new JCM 800 head, what cab?

H

heavydutysg135

New member
Hi guys,
I have been reading the information on this board for a long time, but this is my first post. I just bought a 1981 JCM 800 head (2204) with vertical inputs last night. The seller let me try it through a 4x12 JCM 900 closed back cab and I got the best tone that I have ever played through. The crunch was unbelievable, and the clean was much better than I expected. I do not own a cab right now so I need to buy one. I know how much of a difference that different cabs make in the tone so I wanted to pick the right one to compliment the tone of my JCM 800. Do you think that I should get one with Vintage 30s or with T-75s. I would rather go with a 2x12 since it would be like half the weight, but let me know your opinions on the sound difference in the 4x12. I am assuming that I would want a closed back right? Since I have been reading these boards for a long time, I know that you guys will ask me what kind of music that I play. I will be using this head for what it was made for. My ideal tone would be like zakk wylde's, but I would also like to be able to get close to Van Halen, George Lynch, ACDC, and Metallica. I appreciate everyone's opinions.
 
Another vote for avatar.

I just got another 2x12 from him loaded with a Celestion V30 and G12H and it freakin rocks! Great combination. Another plus from Avatar is that you can get open, closed or both backs with your order. He has a special right now on an open back G12H cab (2x12) loaded with the above mentioned speakers for $298+34 shipping. Only thing is it only comes with an open back (You can order a closed back for it, I think its 28 bucks) and two grill cloth options (wheat or fender grey) and black tolex. But with Marshalls the black tolex with wheat grill cab gives your rig a really nice vintage look.

At first I was hesitant about getting an open back but after a night of playing I can say that I am VERY pleased. My bass response doesn't just jump out of the speakers anymore, it fills the room shaking everything. These cabs are big too. Nearly as big as my 5150 combo. Great product.


J
 
the difference (as I understand it) is that sound is forced to come out of the front of the cab giving better projection. They are supposed to give you better bass response as well due to the confignment of the bass frequency in the box itself. Open backs give more of an open airy response as sound can come out the front and back. I didn't think it would make as much of a differnce as it did but it does. The open back really fills up my room.

As far as mixing speakers goes; yes it is very common. The reason being is that some speakers are better at mids and highs and others at lows and mids. When you combine them you get the best of both products.


J
 
Avitar looks like they are a great deal compared to the more "name brand companies". Thank you for showing it to me. I will probably end up buying one of their 2x12 cabs. I still am not really sure what speakers to get or the open or closed back. I am seriously considering either the G212H special with one V30 and one G12H30 with a partially open back. Has everyone had a good experience with Avitar?
 
The Marshall head has a very classy and distinctive look,
so I cringe when I see a generic or other brand underneath it.

A Marshall stack, in my opinion, is only a Marshall stack when
a Marshall cab is underneath it's matching head.

I'd either seek out a JCM 900 1960AV cab w/4 Vintage 30's,
which is my favorite cab that matches your head, or buy
an 80's JCM 800 1960A, then at your convenience, replace the
two top speakers with Vin 30's and leave the G-75's on bottom.
Or crisscross. You can find these cabs as cheap as $300-$350.
I'd pay as much as $450 for a used Marshall cab.
Avatars are great cabs, but who wants something with the wrong tolex, grillcloth, and wall thickness? Go matching!
 
I've never heard the Avatars, but I can tell you that I'm a very happy camper replacing my old 4x12's with two BOGNER 2x12's loaded with v30's and Lead 80's. It's funny what a well made cabinet and speaker combination can do - sounds bigger and better than my two 4x12's. Much lighter too!!!
 
Take YOUR head down to a local music store. Pluf it in to all the different cabinets that you are considering, and buy the one that you like. I know that sounds to simple, but thats the way to do it. If you like the way the 900 cab sounds, that may be the one to go with!
 
I've got the same head... nice. I'm playing mine thru my buddy's 800 series 4x12, and I really like it. It has stock Celestion 75w speakers. I'd like to try it thru an avatar which seems to be pretty popular with the V30 and the other 30w speaker which I cant remember the name of right now. I'd like to hear the tonal differences with a faster speaker breakup which the avatar has. Oh yeah, welcome to the board. I know you've got yourself a keeper with that Marshall.
 
Thanks for the help guys. The Avatars are looking like a very good possibility right now. I will probably try to take my head somewhere and try out some different speaker combinations.
 
You could very easily make a cabinet youself for $50 or less + the cost of two speakers that will sound as good as anything you can buy.
 
I would go with a 412 like the one you tried. I have a 2204 with a 1960a and it's the stuff for classic Marshall vibe and garb. The 1960b is good for a little more bottom end also.

My 412 with casters, is a lot easier to move around than a 2x12.. I say this because the other guitar player in my band has a Boogie 212 that just kills your hand after you carry it a ways with that cheezy handle :D

Also, the 412 angled top (1960a) is taller and easier to hear. That is a really big deal when you are on a small stage with a loud drummer. It's also easier to fudge with the controls while you are playing.

My 1960a is branded as a JCM900 also.

I would choose v-30s over g12t-75s any day.
 
Zakk uses speakers with a very high voltage rating so his distortion comes from his amp, not the speakers. That I hope gets you closer.
 
I was talking to my guitar tech about the advantages and disadvantages about mixing two different speakers together. He told me that if there are two different speakers, the audience on the different sides of the room would hear your sound differently. Does anyone have any experience with this problem.
 
heavydutysg135 said:
I was talking to my guitar tech about the advantages and disadvantages about mixing two different speakers together. He told me that if there are two different speakers, the audience on the different sides of the room would hear your sound differently. Does anyone have any experience with this problem.
Click to expand...

In a 212 I doubt that because both speackers point in the same direction and are less then a foot apart, and odds are youd have a mic on it too so you'd hear more of the mic'd one.

On a slanted 412 I think thatd be possible perhaps because of the top two shooting off in a different direction.
 
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