Marshall front meets BF Deluxe? YES

[JohnnyCrash]

I just finished my final modifications to one of my old builds.

It was a 18w modded for a TMB and 6V6's.

I have finished wiring a JCM800 preamp and modding the 6V6 cathode biased 5E3 style back-end for a fixed bias BF Deluxe style power section. I modded to tonestack to match older Marshalls and thinned the Bass a little (IDK if it's the 6V6's or what, but it has a lot of bass).

All in a SF/BF Champ chassis (thanks again GomezAmps.com!). With the fixed bias, 25w OT, and negative feedback loop I have a tighter power section to get more out of this thing.

Now I need to pull my old, crappy tolex job and re-cover the Champ sized head I built for it!


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SOUND

First, it has that old JCM800 preamp grunt/grind without being Mesa/NuMetal fizz. More plexi-ish. A cleaner overdrive than modern cascade type amps - more like ACDC's "Back in Black" album tones. I was very happy, since I'm a JCM800 (2203 or 2204) junkie.

Then I wanted to see how that BF Deluxe power amp sounded when I cleaned up the preamp...

THIS IS WHERE I SOILED MYSELF.

Turning the preamp Gain down, and the Volume up, I instantly got BF Deluxe sounds (without the reverb of course).

I couldn't believe how good the cleans were. Warm, but still clean. Thick complex mids, but still bright. Tight twangy bass, but snappy treble if need be too.

At louder levels the JCM800 side (Gain turned up) has a bit of a thick midrange that I think is a slight compromise to original JCM800's, but the Fender cleans more than make up for the slightly fat/thick effect on the Marshall flavor of things.

From clean Bakersfield, to slightly raunchy Blues, to full on '80s Hard Rock (The Cult, ACDC, etc)... this thing does it. It's guts are much simpler than I figured an amp that sounds like this would be. Simple old tonestack, basic PI, JCM800 pre... hell it fits in a Champ chassis!

[morroben]

You're always cooking up something. I'm not sure if I can imagine what you've got there but I know I love my 5E3, I'm a big fan of 6V6s, and have a friend with a couple of JCM800s that sound sweet...so if you managed to combine the 5E3 with JCM800 sounds it must be good.
My 5E3 was voiced a little Marshally/Voxy on the bright channel and I love it, but your's sounds like a whole different beast.

[JohnnyCrash]

It USED TO BE a JCM800 preamp with a 5E3 Deluxe power section.

NOW, it is a JCM800 preamp with a BF Deluxe power section.

I simply cannot believe how good the cleans are. I can't believe how much it sounds like an old '60s BF Deluxe with the Gain turned down. I am simply stunned... speechless.

Different animal than the 5E3, but as you already know... aint much a 5E3 needs to sound good :)

This with the gain down sounds more BF Fender than my 6L6 BF Princeton head build!

[maestrovert]

Originally Posted by Johnny Crash

It USED TO BE a JCM800 preamp with a 5E3 Deluxe power section.

NOW, it is a JCM800 preamp with a BF Deluxe power section.

an' it fits in a Champ chassis too ? Hot Diggity JC, that sounds like a downright tasty treat ! now i want one

[Geoff738]

Sounds like you used your time "away" very productively.


Glad you're back though!

cheers,
Geoff

PS If possible, sound clips and / or pictures. I'd love to hear this one.

[JohnnyCrash]

Cool, will do.

I'm actually about to change the tonestack again... I'm aiming more for a BF Deluxe or Twin (10k Mid pot) style... going from an 18w Marshall to where it's at now (BF power section, different PI, different pre), I think I failed to account for the 6V6's midrange - trying to make it a little less fat/thick :)

If I lose the great, warm cleans, I'll put it back to where it is right now and still be more than ecstatic :)