Anybody get to test drive new JCM 900 Mini Studio 20?

  • Thread starter Thread starter napalmdeath
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napalmdeath

napalmdeath

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I know it's new, but they're in stock at many places. I've heard a few, (though nobody's really posted any demos other than NAMM, or Marshall sponsored). Some sounded pretty darn good? Haven't got to try one, my local GC's only stock beginner garbage. Nothing Marshall, or high end at all. Just garbage. Katanas, Orange, Blackstar and Fender..
 
Pffft...if Marshall ever makes its way back to the fkn US I doubt anyone here has played one yet. I had a Jube on order for over a year and still nothing. Cancelled my order.

With that said, some stuff has been trickling in and they had a huge NAMM this year so I'm sure Marshall finally have their ducks in a row and will return this year at some point.
 
PurityS.L.G said:
Pffft...if Marshall ever makes its way back to the fkn US I doubt anyone here has played one yet. I had a Jube on order for over a year and still nothing. Cancelled my order.

With that said, some stuff has been trickling in and they had a huge NAMM this year so I'm sure Marshall finally have their ducks in a row and will return this year at some point.
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AMS and MF both have the 900's, (MF said they had 6). Other places have stock as well.

I hear you on the 2525 Jubes, they seem to be the hardest to find. Even used.
 
napalmdeath said:
Yeah, those are even tougher to get. I see the price went down, are they going with Vietnamese transformers?
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skoora said:
I would think so if they’re putting them in the 1959 hand wireds.
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Yeah, Vietnam. My friend has one and he confirmed that with me when Headfirst J Tong brought it to our attention a while back. It bothers me some but if the amp sounds good, its good. IDK...I still kind of want one but not going out of my way for anything Marshall right now.
 
I'm craving one of those. Sounded great in the clips! I have a Jubillee Mini and had to order it from a store about 3 hours away but we'll worth it. Great little amp. Wouldn't mind having a 900 to go with it.
 
I had one for a spell and was surprised at how good it sounded. The brightness of the full-size DR has largely been tamed, and the voicing is more modern overall. It takes boosts well and is extremely tight (too tight for my taste, as it turned out). I can see it being a great amp for thrashy rhythm playing.
 
Rising Farce said:
I had one for a spell and was surprised at how good it sounded. The brightness of the full-size DR has largely been tamed, and the voicing is more modern overall. It takes boosts well and is extremely tight (too tight for my taste, as it turned out). I can see it being a great amp for thrashy rhythm playing.
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You had the mini 900? Didn't like it? I think I'm leaning towards it, or another PT20 V2. I'm not sure if I like 5881's, that's probably what made it a tad more modern..
 
napalmdeath said:
You had the mini 900? Didn't like it? I think I'm leaning towards it, or another PT20 V2. I'm not sure if I like 5881's, that's probably what made it a tad more modern..
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If anything I find 5881’s to be less modern, looser, and less crisp than 6L6GC’s. They have generally IME a chewier, richer, warmer, woodier sound that can be very nice. Less scooped too. Lower wattage tube than 6L6GC’s. I’d guess they just use them to be consistent with what the other 900’s typically came with. Either way I’d think these tubes aren’t what would make or break the experience with this amp

I liked a bunch of the mini 900 clips I heard too. Seems pretty grindy. Cool voicing and I was never a fan of the other 900’s fwiw
 
I had a hard time getting a smooth, flowing lead tone out of it. It was just too tight and "stiff," though I can see how some people would like that. The range of available gain over the two channels was nice as well.

You really can't go wrong with the PT20 V2, assuming you don't need a clean channel. I'll probably grab another one myself at some point.
 
I tried a DSL 40 in 20 watt mode....


Don't know but from that IMO 20 watt Marshall's don't sound good. No headroom and too bloated, muffled and compressed for a Marhsall...... 40 watts should be a standard for amps like that.

Haven't tried but yeah while a lot of the 20 watt Marshalls look nice and seem like a good idea on paper are they really that nice or a good idea in reality :dunno:
 
The~Kid said:
I tried a DSL 40 in 20 watt mode....


Don't know but from that IMO 20 watt Marshall's don't sound good. No headroom and too bloated, muffled and compressed for a Marhsall...... 40 watts should be a standard for amps like that.

Haven't tried but yeah while a lot of the 20 watt Marshalls look nice and seem like a good idea on paper are they really that nice or a good idea in reality :dunno:
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I've had to Studio 800, and Jubilee. Didn't experience either sounding muffled or neutered in any way. I especially liked the Jubilee.
 
The~Kid said:
I tried a DSL 40 in 20 watt mode....


Don't know but from that IMO 20 watt Marshall's don't sound good. No headroom and too bloated, muffled and compressed for a Marhsall...... 40 watts should be a standard for amps like that.

Haven't tried but yeah while a lot of the 20 watt Marshalls look nice and seem like a good idea on paper are they really that nice or a good idea in reality :dunno:
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I really dig my Jubillee Mini but haven't played the bigger one so can't compare. Has a great tone though but not sure compared to the other mini heads.
 
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