JCM800KK if you have a 2204 w/fx loop?

[UpInSmoke]

If you already had an 84' 2204 with an added FX loop, would you buy a KK 2203? Was looking at Friedman BE 100 Deluxe and JJ 100's as well.

 

[DanTravis62]

If I already had an 84 2204 I would be looking at something completely different than a BE or JJ

They are different amps for sure, but that's all fruit off the same high gain tree - If it was me I would get something wildly different to expand the variety of tones I could get

just IMO obviously

 

[RaceU4her]

if there was a good deal locally on a KK i would at least check it out, im sure those rip, but i wouldnt go out of my way to find one of them or a friedman if i already had a 2204 with a loop, thats all the Marshall i would need. im with Dan in wanting variety.

 

[UpInSmoke]

Reasonable. It's good advice. Surely could get close to the KK with a boost and/or mr scary mod and a noise pedal. I've just always wanted one for the KT88's and it being a 2203 (versus my 2204), mostly, the built in features are just also nice. So definitely wouldn't sell an 84 2204 to fund one then, huh?

 

[Techdeth]

I’d get the Friedman BE . Almost underrated now

 

[UpInSmoke]

I’d get the Friedman BE . Almost underrated now

That's where I think my heart is. I had one years ago and didn't realize that it could actually do the JJ's sound right on according to Dave (via this site) and got rid of it too quickly. I jumped to deciding it wasn't what I expected, was too smooth and polite and was probably just mad at myself for the money I spent on it and having the wrong expectations. I've since been wanting one again, and/or maybe to try a JJ. Then I saw the KK and got derailed. lol

I like Friedman stuff, Dave is friendly and the sounds, while maybe too polite for me at times, sound awesome.

 

[Techdeth]

I think there’s more sounds in a BE than people think . I want to get one again

 

[DanTravis62]

if there was a good deal locally on a KK i would at least check it out, im sure those rip, but i wouldnt go out of my way to find one of them or a friedman if i already had a 2204 with a loop, thats all the Marshall i would need. im with Dan in wanting variety.

Yeah im not a BE or JJ fan personally. Even less so if I already had a 2204.

If it was me (and I wanted another high gainer) I'd get a 5150 or KSR or Recto or Mark or Diezel or something wildly different - the 2204 plus gain pedal or hot mod is the standard for those tones for a reason, i honestly think it could get really close to most of the other friedman stuff that isn't the Dirty Shirley or Naked or something like that

Having multiple amps covering the same ground is great if you can have a giant stable or wall of amps, but excepting that sort of situation I would want to cover as much ground as possible

 

[harddriver]

I'd get one of these and run a Fortin Zuul Plus either up front or in the loop. That's pretty much a KK2203. Unless you want the KK for collector status, alot of people did/do like those amps........you shold be able to get those tones from your 2204. Maybe install 6550's or KT88's.

 

[DanTravis62]

I'd get one of these and run a Fortin Zuul Plus either up front or in the loop. That's pretty much a KK2203. Unless you want the KK for collector status, alot of people did/do like those amps........you shold be able to get those tones from your 2204. Maybe install 6550's or KT88's.
View attachment 421429

Difference in an 800 circuit between power tubes is not gigantic, either - like most MV amps. The real difference in power tubes IMO is nmv amps, although some more modern topologies seem to react as well

i would be willing to bet you could account for those small tonal changes with that selfsame EQ pedal, too

 

[RaceU4her]

Reasonable. It's good advice. Surely could get close to the KK with a boost and/or mr scary mod and a noise pedal. I've just always wanted one for the KT88's and it being a 2203 (versus my 2204), mostly, the built in features are just also nice. So definitely wouldn't sell an 84 2204 to fund one then, huh?

The KK doesn’t have a loop, not really a deal
breaker for me with a Marshall but I’d rather have one than not.

 

[DanTravis62]

The KK doesn’t have a loop, not really a deal
breaker for me with a Marshall but I’d rather have one than not.

Same, a 2204 with a loop is a rock solid amp thats definitely going to be useful for any number of tone or band situations

 

[D-Rock]

I had a 2203KK and hated it. Cold, sterile and ugly sounding. Not in a good way. Best thing about it was it's gate, which eventually became the basis for the Zuul pedal.

 

[RaceU4her]

Same, a 2204 with a loop is a rock solid amp thats definitely going to be useful for any number of tone or band situations

I agree, the more I think about it I would probably just grab a good recto, there’s gotta be some good ones for sale out there right now with the new ones out

 

[UpInSmoke]

I had a 2203KK and hated it. Cold, sterile and ugly sounding. Not in a good way. Best thing about it was it's gate, which eventually became the basis for the Zuul pedal.

I wanted to hear that. I'd heard it before somewhere. I'm officially off the KK ledge for now. lol

I have other stuff that covers me for my 90's/country band stuff, it's really about trying more Friedman. I sold a ton of stuff I liked a lot a couple of days ago so I could try stuff I hope to love instead. I've narrowed it to a Plex, JJ or to re-visit a BE-Deluxe. Whichever I choose, I'll probably sell either my Butterslax if it's too similar to the Deluxe or the EVH if it isn't. I actually think the Slax is different from what I remember the Deluxe being like, I don't think it'll intrude too much. But I never had them side-by-side.

Any opinions on which of the two you'd sell, the EVH or the Slax? It's too expensive to just buy them all to try so I'm going to move something out if I move something in.

 

[godgrinder]

Not too hard to add a passive loop to it. I got a passive loop and a depth control added to mine.

 

[67mike]

This will probably sound crazy, but, I would suggest you give a Mesa Badlander a try.

I have a fleet of Marshalls, and the Badlander has become the only amp I play.