Best years for JCM800?

[buzzsaww]

I've always heard 82 or 83 through 84 are the sweet spot so to speak for metal tones. Something to do with different transformers I once read. If you were shopping for one of these which years would you be after?

[Firebird V]

I had a first year 81 vertical input with the 6550's in it. It was a 2204 and it rocked big time. I like the Vertical input years better. Drake trannys. I think 84 was the last year for the vertical input heads and those are the ones that are most sought after. I think in 82 or 83 they switched to EL34's for power tubes.

I have had a few other newerhorizontal input 2204's and 2203's but that 81 vertical was magic.

[Wayniac]

Those years may have different transformers, but the 80's Marshalls varied immensely from amp to amp. I remember buying a JCM 800, tried all 6 in the store (all identical settings) and found the one that sounded the sweetest to me. And there was a huge difference between the worst sounding one and the best...
You may want to play any amp you are buying in person, rather than a long distance purchase

[buzzsaww]

I'll be trying them in person for sure. So far Tokyo shops have an amazing assortment of classic Marshall and Boogie amps. Every shop seems to have about a dozen of each brand. Freakin amazing to get out of Denver the barren wasteland of gear. LOL

[~K~]

I have an 87 that had 6550's in it and was sent to Lee Jackson for mod .. I never liked the 6550's so I had it redone to El34's

[charvelguy]

79-80 Imo

[thebisch]

It depends on the model. The channel switchers (2205,2210,4210,4212,4205) are better from about '86 up until the end.

[Big D]

I know the 80's models are probably what you're looking for. But if that doesn't pan out for you, I bought a 2004 stock JCM 800 re-issue and it totally kicks ass with an overdrive pedal in front of it. No mods needed.

[Shawn Lutz]

83 and below for the 2203's and 2204's. The pre JCM800 versions are also cool as hell, they also look cooler to me

[horns666]

I've owned all of them and for quality I would agree with Shawn..

As for my personal liking, my fave is the 2210..only because the diode made it possible to not have to slam the front with a stomp for my tone.

The 2210 has enough gain to do what I needed without a pedal..not that pedals are "bad"..

I just like it all amp whenever possible.

[MSGfan]

I alway thought that the best sounding 800 series Marshalls were the 2555 and 2550 that first appeared as the Silver Jubilee models. I owned one of the regular tolex covered 2555 heads and it was one of best sounding Marshall master volume amps I ever owned. Loved the 1/2 power switch!
I can see why Slash used these to get his tone.
But my absolute favorite master vol. Marshall was a JMP 50 watt loaded with 6550's.

[horns666]

"Marshall was a JMP 50 watt loaded with 6550's"

Those are bad ass amps..

[siggy14]

Not true, i had an 1984 2204 that sounded just as good as my 1981 2204, they both had 6550's, the only difference was the 1984 had DI out.

As to the 80's marshalls either being good or bad, well either i have gotten really lucky and got two great ones, or there werent that many bad. In my own opinion tubes were not as good back then and that made a huge difference in the amps that sounded good and the amps that sounded bad. i think if you retube any 80's marshall it will sound great with an exception of a bad one here or there.

83 and below for the 2203's and 2204's. The pre JCM800 versions are also cool as hell, they also look cooler to me

[horns666]

Not true, i had an 1984 2204 that sounded just as good as my 1981 2204, they both had 6550's, the only difference was the 1984 had DI out.

As to the 80's marshalls either being good or bad, well either i have gotten really lucky and got two great ones, or there werent that many bad. In my own opinion tubes were not as good back then and that made a huge difference in the amps that sounded good and the amps that sounded bad. i think if you retube any 80's marshall it will sound great with an exception of a bad one here or there.

Siggy has a point there man..exact models of Marshals in general even tho simliar in tone, seemed to be inconsistant, and have their own identity..even my two 2210's I ran in stereo didn't sound the same..one had major mojo compared to the other..

Marshalls are good like that..

I had five 5150s , block and script logo..they all sounded exactly the same..there was one I was partial to..but the difference was so subtle nobody prolly wouldn't notice..still it was my fave for some reason...it was my first one, maybe that's why..

[buzzsaww]

I'll be looking around for an SLO probably also.
On a side note if anyone wants something from here I can try to help out. Take a peek, listen etc... I still haven't been to all the shops only 3 or 4 out of about 20 big ones.