What's the deal with JCM 800's?

[pinto79]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

The reason they went to 5881's in the 90's was because of the availability. Their main supplier went out of business. There was a whole article out about the Yugoslavia plant closing that made the EL34's for Marshall then.

I read in Aspin Pitman's "The Tube Amp Book" that the switch to 5881's was due to pressure from Korg (US Distributor) because of a number of amps arriving State-Side With broken/damaged/unworking tubes and all those in the know at the time saw the 5881 as a "tougher" tube.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

Good deal potentially to be had here!


I realize it's got 2+ days left, but there is potential for people to be put off by his low feedback numbers (95% positive though!)

 

[ErikH]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

I read in Aspin Pitman's "The Tube Amp Book" that the switch to 5881's was due to pressure from Korg (US Distributor) because of a number of amps arriving State-Side With broken/damaged/unworking tubes and all those in the know at the time saw the 5881 as a "tougher" tube.

I can see that. All I heard about was the shortage of EL34's at the time. Of course, the Korg rep coulda fed us a load of BS which now that I think about it, was not uncommon...lol.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

It is easy to create a frenzy on the net.

When I started out being a gear whore, JMPs and JCM 800s were dime a dozen amps. I've played dozens of them, and to me, the JMPs generally seem to have more "life" to them, 6550 or EL-34. Even when I was in bands with guys who had 800s, I didn't take them seriously.

Somewhere along the line in the past few years, the 800 series became the desired amps, and people don't seriously look at the JMPs. What I find ironic about it, is people say the vertical input models are the ones to have, the earlier the better. But the early vertical input models are the same as the JMP models, with the cosmetics updated...

Perhaps these are all the people who spraypainted their checkerboard 4x12s black...:ugh1:

 

[JeffB]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

Somewhere along the line in the past few years, the 800 series became the desired amps, and people don't seriously look at the JMPs. What I find ironic about it, is people say the vertical input models are the ones to have, the earlier the better. But the early vertical input models are the same as the JMP models, with the cosmetics updated...

JMPs rock..I REALLY wish I'da know better as a kid..I woulda kept the 2x12 combo I got for about $250 and had it fixed up/converted to EL34s :yell:

And now folks is snatchin' em up.


BTW...TGB..

no pics?

you sick or suttin?

:laugh2:

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

yeah, I had a 1971 Marshall JMP Super Bass...maybe I should have held onto it, but it was beat up, tolex gone, refinished the wood with a clear coat.....beat to hell..but great sounding but was way too much power for my purposes

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

BTW...TGB..

no pics?

you sick or suttin?

As a matter of fact I've been home from work for the past 2 daze with a nasty cold.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

When it comes to JCM 800 combos my tech tells me to stay away from some of them.... all i remember is him saying if i find any with a single imput leave it be and look somewhere else.... I wonder what the issue was with the 800 combos he was talking about....

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

I've had quite a few Marshalls over the years, and while I really love some models, I've never been happier than the day I bought a Bogner Ecstasy. That amp laughs at Marshalls! LOL As a matter of fact, if I were Jim Marshall, I would have bought Bogner and made Reinhold a VP.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

Basically they are popular as an alternative to the recto thing and because they sound better than the 900 and DSl/TSL series.

I personally find them a bit generic sounding, especially at higher preamp gain levels.

I prefer the 'woodier' sound of older marshalls.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: What's the deal with JCM 800's?

Over the past few years Marshall saw their own market growing in terms of price. They have raised their list prices as much as 40% over just 3 - 4 years and moved in on the boutique business. People saw this and decided that if a reissue JCM800, for example, goes for $2k in the stores, the real thing should be worth at least 900-1200. Go figure!

I am screwed as well. I shoulda stocked up before. DAMN!