NAD 81' JCM-800

[splawner]

Congrats on the amp. That looks like a nice clean example.
I have to be honest though. It's nice to get all misty eyed about vintage Marshall's and all, but there are modern amps being made today by some great builders that in my opinion smoke most of the old stuff. At one point I had a 73 superlead, a 79 2204, an 83 2203, an 80 2210, along with a Fortin modded 2203. Then I got a BE 100. Everything but the Be100 is gone, and I don't miss any of those amps at all. The Friedman even kicked an XTC 101b out of the house. ( still have the Helios though )
Old filter caps, no fx loop, needs a boost to sound good....whatever.
If the Friedman, or the Bogner aren't raw and "plexi" enough for ya, there's always Wizard MC or MCII.
OK, back to the reminiscing....

It's all perspective. A new BE costs $3,699. For that price I can buy a JCM800 used for $1,600, but a used Marshall 4x12 with greenbacks for $650, a new production Charvel San Dumas for $899 and a Cusack Screamer used for $100. And come in at $3,250. I'll have $400 in my pocket when I'm done. even used BE's sell for $2,800+, so for $400 more I get a complete rig. Like I said, perspective. It's nice to have choices though. Friedman makes great amps and people love them. Marshall does too.

exactly....I had a few Friedman BE100's and they just don't get them pure old school Marshall mids I like..The Friedman amps I played are just way to smooth for my liking...For me there is nothing like an old vintage marshalls......who cares if you have to boost it....if it gets the amp where it sounds awesome so be it!!!

 

[braintheory]

Congrats on the amp. That looks like a nice clean example.
I have to be honest though. It's nice to get all misty eyed about vintage Marshall's and all, but there are modern amps being made today by some great builders that in my opinion smoke most of the old stuff. At one point I had a 73 superlead, a 79 2204, an 83 2203, an 80 2210, along with a Fortin modded 2203. Then I got a BE 100. Everything but the Be100 is gone, and I don't miss any of those amps at all. The Friedman even kicked an XTC 101b out of the house. ( still have the Helios though )
Old filter caps, no fx loop, needs a boost to sound good....whatever.
If the Friedman, or the Bogner aren't raw and "plexi" enough for ya, there's always Wizard MC or MCII.
OK, back to the reminiscing....

The Wizards are definitely one of the best options of the amps made today if you want a raw Marshally sound along with the Helios (my MTL is one of my favorite amps), but even those still won't get quite as raw as my vintage modded Marshalls or Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ and the Wizards also are smoother and not as forward or gritty in the mids, which makes them sound less "plexi" as you said before.

While many amps made today are awesome in their own right, none of them that I've tried can match my vintage Marshalls or Boogies in terms of being raw and organic. Some guys don't really care though about rawness in their sound (a lot of those guys like amps like the Diezel Herbert) or also feel that some amps like the Helios or Wizard get close enough in rawness

 

[braintheory]

Congrats on the amp. That looks like a nice clean example.
I have to be honest though. It's nice to get all misty eyed about vintage Marshall's and all, but there are modern amps being made today by some great builders that in my opinion smoke most of the old stuff. At one point I had a 73 superlead, a 79 2204, an 83 2203, an 80 2210, along with a Fortin modded 2203. Then I got a BE 100. Everything but the Be100 is gone, and I don't miss any of those amps at all. The Friedman even kicked an XTC 101b out of the house. ( still have the Helios though )
Old filter caps, no fx loop, needs a boost to sound good....whatever.
If the Friedman, or the Bogner aren't raw and "plexi" enough for ya, there's always Wizard MC or MCII.
OK, back to the reminiscing....

It's all perspective. A new BE costs $3,699. For that price I can buy a JCM800 used for $1,600, but a used Marshall 4x12 with greenbacks for $650, a new production Charvel San Dumas for $899 and a Cusack Screamer used for $100. And come in at $3,250. I'll have $400 in my pocket when I'm done. even used BE's sell for $2,800+, so for $400 more I get a complete rig. Like I said, perspective. It's nice to have choices though. Friedman makes great amps and people love them. Marshall does too.

exactly....I had a few Friedman BE100's and they just don't get them pure old school Marshall mids I like....I just like old marshalls....

