MkII and JCM 800?

[WhoFan]

How close in tone are mid 70's MKII Marshalls and early 80's JCM 800's? I was listening to a Rush album a lot this week, All The Worlds A Stage, thinking that is the tone i was looking for in a Marshall... I have an early 80's 2204 that needs repair so i don't really use it much. But once repaired i'm hopeing i can get that classic Rush sound out of it with a few Chorus/Flange and delay pedals as well.

I've heard many people say that the MKII's and the early 800's were close in tone..... any truth?

 

[ErikH]

Re: MkII and JCM 800?

The JMP 2204 and JCM800 2204 are the same circuit, at least the vertical input models are, so you shouldn't have much of a problem getting the tone you're after. Both the JMP and JCM800 carried the MkII designation.

If you were to run one of each through the same cab, they'll sound practically identical. The JCM800 might be a little brighter.

 

[Jeff Seal]

Re: MkII and JCM 800?

No, not even remotely will a MKII ever sound like a JCM800, what you choose to use is entirely up to you....

JS

 

[WhoFan]

Re: MkII and JCM 800?

No, not even remotely will a MKII ever sound like a JCM800, what you choose to use is entirely up to you....

JS

What are some of the major tone differences between these amps...? I've not played thru a MKII in many many many years.... Do the Early 800's have more gain?

Judging by RUSH albums the 1976 All The Worlds A Stage album was recorded with some MKII's in Alex's rig... This was before he switched to Hiwatts for a few years.... Then the 82 Live album Exit Stage Left was 800's... Early tone i like more, but i like both... but by the Exit album he seemed to be using a lot more FX's..

Mind you getting an amp to sound like a recording is not always easy... but just using those recordings as guide lines..

A bass player i used to play with used his Bass thru one of Alex's old Marshall cabs from the Exit Stage Left era.... It was a 4x10 cab if i remember.... On the back was painted RUSH STAGE RIGHT...... We figured it was the cab on Geddy's side....

 

[johnny blackwater]

Re: MkII and JCM 800?

No, not even remotely will a MKII ever sound like a JCM800, what you choose to use is entirely up to you....

JS

What do you mean " not even remotely" the circuit is the same on the vertical input master volume models! enlighten us with your knowledge, if you are going to make such a broad statement, back it up with some details.

 

[jerryjg]

Re: MkII and JCM 800?

They are the same. If you play a later model JCM800 through the GT-75 Cabinet and An earlier MKII through a GT-65 cabinet is where,IMHO, you will notice a huge difference. To me, the GT-65 cabinet is sooo much "maltier"(creamy, smooth, chocolaty..chocolaty??)

 

[Simon_F]

Re: MkII and JCM 800?

I thought I read somewhere (Plexi Palace probably...) that Marshall did make some changes to the JMP MkII MV circuit in the late 70s, so whilst a late JMP MV may be the same as an early JCM800, an early JMP MV would not. I thought it was something to do with the pre-amp gain.

Many years ago I had a 1980 50w JMP MV 2x12 combo (2104?). Last year I bought a 1977 50w JMP MV head, and it seems to me the 77 has less gain, though I can't do a side by side comparison. It could be that in the intervening years I've just got used to amps with more gain on tap.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: MkII and JCM 800?

Here's some more reading....... http://vintageamps.com/plexiboard/viewtopic.php?t=44733

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: MkII and JCM 800?

Let me say this, if anyone knows Marshalls, especially JCM 800's, it Jeff Seal. These amps are his specialty and his love. He can take on apart and put it back together with his eyes closed. If he says they sound completely different, then they do. Small changes in the circuit can make a huge difference in sound.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: MkII and JCM 800?

Let me say this, if anyone knows Marshalls, especially JCM 800's, it Jeff Seal. These amps are his specialty and his love. He can take on apart and put it back together with his eyes closed. If he says they sound completely different, then they do. Small changes in the circuit can make a huge difference in sound.

ya i'm sure Jeff Knows the differences... hope he returns to let us know...