Wich JCM 800

[mr426]

I have been thinking latley about tryinh Marshall again. I have never been a Marshall guy. I think I may dig the JCM 800, but I know they made many different ones. What is concidered the "good" ones? Was it the 2205? Does it matter if it's 50 or 100 watt? Should they be modded to get the best sound? I know lots of you all have them, any help would be great. Thanks.
LATER!!!

[Dreamland_Rebel]

2210

[jcm800x]

2203 with a nice distortion box!

[siggy14]

if i was gonna go with the 2205 (50 watt) vs 2210(100 watt) I would go with the 2205 because design wise it is better. And go with a later one, the first few years had a design flaw where the two channels would bleed together.

But i prefer the 2204 or 2203 with a stomp box in front, and they can be modded.

But personaly if you want the best of all words get a JMP-1 with a good power amp that you can bias.

[GodOfRhythm]

+3 for the 2203 or 2204 with added boost. and/or mod.

The extra gain in the 2205/2210 models is unpleasant to my ears.

[toddstaples]

2203-04

[Shawn Lutz]

another vote for the older 2203/04's

[jgcable]

DSL50 or DSL100
I think they both sound great. Classic Marshall tone and enough gain to play anything.

[slayer]

Any of these models have Reverb? I played a 1987 JCM 800 100 watt something over the weekend that was 1 channel and had reverb, sounded very good!! Jack.

[mr426]

Wow. Thanks for the info everybody. Seems like there is a few models to check out. Now are the ones you guys mention the 1 or 2 channel models? I don't mind the single channel at all. I plan to use a few different amps anyway.

[GodOfRhythm]

You got JCM 800's:

Superleads

Master Volumes (2203 2204)

Split Channels (2205 2210)

The last two also exist in combo versions (4xxx instead of 2xxx)

----

And a lot of other models and reissues that I don't know didilly about.

[jcm800x]

The most important thing to remember with Marshalls is to play it first! The 800's sound very different amp to amp. The best tone I've heard and the worst tone I've heard both came from 2203's! The good news is that an experienced tech can help a bad one sound great! But is may cost ya......

[jgcable]

Remember... a 2203/4 will not have enough gain stock for heavy metal. They also don't have a loop or reverb.
The 2210 has all of the above.
My bandmate has a DSL100 and it sounds everybit as good as a modded 2203/4. No pedals required, a fantastic clean channel and great reverb.
Don't count the new DSL/TSL's out until you try one.
I used to think the old school JCM800's were the only way to go. I don't think that way anymore after hearing a DSL100 at practice, live and in the studio. Damn fine amp.

[GodOfRhythm]

My best friend and co-player in our little wannabe band has (had, he's trying to sell it to get a Mesa Boogie or an Engl Savage 120) a DSL 100. Not the amp for me. One amp will never catch the 'right' sound of another amp, ever. There may only be subtle nuances, but they're there.

In addition, a JCM 800 pretty much takes effects pretty good, even if they're not through a seperate loop. JCM 800 + TS = godly lead sound.

[jgcable]

My best friend and co-player in our little wannabe band has (had, he's trying to sell it to get a Mesa Boogie or an Engl Savage 120) a DSL 100. Not the amp for me. One amp will never catch the 'right' sound of another amp, ever. There may only be subtle nuances, but they're there.

In addition, a JCM 800 pretty much takes effects pretty good, even if they're not through a seperate loop. JCM 800 + TS = godly lead sound.

I agree, a TS really does a 2203/4 good.