Agreed. I've owned a Phil X, Butterslax, HBE/BE modded 78 Superlead and have tried all their other models except the SS and Buxom Betty, and like you said they're smoother/less plexi/less gritty in the mids and they just don't have as complete of a growl when playing powerchords

 

[SpiderWars]

And imo when the whole band kicks in there is just something about the way they sit in the mix. They just comes across as more muscular yet also more cutting. I'm thinking that with all the options for load boxes/etc. the whole volume issue and fx loop issues can be managed. And I have no issues using a boost. So says a guy with lots of Marshalls but no Friedmans/et al.

 

[glip22]

And imo when the whole band kicks in there is just something about the way they sit in the mix. They just comes across as more muscular yet also more cutting. I'm thinking that with all the options for load boxes/etc. the whole volume issue and fx loop issues can be managed. And I have no issues using a boost. So says a guy with lots of Marshalls but no Friedmans/et al. [/quote
Not playing live but yesterday evening I was playing my 73 PTP Superlead boosted. My Wife was outback. When she came in she asked what the hell that amp was. She said the neighbors are not going to be happy.
I have had many amps, including Wizards and she never said that. She said the sound was loud and super clear. I will say I have had 2 other PTP Superleads and 2 other PCB Superleads. This one kills the others and any amp I have had here recently for bright cutting, and articulate tone. Moreso than the Helios I just had here. Great amp as well but not the same as this Superlead. The punch and low end on this Superlead is unreal. I have a clean 79 JMP here also. The seller I got the Superlead from owned it for 25 years.The Helios had a clearer tone than the JMP but there's still a couple things I need to check on the JMP like a snubber cap across one of the Plate resistors.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

I have to be honest though...I had a few Friedman BE100's and they just don't get them pure old school Marshall mids I like..The Friedman amps I played are just way to smooth for my liking...For me there is nothing like an old vintage marshalls......who cares if you have to boost it....if it gets the amp where it sounds awesome so be it!!!

+100

I never got the Friedman hype. Played several at length. Too dark, smooth, and congested. If you want Marshall tone... buy a Marshall!!!!

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Congrats on the amp. That looks like a nice clean example.
I have to be honest though. It's nice to get all misty eyed about vintage Marshall's and all, but there are modern amps being made today by some great builders that in my opinion smoke most of the old stuff. At one point I had a 73 superlead, a 79 2204, an 83 2203, an 80 2210, along with a Fortin modded 2203. Then I got a BE 100. Everything but the Be100 is gone, and I don't miss any of those amps at all. The Friedman even kicked an XTC 101b out of the house. ( still have the Helios though )
Old filter caps, no fx loop, needs a boost to sound good....whatever.
If the Friedman, or the Bogner aren't raw and "plexi" enough for ya, there's always Wizard MC or MCII.
OK, back to the reminiscing....

The Wizards are definitely one of the best options of the amps made today if you want a raw Marshally sound along with the Helios (my MTL is one of my favorite amps), but even those still won't get quite as raw as my vintage modded Marshalls or Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ and the Wizards also are smoother and not as forward or gritty in the mids, which makes them sound less "plexi" as you said before.

While many amps made today are awesome in their own right, none of them that I've tried can match my vintage Marshalls or Boogies in terms of being raw and organic. Some guys don't really care though about rawness in their sound (a lot of those guys like amps like the Diezel Herbert) or also feel that some amps like the Helios or Wizard get close enough in rawness

If I want "raw" I use my original 1967 Super Lead Plexi. It's as raw (open, loud, uncompressed) as it gets. I also love and use my Herbert and VH4 a lot more... but for totally different sounds. Different horses for different courses. I would never compare them head to head. Totally different designs.

