Re: Thoughts on Marshall JVM205C
I just got this amp, and have given it a few test runs. I have yet to use it with a band, so bear that in mind. I think it is a great sounding unit, but one with stronger and weaker sides.
The amp should cover the tonal options you need and more. As you probably know, it is a reduced version of the JVM4 series, which has four distinct channels, each having one to three switchable gain stages: clean, crunch, OD1 and OD2 (the difference between the OD channels is that the latter has a mid-controller that has a slightly more modern voicing, with lower frequencies being controlled). Depending of how many gain stages are in play, one uses the terms green/orange/red. In the JVM2 series, there are two channels only:
Channel 1:
Green clean
Orange crunch
Red crunch
Channel 2 is pretty much identical to the OD2 from the JVM4. I think this works well, but if you want a more traditional Marshall sound, only two or three capacitors need to be changed to make it into the OD1.
Now, all of this might fool you into thinking that what you have is really a six-channel amp. Unfortunately, the gain stages add enough volume that it is difficult to use two different gain stages from the same channel together as anything but a solo boost. There are ways to get around it, but you'll have to use extra resources to get there.
The best part about the amp is the features. It has a ton of stuff in it that is actually usable, and that you'd want to use: two effect loops – one series and one parallel – two master volumes and a great built-in reverb. It also features a programmable four-button switcher that can recall different setting simultaneously. For instance, if you want to switch from clean with reverb to overdrive without reverb but with the effect loop in that can be done. It can also be programmed to do this by MIDI without too many problems.
My largest caveat are the effect loops, as both come with serious limitations. The easily switchable loop, that you are supposed to use, is called series/parallel, but even when you supposedly run it 100% wet quite a lot of the dry signal bleeds through. This is bad for digital effects, phasers and flangers, and basically renders it unusable for a lot of the gear you are supposed to put there. That leaves the series loop proper, which was made primarily for preamp switching. This loop, however, cannot be switched on and off from the front, and has no line/instrument level switch. What is worse, it runs hotter than line-level, so even a lot of rack gear might run into trouble. (I am currently trying to get a G-System to work there) EbTech makes a Line Level Switcher that will solve the problem, but it is annoying that you have to get external gear to make an effects loop work properly in 2018.
I am not too fond of the green clean channel. To be fair, cleans were never what Marshall were known for, and I'm running it through one of the worst clean set-ups around, viz. a superstrat with only a JB in it. I have to try it with a strat-style guitar before I give a final verdict. There are some great tones to be found in the other channels, though, and I never need to go beyond 9 o'clock on the orange OD channel, so it has plenty of gain. People claim that it is noisy, but I don't think it is prohibitively so: it is more noticeable at bedroom levels than stage levels.
All things considered, it is not without its flaws, but I think it is a great-sounding amp that will give you a ton of classic-to-modern Marshall tones on tap.
EDIT: I almost forgot to mention that it, in general, is a great platform for modding. Over at the JVM forum there is a separate subforum for them (registration required to see it), so the amp can be made to do pretty much what you want. Many people end up doing quite a lot of changes to theirs.
