JCM 900 Questions

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MetalThrasher

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I'm thinking of getting a JCM 900 in the future but have some questions. I know that they made a few versions of the 900 series so I need some opinions. I'm going for a late 80's to early 90's thrash metal tone. It looks like the SLX and MKIII versions would suite but I would appreciate any comments.
 
MetalThrasher":2tnxaaui said:
I'm thinking of getting a JCM 900 in the future but have some questions. I know that they made a few versions of the 900 series so I need some opinions. I'm going for a late 80's to early 90's thrash metal tone. It looks like the SLX and MKIII versions would suite but I would appreciate any comments.
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also interested.
i have found mixed results with lots of different 900's !! so many different ones.
 
I highly suggest you steer way clear of the 900's definatley the worst marshall ive ever heard...get a older jcm 2000 dsl....it will do everything you need...you cant give 900's away either...for good reason
 
If your going for the old school thrash type tones stay away from the 900's they won't get there. The SLX will come close. By and 800 or a JCM 2000 DSL.
 
I owned a JCM 900 for several years. Most people who frown on them have probably never played one in a band setting. They take pedals like a champ. Cuts through a band mix like a knife. Throw an EQ in the loop. and you can cover a ton of tones with it.
 
The 900 needs the power section to get going. So play it loud. I had an SLX and it was terrible at low volume, but get some air moving and it was much better. I'm not sure what they're going for but there are certainly other options I'd entertain first, the dsl for example.
 
SFW":gvefqos2 said:
I owned a JCM 900 for several years. Most people who frown on them have probably never played one in a band setting. They take pedals like a champ. Cuts through a band mix like a knife. Throw an EQ in the loop. and you can cover a ton of tones with it.
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+1

Never cut through the band mix like with the 4500 I owned. Outstanding amp!
 
When I see them used, for a couple hundred more you can find a JCM 800. If you're patient, an 800 can be had for 7-900. Much better amp imo.
 
The SLX's are very underrated amps, for what they do. Crank them up and they sound killer.
 
The solid state distortion used in the Dual Reverbs make them great amps for old school metal. Using a 10-band in the loop makes them killer. I picked this 4500 up a while back for $600. It has Voodoo's metal mod with mercury trannies. No EQ's needed. The crappy recording cut off all the lowend chunk but you get the idea of the tone.

 
That sounded really good. ^^^^ Much better than what I remember a 900 sounding like. More full.
 
The 4100 or fender twin were the standard provided backline amps for a long time.

They do excel in a band situation. Not my first choice but can work with a yjm308.
 
Racerxrated":1895hzqb said:
That sounded really good. ^^^^ Much better than what I remember a 900 sounding like. More full.
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It's a great sounding amp, but I honestly still like my Valvestate 8100 for metal even better. It's just so heavy and easy to dial in for chunky metal tones... Every metal player should own an 8100. :rock:
 
^^^
There I was, almost past the recent gas flare up for an 8100.....Here goes again :lol: :LOL:
 
MetalHeadMike":2idkx79o said:
^^^
There I was, almost past the recent gas flare up for an 8100.....Here goes again :lol: :LOL:
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Get one. You won't be disappointed. I've got the head and combo version. They do have issues though. They have weak solder joints that fail and it can kill the transformer that powers the 12ax7 tube, then you lose volume on the gain channel. It cost me $175 to have mine rebuilt with new transformer, power switch, and jacks a couple years ago, but it was totally worth the cost IMO. Great amp. And they can be had for under $200!!
 
^^^
I'll keep my eye out for one on the cheap.

My amp gas has actually been pretty well subdued by my two Engls: the Savage 120 :inlove: :inlove: and the FB100 :inlove:
 
Bloodrock":17w832ie said:
The solid state distortion used in the Dual Reverbs make them great amps for old school metal. Using a 10-band in the loop makes them killer. I picked this 4500 up a while back for $600. It has Voodoo's metal mod with mercury trannies. No EQ's needed. The crappy recording cut off all the lowend chunk but you get the idea of the tone.

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I think you mean Diode Clipping, not 'solid state distortion'
 
The SL/X amps rock, but all 900s are the start of declining build quality in Marshall amps. Transformers are small, no choke, PCB mounted pre amp tubes (I think), etc... but they have a loop, 2 master volumes (so one can be a solo boost), and they can be made to sound way better than stock with a few tweaks.
 
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