Marshall JCM series

[Panamark]

Fuzzman ?? My JCM800 is split channel. I have seperate controls for my clean and dirty channel, and its foot switchable.

[pardo]

I hocked my 5150, just couldn't dial out the fuzz on the lead channel. Changed tubes, pulled tubes, changed pickups. I loved the rythme channel - nice and beefy. But the lead channel was too hi endy. The problem was the shared eq block - didn't work for both channels. 5150II fixed that problem, but I hear they don't sound as good as the original - never played one myself though.

Got a TSL 100 and love it. Out of the box, they don't sound so good. But get a nice set of JJs in there, bias the thing and turn it up - very nice. No - not the same as the older plexis. Not at all. You can tell its a marshall, but it has its own character. Like that there's 3 channels.

Something that I realized long ago - there is no single amp that will do everything you want. You're gonna have to compromise. I compromised a bit with the TSL - doesn't sound quite as good as others. But it still makes me smile when I take it off standby. But if I bought a plexi, I'd be sittin with 1 channel. Maybe one day that will suite me...

[degüello]

Originally posted by pongracj
This is a pic of my rig. Its a Marshall JCM 900 Dual Reverb, with a MG412B. The amp is all tubes rated at 50 watts. Vary clean and clear amp.

I have the exact same setup. That amp was a real warhorse for me; played it for 12 years in many different bands and bars, lots of recording work, and never once had a problem with it. Ever. Never even had to change a tube.

My early '70s Gison SG and a few pedals with that head produce a wicked, wicked tone.

It's also pretty versatile, for a Marshall.

After using both channels for a few years, I actually found myself eventually just overdriving the clean channel all the time and barely using the lead one. Got an awesome Angus/Malcom dogbark powerbite out it.

These days, I'm playing way more acoustic. My CF Martin is the new Gibson, for me, and I fucking love it.

[Cathedral]

Originally posted by pardo
I hocked my 5150, just couldn't dial out the fuzz on the lead channel. Changed tubes, pulled tubes, changed pickups. I loved the rythme channel - nice and beefy. But the lead channel was too hi endy. The problem was the shared eq block - didn't work for both channels. 5150II fixed that problem, but I hear they don't sound as good as the original - never played one myself though.

Got a TSL 100 and love it. Out of the box, they don't sound so good. But get a nice set of JJs in there, bias the thing and turn it up - very nice. No - not the same as the older plexis. Not at all. You can tell its a marshall, but it has its own character. Like that there's 3 channels.

Something that I realized long ago - there is no single amp that will do everything you want. You're gonna have to compromise. I compromised a bit with the TSL - doesn't sound quite as good as others. But it still makes me smile when I take it off standby. But if I bought a plexi, I'd be sittin with 1 channel. Maybe one day that will suite me...

I owned one of each and the II sounds a ton better and cleaner than the original. They are however a one trick pony on both counts.
the II has an extra pre-amp tube (6) and it just flat out cranks...

But in the end, nothing compares to Marshall Tone.....If i had more money when i was in the market i'd have gotten the Marshall and it was my first choice.

[Panamark]

Heres my old JCM800 split channel, and an ancient old silver clothed quad box. Fuzzman, check it out, you can see the controls for the two channels. (Well maybe if I could upload a decent sized pic you could)

[Panamark]

I wish Sarge would increase pic sizes.. Heres one of the head....

[Mr Grimsdale]

nice head

ooh no missus no

[Panamark]

I passed this mechanical workshop in Sydney today, and they had a grate business name "Unlimited Head Jobs". Their sign sure catches your attention !

[Mr Grimsdale]

could you explain please

i don't understand

[Panamark]

Theres this mechanical workshop in Sydney that fixes heads on car engines. Their business name is "Unlimited Head Jobs". They have their business name stuck on a big sign on top of the workshop.
It certainly grabs your attention

[Mr Grimsdale]

i still don't get it

am i missing something

[Mr Grimsdale]

oh the comedy

[Big Troubles]

Originally posted by pongracj
This is a pic of my rig. Its a Marshall JCM 900 Dual Reverb, with a MG412B. The amp is all tubes rated at 50 watts. Vary clean and clear amp.

Nice stack. Damn, if I only had the cash. lol If its not the pedals, its the amp. Man, here i was thinking about grabbing another guitar. lol Guess I will work a few more jobs and save up. We've got a pawn shop in town with tons of marshall stacks, old ones. Im gonna check them out and see if the owner has any clue what he thinks there worth. Maybe I'll get lucky.

[diamond den™]

I played through a '82 JCM twin channel head with matching red cab a few weeks ago. It is/was selling for $1700.

Nice Amp...shame it isn't as good as a soldano.

[GAR]

Since we rebuilt my JCM 800 50 watt, I'm okay with it. It's the same circuit board as the JMP's pretty much, only that the power supply is more stout at about 560 volts (measured) and the output tranny is more hotter.

Those filter caps SUCK MY ASS though, people! Toasted 'em immediately upon a fresh retubing, biasing and ripping out that crappy mod that was in it.

Filter capacitors look like these tall blue or black cans with a plastic film shrunk upon it on the size of salt n pepper shakers.. some nuts say they should never be replaced, I say they gotta GO!

My symptom was buzzing noise and smoke.. I thought it was gonna be the output tranny so I freaked a little, but it was fine.

After owning JCMs my opinion changed of them from "requires complete overhauling to become adequate" to "great as power amps to drive from another amp's main voice" so I wouldn't advise against owning a JCM if you can seek out first who in your community is a "Tube Jockey" and can change the gain stages around for more of an active response.

Most people find JCM's adequate as-is, because their main tone is from their pickups and pedals, but I love extreme volumes in multiples of 100 watts to really do the job right, or its not even worth getting outta bed to pursue - because I can just play in the home to write tunes and record at low volumes. So if the tone and volume don't rock my boat and i'm not in a band to utilize the intense volumes, I just stay in and store the stuff till needed.

I am finding however that my modded 50 watter is quite sweet at low to medium volumes but in the studio cranked past 6 or 7 it loses its wind. Which may be the replacement capacitors: I'm gonna change 'em again and see if maybe it's just a voltage dropping problem past that 6 to 7 volume point...