Finally finally played an 800 head, and

[jabps]

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.

EVH's sound and then the 800 w/boost are the two groundwork platforms for modders.

 

[Simon Dorn]

I have always believed that an OG 800 with your boost of preference really is the sound that launched a thousand modded / boutique amps.

That's what they are trying to achieve, but they never get.

 

[Racerxrated]

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.

This.

DSL is for a "not a Marshall guy but need one in the arsenal" dude. If you like a Marshall sound, an 800 is a great way to get one.

A used vintage 2103/4 combo are usually a good bit cheaper on the used market vs a head. Like 1500$ vs 2500.

 

[creep66]

I got a dsl 40c in a pawn shop cause it was cheap ($300). I loved it so much I bought a "real marshall" an old 800. While the dsl is a cool amp and sounds great, there is no comparison. The 800 is THAT sound. I haven't played my mark C++ since I got the 800. Ive tried all kinds of amps and always passed on the 800s cause i had a jcm900 in the 90s and hated it. I also thought boutique had to be better. I would have saved a fortune if I just bought an 800 20 years ago.

 

[CarlF]

I’d really love to get another one. When Robin Trower used them, it was one of his best sounds, didn’t matter what overdrive be put in front of it. It just was the perfect tone for a Strat.

 

[anomaly]

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

I think jcm900's are underrated, especially for the heavier tones with a boost. I get along more with ch.2. They sit really well in a band mix like a good Marshall should and I had it A/B'd with my Mesa Mark III head at the time and it held it's own well. Good amp.

 

[anomaly]

I got a dsl 40c in a pawn shop cause it was cheap ($300). I loved it so much I bought a "real marshall" an old 800. While the dsl is a cool amp and sounds great, there is no comparison. The 800 is THAT sound. I haven't played my mark C++ since I got the 800. Ive tried all kinds of amps and always passed on the 800s cause i had a jcm900 in the 90s and hated it. I also thought boutique had to be better. I would have saved a fortune if I just bought an 800 20 years ago.

The IIC+ Is getting no love? Send it to me. I understand, 800's are much more touch sensitive, but IIC+'s have the mojo for heavy 80's thrash stuff and leads.

 

[rsm]

I have a 900 SL-X with 5881...killed any GAS in an 800 for me...modded Marshall is covered by my Engl Artist Edition and Bogner Helios Eclipse....

As far as combos, I really like my DSL40CR for higher gain Marshall tones; worth checking out and a lot less $ vs an 800.

These days, I prefer my vintage sounding Marshalls (1959HW, JTM 45 reissue, Origin 50C) just ordered a Celestion G12M-65 creamback for the Origin, and a PRS Archon 1x12 with a V-Type 70W. With the power scaling and switchable effects loop, it's becoming the amp I use the most.

 

[70 Mach 1]

I think jcm900's are underrated, especially for the heavier tones with a boost. I get along more with ch.2. They sit really well in a band mix like a good Marshall should and I had it A/B'd with my Mesa Mark III head at the time and it held it's own well. Good amp.

only on TGP and HC do they suck
I like Ch 1 gain about 3 to 4 OC
the trick i found to make it sound killer is to lower the treble and Prec. to about 7OC and put the bass and mids up about 3-4OC

the beast sounds full

also depends on the speakers. I have two 112s. one with a late 80s G12-75T and one with an ET65

I had to get rid of the two 4 12 b/c i cant move them anymore. There was a day where i was able to sling them in the truck by myself using a milk crate as a stepping stool

not no more at 62 yrs old its easier to throw the 1 12s back there

 

[Racerxrated]

The IIC+ Is getting no love? Send it to me. I understand, 800's are much more touch sensitive, but IIC+'s have the mojo for heavy 80's thrash stuff and leads.

I would disagree with the touch/feel comparo.

While a great 800, or JMP does have great feel the C+ feel is pretty much unmatched.
Unique.

 

[Racerxrated]

The other GP in my 'occasional' Maiden tribute uses a 900 head. When I compare my 1980 2203 to his, the 2203 is a good bit beefier/wider sounding. But his 900 does sound very good.
Definitely better than the later TSL/DSLs that I've played though.

 

[67mike]

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 would try to find a real 800. Even a reissue.

 

[harddriver]

I would try to find a real 800. Even a reissue.

Since the OP has played an 800 and liked it I agree there is only one way to scratch that itch and buy an 800. The clones are very good as well and if they are turret board amp servicing would be easier down the road, the OP might get a better deal on a clone as well....Metro, Ceriatone.

 

[creep66]

The IIC+ Is getting no love? Send it to me. I understand, 800's are much more touch sensitive, but IIC+'s have the mojo for heavy 80's thrash stuff and leads.

I don't have to turn knobs on the 800 its pretty much 1 really kickass tone lol. The c++ I tweak alot. I do bust it out when I wanna do old metallica riffs but for my own stuff I play the 800 and a deliverance in stereo with an OD and prefer it.

 

[chris lykins]

For the 800 aficionados, is there a vintage one to look for? Vertical input , etc?

 

[skoora]

For the 800 aficionados, is there a vintage one to look for? Vertical input , etc?

For maintenance the verts are better as the pots aren’t PCB mounted. Tone wise it’s a total crap shoot. I’ve played ones that sound great and meh across the whole decade, vertical and horizontal, no particular years being a standout. The 2204 supposedly did not change in circuit the entire time but the 2203 changed its filtering layout when they changed to PCB pots.

But as people hold the verts in higher regard you wouldn’t want to over pay for a horizontal input model for your own resale options.

 

[anomaly]

I would disagree with the touch/feel comparo.

While a great 800, or JMP does have great feel the C+ feel is pretty much unmatched.
Unique.

What I mean is the IIC+ is more compressed sounding. 800's are more dynamic and the gain varies by how hard you pick.The feel is there with both amps though.