1975 Marshall 2204 ???

[peterc52]

I’ve been offered a 1975 2204 at a okay price. Around 1200 usd.

Are they any different than the later 2204’s? I’ve always loved the 50 watt version.

Should I go for it?

 

[turboblues]

Never heard about a 2204 from the year 1975. I thought they came out a year later.

 

[SpiderWars]

That's a great price. I'd be all over it but check the details. If it works and has original transformers and isn't a basketcase you almost can't lose.

 

[peterc52]

I’ve read the earliest ones don’t have cascading gain like a 2203. Guess that means less gain. Not sure that’s me then ?

 

[cardinal]

'75 is the earliest I've heard of.

I think the 2204s weren't cascaded until early '77 or something like that. You could modify it to be cascaded.

 

[SpiderWars]

It's only got 2 inputs and the knob second from right says 'Master'.

 

[SoooRad]

Yep it should be easy enough to mod to a cascading circuit, and easily reversible.

 

[peterc52]

And well. It’s in great shape but had the power transformer changed many years ago. 1200 usd. Think I did good. Must be a rare one.

If anyone has an idea of value please chime in

Tower of marshall (tones)

 

[glpg80]

I believe 76 was the first year of cascaded 2204. 75 only had two inputs but that does not mean it is cascaded, the circuit is slightly different. They aren’t as aggressive as a JCM 800 with WIMA capacitors since they still used mullards. IMHO JMP 2204 and 2203 circuits are an acquired taste. I personally don’t like them.

If the PT is changed and it’s non-cascaded, it’s a no brainer to get it if it is your cup of tea, cascade it, do any other required maintenance, and keep it. If you hate it, flip it for double what you bought it for and cover the repair costs easily plus a bit more.

 

[skoora]

They sound great for medium gain but the way they have the Master Volume you have to dial in a balance of the gain knob and the Master, often fairly loud, to get a full sound. You may like it but I would probably get it modded to be like a later 70’s model. Really dig the early 70’s aesthetic for the Master volume model.

 

[Racerxrated]

Yep the 76 was the non cascaded version 2204 vs the 2203 which WAS cascaded...no idea why they didn't do both. Simple mod as others said to make it cascaded; from what I've read anyway. Changed PT is no big deal; the OT is most important anyway. Looks super clean, I think you scored very well. Value? In todays market even with a changed PT it's a 2K amp easy, it's a 1st yr 2204 after all.

 

[peterc52]

Thanks guys. Just tried it out thru load box. Did have to turn it up pretty loud to get crunch but sounded nice. Prob gonna do the cascaded thingy ? And I love the looks of with old light and toggles

 

[skoora]

Thanks guys. Just tried it out thru load box. Did have to turn it up pretty loud to get crunch but sounded nice. Prob gonna do the cascaded thingy ? And I love the looks of with old light and toggles

IIRC it’s basically a super lead circuit with a Pre PI Master. That’s why it’s anemic if the master is low as plexi’s get a lot of that sound from crushing the PI position. Curious if maxing the Master and bring up the gain from zero reacts like plugging into Input 1 of a 1987?

 

[RedPlated]

Looks killer with two inputs and regular toggles. This must’ve been a transitional model. Usually it’s either 4 inputs and toggles or 2 inputs and rockers. Except for the 1959 model 800’s etc…with rockers and 4 inputs.

And…$1200 is a deal of the century. I don’t know how that price can even be questionable. The days of $1200 vintage Marshalls is long gone. But I guess it happens.

 

[cardinal]

Changed PT would be interesting. One of the hallmarks of the JMP 2204 is the low plate voltage, so that might be different now depending on what was put in there.

These are my fav amps. I've had a couple of the JCM 2204s and didn't like them as well, personally. They didn't seem as tight or focused as the JMPs.

I have three JMP 2204s (I mention they're my favorite?) and each sounds a bit different. One is brighter and tighter. One is very warm. The third in in between.

 

[Chris6870]

Considering you can't hardly find an old Marshall for under 2500- 3 grand anymore I'd be all over it

 

[Exo-metal]

Like the other have said the 2203 was introduced in 76 but for that price like chris said, jump on it.

 

[JLR]

I believe 76 was the first year of cascaded 2204. 75 only had two inputs but that does not mean it is cascaded, the circuit is slightly different. They aren’t as aggressive as a JCM 800 with WIMA capacitors since they still used mullards. IMHO JMP 2204 and 2203 circuits are an acquired taste. I personally don’t like them.

If the PT is changed and it’s non-cascaded, it’s a no brainer to get it if it is your cup of tea, cascade it, do any other required maintenance, and keep it. If you hate it, flip it for double what you bought it for and cover the repair costs easily plus a bit more.

Curious what you don't like about them? Seems to be the vintage voicing many boutique amp builders model against.

 

[glpg80]

Curious what you don't like about them? Seems to be the vintage voicing many boutique amp builders model against.

There’s a squish sound to solo notes due to the vintage caps in them. They aren’t typically associated with the heavier styles of music I prefer to play.

They do have their place though. My metroplex is loaded with vintage style SOZO caps and they do the vintage thing right but solo notes and chords have a smear to them that is different than a persay a modernly voiced JCM or JVM for example.

 

[Metlupass2]

What's the one on the bottom?