Marshall 2203 vs. 2203x

[peterc52]

Hey guys,

Yeah, it's me again.

I have always wanted a orignal 2203 with vertical inputs, but they don't come around very often here i Denmark.

But now I have been offered a reissue, how do they compare? Are they any good?

I have always been told that the quality of the 2203 took a big downstep when going from vertical inputs to horizontal inputs, but how does the quality of the 2203x compare to the 2203?

Thanks in advance

Kindly regards Peter

 

[Nico]

Don't know how they compare I only tried the old ones. All I can say is the amps you have are much better than the JCM 800. But that is just my opion. If I were you I wouldn't even consider getting that Marshall (theres a LOT of similar tones between your amps, if that is something you like its ok but if you want versatility don't do it)

By the way I sold my JCM 800 to get a Diezel Einstein, its what Marhalls should sound like....

 

[Loudness250]

I owned one. It was a good amp but, It seemed to be missing something. I had an 87' 2204 before that and I thought that one sounded alot more "Marshall". the 2203x had all the stuff that was supposed to make it just like the old horizontal input ones but it just didnt sound like I thought it would. It didnt seem that damn loud either. I could swear my old 2204 with the Drake transformers was louder and really brought out that 80's marshall sound when boosted. It had that killer mid grind. Maybe you should just hook up your 2104 to a 4-12 cab and be done with it. I would take any pre 1990 2203 over the reissue, horizontal input or not. Just get an fx loop installed if your wanted that feature.

 

[peterc52]

Maybe you're right! I'm just very curious about the difference between 50 watt and 100 watt.

Right now I only have my CAA 2x12" and my Marshall 2x12" - I am very much thinking about buying a Orange 4x12".

 

[Loudness250]

I think the difference would mainly be more low end for the 2203 as opposed to the 2204 and also more volume but not by much. I think the 2204 has more mid bark, think Scorpions Blackout era. I think early Accept used 2203's or jmp 100 2203.

 

[Mr. Willy]

If I'm not mistaken, the vertical input is the 50 watt 2204, and horizontal is the 100 watt 2203.

 

[Loudness250]

If I'm not mistaken, the vertical input is the 50 watt 2204, and horizontal is the 100 watt 2203.

No , it doesn't work that way. Vertical inputs were on both until about mid 1984 I believe and then it was all horizontal inputs.

 

[Digital Jams]

The key are the original old transformers in the originals, the X stuff has inferior trannies to the older stuff imo.

That said I have heard very good clips of the x stuff and you know what you are getting.

 

[fek]

The older 2203's had more caps also. The 800's that first came out after the JMP's are supposed to be the ones to get. I don't know which model the the reissue series are supposed to replicate but having the effects loop on the new ones would interest me.

 

[Loudness250]

The key are the original old transformers in the originals, the X stuff has inferior trannies to the older stuff imo.

That said I have heard very good clips of the x stuff and you know what you are getting.

I think you're right about the transformers. the 2203x's actually had Dagnall stickers I believe but it just didnt have "it" in my opinion.

 

[Vrad]

The 2203X has an FX loop.
They're great amps.

 

[Badronald]

I really dig my 2203x.

Great amp.

 

[Mr. Willy]

If I'm not mistaken, the vertical input is the 50 watt 2204, and horizontal is the 100 watt 2203.

No , it doesn't work that way. Vertical inputs were on both until about mid 1984 I believe and then it was all horizontal inputs.

Thanks. Didn't know this.

 

[peterc52]

Thanks for all your response!

I think I am gonna try out the 2203x and if if doesn't sound better than my 2104 (converted into a 2204), I'm gonna pass it on.