• Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Topic: My Other rig...

Hello,

I need some help. I have been scouring the interwebz for days and the more I research the more lost I get.

I currently have a Strat with a DRRI and TS808HW. LOVE the tone.

Im trying to setup a 2nd rig that sounds well...less fendery. I have a Les Paul and I want to play some heavier more blues/rock influenced stuff. I am not looking for anyone's tone specifically, but in general the GM or JB style blues/rock stuff. Hot gain leads, mellow things down for slower stuff etc. I am looking at a Bluesbreaker or JVM205H with a cab. Yes my heart is set on Marshall. I play smaller gigs and all that, so 50w is plenty.

My question is this; do you think the JVM205H will be ok? Would I be better with one or the other? We all know the blues-rock prowess of the Bluesbreaker. I am concerned that the JVM205 will border too close to metal. I want those hot nasty tones and worry the amp is not right for the style I am shooting for.

Finally, is there an easy way to fix my LP? The stock pickups sound 'meh' but the neck is very muddy and dark while the bridge is ice picks. I found some kits at RS Guitarworks. Anyone have any other suggestions? I dont think I posess the skill to install a kit like that.

  • Registered: 2010-05-21
  • Posts: 121

Re: My Other rig...

Hi Brandon,

My bluesrig is based on the JVM410H (which is the big brother of the 205, and guess have the same tones). My very subjective opinion is that this amp is not the bluesrock amp for me. I actually get better bluestones from my darling Reeves amp which is the heart in my Floyd rig. That being said, I haven't cranked the JVM very very high, and that might be the reason.

If anyone who uses the JVM amps has some favorite settings to share, please do:-)

Finding a amp is very difficult, and I wish you all the best in your chase for a new amp. Please report back what amp you buy, whenever that will be.

Keep rocking!
André

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: My Other rig...

If your heart is set on Marshall then buy a Marshall or you'll end up with something else, settling, and will still want a Marshall.  I have no experience with a bluesbreaker amp but I do think the Dual Superleads are great, versatile amps and have a lot of flexibility for most tones.  You can pick them up pretty easily too which is good.  They possess the medium gain all the way to in your face roar, so you're covered tonally.  The Vintage Modern is also a great amp and you can get it in a combo too.  You can even switch off the effects loop, it sounds slightly different but not a huge difference.  I have both amp's in head form, and could never part with either.  The JVM's are cool, give one a shot it might be what you're after as well.  Also keep in mind that speakers can be a factor too, a good head can sound not so good through crappy speakers.

As far as RS guitar works, I JUST had a vintage wiring harness put into my Les Paul Traditional.  It was a huge difference and didn't break the bank at all.  I didn't end up swapping pickups either because the guitar sounded so good afterward.  I had the kit installed for 25 bucks too..  I ordered the one with bumble bee caps, part number: PWMVINTLUXLO.  Good luck! -Seth

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: My Other rig...

+1 for the RS caps and pots.  Make sure you do 50's wiring.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: My Other rig...

GM and JB both have used JCM2000 DSL100s in their carrers.  Great amp for that kinda thing.  For "THAT" sound though, it's really hard to be some of the Budda stuff out there.  I played Ken's Superdrive 45 and it had that old JTM45 on steriods sound with tons of available gain.  Very musical amp IMO.  I'd lose the whole "heart set on a Marshall" thing because when it comes down to it you are shutting too many awesome opportunities for great tone down.  There are TONS of great affordable boutique companies that do the Marshall thing better and more reliably....

'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.
  • Registered: 2010-07-09
  • Posts: 122

Re: My Other rig...

+ 1 to new caps.  They're the cheapest significant tone change that you can make.  A good set of paper in oil caps will clean up a lot of mud associated with neck pickups.  You might want to try a different value on the bridge pickup, and caps are cheap enough that you can buy a couple without breaking the bank.

Incidentally, I had the same problem on my '79 Custom.  I thought it was the pickups and changed them for some WCRs.  It was better, but once I changed the caps, it was an entirely different guitar.  The neck really cleaned up.

Guitars: '79 LP Custom, '01 Dickey Betts Goldie - 80 of 114, '00 Chandler Lectraslide
Amps: '00 Marshall 1987x, '70 Marshall 1959 SL, 4x12 JBL D120s
'64 Vibroverb - JBL D130, '66 Super Reverb - CTS Alnicos
'77 Peavey Deuce (great for melting stubborn ear wax)
  • Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Re: My Other rig...

First, thank you everyone for the responses. This is one of, if not THE, best forums.

I will suck it up and do the RS rewire. I will find someone handy with a soldering iron.


As far as amps go, I think for my needs I want to stick with a combo. Even a head with a 2x10 cabinet is just a bit much. I can fully function at any gig or session with a 15w or 18w amp. 50w is overkill for my needs. What would be similar to the JCM2000 or DSL tone in a combo? Is the JVM a good match?

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: My Other rig...

I'm pretty sure the JCM 2000 DSL comes in a combo.  I've never played a Marshall Haze but that also comes in a 40w combo.  I'm sure it's decent enough to get some good sounds out of for not a lot of cash but like I said, I've never played one.  -Seth

  • From: NH - USA
  • Registered: 2010-11-08
  • Posts: 149

Re: My Other rig...

There are so many great amps out there and i know this does not answer you question but though i'd through this out there...

You might want to look the Splawn Quickrod (or Streetrod Combo). Not sure how others feel about Splawn but I've been playing one for a couple of years now and it's a fantastic sounding Marshall style circuit, does Plexi/JCM, jumped/hot rodded tone and is great for heavy blues to rock sounds. Sounds great with a TS808 or Fulltone OCD and a Les Paul too.  USA made to order at an excellent price point.

havoc41's Website

  • Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Re: My Other rig...

Thank you everyone who contributed.

I have decided to go with JVM210H and a 2x12 cab. Still small enough to lug into bars and if the need ever arises, I can get a 4x cab and have a 100w rig.

Logic check:

I don't want to run multiple amps right now. The bars and gigs I play are just too small to setup a large rig like that. So here is what will have:

1. Blues Junior - Billm Modded
2. DRRI retubed and capped.
3. JVM210h w/cab
4. Les Paul (RS rewire) and SRV Sig strat(LOVE the neck and only reason I got it was for that neck).
5. TS808HW, OCD, Wah

This will allow me to touch on cleaner blues with the Strat DRRI/BJr combo. When I want to play more blues rock stuff, I can use the Paul and JVM. The Paul and JVM also push me into a larger rig for some of the summer outdoor barn jams we have here in Ohio. Is this a logical approach? I know its subjective but I am trying to dial in the tones while keeping things within reason with gear I have to haul.

Lastlly, what do you all think about running the Bjr and DRRI together. Use the DRRI always on for cleans and set the BJr for my OD amp? I know I said I didnt want to do that, but I may experiment for fun in the house. smile

  • From: Vienna
  • Registered: 2010-01-16
  • Posts: 408

Re: My Other rig...

Re: pots - I recently installed a Dr. Vintage 50's kit into my R9 - added new life to it: more control and transparency.

Highly recommended!