JCM800 Clones?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LooseCannon
  • Start date Start date
L

LooseCannon

Guest
Hey all, i'm looking for an amp that has the jcm800's tone and punch. I read about a lot of amps that has the jcm's tone but what makes the real one special is that punch from the transformers when cranked, so that's what i'm looking for. I hear good things about the Laney AOR's. Any opinions? Preferred from someone who played a cranked jcm and can compare them.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

you should go with jcm45 clones, but i guess both plexi and 800's are amazingly good marshall tone amps. you should try and get a kit and make it yourself if its any cheaper, it would be a good experience.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

Buy the real thing. I always look at them on Ebay and other used sites, and lots of used Marshalls pop up all the time. You just have to be determined to win an auction because there's usually others watching them too.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

I already have one, but I want another one that does better without being cranked to 6.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

LooseCannon said:
I already have one, but I want another one that does better without being cranked to 6.
Based on your first post and this one, they don't exist in tube amp form.

Best you can do is get an attenuator or get a modeller, like the Vox AD15/30/50/100 and use the UK80's model. It's the best sounding JCM800 model I've heard so far between them and what Line 6 has to offer.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

I tried valvetronix and it's a joke next to the real thing. I want to buy a cheaper copy cause the jcm goes around 700$. Any ideas?
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

There aren't any cheaper copies that I know of. All the copies I've ever seen are hotrodded boutique amps that cost twice as much as the real thing, seriously.

Of course no modeller sounds exactly like the real thing but I'll tell ya, the Vox ones are pretty darn convincing considering, and I don't have to hear it from the neighbors either.

Get an attenuator.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

Ok I seemed to give you guys the wrong impression, although I am looking for cranked tone in lower volumes, i'm also looking for a backup amp, so to get back to topic, the ones i've heared of are the Laney AOR and the Peavey Bravo. Anyone expirienced these or could suggest other ones?
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

Well, sheesh, why didn't you say so in the first place? ...lol You also didn't say you already had one originally either but now that we have all that out of the way........for something as backup, the 50 watt Crate 2x12's get a nice Marshall crunch, and they are inexpensive. Sure, it's a combo, but I think they also have a head version. Try one out. They're nice amps.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

Hiwatts have a tone all their own if you ask me. Sweeter and glassier than a Marshall.

Tha Laney AOR comes up a lot around here - I am REALLY CURIOUS!

how about the Sovtek MIG?

I am so biased towards Marshalls. The only thing that rivals JCM800s for me is the Bogner Shiva and Ecstasy. Both amps, the Shiva in particular, have elements that remind me of the JCM800 meets Plexi kinda tone.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

I'd definitely go with the Laney over the MIG. I've used JCM800s, 900s, and a Laney AOR 100 in the past. The Laney's are similar, but different, you can get close to the JCM tones with them, but they have more gain on tap if you crank them. They have an extra preamp tube which is footswitchable on some. Alot of them also have active pull boosts on all the EQ controls. Overall, they are nice amps, not quite the same as a raging Marshall, but close, I wouldn't even say the Marshall is better, just a little different.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

AORs I have one, it has that 80s classic metal sound but with definate signature tone of its one, darkish and mood, I call it if you turn Tom Waits into JCM800 you will get Laney AOR Pro-Tube. But one thing over Marshall is definately more gain, no need for distortion pedal, overdirve pedal will just swap you with saturation.
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

I had a Laney Pro Tube (non AOR) it was almost a dead on knock off of a JCM800. If I remember correctly only 3 components in the circuit where of different value than a Marshall 2204. (Laney used Skot transformers) I built my own Marshall JCM800 clone using a Metro board.www.metroamp.com Cost me just under $600 to build it myself,Thats Including a Custom made chassis and head box.:D
 
Re: JCM800 Clones?

kmcguitars said:
I had a Laney Pro Tube (non AOR) it was almost a dead on knock off of a JCM800. If I remember correctly only 3 components in the circuit where of different value than a Marshall 2204. (Laney used Skot transformers) I built my own Marshall JCM800 clone using a Metro board.www.metroamp.com Cost me just under $600 to build it myself,Thats Including a Custom made chassis and head box.:D

Did you build it from the master volume kit? Is it a jcm replica or the earlier jmp? Or is it the same circuit?
 
Back
Top