Replacing my 498t ( Gibson SG )

[blue]

one thing i'd say about this, you point out yourself that the amp starts to sound better when you turn it up.  unfortunately, it's the nature of the beast with a lot of Marshalls that they will sound thinner and "scratchy" at lower volume settings.  a BKP will have rounder, less shrill highs, but it won't completely cure the issue.  the bkp will certainly be an improvement over the 498t, but it won't work miracles :)

[DannyDowd]

one thing i'd say about this, you point out yourself that the amp starts to sound better when you turn it up.  unfortunately, it's the nature of the beast with a lot of Marshalls that they will sound thinner and "scratchy" at lower volume settings.  a BKP will have rounder, less shrill highs, but it won't completely cure the issue.  the bkp will certainly be an improvement over the 498t, but it won't work miracles :)

cheers man, i still feel it will be mainly the pickups, because i have a lot of bass and mids on my head and only around 4 treble and even if my 4 x 12 and 100w head is on around 3-4 it is still a little hollow sounding, so i just need something with a better fat/warm tone :D

[dave_mc]

too much bite? granted the guitar can affect the tone a fair bit too, maybe your sg is very bright-sounding or something, but my 498t is warm to a fault, IMO. also granted i haven't changed the stock 300k volume pots, either (maybe you have).

those g12t75 speakers are pretty bitey/fizzy, too (as may be the jcm900, though i haven't tried one).

I just don't want you to maybe change the wrong thing.

[DannyDowd]

too much bite? granted the guitar can affect the tone a fair bit too, maybe your sg is very bright-sounding or something, but my 498t is warm to a fault, IMO. also granted i haven't changed the stock 300k volume pots, either (maybe you have).

those g12t75 speakers are pretty bitey/fizzy, too (as may be the jcm900, though i haven't tried one).

I just don't want you to maybe change the wrong thing.

I just think they sound a bit empty at times, especially through the big 4 by 12, i have a combo avt275 which i have the scoop on to give it a bit more body and lows and mids but the jcm900 is a fairly simple head and doesnt have that option so im having to make do, its not disasterously bad hah still think they are ok pickups for certain styles but i just need a bit more Oooophmmm than bite, definitely not warm enough for my liking :\

[ericsabbath]

the problem with the jcm 900 version is that its drive circuit is solid state, just like the avt and valvestate series
it's really hard to get a warm tone from those
I've seen motorhead in rock in rio 2011 and phil campbell's tone was awful, pure metalzone-like fizz
I've heard good jcm 900 tones from silverchair and karnivool, though, but certainly not the type of tone you need

you could sell it for a proper all tube marshall or you could use a preamp straight to the loop return
I recommend our forumite juansolo dual tube preamp pedals for that

http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/stompage/toob.html
the STM800 model should work for you, but you could ask for a plexi version

[darkbluemurder]

... or you could use a preamp straight to the loop return

That is a very good suggestion. Since rack equipment is still considered "out", many rack preamps which were popular in the late 80s can be had for little money.

Cheers Stephan

[DannyDowd]

the problem with the jcm 900 version is that its drive circuit is solid state, just like the avt and valvestate series
it's really hard to get a warm tone from those
I've seen motorhead in rock in rio 2011 and phil campbell's tone was awful, pure metalzone-like fizz
I've heard good jcm 900 tones from silverchair and karnivool, though, but certainly not the type of tone you need

you could sell it for a proper all tube marshall or you could use a preamp straight to the loop return
I recommend our forumite juansolo dual tube preamp pedals for that

http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/stompage/toob.html
the STM800 model should work for you, but you could ask for a plexi version

Cheers for the help hellstyle man, im partial to marshall, which marshall head would you recommend for a warm and well gained up sound... thanks a lot dude.

[darkbluemurder]

I am not Eric but I will answer anyway:

- for a true vintage tone, the 1987 (50 watts) or 1959 (100 watts) would be best. These don't have a master volume so beware: LOUD, LOUDER, LOUDEST!
- for 70s/early 80s rock and hard rock: the 2204 (50 watts) or 2203 (100 watts) would be best. They have a master volume but they are still LOUD.

The non-master volume models se models were part of the JTM series (both with plexiglass and aluminum front panel), of the JMP and of the JCM 800 series. They have been reissued at various times. The master volume amps were part of the JMP and the JCM 800 series. The ZW signature model is essentially a 2203, as is the KK signature which in addition has a noise gate and an "assault" circuit which I believe is a diode clipper.

- for 70s and 80s tones the Jubilee silver series (2550) would also be a good choice. The early Slash signature model was essentially one of those models (not the more recent AFD head).

- I personally liked the SL-X model out of the JCM 900 series, even though this has much higher gain than the others mentioned.

I have not had much experience with the JCM 2000 series and have never played one of the newer signature models. They may be worth looking into as well.

Cheers Stephan

[gwEm]

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.

JCM900s are often spoken badly about, but I think they are good value on the 2nd hand market, and whenever I've played one have been able to work it into a decent tone. I don't think they are terrible amps at all, but on the other hand Marshall have made many better amps. I would prefer a DSL JCM2000 even, but I think Vintage Moderns go for a good price 2nd hand, and I would maybe get one of those.

Some mods might improve things on the 900 - speakers and tubes will be easy to do. Maybe I would look at the speakers first. Some people put Vintage 30s in an X patten with G12T75 speakers - could be an idea?

[darkbluemurder]

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.

Yes, they seem to be a standard match to SGs but the OP said he had too much bite - isn't that what Riff Raffs are all about?

Cheers Stephan

[DannyDowd]

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.

JCM900s are often spoken badly about, but I think they are good value on the 2nd hand market, and whenever I've played one have been able to work it into a decent tone. I don't think they are terrible amps at all, but on the other hand Marshall have made many better amps. I would prefer a DSL JCM2000 even, but I think Vintage Moderns go for a good price 2nd hand, and I would maybe get one of those.

Some mods might improve things on the 900 - speakers and tubes will be easy to do. Maybe I would look at the speakers first. Some people put Vintage 30s in an X patten with G12T75 speakers - could be an idea?

thanks a lot mate, yeah i've just today been looking at modding my jcm900,  im looking at removing the r7 and r43 therefore resulting in what mod experts seem to be describing as scooping mids, adds to the low end and makes the amp sound less harsh and sterile

[Philly Q]

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.

Yes, they seem to be a standard match to SGs but the OP said he had too much bite - isn't that what Riff Raffs are all about?

Yeah, I mentioned them but they didn't seem like they'd fit the bill in this particular case.

[gwEm]

Its true what you say, Philly and Darkblue about the bite of the Riff Raff, but they do have raunchy grind to them which I feel is "typical 1970s".

[TheyCallMeVolume]

As far as amps go, I'd definitely look in a 2203 or 2204. Whether it's a JMP or a JCM is more personal taste

[dave_mc]

Some mods might improve things on the 900 - speakers and tubes will be easy to do. Maybe I would look at the speakers first. Some people put Vintage 30s in an X patten with G12T75 speakers - could be an idea?

that's what i was thinking. g12t75s are notoriously scooped. changing (warm-sounding) pickups when you have scooped speakers (and the scoop is what you're complaining about) is doing it backwards, IMO. You run the risk of spending a fair bit of money and not actually fixing the problem.