Should I mod my JCM 800?
- Thread starter keano12
- Start date
Re: Should I mod my JCM 800?
If it's vintage - don't. Just get a hack job of ebay and do the Splawn.
I am shocked it doesn't do it at lower volumes - Robin Trower uses 800s.
Have you tried changing caps or resistors? Sozos are great! Also, KT77's might do the trick EL CHEAPO! FREDs also cream up the tone a bit. Talk to Don Butler in LA.
If it's vintage - don't. Just get a hack job of ebay and do the Splawn.
I am shocked it doesn't do it at lower volumes - Robin Trower uses 800s.
Have you tried changing caps or resistors? Sozos are great! Also, KT77's might do the trick EL CHEAPO! FREDs also cream up the tone a bit. Talk to Don Butler in LA.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Should I mod my JCM 800?
Can you please elaborate more on Soldano Mod? how is it different for a Vodoo mod, and is it more expensive if your amp has already been moded and is Soldano Mod availble for Laney AOR?
Can you please elaborate more on Soldano Mod? how is it different for a Vodoo mod, and is it more expensive if your amp has already been moded and is Soldano Mod availble for Laney AOR?
Brewtone
New member
Re: Should I mod my JCM 800?
I believe the Soldano Hot rod mod is a device that you plug into one of your pre-amp tube sockets and has the same effect as adding another gain stage. I could be wrong though, it's been awhile since I've even seen one.
As for modding the JCM 800, I wouldn't do anything too drastic. I run a 2204 (the 50W version) with KT66's in the power amp, a hotplate to get the tubes cooking and a Keeley SD-1 for a boost. Killer tone, if I need something a little more low gain in nature I've adopted the habit of working my volume and tone on my guitar.
I believe the Soldano Hot rod mod is a device that you plug into one of your pre-amp tube sockets and has the same effect as adding another gain stage. I could be wrong though, it's been awhile since I've even seen one.
As for modding the JCM 800, I wouldn't do anything too drastic. I run a 2204 (the 50W version) with KT66's in the power amp, a hotplate to get the tubes cooking and a Keeley SD-1 for a boost. Killer tone, if I need something a little more low gain in nature I've adopted the habit of working my volume and tone on my guitar.
Brewtone
New member
Re: Should I mod my JCM 800?
You lose a little at extreme levels of attentuation (-16db) but, there are frequency compensation switches on it that help alot.
I tend to use it at the (-8db) which really doesn't effect the tone at all. I may have to adjust my eQ slightly. However, it's not a huge deal when you take into account how ballsy the tone is.
:banana:
esandes said:
You lose a little at extreme levels of attentuation (-16db) but, there are frequency compensation switches on it that help alot.
I tend to use it at the (-8db) which really doesn't effect the tone at all. I may have to adjust my eQ slightly. However, it's not a huge deal when you take into account how ballsy the tone is.
:banana:
keano12
New member
Re: Should I mod my JCM 800?
Ok you guys bring up some good points. first I was thinking of using a hot plate because I can't crank the amp as it is so loud.
What can I expect tonally by using the hot plate heating up the Power tubes more?
I was also thinking of a Lee Jackson mod, he is the guy that started the whole mod thing in the 80's. His mod actually has a button on the
front of the amp that acts as a hot plate. there is a place nearby in Los Angeles that does this mod also. http://www.ampcrazy.com/web/mods.html
Same price as a hot plate used almost.
Voodoo mod not familiar at all. Splawn does sound good expensive though with new tubes AND shipping. Actually too much.
Soldano Mod is basically just added gain then?
Ok you guys bring up some good points. first I was thinking of using a hot plate because I can't crank the amp as it is so loud.
What can I expect tonally by using the hot plate heating up the Power tubes more?
I was also thinking of a Lee Jackson mod, he is the guy that started the whole mod thing in the 80's. His mod actually has a button on the
front of the amp that acts as a hot plate. there is a place nearby in Los Angeles that does this mod also. http://www.ampcrazy.com/web/mods.html
Same price as a hot plate used almost.
Voodoo mod not familiar at all. Splawn does sound good expensive though with new tubes AND shipping. Actually too much.
Soldano Mod is basically just added gain then?
casblah
New member
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Should I mod my JCM 800?
I don't know about the new ones, but the old Marshall JCM800s have a capacitor on the gain pot that acts as a BRITE switch. At lower settings of the GAIN control it adds treble (or cuts bass, if you want to look at it that way).
I had a tech simply clip this cap off the control--that kept the tone more consistent throughout the range of the GAIN control on my JCM800 4010 50-watt 112 combo. It made a world of difference in that amp, especially in the middle range of the GAIN control.
A tech could easily do this in a way that would be easily reversible, and anyone who KNOWS Marshalls would be able to advise you on this; it is a common, inexpensive, and totally reversible mod.
Bill
I don't know about the new ones, but the old Marshall JCM800s have a capacitor on the gain pot that acts as a BRITE switch. At lower settings of the GAIN control it adds treble (or cuts bass, if you want to look at it that way).
I had a tech simply clip this cap off the control--that kept the tone more consistent throughout the range of the GAIN control on my JCM800 4010 50-watt 112 combo. It made a world of difference in that amp, especially in the middle range of the GAIN control.
A tech could easily do this in a way that would be easily reversible, and anyone who KNOWS Marshalls would be able to advise you on this; it is a common, inexpensive, and totally reversible mod.
Bill
keano12
New member
Re: Should I mod my JCM 800?
Bill good idea also. Power tube distortion is supposed to be sweet, so do any of you use a hot plate while playing live? Is it a smoother distortion?
Also the place in Los Angeles told me no mod for Lee Jackson. Any of you know a good place/perosn in L.A.?
Asfor Splawn I think your right he isn't taking Marshall anymore.
Bill good idea also. Power tube distortion is supposed to be sweet, so do any of you use a hot plate while playing live? Is it a smoother distortion?
Also the place in Los Angeles told me no mod for Lee Jackson. Any of you know a good place/perosn in L.A.?
Asfor Splawn I think your right he isn't taking Marshall anymore.
