JCM800 normal channel tests

Testing Marshall JCM800 Lead Series normal channel with a Harley Benton w/EMG85 at bridge. Sorry about the camcorder clipping badly.

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Music

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• JCM800

[deeaa]

Sebolle: at least here they cost roughly $2500 with a single slanted 4x12" cab, give or take a hundred or so, but that range...which makes the price almost the same as it is today, maybe just a few hundred cheaper.

I remember because it was pretty much the same price for a car/motorcycle driving licence (and still is!), and a friend of mine was given a choice for his 18th birthday - his parents would either pay for his driving licence or buy him a half-stack Marshall. Got the card in his 40¨s.

[deeaa]

I don't think the clean channel is hugely different from a plexi marshall in hardware sense - but it won't overdrive nearly as easily though and I wouldn't say it sounds even nearly just like a 2203. But very similar. The drive channel OD is achieved with diodes rather than just tubes, which in my book is only good, as I'd use a tube screamer or some other diode pedal in front of it anyway. I don't like pure tube distortion, it's too round and messy. But I love pure tube overdrive.

[deeaa]

Clean channel controls. I only ever used those, really...better than the drive channel.

[deeaa]

Thanks! And you too!

[deeaa]

Most 800's don't even do 'low volume', mostly due to crackling pots that make it impossible to find a spot the volume isn't nigh lethal but there is some sound anyway :-) also no 100W tube amp is gonna sound too good @ very low volume. That's one reason I love my 18W; it pumps out similar volumes to the 800's when need be but you get a decent sound at under 100dB too. But even that 18W is WAY too loud for home use and way more I'd need live too.

[deeaa]

Yes! Tinyterrors are really cool basic rock amps! Need suitable speakers and they can really rock!

[fireball76a]

the jcm 800 it's not a CLEAN amp..it was made to rock :)

[petedogg369]

It won't go louder if the speakers have peaked which is the case here. You need a better cabinet sorry to say. Get some celestion 75t speakers and turn it up all you want, I have them and they pretty much handle my 150 watt Mesa.

[Selbolle69]

I'm just curious, but I was wondering if anyone knew how much these cost in the 80's?

[homeagent]

I don't think I like this amp but am having to borrow one...I just need the clean channel to be load but acually clean as I plan to use my pedals only, for my sound/tone. I will tell you how it goes tomorro.

[jakefortwice]

@akaboo69 yep... basically

[akaboo69]

dont make fun of me so a JCM 800 is bassically a plexi with a master volume and pre amp distortion

[gemather]

i do not have any idea !!! unexpected i think !!! my amp above has got his whole power from mastervolumeknob, preampsesivityknob only changes the sound and a little more bass...

[irarawkstarr]

My 2205 is missing the footswitch, and I'm too lazy to buy a replacement, so I haven't even heard my "normal" channel yet. But it cleans up pretty decently if you turn down the guitar volume.

[halo214r]

I use to have the dual reverb combo years ago and it was one of the worst amps that I have ever owned. I always had to run some pedal in front of it to get it to distort. The old way of turning the master up is ridiculously loud. I have a peavey triple x I am happy with at the present time

[XSweeneyToddX]

have the same amp, also in white from 1983, but the combo version, it's pretty cool.