Tell me all there is to know about the JCM800

[ErikH]

Re: Tell me all there is to know about the JCM800

My bad Erik. Regardless, when I think of his tone it's EMG, boost, JCM800. Then add in the playing style on top of that (obviously... cue the EVH/Nugent story )

Also as Erik points out, the 800 series is not high gain. When you are running a rig like that (amp full out, OD in front) it's incredibly touchy, you get feedback all over the place. The modern high gain amps give you more gain and are much more controllable.

No worries, man. Check out the gear page at www.blacklabelsociety.net. It's got all his rig info there, complete with amp settings.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Tell me all there is to know about the JCM800

I had an 80 or 81 JCM800. Got it in 1984. For the time it was probably the best amp you could get IMO. I paid--get this--$500 for the head and cabinet. It was the 50 watter, but it sounded fantastic. I stupidly had someone put an effects loop into it about three years after I got it and the amp never sounded the same. I didn't know squat about amps back then except for plug in and turn up, so I sold it.

Before I had it modded it had such great crunch. I didn't even need a boost pedal or anything for leads. It just cut right through.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Tell me all there is to know about the JCM800

My bad Erik. Regardless, when I think of his tone it's EMG, boost, JCM800. Then add in the playing style on top of that (obviously... cue the EVH/Nugent story )

Also as Erik points out, the 800 series is not high gain. When you are running a rig like that (amp full out, OD in front) it's incredibly touchy, you get feedback all over the place. The modern high gain amps give you more gain and are much more controllable.

True, but neither will sound like a cranked up JCM800 :laugh2:
If you know of any, by all means, tell!

 

[Usurper666]

Re: Tell me all there is to know about the JCM800

I have a 1982 2204 and it’s the ONLY crunch amp for me, I will be buried with it. Here is what you need to know when shopping for a JCM 800 2203/2204:

1.TRANSFORMERS: 2204s DO NOT need an aftermarket transformer to sound good, that’s complete B.S.! If anything, be sure the amp has its ORIGINAL transformers. My 2204 has its stock Drake transformer and it sounds fantastic. Marshall didn’t skimp on the 2204 transformer, that’s absolutely ridiculous. HOWEVER, 2203s built in 1986 and later DO need a new transformer. This is because Marshall switched to a smaller and cheaper transformer in 1986 and 2203s built during and after this time sound much different than the earlier amps.

2.The most desirable models are the early ones built between 1981 & 1983, these have vertical inputs. They utilized a flying lead design that holds up better than the PCB mounted pots and jacks of the later models with horizontal inputs.

3.Try to get a model WITHOUT an FX loop. These were introduced around 1984/85 I believe and they don’t sound as good as the older models due to the lousy FX loop sucking tone.

4.The main difference between a 100w & a 50w is tone, not volume. A 100w will have more clean headroom and sound brighter, a 50w will distort sooner and sound warmer.

I’ve played a lot of these amps over the years so this is from my personal experience with them. Hope that helps you.

Cheers,

CJ

 

[paultelestrat]

Re: Tell me all there is to know about the JCM800

usurper666,i like your feedback . recently i bought a 1982 jcm 800 50 watt head from someone hear on the forum. never had a head amp , always combos and not many of those.after reading alot of these threads , i was going to ask my luthier/friend cris , about that transformer mod thingy.but after reading your post ,i think i'll stay with the one i got assuming its still got a drake(original). thanks dude!!!