Just bought this '81 Marshall JCM800 1987..what to do to it?

[Rogue]

Have you seen the Power Plug 6/12 Attenuators for $89?? There's a cool demo on YouTube.

I've not heard of it. The you tube video sounds ok, but it's hard to tell. For that price, I'd assume it's a resistive attenuator, which doesn't work as well as a reactive attenuator. A reactive attenuator better simulates the speaker impedance and helps to make it sound and feel more natural than a resistive attenuator. The negative is they are more expensive. The Alex is the cheapest at a little less that $400. A lot of people like the Rock Crusher. The Aracom is expensive, but is top of line. The Faustine Phantom looked to be an awesome product, but out of business.

Typically, the less attenuation you use, the less it affects your tone. So if you're just shaving off 6 db, any of them would be fine. It's when you start getting around 12db and more things start becoming noticeable. You won't get one down to bed room levels without affecting the tone, but neither will as many mods as you can throw at it.

I do play with my Alex at very low levels often. It does affect the tone and feel, but it's fine for practice. I am contemplating picking up one of those Marshall 1 watt amp for that purpose though.

 

[AndyK]

Those 1watt Marshall's seem way expensive for what they are. Cute as hell though.

What about those Ultimate Attenuators? Or the Weber versions? Better than my Power Brske?

 

[Rogue]

Those 1watt Marshall's seem way expensive for what they are. Cute as hell though.

Other's have complained about the price too. Maybe they are, but I found them to be remarkable similar to the amps they are designed to mimic but at a reasonable volume and even bedroom volumes. They are cute, but not without function. In the end they worth what people are willing to pay for them.

What about those Ultimate Attenuators? Or the Weber versions? Better than my Power Brske?

The UA was the big cheese attenuator for a while, then the Faustine's and Alex's came out. Weber and Power Brake are, I guess "lower" level. I mean, they work fine but affect the tone a bit more than they higher dollar counter parts.

I'm interested in the Aracom. It's expensive, but some people swear by them. Plus it's got some nice features.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I leave it completely stock and use a Boss SuperOverdrive in front and call it a day.

 

[AndyK]

I realize that no attenuator will equal the sound of a cranked amp. I am willing to sacrifice some tone so I can use the amp at home. If I wind up leaving the volume soon it becomes a clean head, l may have the wrong amp. Will have to see.

 

[JerryP]

 

[nitro]

Send it to Rockstah for the Mod 5..........

 

[londaxe]

Funny how amps get sold and bought again! If I did send this one to Dave, I would get the BE/HBE only, and be done. The other stuff is overkill, I think

I can understand that, but I got pretty much every common mod he does, and I use all of them. I'd at least consider getting the kitchen sink It's the BE, HBE, and C45.

As for attenuators...they do color the sound a bit (at least at low volumes), but have you considered running a line out from one into a power amp? that could work out well.

Also, I'll just throw this out there, but the user jerrydyer does some great modifications too. I have two amps modified by him - I can make a sound clip of them if you want?

 

[AndyK]

Sounds evil! But I'm more into the 80's modded Plexi tones of Warren and Lynch. If I decide to mod this classic.

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting! With the right attenuator/pedal combo, it should be a fun experiment.

Have you seen the Power Plug 6/12 Attenuators for $89?? There's a cool demo on YouTube.

i have one.
i love it. perfect for what i use it for.

 

[NS10Fan]

Sounds evil! But I'm more into the 80's modded Plexi tones of Warren and Lynch. If I decide to mod this classic.

Was wondering when this mod was gonna get mentioned. Absolute monster, has the benefit a low input also...I actually favored that side! Sadly, I never fully exercised this thing, cause I only had it with some 10" speaks.

 

[petejt]

Just crank it up and enjoy it. Don't mod it.