Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
- Thread starter iceman79
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ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
Here's some info. It's the combo version of the 2205 head.
http://www.drtube.com/marshall#JCM800
Yeah, there's some diodes but so what. Very good tones are still achievable with them. My 900 head has 'em and it sounds great. It's all a matter of they are dialed in. They still sound tubey.
Here's some info. It's the combo version of the 2205 head.
http://www.drtube.com/marshall#JCM800
Yeah, there's some diodes but so what. Very good tones are still achievable with them. My 900 head has 'em and it sounds great. It's all a matter of they are dialed in. They still sound tubey.
wixedmords
New member
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
No..it gets much of its sound from the tubes. What percentage, not sure.
But all that really matters is how it sounds to you.
iceman79 said:
No..it gets much of its sound from the tubes. What percentage, not sure.
But all that really matters is how it sounds to you.
Last edited:
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
It does get some of it but not all. The diodes add more clipping, but very nicely. It's not bad at all. You have to try it to really hear it. I think it sounds pretty good myself. At first I was skeptical about these amps until I played one. If I was looking for a two channel combo, this is what I'd be looking at. But that's me.
It does get some of it but not all. The diodes add more clipping, but very nicely. It's not bad at all. You have to try it to really hear it. I think it sounds pretty good myself. At first I was skeptical about these amps until I played one. If I was looking for a two channel combo, this is what I'd be looking at. But that's me.
wixedmords
New member
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
Didnt' mean to jump in on you Eric.
The 4212 is a good amp.
Didnt' mean to jump in on you Eric.
The 4212 is a good amp.
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
Thanks guys. The reason I'm asking all these questions is because there is a used one sitting in a local shop. I've always wanted a Marshall and have never been lucky enough to find a Plexi Super Lead and the JCM 800 was always my 2nd favorite amp growing up.
Thanks guys. The reason I'm asking all these questions is because there is a used one sitting in a local shop. I've always wanted a Marshall and have never been lucky enough to find a Plexi Super Lead and the JCM 800 was always my 2nd favorite amp growing up.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
Take your guitar down there and try it out. It's a different beast from the 2203/2204 model, which is a single channel amp. These 2 channels have a real nice character. Just FYI stuff, the JCM900 Dual Reverbs were a further development of the JCM800 split channels. Not necessarily a better one though.
Take your guitar down there and try it out. It's a different beast from the 2203/2204 model, which is a single channel amp. These 2 channels have a real nice character. Just FYI stuff, the JCM900 Dual Reverbs were a further development of the JCM800 split channels. Not necessarily a better one though.
Jeff Seal
New member
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
The channel sw. 800's do have diodes on the boost channel, but not the normal channel. But there is much confusion about these, since Marshall made the largest and most radical design change in these around 1985. The tone change is huge.... most prefer the later versions for OD, but some prefer the early ones. So best to just judge for yourself.
There are more opinions on these than any other Marshall made. Since very few know about the design changes, opinions are based on whichever version they hear. My personal opinion, and mine only!!!, is the early version Marshall ch. switchers are the only Marshall ever made (including the Valvestate, MG series etc.) that I would never in a million years gig with.... What I do gig with is an '89 ch.switcher....diodes and all! It remains my absolute favorite amp ever made...out of any... even amps that aren't Marshall. You can see why opinions are so varied on these....
I can tell you how to tell the difference, but I would just try it out and draw your own conclusion.....
Jeff Seal
The channel sw. 800's do have diodes on the boost channel, but not the normal channel. But there is much confusion about these, since Marshall made the largest and most radical design change in these around 1985. The tone change is huge.... most prefer the later versions for OD, but some prefer the early ones. So best to just judge for yourself.
There are more opinions on these than any other Marshall made. Since very few know about the design changes, opinions are based on whichever version they hear. My personal opinion, and mine only!!!, is the early version Marshall ch. switchers are the only Marshall ever made (including the Valvestate, MG series etc.) that I would never in a million years gig with.... What I do gig with is an '89 ch.switcher....diodes and all! It remains my absolute favorite amp ever made...out of any... even amps that aren't Marshall. You can see why opinions are so varied on these....
I can tell you how to tell the difference, but I would just try it out and draw your own conclusion.....
Jeff Seal
jmh151
Active member
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
I have the 100 watt version, the 4211. Great amp. If you think the diode clipping is too harsh, call up Eurotubes and get some pre amp tubes that round out the tone.
