Marshall JVM 410h or Ceriatone Chupacaba?

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Axe-Man

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Hey all, I've been a lurker for a while but as some readers have had experience with both amps and they both seem very positively received, I thought I should ask the question.

I know the Chupa is PTP and roars like a wounded Rhino and is an absolute bargain and the JVM can do alot of cool stuff from the Marshall back catelogue and is really flexible.

Can the JVM cover any of the Chupa's sound?

It prob has a much better clean than the Chupa but I'm not sure if the mid to high gain on the JVM can compete with the Chupa.

Would the Marshall be reliable long term (I've read it's a complex PCB design) and be ok to gig with?

There is a cheap SH JVM I could line up, or I could order the Chupa 100watter.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
 
Thanks for the feed back though it's 1 and 1 so far!

Any reason you choose either?
 
I spent a bit of time with a JVM today (mind you it was a 210H) and I really wasn't a fan. It was pretty buzzy and thin/compressed sounding overall, even through a 4x12. It's funny because I used to really like the tone of them back when they first came out. If I was looking at a Marshall for that eighties hot rod vibe, I would absolutely get a Vintage Modern... now THAT is a killer sounding amp by any stretch. As far as the Chupa goes... I've heard a few killer clips of it (specifically James Lugo's) and I would definitely give one serious consideration if I was in the market for that particular type of amp.
 
I have a JVM, but I'd go for the Chupa. 1 great tone is better than 6 pretty good ones. If you also need a decent clean, and some versatility, its a different ballgame, then I would go for the JVM ;) The JVM's blower channels dont sound as defined as the chupa from what I've heard
 
Never heard either in person......but alot of guys swear by Both of them.
And I have heard killer clips from each amp....I would lean to the Chupa myself.
Just out of curiosity. ;)
 
Think about it 4 is always better than 1. So the JVM is the best.
 
I really want to like the chupa as it seems like great amp especially for the build and price but am just a little leary as it sounds a bit to heavy at least in the clips that I have heard and almost solid state like sort of, I havent played one yet and still might get one to see for myself if it can really do the whole crunchy marshall plexi and 800 thing also. I wish that someone would put some clips up going throught the different modes and settings from cleanish to full on. I have heard some pretty nice sounding clips of the jvm but I am leary about their build quality and reliability as every model post 800 with channel switching pcb marshall has had intermitant problems over time.Maybe this isnt an issue so I dont know. I guess the warranty would help if you buy new. The jvm seems more versatile but I dont really need all those channels for the gigs I do, I guess its what u need it for.
 
Never heard the Chupa in person, only clips...will agree that 1 good tone is better than 6 or 12 mediocre one's. That being said I own the JVM and feel for all things rock/metal/heavy...whatever, that OD1 Amber is as good as anything out there. In fact any of the 3 sounds on OD1 are worth it. Agree that the JVM 410 is overkill on the surface but in reality it's really a simple amp. I love the midi and use it. So to me I've got 3 great heavy tones, plus great clean tones as well.

Good tubes, good cab...JVM is hard to beat. Fact is for the last year and a half I've been doing mostly session work and I kinda fell in love with the amp all over again. I've turned up at quasi country/Keith Urbanish type sessions with the JVM and dialed in varying tones and the amp delivered...much to the suprise of everyone. In reality, I've flipped every amp I've ever owned (barring the JVM and a JMP 50 watt)...but this has stayed for years and will stay regardless.

I think it's just gonna boil down to what you need out of an amp...at present I'm using everything the JVM has to offer. However live, when playing rock...I stick to 2 channels...OD1 Amber for rythym and a boost for lead, and the clean channel.

Don't think you could go wrong with either amp.
 
Yeah OD1 amber sounds great and this tone is one of the ones I'd be getting a JVM for.

My main hesitation between both amps (and subsequently my indecision) is this:

Chupa - that it may not do classic Marshall tones as well as the JVM or a Plexi and could be too mid focused and might just always sound angry...gain, gain, gain and not alot else (would surely be alot of fun but ultimately limiting)

JVM - long term reliability issues as it's a complex PCB setup with jacks/pots attached to the board...I've read more than a few reports from angry users that have gone through 2 or 3 amps (or repair cycles) during their warranty period. OD1 amber is an awesome tone IMO and it does have a great clean and is really flexible.

