Marshall JCM 800 questions

[broken_fusion]

What kind of pedals you guys using for a boost? I just got a Marshall Gov'ner overdrive pedal. Mainly run it as a boost through the front of my 800 when i need it It also sounds pretty good on the clean channel of my little combo practice amp. Definitely different than most OD pedals.

[Shawn Lutz]

SD-1 infront of the 2203, sometimes kick on the GE-7 too

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

Boss Metal Zone, using the gain channel on my 4210, with the amp's gain and volume set around seven. Classic tone.

[Tim_B]

Boss SD-1 set for same level and more gain, and a Boss Blues Driver set for max level and little gain .. usually one at a time ;-)

[veemagic]

Can you give me some advice on prices? What do you feel the range is on a early 80's 800 2204 with vertical inputs and Silver Jube 2550? Both with condition being original and good.

[Tim_B]

Can you give me some advice on prices? What do you feel the range is on a early 80's 800 2204 with vertical inputs and Silver Jube 2550? Both with condition being original and good.

I've no idea what these are going for in the USA, but here in the UK, they're going for £400 to £600 depending on condition ( roughly US$600 to US$900 )

[veemagic]

I've no idea what these are going for in the USA, but here in the UK, they're going for £400 to £600 depending on condition ( roughly US$600 to US$900 )

I guessing you mean the JCM800 2204 1981-1983 vertical inputs and not the 2550 Jubilee? Or do you mean both?

[Partial @ Marshall]

Jubilee is going to cost you ~$1400-1800. I paid 1K for my 2203, much less for the 2204 (I almost stole it, had a few issues to fix though), I use a fender twin reverb half stack for my clean, can't ask a marshall to do clean really. I use the Keeley metal zone to push the 2203 and get pretty good distortion at low volumes. If you go vintage, check the caps for leakage. If you have to replace, it's about $300 but worth it to protect the transformers.
I like the low end of the 2203 over the 2204 sounds bigger and tighter, but running the two together sounds best (3 if you count the fender twin too. awesone tone!)

[MSGfan]

I love my mildly modded`77 JMP 2204 50watt boosted with a Keeley modded SD-1 into my Marshall 4x12's loaded with Celestion 25watt Greenbacks.
It just has that "Classic Marshall" Hard Rock/Metal tone!

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

Yes, greenbacks bring out the best in an old Marshall. Textbook classic Marshall tone.

[jgcable]

Personally.. I couldn't live without an effects loop. I don't know how you guys do it. Back in the old days when I used Hiwatt heads and Marshall red cabs I had an MXR Distortion + and an old analog delay out in front. It worked but it was noisy as all heck and I didn't need solo boost because it was a power trio. In a 2 guitar band its essential to have solo boost and there is really no good way to get it with an amp with no effects loop unless you use multiple distortion pedals. Maybe a distortion pedal and a GE-7 but you will also need a noise gate.

[Tim_B]

I guessing you mean the JCM800 2204 1981-1983 vertical inputs and not the 2550 Jubilee? Or do you mean both?

the age and model has a bearing, but it's mostly condition that seems to determine the price ... a well-looked after, recently serviced 2205 will fetch more than a tatty VI 2204

[Partial @ Marshall]

Personally.. I couldn't live without an effects loop. I don't know how you guys do it. Back in the old days when I used Hiwatt heads and Marshall red cabs I had an MXR Distortion + and an old analog delay out in front. It worked but it was noisy as all heck and I didn't need solo boost because it was a power trio. In a 2 guitar band its essential to have solo boost and there is really no good way to get it with an amp with no effects loop unless you use multiple distortion pedals. Maybe a distortion pedal and a GE-7 but you will also need a noise gate.

Pretty much everything I have on my board is keeley modded. They are SUPER quiet (Or is it SUPRA quiet, that's like a whole nother level of quiet) I use little delay, maybe 1.5 slapbacks, and use my tap tempo always...really helps. It's not that bad having everything in the front, just takes a while to get it dialed in...also I play in a one guitar band and use a keeley katana solo boost, when/if I need it...best on the market, doesn't color your tone.

[fuel0707]

Just to throw a different idea out there, you might consider an early '70's metal-panel 50-watt (model 1987), one of the non-master volume amps. Marshall switched from plexi to metal faceplates in mid '69, so the very early '70's amps are the plexi circuit but without the plexi face (and the plexi price). I can't give you a rundown of the changes between the plexi circuit and the master volume circuit but there are a few and it's not really due to the PCB's that Marshall went to around '73 or so.

If you think that vintage Marshalls are a little too spendy, you might then consider some of the builders who make dead-on Marshall replicas. From my experience, I would recommend RJS Amplification out of Colorado. However, there are a lot of people out there making some great amps and if you shop around, you can pick up a 50-watt plexi head for around $1500.

If you do get a NMV amp, you'll either need an iso booth or more likely, an attenuator to get the amp into higher distortion realm. But I think it's worth it - the older Marshall circuits have a great tone and would likely be a very good addition to your amp arsenal. I used to own an Ampeg VL-1002 half-stack like yours and trust me, the VL-1002 is pretty cool, but it's worlds apart from a plexi.

[veemagic]

Just to throw a different idea out there, you might consider an early '70's metal-panel 50-watt (model 1987), one of the non-master volume amps. Marshall switched from plexi to metal faceplates in mid '69, so the very early '70's amps are the plexi circuit but without the plexi face (and the plexi price). I can't give you a rundown of the changes between the plexi circuit and the master volume circuit but there are a few and it's not really due to the PCB's that Marshall went to around '73 or so.

If you think that vintage Marshalls are a little too spendy, you might then consider some of the builders who make dead-on Marshall replicas. From my experience, I would recommend RJS Amplification out of Colorado. However, there are a lot of people out there making some great amps and if you shop around, you can pick up a 50-watt plexi head for around $1500.

If you do get a NMV amp, you'll either need an iso booth or more likely, an attenuator to get the amp into higher distortion realm. But I think it's worth it - the older Marshall circuits have a great tone and would likely be a very good addition to your amp arsenal. I used to own an Ampeg VL-1002 half-stack like yours and trust me, the VL-1002 is pretty cool, but it's worlds apart from a plexi.

Thanks man for the input. I appreciate it! I started out a Marshall guy, well sort of, I had a JCM 900. I thought MArshall was it but then became kind of anti Marshall and, looking back on it now, for no really good reason. I started into the boutique stuff and lesser main stream brands. I've had my Ampeg forever and haven't played it much in the last 10 years, but still wont get rid of it. It has its place. I am pretty settled on a Jube and possibly a 800 as well. I have a few Taylors for sale and depending on how they sell... we will see!