JCM900 Combo 2x12 100w: sell or upgrade?

[Emopunk]

Re: JCM900 Combo 2x12 100w: sell or upgrade?

You guys are incredible.. I came with doubts, now I know I will keep my old Amp and just pimp it up a bit :headbang:
@gibson175, I see you didn't suggest at all the Vintage 30. So you think the option of one vintage with one of the 75 I have wouldn't be good?
@allbutromeo, I pretty much find it already to have a good sound, but one thing I would love to improve is the fizzines on the b-channel. Do you say it would be enough to change the pre section (is it correct?)?

Now for anothe small problem I have. I used to have a lovely cat. She's now dead unfortunately, but at the time she tried couple of time to refine her nails in my amp :nono:
So in the end my 4102 has two tears in the tolex. I would like to repair it if possible. Should I post pictures to see if you can explain to me how to do?

Thank you and lots of regards from Italy!!

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: JCM900 Combo 2x12 100w: sell or upgrade?

I think I would probably keep the amp, and rather than replacing speakers I'd try to find a matching closed-back Marshall 212 extension cab to use with it.

Or get a JCM 900 head and cab--these can be had very reasonably, and a backup amp is always a good thing.

Now that doesn't solve the weight problem. You might want to look into getting a smaller combo, say 18-35 watts for when you play smaller rooms. A "pick up and go" amp. Perhaps a used Marshall DSL40 that would have a tone similar to the JCM, or go for something like a Mesa, Fender, or Peavey Classic...an amp that could back up you JCM, handle smaller venues, and expand your tonal options...should you get a gig with a jazz quartet or a country-rock band in the future.

There are lots of possibilities for you. If you really love the tone of your amp, the making some minor upgrades and tweaks is a good idea. Having a backup rig is a necessity--and hopefully, it's close enough to your Number One that it won't stress you out if you have to gig with it. And having an amp that is tonally different, and has a different power level for other venues...well, that can be very handy too.

Tough choices. Good luck; let us know what you decide.

Bill

 

[Emopunk]

Re: JCM900 Combo 2x12 100w: sell or upgrade?

I think I would probably keep the amp, and rather than replacing speakers I'd try to find a matching closed-back Marshall 212 extension cab to use with it.

Or get a JCM 900 head and cab--these can be had very reasonably, and a backup amp is always a good thing.

Now that doesn't solve the weight problem. You might want to look into getting a smaller combo, say 18-35 watts for when you play smaller rooms. A "pick up and go" amp. Perhaps a used Marshall DSL40 that would have a tone similar to the JCM, or go for something like a Mesa, Fender, or Peavey Classic...an amp that could back up you JCM, handle smaller venues, and expand your tonal options...should you get a gig with a jazz quartet or a country-rock band in the future.

There are lots of possibilities for you. If you really love the tone of your amp, the making some minor upgrades and tweaks is a good idea. Having a backup rig is a necessity--and hopefully, it's close enough to your Number One that it won't stress you out if you have to gig with it. And having an amp that is tonally different, and has a different power level for other venues...well, that can be very handy too.

Tough choices. Good luck; let us know what you decide.

Bill

I actually have a smaller back-up, I have a Fender Mustang III v2, which is really good for my tastes. Quite portable too [emoji2]

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: JCM900 Combo 2x12 100w: sell or upgrade?

@gibson175, I see you didn't suggest at all the Vintage 30. So you think the option of one vintage with one of the 75 I have wouldn't be good?

yeah that's a popular combo for hard rock/metal. I didn't mention the v30 because it is such a strident and cutting speaker. The ones i recommended are not as efficient and not as present as the v30 so you will be able to have a warmer, fatter tone at the same volume. Really efficient and cutting speakers are fine, but it is very rare that people who have 100 watt amps need more volume. Generally, it is more useful to tame your big powerful amp so you can get a good tone at a useable stage volume, one that is thick and meaty, but not too loud for 1. The people in the front row 2. The sound engineer - who invariably want you to turn it down no matter what volume you play at and 3. the rest of the band especially the vocalist. By choosing not to have the loudest, most efficient speaker, you can use more of your amp. The other thing to steer clear from especially with 900s is speakers that are geared towards the treble end of the spectrum. Have a think about how you usually set your tone controls....if you want to sound big and bold rather than "swarm of bees" then speakers that do not have a pronounced treble will be a good fit for that amp. The other thing about 900s and especially the 100 watters is that they tend to sound better when the power tubes are actually working rather than sitting down on 1,2 or 3. Loud speakers mean you can never get your power tubes working in the "tone zone" in most clubs. The only time really you can open your amp up is at an outdoor stadium, but even then what is the point of being so loud that you can't hear the rest of the band?
It is also worth considering that speakers that sound good in closed back cabs, often sound less than stellar in open back cabs, and seeing as you have a combo its worth looking for speakers that will suit.
Anyways...my 2c worth.

 

[Emopunk]

Re: JCM900 Combo 2x12 100w: sell or upgrade?

@gibson175 what you say is so true about volume! I really have troubles to push my amp in most of the usual settings. Your suggested speakers perform well in a combo, for what you know?

 

[dystrust]

Re: JCM900 Combo 2x12 100w: sell or upgrade?

@allbutromeo, I pretty much find it already to have a good sound, but one thing I would love to improve is the fizzines on the b-channel. Do you say it would be enough to change the pre section (is it correct?)?

With most master volume amps the majority of the tone comes from the preamp section. That's certainly the case with my Marshall Jubilee which isn't hugely different from your JCM900. IMO finding the right preamp tube will dramatically help but may not entirely cure the fizziness you're referring to. To completely fix the issue you'll probably want to swap preamp tubes and at least one speaker, and possibly power amp tubes as well.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: JCM900 Combo 2x12 100w: sell or upgrade?

Looking forward to the progress report!


& + another for keeping it,just get some casters or a dolly board or something...

 

[Emopunk]

Re: JCM900 Combo 2x12 100w: sell or upgrade?

Thank you, I am making contacts with a shop to buy one or two Creambacks :argh:
Then I'll see how it works and decide when to refresh the tubes section.

In the meanwhile I need to repair a couple of tears in the tolex. If you have any favourite technique please share!
I found this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4B4eZb0lI0

Is it an accettable way to do it?