1980 Jmp 2203 stock?

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GuitarManTim

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So i found this 1980 jmp 2203 and im strongly considering getting it but im unsure if its stock, also the numbering on the bright cap is different than all the ones ive seen on most marshalls but maybe im just overthinking it. Marshall professionals help me decide if this is a good one to buy. Thank you!
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Needs 6x filter cans & a pair of bias caps [$200]. I wouldn't obsess about a "brite cap.'
JMP 2203's are drying up. Better snag it. I wouldn't pay more than $1800.
Someone had an FX loop on that and a resistor is piggybacked on V-1.
 
@shar-vell Dan what would you pay for an '84 2204 with a loop?
 
shar-vell Dan said:
Needs 6x filter cans & a pair of bias caps [$200]. I wouldn't obsess about a "brite cap.'
JMP 2203's are drying up. Better snag it. I wouldn't pay more than $1800.
Someone had an FX loop on that and a resistor is piggybacked on V-1.
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Person who's selling it says it works and sounds fine, im not sure where you're seeing any missing parts unless you mean the existing parts need to be replaced. The circuit board seems to show parts for a different model which aren't used for this one. I apologize im not really sure what all to look for. And I appreciate your help, the guy wants 2500 for it and even if it needs some parts replaced ill probably still get it because the amp is in really good condition cosmetic wise.
 
Looks clean. Yeah, it's had some mods in the past just based on the extra holes. I wouldn't worry about the bright cap. And yes, extra resistor on V1. No biggie. As long as the iron's original I'd snag it. What Dan means to say is it most likely needs the filter caps replaced.
 
I don’t see evidence of an fx loop. You wouldn’t fit an LND150 loop in those vertical holes. And there’s no extra holes for an added tube if it were a tube buffered version. They don’t appear to be aligned horizontally, either.

Could have been anything there in those holes, really. A lot of guys added line outs to these in the 80’s.

The amp looks great. Basically stock. You can remove that resistor on the 10k cathode in 20 seconds. It’s just adding gain.

Marshall used all kinds of components. I’ve seen bright caps like that on these before. It’s stock value.
 
Wouldn’t it normally have chicklets and not all those carbon comps? I guess bottom line is, does it sound kick ass? If it does, get it.
Personally I would never pay that much for a 2203 or 2204 but that’s because for years, like a lot of us with grey beards, I was buying those for $500 and my brain can’t grasp even paying more than 1K 😂. I would make a kit (I know, they cost at least 1K 🤦‍♂️) before paying that much for an OG.
 
skoora said:
Wouldn’t it normally have chicklets and not all those carbon comps? I guess bottom line is, does it sound kick ass? If it does, get it.
Personally I would never pay that much for a 2203 or 2204 but that’s because for years, like a lot of us with grey beards, I was buying those for $500 and my brain can’t grasp even paying more than 1K 😂. I would make a kit (I know, they cost at least 1K 🤦‍♂️) before paying that much for an OG.
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Not sure if this helps or hurts your position, but it sure hurts my wallet.
 
Looks clean. Too bad about the holes in chasis. I would have to deduct some cash for those. See if they will negotiate.
 
skoora said:
Wouldn’t it normally have chicklets and not all those carbon comps? I guess bottom line is, does it sound kick ass? If it does, get it.
Personally I would never pay that much for a 2203 or 2204 but that’s because for years, like a lot of us with grey beards, I was buying those for $500 and my brain can’t grasp even paying more than 1K 😂. I would make a kit (I know, they cost at least 1K 🤦‍♂️) before paying that much for an OG.
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Those caps are all OG. I have a bin full of them from amps I’ve modded over the years. They used several different types. Chiclets were earlier. Late 70’s JMP’s have them. 800’s use box caps typically.
 
skoora said:
and not all those carbon comps
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Those are just the typical Piher carbon film in Marshalls even tho they are a similar color.

IMO $2500 is “yesterday’s” inflated price. Things aren’t moving much and the digital alternatives are making big amps less popular.
 
The bright cap is a stock 1000pF value. As pointed out, an extra resistor was added to the cold clipper 10K resistor. Can't make out the value but that resistor parallel to the original 10K lowers the total value to add more gain. I have tried this, and it can sound great. I would try with and without. I found that the stock 10K has enough gain for me.

The two holes drilled sucks so 'd use that as bargaining chip for sure. Other than that, It looks really clean. If I were to use it regularly, I'd consider changing the filter & bias caps.
 
I picked up a clean 1980 2203 last week for 1700. If he wants to sell he’ll lower the price. Regarding the big can caps, I’d play it first and if it rips and is quiet, those caps may be just fine. When an old Marshall sounds killer as is, no need to change a thing. Imo.
Most other amps, yes when filter caps get old you should change them. But the Daly/LCRs seem to keep on going.
 
Racerxrated said:
Regarding the big can caps, I’d play it first and if it rips and is quiet, those caps may be just fine. When an old Marshall sounds killer as is, no need to change a thing. Imo.
Most other amps, yes when filter caps get old you should change them. But the Daly/LCRs seem to keep on going.
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That's my inclination but seemed like the last time I asked the majority says change them to be safe.
 
shar-vell Dan said:
Needs 6x filter cans & a pair of bias caps [$200]. I wouldn't obsess about a "brite cap.'
JMP 2203's are drying up. Better snag it. I wouldn't pay more than $1800.
Someone had an FX loop on that and a resistor is piggybacked on V-1.
Click to expand...
Drying up ? You mean like clean ones or what ?
 
Bad Brain said:
That's my inclination but seemed like the last time I asked the majority says change them to be safe.
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Yep. It’s a good idea to change filter caps in amps that are 10 or more years old.
But, it’s definitely not always needed. Over 60+ pre 1990 stock/modded Marshall’s; only 1 had leaky caps that I had to change. One other 2204 had F&T filter caps and it sounded strange…changed them to ARS and it sounded normal again. Hundreds of gigs/hours on these old Marshalls and I’ve never had any problems with original Daly/LCR caps.
If you do change them I highly recommend ARS as they look and sound just like the LCR/Daly caps that were original to the amp
 
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