The Chupa is my pref as it's PTP and is also cheaper as well as better made.

I like the poster above just wish I could hear one clip of it's cleans and low gain (ACDC) tones!
 
johnpace2":1dplaeh0 said:
jcj":1dplaeh0 said:
Having heard both, I'd get the JVM :lol: :LOL:
Click to expand...

Having heard neither... I'll just stay out of it. :D
Click to expand...

Having not playing one and owned one for 4 years I say JVM :lol: :LOL:

Yeah the JVM can get Jose tones.
 
Axe-Man":1t7czsqj said:
Yeah OD1 amber sounds great and this tone is one of the ones I'd be getting a JVM for.

My main hesitation between both amps (and subsequently my indecision) is this:

Chupa - that it may not do classic Marshall tones as well as the JVM or a Plexi and could be too mid focused and might just always sound angry...gain, gain, gain and not alot else (would surely be alot of fun but ultimately limiting)

JVM - long term reliability issues as it's a complex PCB setup with jacks/pots attached to the board...I've read more than a few reports from angry users that have gone through 2 or 3 amps (or repair cycles) during their warranty period. OD1 amber is an awesome tone IMO and it does have a great clean and is really flexible.

The Chupa is my pref as it's PTP and is also cheaper as well as better made.

I like the poster above just wish I could hear one clip of it's cleans and low gain (ACDC) tones!
Click to expand...
Like I said, don't think you could go wrong with either amp but I will say this...I bought mine several months after they were released...did a year plus of local/statewide gigging, 2 straight years of hard touring, years of sessions and too many rehearsals to count...not one problem. In fact when I went on the road I sold my SigX to get another JVM for backup just in case my main JVM went down...never did. Finally sold the backup as I never used it. Not saying that people don't have problems...just saying it's stood the test of time for me personally. Also never had an issue with the backup.
 
Axe-Man":lj0nhd30 said:
YChupa - that it may not do classic Marshall tones as well as the JVM or a Plexi and could be too mid focused and might just always sound angry...gain, gain, gain and not alot else (would surely be alot of fun but ultimately limiting)
Click to expand...

I own a Chupacabra. Granted, I've only had it for about a week. I also own a Metro Super Lead. The Chupa can do "plexi" just as well as my Super Lead can. However, it is like you said. The Chupa does sound a bit angry all the time. It's not from the gain, as you can get it to sound just as clean as any other Marshall. But the mid-range is voiced a little differently and it does tend to be a little more aggressive. The Chupacabra is a 2204 circuit. So it'll sound like a JCM 800 no problem.

I've never played a JVM, so I can't really compare for you. But I'm super happy with the Chupa so far. It sounds amazing. :)

Also, it's not PTP. It uses a turret board (which I guess is a form of PTP wiring, but it really isn't in the broad sense of the term).

Here's a clip I recorded, right out of the box, when I first got the amp. Not sure if you can tell from the clip, but it is not a compressed sounding amp and it doesn't sound "solid state" to me at all. It does use Zener Diodes in the preamp to attain its "Jose" type of gain, though.

I've tried making lower-gain and clean clips. But my mic can't take the volume and always clips. But take my word for it, the Chupa CAN do low gain (like AC/DC) and cleans (like a JMP) no problem. If you get the Chupa and don't like it, I guarantee someone will buy it from you.

Also, understand that the JVM is a channel-switcher. The Chupacabra is not. You will only get one sound out of it at a time. You have to flip switches and turn knobs to get a different sound! :) It'll clean up with the volume knob on your guitar, though, just like any other Marshall.

 
FourT6and2":2kmyft56 said:
I own a Chupacabra. Granted, I've only had it for about a week. I also own a Metro Super Lead. The Chupa can do "plexi" just as well as my Super Lead can. However, it is like you said. The Chupa does sound a bit angry all the time. It's not from the gain, as you can get it to sound just as clean as any other Marshall. But the mid-range is voiced a little differently and it does tend to be a little more aggressive. The Chupacabra is a 2204 circuit. So it'll sound like a JCM 800 no problem.

I've never played a JVM, so I can't really compare for you. But I'm super happy with the Chupa so far. It sounds amazing. :)

Also, it's not PTP. It uses a turret board (which I guess is a form of PTP wiring, but it really isn't in the broad sense of the term).