 

[AndyK]

Cool!

Gotta love older Marshalls!

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Congrats on the amp. That looks like a nice clean example.
I have to be honest though. It's nice to get all misty eyed about vintage Marshall's and all, but there are modern amps being made today by some great builders that in my opinion smoke most of the old stuff. At one point I had a 73 superlead, a 79 2204, an 83 2203, an 80 2210, along with a Fortin modded 2203. Then I got a BE 100. Everything but the Be100 is gone, and I don't miss any of those amps at all. The Friedman even kicked an XTC 101b out of the house. ( still have the Helios though )
Old filter caps, no fx loop, needs a boost to sound good....whatever.
If the Friedman, or the Bogner aren't raw and "plexi" enough for ya, there's always Wizard MC or MCII.
OK, back to the reminiscing....

The Wizards are definitely one of the best options of the amps made today if you want a raw Marshally sound along with the Helios (my MTL is one of my favorite amps), but even those still won't get quite as raw as my vintage modded Marshalls or Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ and the Wizards also are smoother and not as forward or gritty in the mids, which makes them sound less "plexi" as you said before.

While many amps made today are awesome in their own right, none of them that I've tried can match my vintage Marshalls or Boogies in terms of being raw and organic. Some guys don't really care though about rawness in their sound (a lot of those guys like amps like the Diezel Herbert) or also feel that some amps like the Helios or Wizard get close enough in rawness

If I want "raw" I use my original 1967 Super Lead Plexi. It's as raw (open, loud, uncompressed) as it gets. I also love and use my Herbert and VH4 a lot more... but for totally different sounds. Different horses for different courses. I would never compare them head to head. Totally different designs.

The guy i got this 800 from ive gotten many things at his shop the last 12 years. He has a 67' Super Bass Plexi that is the LOUDEST Marshall ive ever played.
I was actually wanting to score another JMP 2203 but prices are up around here. This 800 is close to the same thing.

 

[splawner]

I have to be honest though...I had a few Friedman BE100's and they just don't get them pure old school Marshall mids I like..The Friedman amps I played are just way to smooth for my liking...For me there is nothing like an old vintage marshalls......who cares if you have to boost it....if it gets the amp where it sounds awesome so be it!!!

+100

I never got the Friedman hype. Played several at length. Too dark, smooth, and congested. If you want Marshall tone... buy a Marshall!!!!

There ya go.....Well said....And for 3600.00 bucks for one....I had my JMP when i had the Friedman and my Marshall ate it up.....Funny how most amp builders always try and copy the Marshall thing.....To me there is only 1 Marshall tone and that is simply a Marshall

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Congrats on the amp. That looks like a nice clean example.
I have to be honest though. It's nice to get all misty eyed about vintage Marshall's and all, but there are modern amps being made today by some great builders that in my opinion smoke most of the old stuff. At one point I had a 73 superlead, a 79 2204, an 83 2203, an 80 2210, along with a Fortin modded 2203. Then I got a BE 100. Everything but the Be100 is gone, and I don't miss any of those amps at all. The Friedman even kicked an XTC 101b out of the house. ( still have the Helios though )
Old filter caps, no fx loop, needs a boost to sound good....whatever.
If the Friedman, or the Bogner aren't raw and "plexi" enough for ya, there's always Wizard MC or MCII.
OK, back to the reminiscing....

The Wizards are definitely one of the best options of the amps made today if you want a raw Marshally sound along with the Helios (my MTL is one of my favorite amps), but even those still won't get quite as raw as my vintage modded Marshalls or Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ and the Wizards also are smoother and not as forward or gritty in the mids, which makes them sound less "plexi" as you said before.

