JCM800 head + which pedal(s) for 80's Thrash?

[toejam]

While it is only a model, the one thing I have noticed about the TS in the M13 is there's a clean and dirty signal at the same time. Is it supposed to do that? I mean, my Legend rack did it, but it was on every patch and needed repairs

Maybe it's a clone of the Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive which is like a clone of the Tube Screamer 808? The Sparkle Drive is the only pedal I can think of that has the option of layering clean and dirty signals at the same time. http://www.voodoolab.com/sparkledrive.htm
I've actually got a Keeley modded Sparkle Drive and love it.

[VitaminG]

I thought there was a Wampler that also did that.

yea, the Hot Wired has a blend control to mix the dirt in with the clean

[toejam]

I wasn't aware of any others, but that's good to know.

[Bjorn218]

FWIW

Celtic Frost main guitar tone = JCM800 2203 amp with Ibanez TS9 pushing it.
Slayer classic guitar tone - JCM 2203 with Boss RGE-10 1/3 rack space graphic pushing the front of it
Death Leprosy era Rick Rozz live tone = JCM800 2203 being pushed by a boss DS-1 (Chuck used a Gallien Krueger 250ML into Marshall cabinets live)
Mike Scaccia with Rigor Mortis Marshall 2203 being pushed by a DS-1(At least when I saw them in Austin around 08)
Exodus Bonded by Blood IIRC was recorded using an ampeg guitar head and a Boss SD-1(I read long ago that Holt didn't get his Marshalls until around 86/87)

Back in the height of the original wave of thrash metal, if you could afford a new Marshall, it was either a 2203/2204 and you made it work. The 2205/10 were too high priced for most thrash metal guys to afford ($1000+ in 1980's dollars).

This recording was a '74 JMP 1959(main rhythm tone) backed by a MOSFET100

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjnGd2FTW9E

This was recorded using a 4 track in 1987. I didnt play on this, but it was my MOSFET100 used on it(all guitar choke punches)

[Newc]

Thanks.

As for the "clean+dirty" I'm hearing, I thought it may have been half-distorted and half-clean boost, but if (since) you've got the head gain cranked, you'd never notice the clean?

Or maybe it was an 808 model. I'll hafta double check now.

[Newc]

As for the Rat being used, I can hear it on Peace Sells and Kill 'Em All, but mostly for solos. Didn't sound like Dave used anything but the head alone on the rhythms. He's definitely using a boost of some kind on Rust, though. Not sure what amp, though.

[Ace]

I use different boosts for different guitars in front of my 2203. Right now I am liking the EP Booster for my Les Pauls and the MXR 78 Custom Badass for my SG's.

[Cleveland Metal]

I pop in every couple years and always hit on what appears to be the same thread I left on... Some things never change

This....
MetalZone.jpg

Or this....
TalentBooster.jpg

[Dreamland_Rebel]

What's up Guys! Long time no see.
Thought I'd chime in on this one.

You'll find the Boss SD-1 as the secret weapon of more touring guitarist than you can imagine. Gain off, Level Maxed, and pushing the front end of the distortion channel of a Marshall.
The standard Tube Screamer circuit, regardless of brand, will get you into that territory but with a glassier attack.
The Metal Zone with level up and gain off will give you the saturation of the SD-1 but with the added flexibility of a semi-parametric filter. It was also often used in the clean channel as a typical distortion pedal but could really only get away with it in all tube circuits.

Kill 'Em All was recorded with a Flying V with a Duncan Invader into a Chandler Tube Driver into the distortion channel of a Marshall, then notched out with a graphic eq at a specific frequency in the midrange.
Chuck Schuldiner of Death always used a BC Rich stealth with a Dimarzio X2N straight into a Marhsall 8100 Valvestate.

Hope this helps.
John E.

[Newc]

It's a one-channel wonder. There is no "clean channel" or "distorted channel". I'd have to run 2 heads/cabs (or wire a 4x12 as 2 2x12s), and use the pedals for all my dirt, or crank the head gain to half and boost it with pedals and futz with the volley knob to get "cleanish". And I wasn't aware that the Valvestates were available that far back, or was Chuck not in Death that long?

[Newc]

And thanks, Cleve. Now, where can I find that TB-4?

[toejam]

It's a one-channel wonder. There is no "clean channel" or "distorted channel". I'd have to run 2 heads/cabs (or wire a 4x12 as 2 2x12s), and use the pedals for all my dirt, or crank the head gain to half and boost it with pedals and futz with the volley knob to get "cleanish". And I wasn't aware that the Valvestates were available that far back, or was Chuck not in Death that long?

Chuck started Death around '83, but I don't think the Valvestate series started until the early '90s. I know the 8240 stereo chorus 2x12 combo I have is from '92 and I bought it brand new.

[Cleveland Metal]

It's a one-channel wonder. There is no "clean channel" or "distorted channel". I'd have to run 2 heads/cabs (or wire a 4x12 as 2 2x12s), and use the pedals for all my dirt, or crank the head gain to half and boost it with pedals and futz with the volley knob to get "cleanish".

Yeah.... Welcome to my world circa 1993 or so... Which initiated my painful journey through the dark and expensive land of rackmount MIDI and multiple preamp crap....

[Newc]

Fortunately for me, I've already wandered the rack preamp wasteland and found what works for me there. ADA MP-1 into a Digitech TSR-12 for tone-shaping EQ, and a Digitech 1101 for laughs (and for something to use an ART X-15 board with).

I just don't see the sense in having a rack distortion, rack chorus, rack delay, rack reverb, rack poweramp, and fridgerack to haul it all. 2 units (preamp and effects) does me well enough. I know individual units get a better tone overall, but damn, that's just excessive.

[Cleveland Metal]

That's the key, whatever works for your needs! I have one large rig with the CAE3+se preamp still, and an Intellifex with a TC Parametric, misc stuff and the 90 pound VHT2150. And that is obviously small compared to a lot of refrigerator rigs like you described. But, I also run a Voodu Valve all in one preamp/effects, and a small SS power amp (the size of two VHS tapes) that is fairly kick ass and I'm certainly not unhappy with that or with carrying it!

Saw a Metallica Tribute here Saturday and the guy ran an old 800 ( I missed which one) but he was doing quite good with cleans and heavy stuff, all with a pedal board. I'm impressed with his tone actually. Tasty IMO. Wish I could be happy with just an amp head. Although there really are nice ones these day that I probably would be happy with if I wanted to pend the bucks.