Here's a clip I recorded, right out of the box, when I first got the amp. Not sure if you can tell from the clip, but it is not a compressed sounding amp and it doesn't sound "solid state" to me at all. It does use Zener Diodes in the preamp to attain its "Jose" type of gain, though.

I've tried making lower-gain and clean clips. But my mic can't take the volume and always clips. But take my word for it, the Chupa CAN do low gain (like AC/DC) and cleans (like a JMP) no problem. If you get the Chupa and don't like it, I guarantee someone will buy it from you.

Also, understand that the JVM is a channel-switcher. The Chupacabra is not. You will only get one sound out of it at a time. You have to flip switches and turn knobs to get a different sound! :) It'll clean up with the volume knob on your guitar, though, just like any other Marshall.
Click to expand...

Hey FourT6and2, we've conversed on TGP.

I really appreciate your input and you've helped me make my decision. I thought I had it locked down the other day but there is a particularly cheap JVM lurking which I was also interested in which side tracked me.

It's going to be a Chupa 100 watter with sozo caps and the triode (half power) mod if Nik can fit it in.

If it can nail a SLP tone like a Metro and can sound like a classic Marshall clean, it's honestly a no brainer. It's the price of a L6 spider valve amp and it's hand wired.

The JVM is unquestionably a flexible and versitile amp but I want something to keep long term (re: years) if possible and the Chup should be still going strong long after I'm possibly not if it's properly looked after.

Thanks everyone for their feedback. I'll put an order in the next couple of weeks and then I wait 5 weeks for the build and prob a week for delivery...so about 8 weeks all up.

I'll try to do a (low grade) demo if I can when I get it.

Cheers,
AM
 
Axe-Man":1twc8u13 said:
FourT6and2":1twc8u13 said:
I own a Chupacabra. Granted, I've only had it for about a week. I also own a Metro Super Lead. The Chupa can do "plexi" just as well as my Super Lead can. However, it is like you said. The Chupa does sound a bit angry all the time. It's not from the gain, as you can get it to sound just as clean as any other Marshall. But the mid-range is voiced a little differently and it does tend to be a little more aggressive. The Chupacabra is a 2204 circuit. So it'll sound like a JCM 800 no problem.

I've never played a JVM, so I can't really compare for you. But I'm super happy with the Chupa so far. It sounds amazing. :)

Also, it's not PTP. It uses a turret board (which I guess is a form of PTP wiring, but it really isn't in the broad sense of the term).

Here's a clip I recorded, right out of the box, when I first got the amp. Not sure if you can tell from the clip, but it is not a compressed sounding amp and it doesn't sound "solid state" to me at all. It does use Zener Diodes in the preamp to attain its "Jose" type of gain, though.

I've tried making lower-gain and clean clips. But my mic can't take the volume and always clips. But take my word for it, the Chupa CAN do low gain (like AC/DC) and cleans (like a JMP) no problem. If you get the Chupa and don't like it, I guarantee someone will buy it from you.

Also, understand that the JVM is a channel-switcher. The Chupacabra is not. You will only get one sound out of it at a time. You have to flip switches and turn knobs to get a different sound! :) It'll clean up with the volume knob on your guitar, though, just like any other Marshall.
Click to expand...

Hey FourT6and2, we've conversed on TGP.

I really appreciate your input and you've helped me make my decision. I thought I had it locked down the other day but there is a particularly cheap JVM lurking which I was also interested in which side tracked me.

It's going to be a Chupa 100 watter with sozo caps and the triode (half power) mod if Nik can fit it in.

If it can nail a SLP tone like a Metro and can sound like a classic Marshall clean, it's honestly a no brainer. It's the price of a L6 spider valve amp and it's hand wired.

The JVM is unquestionably a flexible and versitile amp but I want something to keep long term (re: years) if possible and the Chup should be still going strong long after I'm possibly not if it's properly looked after.

Thanks everyone for their feedback. I'll put an order in the next couple of weeks and then I wait 5 weeks for the build and prob a week for delivery...so about 8 weeks all up.

I'll try to do a (low grade) demo if I can when I get it.

Cheers,
AM
Click to expand...

I'm sure you'll be happy with it! :)
 
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