Played a JCM800 combo today...

[StratTom]

Today I went to a local shop to see if I could sell an effects board I don't use anymore. While I was there I saw a JCM800 combo, so I decided to check it out. For the most part I did like what this amp had to offer. Very warm crunchy tones, however I had to crank the pre-amp anywhere between 8 and 10 to get the sound I wanted. Then when I would turn the power amp up, I felt it would be too loud for home use. Overall I was pleased that I got to play it since I haven't been able to find one. It's got that great Marshall sound that I do miss, however I keep getting stuck on favoring higher gain amps. Please don't think I'm putting this amp down at all, I'm not...just don't think this is the amp I'm after.

 

[B2D]

Re: Played a JCM800 combo today...

I used to have the Model 4101 combo... basically a 2204 (50w single channel) with a 2x12 built onto it. Nailed that classic Marshall tone (brown-sound approved) but an attenuator was mandatory and the cleans were kinda blase. Nevertheless I enjoyed it but I needed more versatility. Mig-50 has the amp now and loves it.

 

[StratTom]

Re: Played a JCM800 combo today...

The model I played was a 50 watt 2x12. I'm guessing I played the 4101 then. Yeah an attenuator would've help with this amp, maybe I would have like it a bit more if I could have cranked it more.

 

[xerxes]

Re: Played a JCM800 combo today...

cool. thanks for the review. and dont say your sorry, its your opinion!

 

[B2D]

Re: Played a JCM800 combo today...

It's funny, a lot of people plug into Plexis, JCM800s and JMPs and expect to hear Eddie Van Halen automatically coming out of the amp, and a lot of them dont realize that that sound CAN be produced from those amps, but only under a few very specific setups.

...not saying StratTom did that, it's just something I observe from time to time and was reminded of. The JCM800's are very raw-sounding; a good basic building block for tone.