I love my 4211, though I bought it used. I never use the clean channel as I like to crank the overdrive and can't level out the volume between the two channels.
The 4211 and 4212 have more gain than the 2203 and 2204's. There's an extra stage of gain that kicks in when you crank the overdrive channel volume that the earlier models didn't have.
I highly recommend the amp. However, I don't use the channel switching capabilities of the amp.
I have the 100 watt version, the 4211. Great amp. If you think the diode clipping is too harsh, call up Eurotubes and get some pre amp tubes that round out the tone.
I love my 4211, though I bought it used. I never use the clean channel as I like to crank the overdrive and can't level out the volume between the two channels.
The 4211 and 4212 have more gain than the 2203 and 2204's. There's an extra stage of gain that kicks in when you crank the overdrive channel volume that the earlier models didn't have.
I highly recommend the amp. However, I don't use the channel switching capabilities of the amp.
V!N
New member
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
I have one of the very first and I think of it as a prototype that left the factory too soon. The boost channel is much like a Big Muff, but then thinner, harsher, bizzy'er and less tube-like ..
But Jeff will do something about that, one of these days.
The above is all my opinion, some punk/grunge kid nextdoor loves the sound of this thing buzzing away.
To each his own. :beerchug:
Jeff Seal said:
I have one of the very first and I think of it as a prototype that left the factory too soon. The boost channel is much like a Big Muff, but then thinner, harsher, bizzy'er and less tube-like ..
But Jeff will do something about that, one of these days.
The above is all my opinion, some punk/grunge kid nextdoor loves the sound of this thing buzzing away.
To each his own. :beerchug:
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
I have a 4210 from 1983 (1x12 version). I've gigged it without a problem...
In my opinion, the tone I get from this amp is great. I love it... Tone is subjective and all but this things suits what I was looking for... very nice.
I do suggest to take your guitar down to the shop and try it first but don't let the diode clipping scare you, it does sound really nice for me...
Enjoy!
I have a 4210 from 1983 (1x12 version). I've gigged it without a problem...
In my opinion, the tone I get from this amp is great. I love it... Tone is subjective and all but this things suits what I was looking for... very nice.
I do suggest to take your guitar down to the shop and try it first but don't let the diode clipping scare you, it does sound really nice for me...
Enjoy!
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
Except people who need to look down their noses at someone...Zerberus said:Nobody AFAIK
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
How about all the gear snobs and whores that will be frowning in the front row if your amp is acutally powered by kitties and hamsters? But secretely wishing they could take their expensive gear to the stage and show you how it's done (if only they had a band...:laugh2: )
Are you telling me that I do NOT need to worry about them?:smack:
Wow thanks:beerchug:
What???Zerberus said:The ONLY thing important when looking for an amp is: does it SOUND good... to YOU
Who gives a **** if it´s tubes, diodes, condoms, or ****ing fusion reactors as long as it sounds great? Nobody AFAIK
How about all the gear snobs and whores that will be frowning in the front row if your amp is acutally powered by kitties and hamsters? But secretely wishing they could take their expensive gear to the stage and show you how it's done (if only they had a band...:laugh2: )
Are you telling me that I do NOT need to worry about them?:smack:
Wow thanks:beerchug:
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Question about Marshall JCM 800 4212
I'm on the fence about the Diode clippers. I had one. My first marshall tube amp as a matter of fact.
I liked the extra gain. I didn't like the 6550s. "Clean" channel was horrid. But that amp smelled good, :laugh2: Old marshalls when brand new had this "smell"...the tolex I guess... kinda like the way a Gibson smells of Nitro.
I still prefer the single channel 800s, JMPS, and NMVs..they sound less....compressed...more "brilliant". With Marshalls simpler=better, IME.
I'm sure a good mod would really open them up tho.
I'm on the fence about the Diode clippers. I had one. My first marshall tube amp as a matter of fact.
I liked the extra gain. I didn't like the 6550s. "Clean" channel was horrid. But that amp smelled good, :laugh2: Old marshalls when brand new had this "smell"...the tolex I guess... kinda like the way a Gibson smells of Nitro.
I still prefer the single channel 800s, JMPS, and NMVs..they sound less....compressed...more "brilliant". With Marshalls simpler=better, IME.
I'm sure a good mod would really open them up tho.
