Marshall JCM 900 4500

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the aXeman

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Hey Guys,



I've got a lead on a JCM 900 4500 w/ EL34's (50 watt) and I'm thinking of snagging it. I've tried a LOT of amps over the last several months and I've finally thrown my arms up and said "screw it, I'm getting a Marshall". I know I'm getting a JCM 900 and I've got a lead on what looks like a good one locally.... any opinions on the 4500's??? Experiences, comments, thoughts???? If you don't like it, what's the superior 900 to look out for?? (I play 80's Hair metal and go for the Widowmaker/Life Sex and Death kinda sound...)


Yes, I'm dead-set on a Marshall, so please spare me the "no no no man, you gotta get a Mesa/Splawn/Line 6/some super high priced amp that you absolutely can NOT afford!!" b.s. :)



aXe
 
The 900 you want is the SL-X version. I think the 4500 is the reverb version, and is just ok. I think if you're going for Marshall tones and want to stay cheap the DSL is the way to go.
 
I had a 4501 combo (1x12 combo version of the 4500) and thought it was great. The Hi Gain Dual Reverbs got a really bad rap but frankly I liked them, though they are a bit more 90's sounding than what you may be looking for. For reference on their tone, listen to anything Dave Navarro has done from the mid-90's onwards including One Hot Minute, and even check out the first Silverchair album which I believe was recorded with 900's. I think they're better than the JCM-2000 DSL and TSL's, but I believe I'm in the minority on that. That said, if you don't really need a clean channel, look further into the Hi Gain Master Volume 2500 or 2100 heads. They're Marshalls stock answer to the modded JCM-800's but since they still fall under the JCM-900 moniker, the prices aren't as high as the 800's.
 
Mudder":2ce0058c said:
The 900 you want is the SL-X version. I think the 4500 is the reverb version, and is just ok. I think if you're going for Marshall tones and want to stay cheap the DSL is the way to go.
Click to expand...

Word...

I had a 900. Got a DSL100 and like it much better. 900 was not moving for sale. I eventually gave it away.
 
I had a SLX and a 4500. The slx was a decent amp, the 4500 was ok. The bottom end is pretty loose with those amps, the better you can work an eq the more happy you will be.
 
I personally like the MK iii 2100/2500 JCM 900's, even over the SL-X.

But having said that, in the right hands I've heard some very useable tones from the much maligned 4100/4500 series.
 
I'd vote for an SL-X too. It's a JCM 800 with an extra preamp stage.
 
Mudder":3eroki9f said:
The 900 you want is the SL-X version. I think the 4500 is the reverb version, and is just ok. I think if you're going for Marshall tones and want to stay cheap the DSL is the way to go.
Click to expand...

MK III 900s are nice! Came before the slx and I think they sound killer.
 
I have a 4500 that I absolutely love, its one of my fav Marshalls..
But I did not care for it stock. I got it brand new, had it for 2 weeks, and sent it to Todd Langner, who turned it into face-melting for 250 bucks in 1987 (?) :yes: :yes:
I know that dosent help much... ;)
 
SL-X 100 watter all the way. All 900s (slx included) are cheapened amps compared to the Marshalls that came before them (no choke, smaller transformers) and they lack low end, but changing the bass pot to 1 meg ohm and having a tech put a JCM 800 choke in the amp will give it some low end. Look for an EL34 equipped amp too, not the 5881s...and get a 100 watter...you'll need the headroom for low end. They have a decent loop and 2 master volumes so you have a solo boost built in...and they're cheap (usually). Good luck.
 
They get a lot of hate, but they'll do the job if you turn it up or maybe boost it. The trick is to pay $400-500 for it. Any more and I would agree with the above and get a DSL.
 
Cool, thanks for the input guys!!


My buddy's selling his 900 Dual Reverb combo. 112, 100W w/ EL34's.... it's one of the early models before they switched to 6L6's and the like.... I'm going down to try it out tomorrow. If all goes according to plan, I'll be coming back with it.... :) He's had the same 900 head since 1989 when he was out in L.A. and bought this a few years back as a backup.... He says it sounds identical to his head, which, if that is the case, I'm not even worried.... I'll keep you guys posted on that...

Later!

aXe
 
I had a 4500 for 10 years. I didn't know anything tone. It seemed to sound fine and I knew lots of songs. Then I met ejecta and along came internet forums. 1000s and 1000s of dollars later, I still don't know anything about tone and I've forgotten most of those songs.
 
Truthfully I think the 4500/4100 dual reverbs have a pretty crummy sounding overdrive tone, almost notice a bad solid state practice amp in the mix. There's one at our rehearsal space and I lug my own amp rather then use it even just for practice. I have in the past owned a mkIII version 900 that I actually liked a lot at the time. It had dual footswitchable masters and no reverb but sounded nice, the slx is similiar but with extra preamp tube and also pretty nice. Also, other model Marshall's like a used vintage modern or 2204 800 can be found for cheap and are much better sounding then a dual reverb 900. Unless its like $400 I would pass.
 
Hey guys thanks for all your replies. Haven't been on here in a few days so I figured I'd give y'all a quick update. I picked up my buddy's 100W 4101 112 combo. It. Kicks. ASS!!!!! It's friggin' LOUD as all get-out and has "THE" sound I was going for!! TOTALLY happy with it!! It's great too because I can just jam at home with that, then plug it into my cab (JCM 900 slanted) for gigs.... It's going on its maiden voyage tomorrow night.... I'm pumped!! :) Anybody else have any experiences w/ the 4101 combo??

aXe
 
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