Marshall JCMs?

[Mazz]

I'm saving for a head amp from now until mid next year (Probably) anyway I want one of the JCMs, I want to get this sorted out though.

JCM 800

Apparently the best of the bunch according to most opinions, mainly looking at the 2203, is it better to go find an original of ebay, if not how are the re-issues?

JCM 900

Better in the budget section I guess, usually see them with a 1936 Cab on ebay for about £500-£600, most people moan about the diodes though which I assume is something to do with the wiring (I don't actually know what a diode is XD)

JCM 2000 DSL 100

Apparently very bland tone wise and very costly, doesn't sound very good but depends on what I hear.

The reason I ask you guys is because I can't be bothered to sign up to any more forums and this site isn't full of morons like Ultimate Guitar is. XD

Cheers Guys. ^_^

[Hellbat]

Funnily enough I was just playing through a JCM 900 and 2000 DSL on my lunch break today using a friend's Ibanez SZ with a Duncan Custom in the bridge. The 900 lacked a lot of bottom and seemed pretty 'fizzy' for lack of a better word. The 2000 I was able to get some good tones with, lots of gain on tap. Both were through a 1960a cabinet I believe.

Keep in mind that I was playing at relatively low volume. The sound character would likely change a bit (or even a lot) if I cranked em up.

Both had touchy master volumes too, going from whisper quiet to "holy crap my teeth!" volumes in about 10 degrees of rotation.

[levantin]

I preferred the 900 to the 2000, which always sounds like it's missing something tonally, both at rehearsal and stage volumes. The 2000 just sounds like the pick attack is lost at high gain settings. Totally subjective of course. Since then I've decided I prefer 6L6's.

[Twitch]

(I don't actually know what a diode is XD)

Its a electronic component that limits current to moving in one direction only. Wired together with each other in the correct maner causes clipping(distortion). If your gonna push your amp with an OD pedal any how, then I wouldnt worry about the diodes any.

[Mazz]

Thanks guys, my mate was playing a gig with a LE Redhead JCM 800 (is that what they're referred to as?) at a gig yesterday, master was only at 2 XD I'm just wondering because I love what i've heard from the JCMs and I guess i'm set on one really XD @ Hell was the 900 the original or re-issue? are they exactly the same or have they done anything new besides the effect loops with the bypass switch?

[Twitch]

The 900 reissues seem a little gainy-er than the originals. However, the tone seems more like that of their new MA(Korean I think) series, which in my oppinion is bland.

[Hellbat]

I didn't even look at the back to be honest. It's a "new" floor model at a local dealer but I also know they've had it in inventory for a couple of years. Probably a re-issue if they are not a current model anymore.

I do have to say I like the sound of my Traynor combo better than either of the Marshalls. It's voiced a little closer to the classic Plexi sound than either of these amps.

[Grim]

I prefer the 2000 to either the 800 or 900 but that's me. I owned a 2203, and IMO you cannot get the tone they are famous for without diming them. This is obviously impractical.

The 900 is just MEH

Get the JVM410H.

[markD]

i recently got my old JCM800 2204 back. that thing is a MONSTER!!! it is 50 watts, but it is SO loud that it is pretty much unusable!!! the tone is thick and massive though. not much gain, but what is there is perfect for late 70's early 80's metal.

[Mazz]

I prefer the 2000 to either the 800 or 900 but that's me. I owned a 2203, and IMO you cannot get the tone they are famous for without diming them. This is obviously impractical.

The 900 is just MEH

Get the JVM410H.

4 Channels is overkill IMO, I like the JCM 800 because of the simplicity in the controls, I have tested a JCM 2000 when I bought my Boss ML2 Pedal, sounded absolutely killer even without it but apparently it's very bland compared to the 800, the JVMs well, they're not bad but I liked the tone from the JCMs considerably more.

[Mazz]

i recently got my old JCM800 2204 back. that thing is a MONSTER!!! it is 50 watts, but it is SO loud that it is pretty much unusable!!! the tone is thick and massive though. not much gain, but what is there is perfect for late 70's early 80's metal.

Thanks Mark, as stated earlier even though it's 100Ws but my mate used his LE redhead 2203 at a gig last night and the master was only on 2 and the room was shaking, I bloody love them XD I'm aiming for 80s metal anyway so seems good for me ^_^

[BenoA]

Played the 3, own a JCM2000 DSL50. Simple controls and versatile amp. I once was able to compare it to a friend's JCM800 side by side and was able to get a very very similar tone.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

I like my DSL100 just fine. I do boost it with an overdrive pedal, but that is the sound I like.

[Grandturk]

I love the 900 Mk III - that's a great amp - nice and simple - one sound and it does it well. Crackheads are looking for way too much money for those amps these days, though.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

I think they can all sound great, but my favorite are the 800s. The one I've been using for the last six or seven years is channel-switching/reverb model...a 50w combo with one or two greenback cabs.

They're not high gain amps but they sing with a pedal in front. I wouldn't worry about diodes either. That's moot if you use a pedal.

Mine's kind of a one-trick pony, but that one killer sound is all I need or want.

Check out a few. I remember the 900s getting a bad rap back when, same with the 2000s, but I don't buy it.