Marshall JCM900

B P

B P

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Or a 4500 not sure I just know that it's a JCM900 50w tube head. I might have a chance to buy this, but the only prob is that the guy got this in England and it's a 220 volt. He's asking 300 bucks for it. How hard or how much will it be to convert to a 110 volt ? Is this a good Marshall head ?

Itching to go tubes !

thx.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

AFAIK, they all have a voltage selector on the back so you should be able to switch it to run on 110V no problem.

The JCM 900 4500 is the 50W version of the Dual Reverb amps. Not bad amps. They really sing with EL34's in them. Once Marshall put 5881's in them around late 1993 or so, they lost a bit of that Marshall character. But at the same time, if there are 5881's in it, it can easily be changed over to EL34's.

For $300, that's a steal. Be careful of the shipping though. That might cost ya a bit getting it across the Atlantic.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

the 4500 is ****, you don't want it. If you're checking out the 900 series look either for an SLX (it's only one channel though) or the 2100 or 2500, they were better amps, much closer to the 800. The JCM 900 MK II's were pretty good also, the 4500 and 4100 are **** though, super harsh and shrill sounding
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

The 2100 and 2500 are both SL-X and MkIII model numbers (not MkII, there is no MkII 900).

How much experience do you have with the 900 series, apj?
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

ErikH said:
AFAIK, they all have a voltage selector on the back so you should be able to switch it to run on 110V no problem.

The JCM 900 4500 is the 50W version of the Dual Reverb amps. Not bad amps. They really sing with EL34's in them. Once Marshall put 5881's in them around late 1993 or so, they lost a bit of that Marshall character. But at the same time, if there are 5881's in it, it can easily be changed over to EL34's.

For $300, that's a steal. Be careful of the shipping though. That might cost ya a bit getting it across the Atlantic.
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Erik, agree with all of the above except the voltage. Marshall made separate models for North American and European distribution. to my knowledge, none of them were dual voltage (the manuals don't show this either).

running Europe-spec electronics in the US will require an adapter - not sure how much $$ those run lately.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

CaughtLikeFire said:
Erik, agree with all of the above except the voltage. Marshall made separate models for North American and European distribution. to my knowledge, none of them were dual voltage (the manuals don't show this either).

running Europe-spec electronics in the US will require an adapter - not sure how much $$ those run lately.
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I looked a the manual for my MkIII (since I can't look at the amp directly at the moment) and you're right, there's no voltage selector. I never really paid much attention whether there was one or not.

That being said, it should be a simple change that a good tech can do for it to run on 110V, or use an adapter.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

apj said:
the 4500 is ****, you don't want it. If you're checking out the 900 series look either for an SLX (it's only one channel though) or the 2100 or 2500, they were better amps, much closer to the 800. The JCM 900 MK II's were pretty good also, the 4500 and 4100 are **** though, super harsh and shrill sounding
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"Much closer to an 800"? but, an 800 is shrill and harsh compared to my 2100 MKIII. My MKIII sounds nothing like an 800 thank god! Seriously, I sold my Slash sig 2555SL becasue my 900 sounded better. Yeah thats right, the slash sig that everyone raves about and is the same amp as a jubilee. Everyone that has played it (my 900), has been shocked how freaking good it sounds. I love folks that trash 900's, it keeps the prices cheap and makes for a total sleeper amp.

I cant speak for SLX's and the 4100's and 4500's. Though, everyone seems to lump all of the 9's in the same category. LOL!
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

Everyone knows the 900 is better than the 800.

At least 100 better. :)

Seriously to the OP, there are ways to adapt the power and I am sure Erik and many other 900 fans can recommend some upgrades to the amp.

But, that shipping may just make you look locally.
 
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Re: Marshall JCM900

A 240v model can be converted to 120v but the pilot light in the on switch won't operate unless you swap the switch out for a 120v one. Switches are cheap comared to a transformer though. The split primary on 240v models are wired in series while 120v models would have the same transormer with the primary wired in parallel. Easy fix...just make sure you double the current for the mains fuse over the current rating of a 240v model.

Jerry
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

ErikH said:
The 2100 and 2500 are both SL-X and MkIII model numbers (not MkII, there is no MkII 900).

How much experience do you have with the 900 series, apj?
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All I was saying was that the 2100 and 2500 series is better than the 4100 and 4500 which is true if anyone has tried both, the dual reverbs were no good
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

apj said:
All I was saying was that the 2100 and 2500 series is better than the 4100 and 4500 which is true if anyone has tried both, the dual reverbs were no good
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The Dual Reverbs are perfectly fine amps with EL34's. Try one with EL34's and you'll change your mind on them. I do agree, however, that the 2100/2500, whether MkIII or SL-X, are the better amp.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

ErikH said:
The Dual Reverbs are perfectly fine amps with EL34's. Try one with EL34's and you'll change your mind on them. I do agree, however, that the 2100/2500, whether MkIII or SL-X, are the better amp.
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yep - it's not hard to get great hard rock tones from an early EL34 dual reverb.

the overdrive is smoother and has less fizz on the SLX models but I think both the DR and SLX models can benefit big time from upgraded output transformers and some circuit mods (reshape the EQ on both and change the distortion character by swapping out diodes in the DR models). a little more bass and low mids and the 900s are much better than most the current production models.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

Just wait until I get my MkIII back from the shop. It's having a new power transformer put in, new filter caps, new tubes. I plan on recording a couple clips through my Avatar cab for my web site. We'll be on vacation next week when it's done so I won't get it back until after the 22nd.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

ErikH said:
Just wait until I get my MkIII back from the shop. It's having a new power transformer put in, new filter caps, new tubes. I plan on recording a couple clips through my Avatar cab for my web site. We'll be on vacation next week when it's done so I won't get it back until after the 22nd.
Click to expand...

definitely looking forward to hearing those :headbang:
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

This place rocks ! Thx for the input. I'm not worried about the shipping Erik because it's here locally and thanks for the info. on the EL34's.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

Well, since it's local, snag it and get it retubed with EL34's if necessary and get the power tranny wiring swapped around for 110V. That's a killer deal as long as there is nothing wrong with it.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

Yes, I will also add, 900's HATE JJ tubes so, avoid them when you re-tube.

Sovteks or EH's are really good in a 900. EH power tubes and Sovtek pre-amp tubes and you will be gold.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

I have a 4500 and I am NEVER giving it up. I couldn't afford one when they were in production but four years ago I got a 50 Watt head and a 2X12 on ebay for a great deal. It sings with a couple of EL34s in it and the gain is high enough I never need a distotion pedal.

$300 is insane for that amp. Grab it.
 
Re: Marshall JCM900

Eric, IIRC, my 900 did not have a switch on the back for voltage in different countries. I had a Dual Reverb.

However, step up-step down transformers are fairly cheap. It was a while back when I looked into them, but I think you can get what you need for well under 100USD.

300USD is a great price, but by the time you add the shipping price, the price of a transformer, and the possible hassles of long distance shipping, you may be better off looking in the States. They aren't rare birds.
 
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