Anyone score a Zzounds 2203x blowout?

[The~Kid]

Bro. No

This is the problem. No attenuation. you don't need 35 overdrive pedals

This is why everyone is saying you haven't actually experienced this before

There are some things like a 5150 type amp, that basically sound good at any volume, even lower because most of the goods are in the preamp section

This is not the case with an 800, or a hiwatt, or even an SLO in my opinion

You need to turn them up to like at least HALFWAY on the master volume, no distortion pedal allowed and just rip

I mean I understand why many like them but for me as is they just don't pack enough preamp gain and I feel they can get a bit flabby in that sense in general relative to other stuff.

I may check one out again and blast it higher than that to SEE/Hear whats up but in general i just think I don't really dig them and thats fine too and they just arent My thing and arent My thing. I prefer something like a 5150/6505, BE100, SmallBox etc etc or other amps mentioned that just have higher gain in general.

 

[DanTravis62]

I mean I understand why many like them but for me as is they just don't pack enough preamp gain and I feel they can get a bit flabby in that sense in general relative to other stuff.

I may check one out again and blast it higher than that to SEE/Hear whats up but in general i just think I don't really dig them and thats fine too and they just arent My thing and arent My thing. I prefer something like a 5150/6505, BE100, SmallBox etc etc or other amps mentioned that just have higher gain in general.

That's totally fair if it isn't your thing - I was just making the point that it's not the same thing as a JEL or other higher gain version of an 800

With vintage amps the whole "thing" is that they need to be pretty juiced to get the goods

 

[The~Kid]

That's totally fair if it isn't your thing - I was just making the point that it's not the same thing as a JEL or other higher gain version of an 800

With vintage amps the whole "thing" is that they need to be pretty juiced to get the goods

Dude here gets some good tones out of em and I'm not saying I don't dig that but yeah, I mean just being honest Even as dude mentions it's kind of hard to dial in without some extra Boost or help but yeah.


I mean yeah modern iterations with more gain arent exactly like a JCM800 and I agree there and they are modern takes on an 800. I mean there are aspects I like yes but just not enough gain for me in the preamp. Like there is a certain hair to an 800 and top end sizzle of course that I do love and well thats what I like about the character of the amp in essence..... That "Appetite for Destruction" tone for me and yeah it's not Bad and well I can see why many like the amp in it's essence and no wonder many have their take on it.....


So I like it but I don't..... And it's complicated but the amp aint so Bad as I made it out to be

 

[Greazygeo]

2203’s were great when they could be bought for $250-350. They sounded terrible, but could have the power sections modded and with power amp in jacks could be used as power amps. Slaving a plexi thru some effects and into the 2203 power amps worked ok.

Recently picked up another ‘78 2203…..ah, the familiar tone haha…will mod it one of these days.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

LOL! Awesome. I rolled my Plexi out of my parents garage back in the day and it could be heard a couple miles away through the woods when cranked. I've thought about cranking my Twins on the porch for 4th of July star spangled banner action. It'd probably travel four miles down to Valero since I'm up on a vantage point, LOL.

Do it!