Marshall jcm800 advice

[maliciousteve]

Hey guys. I came across a good deal on a JCM800 2205. I wondered what you guys think of them? How do they sound and how do they compare to the more desireable 2203?

[TwilightOdyssey]

It is a very good amp. One thing to note about old Marshalls, however, especially on JCM800s:

The pcb on an 800 is not the best, and the way they are mounted, they start to warp over time. Plus, the power capacitors start drying up after about 15 years.

If the amp is local, I would have it checked by a qualified tech before buying.

My 800 needed to have the board and power supply caps replaced due to its age.

Sonically, it is as good as the 2203, and I sold mine for a fair amount of coin.

[bucketshred]

Do it.

Just got one of the JCM800 Reissues and it is a FANTASTIC amp, a little noisy but that doesn't matter - the tone, the tone!

Andy!

[Tricalibur]

yah the 'clean' clean channel will most liekly be cr@p but if your playin good old fashiopned rock that shoudlnt matter. You might wanna invest in a nice od pedal too tho if your interested in playing any kind of higher gain stuff on it.

[Sekhmet]

I have a 2205 atm, i just run a Fulltone fat boost through it and find it has plenty of distortion when cranked.

The clean channel isn't brilliant although now i have a coil tap on my neck pick up it tidys up quite nicely.

Great amp, i'd recomend it to anyone going for a more old school sound.

[maliciousteve]

that sounds cool guys. I love the sound of the Zakk Wylde 800 due to its 6550 valves, sounds fantastic with a boost. If I was to get it I have a pretty nice Keeley modded TS-9DX which I use with my Laney at the moment when I need something a little more crushing.

though I'm also considering getting a ENGL Powerball which is going for a very nice price. I'm torn between that, the Marshall, a Soldano Hot Rod and a JCM800 re-issue with 6550's.

[TwilightOdyssey]

All good amps. You should definitely listen to em all if you can.

[shaman]

if it is a noisy amp, get you a DECIMATOR noise gate-best I have seen yet!

[Sekhmet]

I think Ramstein used ENGL powerballs on their mutter album (although i could be wrong).

But Like TO said, all good amps, best if you can try them out befor you buy.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Steve I have a JCM 9800 2205

It is excellent once you get the hang of it
Clean channel isnt really clean like a Fender but its damn good sound

I run a BBE sonic maximiser in the FX loop and it does a good Zakk Wylde impression as a result

Will have it at the LGS next month too

[psy]

I've got the 2203.  I bought it off a mate about 6 years ago for £150.  It sounds good.  The volume knob is a bit crakley now though & I think the tubes need changing yet again.  Good amp though.

[indysmith]

I've got the 2203.  I bought it off a mate about 6 years ago for £150.

HOOOOOLY HELL that's a damn good mate

[psy]

Yeah.  I don't really know what it was at the time.  I just thought.  yeah I'll have a Marshall like  8)

And the best bit was he let me pay for it over a couple of months £75 + £75.  So I hardly noticed paying at all.

Once I have some money I think I might find an amp tech to give it the once over.

Been using my 'back-up' amp Crate Powerblock at the last couple of gigs coz of the crackeling when I turn the volume knob.  You have to turn it just right to get the sound on.  Probably just need to replace the pot.

[maliciousteve]

Looks like i'm gonna go with the Powerball guys, I've heard alot of clips of the internet and I love the recorded sound, I've sat in front of one before and it almost knocked me over with it's low end and Kreator used them when I saw them and their tone was awesome so I think it may be the thing for me.  :D

[HTH AMPS]

Once I have some money I think I might find an amp tech to give it the once over.

Been using my 'back-up' amp Crate Powerblock at the last couple of gigs coz of the crackeling when I turn the volume knob.  You have to turn it just right to get the sound on.  Probably just need to replace the pot.

not wanting to spam you or anything, but I'm fairly local to you (Jarrow) and I know there are some total hack amp techs around - I know this since I've undone some of their work on old Marshalls.  Gimme a shout if/when you want some work done on that old Marshall - I love those things and know what makes 'em tick.

The pot will most likely just need some pot cleaner (please don't use WD-40).  I'd advise replacing the filter caps on that amp (it's getting on y'know) and installing a fresh set of valves - 6550s sound best in 2203s imo.

 :twisted: