Finally finally played an 800 head, and

[70 Mach 1]

Was a used RI at GC.
Through a 4 12 cab with G12T75s

Now i understand what all the fuss is about.
You really have to turn it up though.

I can actually see myself with one.
a combo would be more suitable for me

Don't need all the gain.
But then again maybe i do

It cleaned up well.

Played various guitars, tele vintera iii.
Players ii strat, a newer LP and a revstar with 2 90s

I really think it shined best with the 90s at least at the lower "be kind to others" volume i was at

 

[marvcus]

Cranked is a wonderful sound

 

[harddriver]

If you want that Marshall flavor without much investment those DSL 50/100 amps sound really good as well and more flexible than a JCM800 single channel amp.

 

[rottingcorpse]

If you want that Marshall flavor without much investment those DSL 50/100 amps sound really good as well and more flexible than a JCM800 single channel amp.

Best bro turned me on to the DSL. Always avoided them because of the perceived build quality.

 

[skoora]

If you dug the 800, get an 800. There really isn't a cheap workaround in the Marshall lineup. DSL can't touch an 800. Not that a DSL is a shit amp but it's just not close to how a good 800 responds.

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

P90's... are the magic!

 

[BlueParfait]

If you dug the 800, get an 800. There really isn't a cheap workaround in the Marshall lineup. DSL can't touch an 800. Not that a DSL is a shit amp but it's just not close to how a good 800 responds.

Or build one

 

[Simon Dorn]

You really have to turn it up though.

Or boost it. It's not different to any other 100 Watt Amp then. They all like some volume.

 

[dstroud]

If you want a combo check out the little 20w one. I have one and think it’s fantastic.

 

[70 Mach 1]

If you want that Marshall flavor without much investment those DSL 50/100 amps sound really good as well and more flexible than a JCM800 single channel amp.

I have a 900 4500 head since new.
1993 with the 5881

I like it a lot despite what TGP says about them.

Never use ch 2 so and diode clipping isn't in the picture afaik

 

[Rottweiler]

Or boost it. It's not different to any other 100 Watt Amp then. They all like some volume.

Don't have an 800 but I know my normally dry and tight 50cl sounds great cranked into my powerstation. It really comes to life.

The powerstation really helps save your ears with amps that want to be cranked. Might be a good option for you with an 800. Part of the feel is the particular cab I'm running. The PS lets you dial in the response at lower volumes.

 

[Eazy-ESP]

I’ve never had luck with the combos. Get the head.

 

[7704A]

I’ve never had luck with the combos. Get the head.

If we're talking combos like the 4104, those have an extra cap in the circuit knocking out high mids. Removing it is an improvement IMO, and unless I'm mistaken makes the circuit identical to a 2204 head. Besides being upside down. Below are the looper pedal comparison clips I posted last year. @70 Mach 1 note that the clips are not recorded with the combo cab. It was a slant 4x12 (Peavey XXX I think?) with two Force 12's up top and the bottom holes open.

Cap:


No cap:

 

[CarlF]

I wish I still had my 2203 RI head. I did have the SC20 years ago and it gets the clean/dirty Strat tones I like.
The new Synergy 800 module gets close, but the heads had an extra something to them.

An old clip. Just a Vibe to start with, then kicked it with the TS side of a Duellist-

 

[PDC]

I have always believed that an OG 800 with your boost of preference really is the sound that launched a thousand modded / boutique amps. And to be clear, lots of killer sounding modded and boutique amps out there! But if you have ever had an 800 wound up enough to get into the power section with a TS or an SD in front of it... that really is the benchmark.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

If we're talking combos like the 4104, those have an extra cap in the circuit knocking out high mids. Removing it is an improvement IMO, and unless I'm mistaken makes the circuit identical to a 2204 head. Besides being upside down. Below are the looper pedal comparison clips I posted last year. @70 Mach 1 note that the clips are not recorded with the combo cab. It was a slant 4x12 (Peavey XXX I think?) with two Force 12's up top and the bottom holes open.

Cap:


No cap:

This, quick fix and the combo sounds fantastic. My combo also has an old G1265 in it and it rocks. My fave circuit by far, all I do is change the NFR to plexi value and it removes a bit of the fizz. As others have noted, volume. MV between 4 and 6 is where the magic happens for me on mine

 

[Shask]

I have always believed that an OG 800 with your boost of your preference really is the sound that launched a thousand modded / boutique amps. And to be clear, lots of killer sounding modded and boutique amps out there! But if you have ever had an 800 wound up enough to get into the power section with a TS or an SD in front of it... that really is the benchmark.

Here lately I keep going back to a depth modded 2203 clone with 2 cascaded SD-1s in front. God tier metal tone.

 

[Zado]

JCM800 RI

JCM800 IR

 

[Simon Dorn]

Don't have an 800 but I know my normally dry and tight 50cl sounds great cranked into my powerstation. It really comes to life.

The powerstation really helps save your ears with amps that want to be cranked. Might be a good option for you with an 800. Part of the feel is the particular cab I'm running. The PS lets you dial in the response at lower volumes.

I like to keep it simple. I use the Master Volume. I can turn up the Amp if i want to.

 

[midnightlaundry]

Headfirst Jason did a rundown and said they have cheaper Vietnam OTs but I don't remember hearing a big difference. 800 is less compressed by far. Attenuator??