Replacing my 498t ( Gibson SG )

[darkbluemurder]

Speakers can indeed make a big difference. I have also heard that the G12T75 is rather midscooped - that's why many combine them with V30s in an X-pattern in a 4x12" cab (cannot comment first hand as I use neither).

Cheers Stephan

[ericsabbath]

modding a jcm 900 won't do much
the gain circuit is still solid state based
a decent mod would require removing the reverb and wiring a new preamp input section with the spare tube, and that's certainly not worth all the work
if you're in US or UK, you can find a 70's metal panel JMP (master or non-master) for under US$1000/£600

a non-master 50 watter still works well at bedroom levels with proper pedals and proper speakers
greenbacks sound great in medium low volumes

[DannyDowd]

modding a jcm 900 won't do much
the gain circuit is still solid state based
a decent mod would require removing the reverb and wiring a new preamp input section with the spare tube, and that's certainly not worth all the work
if you're in US or UK, you can find a 70's metal panel JMP (master or non-master) for under US$1000/£600

a non-master 50 watter still works well at bedroom levels with proper pedals and proper speakers
greenbacks sound great in medium low volumes

I may see if i can get around 450-550 for my jcm 900 then and then get a JMP, by a 70's metal panel, you mean its not metal sounding, it has a nice heavy 70's rock tone and is good with gain.... cheers :D

[darrenw5094]

Marshall JVM range is fairly versatile.

[darkbluemurder]

by a 70's metal panel, you mean its not metal sounding, it has a nice heavy 70's rock tone and is good with gain.... cheers :D

"Metal panel" is only the opposite to "plexi panel". It has nothing to do with the music played with the amp behind the panel. The circuitry behind those panels has not changed that much, really. Nevertheless, the Marshalls with the plexi panels command higher prices on the vintage collector's market, hence the tip to look for the metal panels as these offer practically the same sound for less money.

Cheers Stephan

[dave_mc]

Speakers can indeed make a big difference. I have also heard that the G12T75 is rather midscooped - that's why many combine them with V30s in an X-pattern in a 4x12" cab (cannot comment first hand as I use neither).

Cheers Stephan

yeah a v30 combines well with a g12t75. I've only tried them in a 2x12, though, haven't tried them in an x-pattern in a 4x12. But I assume that'd work well too.

[BigB]

Since we're talking about JCM900 dual reverb: you can get some nice tones from this amp, as long as you don't use the stock speakers, stick to the "clean" channel, keep the gain low and just crank the volume up. Bad news : it's then freaking too loud to be usable anywhere except perhaps in a US Stadium - but it sounds ok :mrgreen:

@Danny: replacing your stock pups with BKPs will probably be a huge improvement, but I have to agree with dave_mc : don't choose your pups to fix the amp, first fix the amp then choose pups that fit your guitar.


 

You have a gainy amp and an SG - I would totally look at Riff Raffs, surprised they haven't been mentioned so far - they are voiced after 70s Gibson pickups.

Actually they are based on early 60s specs -  latest PAFs / early Patent NO, as found on the first SGs.

JCM900s are often spoken badly about, but I think they are good value on the 2nd hand market

They go for dirt cheap indeed, but for the same price you can get a Fender HRDx which is a much better amp (stock) IMHO _and_ is cheaper to "fix". FWIW, I can get way better "nice 70s marshall vintage sustain"  from a HRDx plugged into a 1965 Marshall cab (and using the right OD) than I anything I ever got with my JCM900 whatever I tried.

Just my 2 cents...

[DannyDowd]

thanks again to everyone who's inputted into this conversation, much appreciated, ive decided to look into making a few basic modifications in my amps circuit to try and improve the tone and the mids and lows and will then get the black dog bridge pup :D

[dave_mc]

i'd also say... i've since tried my sg with my brighter, high gain amps and it actually doesn't sound too muddy. So I'm not sure what was going on there. It kinda sounded muddy and murky with my lower wattage more vintage style amps. :lol: Sorry :oops:

But certainly fixing the amp and/or speakers first is probably a better idea than pickups- that's not to say pickups make no difference, once you have perfect other gear the pickups are often the difference between sounding good and sounding great. But they'll only do so much (and also might not necessarily be the main cause of the problem, either).

[mtpatty]

I have a set of Black Dogs in mine and they are very ballsy and warm!

Slainte-

Mark

[keith]

Mules, great pups mine have been in my LP for a few years now still sounding great