ampage Tube Amps / Music Electronics	For current discussions, please visit Music Electronics Forum.

ampage archive

Vintage threads from the first ten years

previous: rb I am considering getting a late 198... -- 11/30/1999 3:24 AM

Re: Marshall JCM-800 50 watt top; any good?

12/1/1999 6:03 AM
BBP	Re: Marshall JCM-800 50 watt top; any good? I've had several JCM-800's and here's what I can tell you. The best JCM-800's are the 100 watt heads. They sound smoother and have a better sounding Master Volume than the 50 watt version. The 50 Watt Master Volume sounds like it clips too much. The 100 watt will outright crunch when cranked all the way. The 50 watt on the other hand will mush and will need to be cranked to '8' rather than '10' to sound good. Finally, the 50 watt head sounds dirtier than the smoother 100 watt head. Another thing you should be aware of regarding JCM-800's is their output tube complement. All JCM-800's sold new in the US used 6550's rather EL-34's as original equipment. Those sold in Britain on the other hand used EL-34's. The amp was actually designed with EL-34's in mind but the cheap ass EL-34's of the 1980's didn't hold up well in shipping to the States. Alot of people over the years have converted the 6550's over to EL-34's by implementing a slight bias change. You may not want to do this. The heavy metal notoriety that the JCM-800 made for itself was based on the 6550. It's a tube that just doesn't like to distort. When it finally is cranked to the point of being overdriven, it distorts with more balls than any other Marshall ever made. The same can not be said of the EL-34 version. I have always preferred my JCM-800's to have 6550's. Not any old 6550 will do. The 6550's that came with th amp were of US manufacture General Electric Variety and these are what are recommended. Unfortunately they are quite rare and expensive nowadays so many people compromise and do the EL-34 conversion. Finally, do not buy a JCM-800 that has chineese 6550's in it. You will be sorry. You won't get the sound that the amp is known for. Groove Tubes used to brand their chinese 6550's as 6550C's. Stay away from them. They sound very bright and tinny and woun't crunch. BBP .

12/1/1999 6:03 AM

BBP

Re: Marshall JCM-800 50 watt top; any good?

I've had several JCM-800's and here's what I can tell you. The best JCM-800's are the 100 watt heads. They sound smoother and have a better sounding Master Volume than the 50 watt version. The 50 Watt Master Volume sounds like it clips too much. The 100 watt will outright crunch when cranked all the way. The 50 watt on the other hand will mush and will need to be cranked to '8' rather than '10' to sound good. Finally, the 50 watt head sounds dirtier than the smoother 100 watt head.

Another thing you should be aware of regarding JCM-800's is their output tube complement. All JCM-800's sold new in the US used 6550's rather EL-34's as original equipment. Those sold in Britain on the other hand used EL-34's. The amp was actually designed with EL-34's in mind but the cheap ass EL-34's of the 1980's didn't hold up well in shipping to the States. Alot of people over the years have converted the 6550's over to EL-34's by implementing a slight bias change. You may not want to do this.

The heavy metal notoriety that the JCM-800 made for itself was based on the 6550. It's a tube that just doesn't like to distort. When it finally is cranked to the point of being overdriven, it distorts with more balls than any other Marshall ever made. The same can not be said of the EL-34 version.

I have always preferred my JCM-800's to have 6550's. Not any old 6550 will do. The 6550's that came with th amp were of US manufacture General Electric Variety and these are what are recommended. Unfortunately they are quite rare and expensive nowadays so many people compromise and do the EL-34 conversion.

Finally, do not buy a JCM-800 that has chineese 6550's in it. You will be sorry. You won't get the sound that the amp is known for. Groove Tubes used to brand their chinese 6550's as 6550C's. Stay away from them. They sound very bright and tinny and woun't crunch.

BBP

.

Replies:

GCT >>>Finally, do not buy a JCM-800 th... -- 12/1/1999 5:40 PM
Psycho Bass Guy I have also seen them with big bott... -- 12/1/1999 11:44 PM
Tonefactor All JCM-800's sold new in the US us... -- 12/2/1999 1:54 AM