While many amps made today are awesome in their own right, none of them that I've tried can match my vintage Marshalls or Boogies in terms of being raw and organic. Some guys don't really care though about rawness in their sound (a lot of those guys like amps like the Diezel Herbert) or also feel that some amps like the Helios or Wizard get close enough in rawness

If I want "raw" I use my original 1967 Super Lead Plexi. It's as raw (open, loud, uncompressed) as it gets. I also love and use my Herbert and VH4 a lot more... but for totally different sounds. Different horses for different courses. I would never compare them head to head. Totally different designs.

The guy i got this 800 from ive gotten many things at his shop the last 12 years. He has a 67' Super Bass Plexi that is the LOUDEST Marshall ive ever played.
I was actually wanting to score another JMP 2203 but prices are up around here. This 800 is close to the same thing.

Yep. The JMP 2203 is nearly identical in parts/layout to the JCM800 2203 from 1981-1983. Lots of sellers asking crazy high prices everywhere now. Time will take care of that.

 

[Racerxrated]

^^^The only differences I've noticed between late 70s JMPs and early 80s JCMs are the types of caps/resistors used. More red chicklet type in the 800s, mustards in the JMPs. JMPs are a bit warmer and 800s more aggressive if you will. Most of the time.

Congrats on the amp OP.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Thanks man yeah the 800 for a stock amp has that 800 Growl and is more aggressive than a stock JMP.

That Bish turns into a pRon star as soon as you step on a Boost and only gets more narly as you turn it up.

My Friedman JMP has different voicing and more gain on tap but the DSL, 800, & JMP i have are all well suited for Balls out Rock n Roll.

I gots to get a new quad of EL-34's now .... so many tewbs, so little time.

 

[232cap]

Dan how does the dsl boosted compare to the boosted 800, I had a buddy's dsl 100 here that I boosted with a sd1 and I was blown away by how good it sounded.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Dan how does the dsl boosted compare to the boosted 800, I had a buddy's dsl 100 here that I boosted with a sd1 and I was blown away by how good it sounded.

I can get DSL/800 tones on "lead #1" if you turn it up loud.

I run my DSL on "lead #2" on the red and set the gain @ 6 and slam it with a boost.

Both the 800 & DSL are voiced very similar but it depends how you dial it in.

DSL is super brite, i keep the presence off, mids & treble @ 6, bass @ 4 with the deep in.

Ive never had that DSL master past 4.5 on the red, its super responsive & powerful.

The 800 i got is easy to tame just by backing off the Preamp. so far sounds best dimed.

 

[Mr. Willy]

It's hard to beat a good JCM800. One of my favorite amps.

 

[Racerxrated]

Thanks man yeah the 800 for a stock amp has that 800 Growl and is more aggressive than a stock JMP.

That Bish turns into a pRon star as soon as you step on a Boost and only gets more narly as you turn it up.

My Friedman JMP has different voicing and more gain on tap but the DSL, 800, & JMP i have are all well suited for Balls out Rock n Roll.

I gots to get a new quad of EL-34's now .... so many tewbs, so little time.

^^You should look for some vintage Siemens if they are reasonable. Every bit as good as Winged C or vintage Mullards. Maybe the cost has gone up, a few years back they were like 50-80 a pair. Used but strong.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

$200 a quad and up from Germany for Seimens.

Out of my price range and im not shipping from Europe.

I like the Tungsols they're stable, affordable & sound good.

 

[NewWorldMan]

^^^The only differences I've noticed between late 70s JMPs and early 80s JCMs are the types of caps/resistors used. More red chicklet type in the 800s, mustards in the JMPs. JMPs are a bit warmer and 800s more aggressive if you will. Most of the time.

Congrats on the amp OP.

^THIS. People oftentimes overlook this when saying 70s JMPs and 800s are the same. There's a ton of variance in caps/resistors during those years. No consistency in model either. You can have two from the same year with a huge difference in parts. Some people may have a preference.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

I just rebiased the amp.

The AC running dropped 4 mv on the plates.

I turned it off and measured all four power tubes.

Bias is a little hotter now, sounds Amazing.