JMP vs JCM?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sheikyerbouti
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sheikyerbouti

sheikyerbouti

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I understand that JMP's came out prior to JCM, however, I'm trying to see if there are any significant differences. For instance, I was looking for a an early jcm 800, but came across a 76 JMP, which 'appears' to be very similar. Just trying to figure out if the addtl cost is justified by something I can hear.
 
Well, you've kinda answered that yourself.

One is older, more vintage tone, more of a collectors item. The other is relatively new, less 'vintage' tone.
 
Not a night and day difference IMO, and i have owned many of both.

You might find the older amp sounds a bit different since the transformers are older and may be more broken in than the newer amp is. You'll notice that a lot more at higher volume levels :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
81' to 83' 800's are similar to JMP's, after that they changed every year.

JMP's have a more "organic" vibe/sound to me, 800's have more grain to them and sound harder. :thumbsup:
 
charveldan":8x2rnr0e said:
800's have more grain to them and sound harder. :thumbsup:
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See man , I feel exactly the opposite. I think the 800s have a much smoother sound. All the JMPs Ive had have been very abrasive. Its not a bad thing , but if I want a mid gain crunch ala AC/DC , I think the 800s do it better personally. They are both GREAT amplifiers though
 
800s to me are more 80s sounding, mid gain, can be almost honky sounding. JMPs are more what I consider the quintessential 'Marshall' tone. I have an 800 and 3 JMPs. A good JMP is heaven on earth.
 
that's interesting. I've got a 76 jmp 50w on the way through a trade, and I don't know exactly what to expect. I've researched quite a bit, but marshall was pretty inconsistent with components from year to year within the same models. I've got an idea, but it's a vague one.
 
looks like there are some differences between the 4 vs 2 input models as well
 
sheikyerbouti":26z3eify said:
looks like there are some differences between the 4 vs 2 input models as well
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I assumed you were comparing the JMP and JCM 2 input models. The difference between the 2 and 4 input models are big, as the 4 input models have no master volume and only 2 gain stages. The 2 input models have a Master volume and 3 cascaded gainstages. So the 2 input models have more gain and sound more aggressive than the 4 input models!
 
wheres the best place to get schooled on different marshalls, what was the the head of choice for all the heavy sounding 80s guys,i know very little about marshalls
 
nighttrain69":3cgpkcwe said:
wheres the best place to get schooled on different marshalls, what was the the head of choice for all the heavy sounding 80s guys,i know very little about marshalls
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JCM 800's, :rock: alot of them modified.
 
nighttrain69":29e5qtvh said:
wheres the best place to get schooled on different marshalls, what was the the head of choice for all the heavy sounding 80s guys,i know very little about marshalls
Click to expand...

A good place to start:
Marshall History
 
Personally this is opinion, I think JCM 800 are terrible amps. There are so many amps that do the Marshall sound better than the 800. For example a modded Marshall by someone like Friedman, Fortin, Bray, Cameron. Or you could get a Ceriatone, Metro kit, Granger, Voodoo or whatever...
JMP's are better but still its hard to get one that sounds excellent. They vary so much...
 
i like the marshall tone, but in honesty i like the way friedman and cammeron,and splawn and the others do it better :confused: but im a noob regarding marshalls so it was a learning question :)
 
Very early '80s JCM single channel amps with two vertical inputs are identical to the late '70s JMP amps, except for the chassis cosmetics.

The later '80s JCM amps are different though.
 
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