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Author Topic: jcm 900 sl-x  (Read 3634 times)

the_bleeding

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jcm 900 sl-x
« on: September 24, 2007, 12:09:05 AM »
Hey guys, i used the search function and couldnt find any information so i'm starting my own thread.

I've come across one of these puppies and GAS is taking over but i was wondering what people's impressions of these were like.  From what i've heard, they're the holy grail of jcm900's because theyre ALL tube, and they have enough gain to melt faces. Is this true? How would it compare to my 30th anniversary?

thanks :)
my maxon OD 808 really DOES make poop sound good

Mr Ed

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2007, 09:35:32 AM »
The SLX are inferior to the Dual Reverb series for the simple reason that both channels share a pre-amp, ie, it's not a true 2 channel amp - it's a single channel with a boost function.

And so much is made of the fact that the DR series (which I own one of) has a diode in the preamp... bollocks, you cannot hear any difference and anyone who said otherwise is a straight-up liar.

The Dual Reverb's have 2 true channels (although they share an EQ which is a minor inconvenience) and the clean holds it's own. If my 900 broke down, I'd buy another one without a moments hesitation. Absolutely amazing sound which is perfect for me and what I do.  8)

gorath23

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2007, 09:51:43 AM »
Quote from: Mr Ed
The SLX are inferior to the Dual Reverb series for the simple reason that both channels share a pre-amp, ie, it's not a true 2 channel amp - it's a single channel with a boost function.

And so much is made of the fact that the DR series (which I own one of) has a diode in the preamp... bollocks, you cannot hear any difference and anyone who said otherwise is a straight-up liar.

The Dual Reverb's have 2 true channels (although they share an EQ which is a minor inconvenience) and the clean holds it's own. If my 900 broke down, I'd buy another one without a moments hesitation. Absolutely amazing sound which is perfect for me and what I do.  8)


I have to disagree, When I had my DR it was fairly obvious that something was digitized in the 2nd channel. I actually compared the two channels side by side with a boost and diming the gain and the 'clean' channel sounded way fuller and beefier. From what I gather the SL-X is better for heavier sounds though. If its anything like the 900 DR, I generally wouldn't touch it with a 20ft amp pole.

Antag

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2007, 11:08:34 AM »
I thought about getting an SLX when they were new & had the chance to buy one a few years ago after they'd stopped making them, have always regretted not doing it.  Absolutely tons of gain & a really good metal sound.

It's true that it's a one channel amp with switchable volume rather than two different sounding channels, but if you like that one sound (I do/did) then go for it!
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Prawnik

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2007, 12:01:13 PM »
Antag: that's my limited experience with the SLX as well - soundscape is limited to metal, but it does metal well.

Tellboy

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JCM900
« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2007, 12:36:23 PM »
I have a JCM900 4101  DR combo which I've had from new and, as it was one of the early ones, came with EL34s instead of 5881s. Haven't used it for some time (too loud for home use). Like the 2 channel flexibility. Although it is classed as 'all valve' it uses clipping diodes on the high gain channel to help the distortion - I would have preferred a standard valve preamp circuit. However when I added a 1912 extension cab (with 150watt sidewinder speaker) it produced some good sounds (at high volume) when the power amp started working and a pretty neat/loud  little mini stack.
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Mr Ed

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2007, 01:04:38 PM »
If I only wanted a single channel amp with a boost, I'd buy an SLX no problem but I prefer the two channel versatility.

It's not a pristine clean but it's a helluva lot better than you expect from a Marshall.

LazyNinja

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2007, 01:43:41 PM »
I'd take a DSL over a JCM900, and an 800 over either.

Mr Ed

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2007, 01:50:19 PM »
DSL? EW! And god forbid the TSL's, they're appalling.

the_bleeding

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2007, 02:35:54 PM »
so the only downside is the lack of a clean channel? who needs one of those  :twisted:

okay, heres the thing though, i'd be getting this to make up for my 30th anniversary's lack of dynamics. My 30th anniversary is just too loose on the attack, and does NOT do any sort of technical death metal for the reasons that its not clear enough, doesnt have enough gain on its own, and is too loose and spongy.  Would the sl-x be brutal enough to make up for this?
my maxon OD 808 really DOES make poop sound good

viking

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Re :
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2007, 04:45:59 PM »
My best advice would be:stop the "deathMetal"! :lol: By the way,how come so many here do play Metal..?

JamesHealey

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2007, 04:49:53 PM »
JCM900 SLX's are great, I've owned the MkIII, SLX and DR.

I'd choose the SLX for heavier styles any day, but I'd choose an 800 over them if u can get a hold of one.

the_bleeding

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Re: Re :
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2007, 06:12:39 PM »
Quote from: viking
My best advice would be:stop the "deathMetal"! :lol: By the way,how come so many here do play Metal..?

hahaha yeahh... its emberassing to say death metal these days. And i think alot of metal heads are here because theyre like OMFG! WARPIG HAS MOST OUTPUT IN THE WORLD! METALLLZZ.

but back to the point, i just want something that gets heavy as shite for metal, while retaining clarity. My 30th anniversary doesnt get heavy enough for me (gets too spongy), and does NOT retain clarity. Will the sl-x do this for me?

If it helps, it will be the 50 watt version, and the first thing im doing is converting it to either el34's or 6550's.
my maxon OD 808 really DOES make poop sound good

HTH AMPS

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2007, 07:46:56 PM »
If you want more punch in the low end, always go for a 100w amp.  I'd change it over to 6550s too rather than 5881s or EL34s as it'll be tighter for metal styles.

Also (fwiw), the Dual Reverb amps have considerably more than 'a diode' in the preamp - the entire signal path is littered with opamps.  That's not to say they can't sound good, but you can hardly call it an all valve signal path by any stretch of the imagination.

I can't see why people care about diodes or opamps in valve amps anyway - that's exactly whats in stompboxes and there are loads of OD pedals that sound great.

 :twisted:

the_bleeding

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jcm 900 sl-x
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2007, 08:55:01 PM »
Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
If you want more punch in the low end, always go for a 100w amp.  I'd change it over to 6550s too rather than 5881s or EL34s as it'll be tighter for metal styles.

Also (fwiw), the Dual Reverb amps have considerably more than 'a diode' in the preamp - the entire signal path is littered with opamps.  That's not to say they can't sound good, but you can hardly call it an all valve signal path by any stretch of the imagination.

I can't see why people care about diodes or opamps in valve amps anyway - that's exactly whats in stompboxes and there are loads of OD pedals that sound great.

 :twisted:


yeah, if i could get a 100w version i would, but the only one available to me is 50w, so therefore i'm puttin in 6550's to make up for that lack of bass. Plus, i'll be driving the poweramp harder to keep up with my 30th anniversary (i'll probably use them at the same time), so that should help too.

Problem i find with the dual reverbs is that they dont get brutal enough by themselves without a boost pedal in front, and the dirty lacks balls due to all of the SS cr@p in the signal path... IMO, the clean channel boosted sounds heavier than the dirty channel on those things  :roll:
my maxon OD 808 really DOES make poop sound good