• JBSRV
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  • From: Colorado Springs-Colorado
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Topic: JCM800

What is your opinion on this amp? I have found one on ebay for around 1 grand. I don't like to shop on ebay because I can't play anything before I buy it, but I can't seem to find anything near me that is not either way too expensive or poor quality. I seriously doubt I will get this amp, but I thought I'd at least run it by here. I don't think I will buy anything without playing myself first.

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: JCM800

Is it an old one, reissue, 2203 (100w), 2204 (50w), 2205 (50w w/diode clipping), or 2210 (100w w/diode clipping)?  There are a lot of different variations of the JCM800 circuit out there.  I have liked almost every one that I've played through and believe that it's one of the best all-around Marshall amps out there.  It's like a brighter, gainier, and more aggressive plexi with a master volume.  You could always sell the thing if it wasn't your bag because they are always in pretty high demand.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

3 Reply by dr. dave (edited by dr. dave 2009-12-29 02:38:18)

  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2007-10-20
  • Posts: 109

Re: JCM800

I have an old one from the early 80's, 100 watter, have'nt plugged it in for two years, to freakin loud!  they are good amps, mine was always reliable when I used it.

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  • JBSRV
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Re: JCM800

It's from the mid 80s I believe... 85 or 86... possibly 87. One day let on the auction. I might snag this one. I'm still not sure though

-E

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: JCM800

The 50 watt head I play regularly can easily dial up the tones of Randy Rhoads tones. It's great for 80's rock and metal tones, but it doesn't have the channel switching back to clean tones. Also, I don't remember it having a reverb.

It has it's place in the practice room, but it is far from a "do it all" type amp. It's a monster that has a specific face and a specific sound. I like it a lot though!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
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  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
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Re: JCM800

I had a early 80's 50 watt head JCM800.  It sounded great for about a month then the transformer blew up on it.  I didn't play it for 3 years.  I was going to trade it at Guitar Center but they do not buy broken amps.  They did offer to just take it if I wanted to get rid of it.  So I decided to get it fixed.  $50 with labor, and the amp sounded awesome again.  Turns out I had the wrong OHMS setting the reason I blew it in the first place, who knew.  I played a old ES-335 through that thing a lot back when I had guitars in every room of the house, now I just have babies in every room in the house.  The 335 sounded FAT and I never got that 80's rocker sound out of mine but I never tried either.  I was always after that sound Eric Clapton had in Cream, and it was the ticket.  I had a Flying V, a Les Paul, a SG, and a Les Paul special with p-90's.  Everything sounded good in this amp.  But that 335 was the best.  Strats sound good in them too, but lets face it if your playing a Marshall you should shoot for the classic setup.  BTW I like the 50 watters better then the 100 watt heads.  If I'm not mistaken the 100 watt heads are only one channel.  They didn't sound as sweet to my ear, I guess because I had nowhere to turn up that loud to.  Even the 50 watt head was sold due to a little late night call from next door to turn that damn guitar down.  I stick to low watts now.

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  • JBSRV
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Re: JCM800

Thanks guys! it looks like I might get this. Seller says it's from 84 or 86. It's the 50 watt (2204) and like you guys said, if I don't like it I could sell it again for a good price. I'll update if I take the plunge on this big_smile

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: JCM800

I had 100w 2203 and loved it , I sold it for 500 gbp on ebay beacause I had bought my silver jubilee and thought my tone quest was over lol mistake! I really miss that amp now it was a great sounding amp though loud, it took pedals well and was a workhorse you wont be dissapointed good luck

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • JBSRV
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Re: JCM800

I just got the amp! Should be here in about a week. I will post a demo as soon as it comes in!! Thanks guys! big_smile

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
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Re: JCM800

Cant wait to hear what you think about it!

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  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2009-12-25
  • Posts: 101

Re: JCM800

I'm also curious!
I own a Marshall JCM 900.

Lookin' back in front of me
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Re: JCM800

Looks like I'm going to be putting it through an Egnater 4x10 with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. I know the V30s are not the most widely regarded speakers, but the cabinet was the cheapest I could find (surprisingly... given the V30s).

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • Jesco
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  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2009-03-24
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Re: JCM800

JBSRV wrote:

Looks like I'm going to be putting it through an Egnater 4x10 with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. I know the V30s are not the most widely regarded speakers, but the cabinet was the cheapest I could find (surprisingly... given the V30s).

-Eric

Do you mean 4x12? Since the V30s are 12"

  • Jesco
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Re: JCM800

Does it have it's inputjacks vertical or horizontal on the faceplate? Vertical input is more likely '84, they made horizontal pcb-mounted inputs after and around 1986. Vertical input heads are generally more sought after.

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Re: JCM800

Jesco wrote:
JBSRV wrote:

Looks like I'm going to be putting it through an Egnater 4x10 with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. I know the V30s are not the most widely regarded speakers, but the cabinet was the cheapest I could find (surprisingly... given the V30s).

-Eric

Do you mean 4x12? Since the V30s are 12"

Yes sorry I meant 4x12.

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
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Re: JCM800

Well I love the amp! it sounds good (and LOUD!! lol cool ) Here's a demo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRbSDQ-07aY

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
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Re: JCM800

Dude that amp has ballllzzzzzz! Nice stuff man big_smile

Ben

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Re: JCM800

GoT MuLe 31788 wrote:

Dude that amp has ballllzzzzzz! Nice stuff man big_smile

Ben

haha thank you! Volume's on about 2 lol lol cool

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry