2555SL vs. Jcm800

[EggcellantGuitar]

I'm relatively new to the amp world really just dig any Marshall, but looking to upgrade my current Marshall to something better. If anyone has tried both of these heads and could possibly help me decide so I know which direction to go! I know the 2555SL is a Silver Jubilee, but does it compare to a 800?

 

[frontline205]

A little more gain on the 2555 also 2.5 channels. They’re a little brighter compared to the 800 as well. Have amazing cleans. L The thing with all of Marshall’s 800 derivatives is that they all do something slightly different with the 800 and usually have a little more gain but at the expense of losing the 800’s versatility.
As I feel the 800 can do the 2555 sound with help from pedals. But most of the 800 modded Marshalls (made by Marshall themselves) lose some grit the 800 provides.

 

[67mike]

Cannot go wrong with either one.

 

[Racerxrated]

A little more gain on the 2555 also 2.5 channels. They’re a little brighter compared to the 800 as well. Have amazing cleans. L The thing with all of Marshall’s 800 derivatives is that they all do something slightly different with the 800 and usually have a little more gain but at the expense of losing the 800’s versatility.
As I feel the 800 can do the 2555 sound with help from pedals. But most of the 800 modded Marshalls (made by Marshall themselves) lose some grit the 800 provides.

Brighter??

Uh, not in my experience, at all. The 2203 is going to be brighter, more raw, and have less gain/more kerrang than the Jubilee. Jubilee is darker, smoother, and the EQ is WAY more effective, almost 'active' vs any other Marshall made. You can almost get 'Recto' ish low end from the Jubilee. The Jubilee if set right is a nice 2 ch amp. But, you HAVE to run one of the master volumes at 6 or more to get the best out of the Jubilee as it will sound thin if the Master is below 6.
I used to Dime the output master, that was the best way to get the clean and dirty channels set for gigging. I used a 2554 through a 412 for years playing out. The Jubilee also has a good loop.
You'll need to boost both however to get to hard rock/metal type tones though.

 

[BesaMoogie]

Not shure about the 2555 but in my opinion, everyone has to experience at least once the brutality and honesty of an old Marshall. There`s just something about the simplicity of these circuits.

 

[Beyond Black]

Not shure about the 2555 but in my opinion, everyone has to experience at least once the brutality and honesty of an old Marshall. There`s just something about the simplicity of these circuits.

A boosted JMP/JCM is a thing of raw and primal beauty.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

A silver jubilee boosted with a 33 is pretty sexy. It is a very fun amp to play. Kind of removes the darkness a bit and makes it really come alive

 

[Beyond Black]

A silver jubilee boosted with a 33 is pretty sexy. It is a very fun amp to play. Kind of removes the darkness a bit and makes it really come alive

I ran a Gup Tech Que Bec for a little extra presence to much happiness

 

[SgtThump]

Which JCM800?

 

[DanTravis62]

They are completely different sounds so this is kind of a question where the answer is gonna be "whichever you like best."

Consistently, all the answers except racers are just "whatever that person likes best."

I would say they are both great amps and will work for just about anything with the right mix of pedals.

 

[Racerxrated]

Which JCM800?

I think most players defer to the 2203 sound when 'generalizing' JCM 800s. Although, the 2205/10/1959 800 models are all still brighter than a Jubilee. In my experience anyway.

 

[Anje]

Listing some song/sound and/or player examples you have in mind would help to recommend something.
In the mean time, this is to me one of the best "raw" insights of how a 2555SL can sound straight in, at lower than stadium level:



I had a similar half stack Slash amp just after it came out that I played a couple of years with as my main amp with bands at the time, really cool amp that has its own sound/feel as pointed by others above; really felt to me like a hot rodded slightly more "modern" feeling version of a 220x amp.
I prefer the later (220x) for what I do.

 

[VHTStark]

Not shure about the 2555 but in my opinion, everyone has to experience at least once the brutality and honesty of an old Marshall. There`s just something about the simplicity of these circuits.

Agree. Brutal and honest are a good way to put them.

The thing is, alot of players who are younger have a misconception of what an "old Marshall" sounds and feels like to play.

I always get a chuckle when I let someone who hasn't tried an old 800 or 4-holer try my 2204 or my father's old Super lead. They are a lot less gainy, far more loud and much more raw than they are used to.

 

[EggcellantGuitar]

Ended up goin 2555SL had a great sound, great price. Very pleased with it

 

[67mike]

Ended up goin 2555SL had a great sound, great price. Very pleased with it

Awesome amp!!!!