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iamqman « Classic »
Published on 03/23/11 at 11:22I have owned 3 of these over the years. I let them go and then I come back to them. I always come back to them. The quintessential rock n roll amp if there ever was one. This amp has been featured on countless records over the years from anyone and everyone. Granted most of them have been hot rodded up but that it the fun of it too. These amps are so great when you get them to an amp guru who can add a little muscle to the amp. Or keep it unmodified and get a classic hard rock tone.
The attack is snappy and quick. There is only 6 knobs so its not to hard to figure out. But you have to have the gain on 10.
Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head Features:
* 4 EL34s in the power stage
* 3 ECC83s in the preamp
* True bypass series FX loop
* 3-band EQ
* Presence control
UTILIZATION
Since there are only six knobs there isn't too much to figure out. Set the pre amp gain up all the way and your volume as desirable and there you go. Pair it with a nice greenback or GT75 Celestion speaker and Marshall cab and you'll be ready to rock.
If you need a manual for this amp then you shouldn't be playing guitar.
SOUNDS
It is a great rock tone that can be bland but cranked it gets sweet. There is a very warm tone from this amp when paired with the right speaker and cab. But if you don't want to shell out $700 to get it modified then slap a Boss Sd-1 in front of it and you'll get some killer hard rock tones. If you want to get this thing sizzeling then you need to throw a pedal in front of it preferably a clean boost pedal with just a hint of gain was all that I needed.
I had a Wolfgang style guitar and an Boss SD-1 in front with just a hit of gain but the level all the way up going in to a vintage Marshall 4x12 with Blackbacks and a another 4x12 with GT75's. It was a gain experience! I needed a noise gate because this thing was cranking some noise.
OVERALL OPINION
I gave this a Great rating because I don't feel that it is perfect. You need to improvise with this amp so out of the box it's not there. You need a pedal or the thing modified and you'll get the tone the pros have.
Every person who plays the guitar should own one of these amps or at least try it out. I have been able to pick a couple of these up on the used market for around $750 so they are on the low price end of quality amps. It is a sweet amp though!
The attack is snappy and quick. There is only 6 knobs so its not to hard to figure out. But you have to have the gain on 10.
Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head Features:
* 4 EL34s in the power stage
* 3 ECC83s in the preamp
* True bypass series FX loop
* 3-band EQ
* Presence control
UTILIZATION
Since there are only six knobs there isn't too much to figure out. Set the pre amp gain up all the way and your volume as desirable and there you go. Pair it with a nice greenback or GT75 Celestion speaker and Marshall cab and you'll be ready to rock.
If you need a manual for this amp then you shouldn't be playing guitar.
SOUNDS
It is a great rock tone that can be bland but cranked it gets sweet. There is a very warm tone from this amp when paired with the right speaker and cab. But if you don't want to shell out $700 to get it modified then slap a Boss Sd-1 in front of it and you'll get some killer hard rock tones. If you want to get this thing sizzeling then you need to throw a pedal in front of it preferably a clean boost pedal with just a hint of gain was all that I needed.
I had a Wolfgang style guitar and an Boss SD-1 in front with just a hit of gain but the level all the way up going in to a vintage Marshall 4x12 with Blackbacks and a another 4x12 with GT75's. It was a gain experience! I needed a noise gate because this thing was cranking some noise.
OVERALL OPINION
I gave this a Great rating because I don't feel that it is perfect. You need to improvise with this amp so out of the box it's not there. You need a pedal or the thing modified and you'll get the tone the pros have.
Every person who plays the guitar should own one of these amps or at least try it out. I have been able to pick a couple of these up on the used market for around $750 so they are on the low price end of quality amps. It is a sweet amp though!