looked really fashionable typing it.

You know...

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: JCM 800's Vs. JMP, How do they compare?

And I looked really fashionable typing it.

You know...

You were wearing that hot dress again huh?