I did a thing - Marshall 2204 incoming

[dstroud]

Saw a 1988 Marshall JCM 800 2204 for $1799 on MF - it’s on it’s way to me now lol I know it’s a gamble but figured I could send it back if it’s a dumpster fire. I know it’s a later year, but I heard the 2204 didn’t have changes like the 2203. Fingers crossed lolol

 

[Deleted member 77333]

The 2204 is missing a gain stage in the preamp or something can't remember.
Your amp is prolly coming from a GC somewhere as does most MF used stuff good luck with that.
You have a 45 day return policy i believe.

 

[dstroud]

The 2204 is missing a gain stage in the preamp or something can't remember.
Your amp is prolly coming from a GC somewhere as does most MF used stuff good luck with that.
You have a 45 day return policy i believe.

hmmm never heard that before about gain stages but I’ll know right away if I’m keeping it or not

 

[Deleted member 77333]

Found this :

I have never checked the plate voltage on an 82 or 83 JCM800 2204 but I do own a stock 1984 JCM800 2204 than runs 6550's that I have checked the plate voltage B+ and it is 450DCV at idle and I believe I had the variac to exactly 120ACV when I took the measurements and recorded all the voltages along the B+ rails mapping all of them so had a baseline for later. So all the voltages will be higher along the B+ rail including V1A, V1B, V2A almost 100 DCV higher plate voltages on the 1984 2204 versus my 1972 1987.

My 1979 stock 2203 running 6550's B+ plate voltage was 454DCV with the stock power transformer it could have been a Dagnall or Drake, I think the OPT was a Drake maybe. It was changed out when Scott Splawn rebuilt that amp but I know what the B+ because I did bias my amps back when it was stock.

My 1972 50 watt SLP 1987 with original stock transformers at 120ACV wall voltage is running 399/400DCV B+ plate voltage.

500+ B+ in any amp does not bode well for tube longevity these days with modern tubes especially EL34's. Modern 6500 and KT88's are a little more robust, it's amazing Wizard amps dont' eat JJEL34's more often especially with Friedman going all EH these days.

My 1972 50 watt SLP 1987 with original stock transformers at 120ACV wall voltage is running 399/400DCV B+ plate voltage.

500+ B+ in any amp does not bode well for tube longevity these days with modern tubes especially EL34's. Modern 6500 and KT88's are a little more robust, it's amazing Wizard amps dont' eat JJEL34's more often especially with Friedman going all EH these days.

All my experience between 50 watt and 100 watt Marshall's is even at the same volumes the 100 watter will always punch harder along the entire frequency spectrum... it just does. It's all due to the increase in the transformer mass, more plate laminations and core windings equals more magnetic flux when the voltage signal is inducted to an audio signal... you just can't get away from the physics of it.

Last edited: Nov 21, 2021

 

[dstroud]

good info thanks! I’ve gigged with plenty of 50 and 100 watt marshall jcm 800’s. Never had an issue with a 50 watt being heard. I’m more hoping the one i’m getting isn’t modded. that’s the gamble for me

 

[Dave L]

The issue with the non-cascaded gain stage was back in like ´75, certainly not in a late JCM800 amp. They upped the voltages in both the 2203 and 2204 in the mid 80s, so the later 2204s are brighter and sharper despite the circuit being the same as the earlier ones. The thing with the filter caps is a 2203 thing, though, just like you say.

 

[Deleted member 77333]

The issue with the non-cascaded gain stage was back in like ´75, certainly not in a late JCM800 amp. They upped the voltages in both the 2203 and 2204 in the mid 80s, so the later 2204s are brighter and sharper despite the circuit being the same as the earlier ones. The thing with the filter caps is a 2203 thing, though, just like you say.

YEAH THATS IT.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Worrying about plate voltage and tube longevity is one way to go. Or you can switch out the shit JJs for Nos tubes and they last a lifetime. Different strokes, i guess

 

[Jimty]

When I bought my ‘78 JMP 2204 I did some research on the cascading gain stages. I recall it was changed sometime in late ‘76 or early ‘77. It’s why I went for the ‘78. Not that it’ll be relevant for a later amp, but how to test what you have is below with a link to the source:

Note:

A way to find out if a 2204 has the cascaded pre-amp or not is the Two Cables test.

Just get two cables and plug them into both inputs of the amp. Turn it on and put your hand on the other end of the cables to produce sound. Theorically, if you get sound only from one input, this means you have the cascaded circuit. If you get sound from both, you have a non-cascaded circuit.

https://solodallas.com/blogs/blog/t...NZbx4fIK48WrEPwkVGFtIrhc6Hb-krnBn4S_EuO_xF69K

 

[skoora]

When I bought my ‘78 JMP 2204 I did some research on the cascading gain stages. I recall it was changed sometime in late ‘76 or early ‘77. It’s why I went for the ‘78. Not that it’ll be relevant for a later amp, but how to test what you have is below with a link to the source:

Note:

A way to find out if a 2204 has the cascaded pre-amp or not is the Two Cables test.

Just get two cables and plug them into both inputs of the amp. Turn it on and put your hand on the other end of the cables to produce sound. Theorically, if you get sound only from one input, this means you have the cascaded circuit. If you get sound from both, you have a non-cascaded circuit.

https://solodallas.com/blogs/blog/t...NZbx4fIK48WrEPwkVGFtIrhc6Hb-krnBn4S_EuO_xF69K

Another way is to realize it sounds like neutered shit unless you crank it.
But seriously, they’re really not that bad, especially if you like a cleaner but still barking Marshall tone. Haven’t tried one in probably 25 plus years but I remember not hating it. Just not enough saturation. Kind of an interesting variation in what we’re all used to. It might even be a good pedal platform.

 

[cardinal]

Congrats! That amp will be awesome.

 

[griff10672]

you're going to need a large variety of OD's to try in front of it !!

 

[napalmdeath]

hmmm never heard that before about gain stages but I’ll know right away if I’m keeping it or not

Did you sell the Ceriatone 2204?

 

[griff10672]

Did you sell the Ceriatone 2204?

I have it .....