I forgot how bright JMP Marshalls were

[moronmountain]

So a dear friend of mine who got me into Marshalls when I was 19, has both a 78 50 and 100 watt Marshall, as well as 4 old 70's and maybe earlier 4x12 cabs. We hooked them up the other day to blow the cobwebs out of them, and I was amazed how bright they are. The 2203 has 4 JJEL34's and all JJ pre's as well, which are pretty dark tubes. The 2204 has 2 old GE 6550's, 2 USA made pre's and 1 JJ pre. The 2203 had a decent bit more of saturation at low volume, which increases my belief that this is why my new Twin Jet has slightly less pre saturation than my old Rev 1 Uber due to the power tubes. Yes even at low volume, I'm starting to believe that the power tubes have a significant affect on perceived "gain." JMO, but I'm sticking with it for now.

At any rate, now I'm remember why the old Marshalls must be so friggin loud to get some warmth and crunch to them even if they have a master volume. This, and the fact that I don't like using distortion pedals, quickly reminded me of why I had to move on to newer style amps. Don't get me wrong, I still love a cranked Marshall, but in my situation it makes almost no sense to try and make one work for me.

Don't read too much into this, other than some rambling. FWIW, I did want to crank things and relive some 80's moments lol!

 

[charveldan]

Yes, an amp that doesn't crank, thats the answer.

 

[moronmountain]

Yes, an amp that doesn't crank, thats the answer.

Yeah my VHT and Bogner don't crank.......... you really are a friggin' tard monkey monkey aren't you?

 

[mchn13]

I routinely zero the treble on my 50watt jmp, but with a lot of volume its got a roar like nothing else. I dont use alot of gain, and you can really tell where the power section starts making some mojo!

Steve

 

[rlord1974]

Suffice to say that, yes, earlier Marshalls are crazy bright. That's precisely why I don't use them live anymore. You want tinnitus fast?.....Use a cranked JMP or JCM 800.

I have moved on to amps that are more flexible in the EQ department as well.

 

[gtrwun]

Ive always clipped the bright cap on my JMP's and found that works somewhat at lower volume. Sure there are lots of newer amps that are easier to control and EQ at lower volumes, but I still havent heard any newer amp that has that raw edge to it like a good old Marshall.

 

[EVHpickdust]

I've found that a 10-band MXR EQ in front of my 1982 JCM800 2203 lets me play at a decent bedroom volume without sounding weak.

 

[cardinal]

This is all interesting. The only JMP-type Marshall I have a lot of experience with is my '82 4010, which is essentially a vertical-input 2204 in a 24" combo. I say "essentially" because there's one difference in the circuit: a capacitor across the mid pot that I understands bleeds off some treble (to account for the open back, 1x12 combo cab vs. a big 4x12).

I've run this amp through a number of different cabs and speakers, and while it can be very bright, it can also be very dark. And it sounds really damn good at reasonable volumes. The bright cab is intact, so maybe it's that extra capacitor making a huge difference from what y'all are describing.

 

[splawner]

Ive always clipped the bright cap on my JMP's and found that works somewhat at lower volume. Sure there are lots of newer amps that are easier to control and EQ at lower volumes, but I still havent heard any newer amp that has that raw edge to it like a good old Marshall.

Ya same here....Clip the bright cap and it works for lower volume playing...I boost it with a sd-1 and you really can't beat the tone for 80's stuff

 

[joepete77]

That brightness can be much with some models. I owned two 75 50watters and one was so bright it was ridiculous. Once cranked up it evened out some but was way too loud. Tube swaps or changing value or clipping bright cap will usually suffice. The opposite is where the amp is just so woofy and bass heavy which is a trend I see a lot lately, I found myself running the bass at almost zero on a few models I have owned recently as they were just too dark. I like my Marshall's to have that crisp cut.

 

[AndyK]

Another possibility, the filter caps are shot, reducing the low end and punch - leaving a brighter tone?

 

[Shawn Lutz]

Another possibility, the filter caps are shot, reducing the low end and punch - leaving a brighter tone?

That is the case on my 83 JCM800 2203 with 6550's....I need to replace them as I miss that amp. Whenever I'd go back to that amp it always put a smile on my face...now can't even play it. The beauty of old Marshall's if you have one with ice pick brutal highs that they can sound top heavy by yourself but when you add bass and drums it really sits nice and cuts in the mix

 

[moronmountain]

Another possibility, the filter caps are shot, reducing the low end and punch - leaving a brighter tone?

Not sure about that, and they aren't mine to mess with. They can sure be ear splitting at any rate.

 

[moronmountain]

Another possibility, the filter caps are shot, reducing the low end and punch - leaving a brighter tone?

That is the case on my 83 JCM800 2203 with 6550's....I need to replace them as I miss that amp. Whenever I'd go back to that amp it always put a smile on my face...now can't even play it. The beauty of old Marshall's if you have one with ice pick brutal highs that they can sound top heavy by yourself but when you add bass and drums it really sits nice and cuts in the mix

Yeah they deffinately remind you of why a bass player is needed.

 

[ericsabbath]

mod the presence control
lowering the negative feedback resistance helps too
way better than clipping bright caps, imo

 

[moronmountain]

mod the presence control
lowering the negative feedback resistance helps too
way better than clipping bright caps, imo

Like I said, not my amps to mess with. I'm not a huge mod fan anyway. I'm more of the belief that if your amp doesn't give you what you need out of it, then you have the wrong amp.

 

[hunter]

lifted the bright cap on my '78. Sounds perfect with pedals and clean.

 

[mdc1mdc11]

+1 bright cap

 

[glip22]

My Superlead has a fat thick tone. I hear you on mods but a couple of little changes are not a big deal. Remember Marshall did not have it exactly right. I definitely prefer a 56k slope 250 pf treble like the super bass. Big thick mids, clear tone and stays tight with no flub. The 33k 500pf is muddier. Definitely lower the bright cap value. If boosting with an OD 250pf is about max and still be able to control feedback. My Superlead has that Jose type of thick mids.

 

[James Lugo]

The reality is they are on 1000s of the greatest rock records ever made. Maybe little added brightness to compensate for the roll off with 2" tape. I'd still take a good JMP over 90% all the amps touted on this site. One word 'Pyromania'. Lot's 'O' JMP and early 800 action.