JCM 800 Sound

shredrick · June 26th, 2008, 08:47 PM

Hey guys and gals
Does anyone know of an amp that does a very good JCM 800 clone that won't cost me the price of a used car, appreciate the input

JohnnyCrash · June 26th, 2008, 11:43 PM

The new Marshalls can do it.

I have a DSL100, the stock preamp tubes sucked bad, so swap em out, then fiddle with the knobs and you'll be around a JCM800.

Stewart Ward · June 27th, 2008, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredrick

Hey guys and gals
Does anyone know of an amp that does a very good JCM 800 clone that won't cost me the price of a used car, appreciate the input

There are two JCM800 types... the single channel or twin channel versions. The single channel version has pure valve distortion and the twin channel version (similar to the Zack Wylde type?) has SS diode clipping in the distortion channel! They are really two different amps.

The most unique and better sounding version is the single channel one! IMHO.

11 Gauge · June 27th, 2008, 06:44 AM

Probably your actual cheapest way of doing it would be to grab a 2204/2203 board from Ceriatone or similar, and have it installed in a pawnshop prize tube amp. The biggest trick with that will be finding an amp that can handle EL34's and has a decent output transformer.

Alternatively, you could go with KT66's (I actually prefer them over EL34's these days), as long as there's room in the chassis for them.

The two different models were mentioned - split channel versus single. I also favor the single. So much so that I put the Ceriatone 2204 board in mine. I like it a lot.

ac15 · June 27th, 2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewart Ward

There are two JCM800 types... the single channel or twin channel versions. The single channel version has pure valve distortion and the twin channel version (similar to the Zack Wylde type?) has SS diode clipping in the distortion channel! They are really two different amps.

The most unique and better sounding version is the single channel one! IMHO.

The solid state thing is interesting to know. Never knew that and I had one of the channel switching ones for several years. I did eventually sell it because I thought the amp was a bit harsh. I wonder if that's why.

Chris Callahan · June 27th, 2008, 09:49 AM

I heard a dude play a Lovepedal Plexi 800 pedal through a 5E3 and it freaked me out.

It really seems to eke that 80s Marshall tone out of the most unlikely amp.

It was very convincing to the Jimmy Page dude from the Led Zeppelin tribute band at the front counter (I'm serious)

Stewart Ward · June 27th, 2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac15

The solid state thing is interesting to know. Never knew that and I had one of the channel switching ones for several years. I did eventually sell it because I thought the amp was a bit harsh. I wonder if that's why.

To be honest, SS distortion often has a softer knee than many valve circuits. But valves introduce distortion as power supply limiting and is quite flat topped in some cases, as with this single channel model. That 'grunt' can be very popular with certain players.

Also, a valve has a 'dynamic' frequency response which lowers as it's under stress, meaning the HF content is attenuated whilst the valve is in distortion mode... but is restored when the valve is operating more normally.

Diode distortion tends to treat all frequencies equally, as it has no gain/stress related dynamic frequency response. This can manifest itself into HF fizz in the tone caused by slewing of the waveform... triangular HF waves which sound 'edgy'... if the amp is not well designed that is!

Have fun.

June 26th, 2008, 08:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
shredrick NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2008 Location: OKC Posts: 5	JCM 800 Sound Hey guys and gals Does anyone know of an amp that does a very good JCM 800 clone that won't cost me the price of a used car, appreciate the input

June 27th, 2008, 06:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 2,898 10 Photos	Probably your actual cheapest way of doing it would be to grab a 2204/2203 board from Ceriatone or similar, and have it installed in a pawnshop prize tube amp. The biggest trick with that will be finding an amp that can handle EL34's and has a decent output transformer. Alternatively, you could go with KT66's (I actually prefer them over EL34's these days), as long as there's room in the chassis for them. The two different models were mentioned - split channel versus single. I also favor the single. So much so that I put the Ceriatone 2204 board in mine. I like it a lot. __________________

June 27th, 2008, 09:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chris Callahan Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tucson AZ Age: 44 Posts: 416	I heard a dude play a Lovepedal Plexi 800 pedal through a 5E3 and it freaked me out. It really seems to eke that 80s Marshall tone out of the most unlikely amp. It was very convincing to the Jimmy Page dude from the Led Zeppelin tribute band at the front counter (I'm serious) __________________ Chris

June 26th, 2008, 11:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	The new Marshalls can do it. I have a DSL100, the stock preamp tubes sucked bad, so swap em out, then fiddle with the knobs and you'll be around a JCM800.