JCM800 2203, 2204, or DIY building one.. opinions

[sixstringking713]

I currently have a TSL100, looking to get a 2203, 2004 or even possible build a kit of one?

My uses:
I don't play many venues larger than bars so I'm thinking the 2204 would suit me best?
I like EVH, that should sum it up!

Anyone have opinions on buying an 80's 2203/2004, do they need components replaced usually? They seem like they go for ~$1k and aren't very easy to find a stock one... I take it the 2203 has a bit more headroom and additional 50W power but its essentially not needed.. Hell, even if I was touring, 50W would be blisteringly loud regardless right? I need an effects loop, so is modding one into a used amp very involved?

Additionally, is it true the reissue ones are junk?

As far as building one myself, how difficult is this to do? I am a senior studying EE so I have a background in electronics but haven't built anything to that caliber obviously. Where is a good place to buy the components/parts kits?

EDIT: and whats the difference between the vertical input ones and the horizontal input ones? i'm confused on the history of the jcm800

Thanks!

 

[mboogman]

Vertical input ones are are essentially the same as the 70's JMP models. The horizontal input ones moved to a different circuit board, with PCB mounted pots and jacks. I've heard that the 2204's stayed the same, but that the 2203's had the filtering changed/reduced, so they could be a little noisier.

 

[sixstringking713]

bump

 

[jerrydyer]

build like ceriatones 68 spec with low filtering and add the PPIMV. your set.

 

[sixstringking713]

build like ceriatones 68 spec with low filtering and add the PPIMV. your set.

I'm new to the terminology, what do you mean by "low filtering" and "PPIMV" ??

 

[hthomas]

build like ceriatones 68 spec with low filtering and add the PPIMV. your set.

I'm new to the terminology, what do you mean by "low filtering" and "PPIMV" ??

PPIMV - Post Phase Inverter Master Volume.


I'll let Jerry explain low filtering. It attenuates signals with higher frequencies and lets through more of the lower frequencies. I think!

 

[Rdodson]

build like ceriatones 68 spec with low filtering and add the PPIMV. your set.

I'm new to the terminology, what do you mean by "low filtering" and "PPIMV" ??

Jerry knows what he's doing. You can listen to him.

PPIMV is Post Phase Inverter Master Volume. It allows for the phase inverter to be part of the gain structure. You can better approximate a cranked sound with this type of MV.

68 spec is the 12000 serial-numbered Marshall Super Lead. This particular era had a very specific transitional circuit that is absolutely the grail of rock tones to many. I had a real one, and it was heavenly. It has a smaller transformer (much like a 50-watt), a split cathode, and a certain type of filtering that allows (when dimed) for the amp to have a vocal, singing distortion that is so rich with upper-mid harmonics.

Think Van Halen 1.

Back in the 80's when info was scarce and the only one with internet access was a certain senator from Tennessee, the way to get "that sound" was to run your output tubes at full bias. The amp ran very hot, to say the least, and would blow once or twice a week. That got old, so I got rid of it.

Ron

 

[sixstringking713]

build like ceriatones 68 spec with low filtering and add the PPIMV. your set.

I'm new to the terminology, what do you mean by "low filtering" and "PPIMV" ??

Jerry knows what he's doing. You can listen to him.

PPIMV is Post Phase Inverter Master Volume. It allows for the phase inverter to be part of the gain structure. You can better approximate a cranked sound with this type of MV.

68 spec is the 12000 serial-numbered Marshall Super Lead. This particular era had a very specific transitional circuit that is absolutely the grail of rock tones to many. I had a real one, and it was heavenly. It has a smaller transformer (much like a 50-watt), a split cathode, and a certain type of filtering that allows (when dimed) for the amp to have a vocal, singing distortion that is so rich with upper-mid harmonics.

Think Van Halen 1.

Back in the 80's when info was scarce and the only one with internet access was a certain senator from Tennessee, the way to get "that sound" was to run your output tubes at full bias. The amp ran very hot, to say the least, and would blow once or twice a week. That got old, so I got rid of it.

Ron

gotcha, so this is different than the jcm 800 1980-1985 2203/2204 heads i'm considering? Could someone explain why the 1980-1985 jcm800's used 6 huge filter capacitors and why this made the amp "better" than 1985+ models? Or if it is some other reason than these caps...

Additionally, I heard the "mod 5" mod or whatever is great on these amps, probably the only mod i would consider performing on them...

 

[Rdodson]

build like ceriatones 68 spec with low filtering and add the PPIMV. your set.

I'm new to the terminology, what do you mean by "low filtering" and "PPIMV" ??

Jerry knows what he's doing. You can listen to him.

PPIMV is Post Phase Inverter Master Volume. It allows for the phase inverter to be part of the gain structure. You can better approximate a cranked sound with this type of MV.

68 spec is the 12000 serial-numbered Marshall Super Lead. This particular era had a very specific transitional circuit that is absolutely the grail of rock tones to many. I had a real one, and it was heavenly. It has a smaller transformer (much like a 50-watt), a split cathode, and a certain type of filtering that allows (when dimed) for the amp to have a vocal, singing distortion that is so rich with upper-mid harmonics.

Think Van Halen 1.

Back in the 80's when info was scarce and the only one with internet access was a certain senator from Tennessee, the way to get "that sound" was to run your output tubes at full bias. The amp ran very hot, to say the least, and would blow once or twice a week. That got old, so I got rid of it.

Ron

gotcha, so this is different than the jcm 800 1980-1985 2203/2204 heads i'm considering? Could someone explain why the 1980-1985 jcm800's used 6 huge filter capacitors and why this made the amp "better" than 1985+ models? Or if it is some other reason than these caps...

Additionally, I heard the "mod 5" mod or whatever is great on these amps, probably the only mod i would consider performing on them...

The JCM800 cascaded the gain stages rather than have them parallel. The earlier ones had hand-wired boards like the older amps.

Mark Abrahamian does the Mod 5...it sounds great.