NAD Homebrew 2204!

[sjk]

I got this amp Thursday from Carl (fusionbear) over at TGP. Guy builds a killer amp. Just outstanding sounding amp. Came without the headshell so now I need to find one for it. Anyway I'm pretty dang excited about it and it is an absolute beast. One of the punchiest thump you in the chest with an incredible thud for a 50 watt amp I've experienced. Puts most of my 100 watt amps to shame in the punch department. Sounds pretty dang good at low volumes as well but ROARS with some volume. Suppose to be stock circuit but seems to have more gain than any 2204 I've played.

Here's some pics and a clip from Carl.

 

[Racerxrated]

Congrats! Any 2204, is a good 2204 I always say.

 

[sjk]

Yes Marshall got it right with this amp 40 years ago!

 

[Racerxrated]

I found mine on GC.com for way less than 1K, vertical input 82. Has a loop though and some small circuit mods that give it a ton more low end. Smoother gain too. I put an SD1 or a OD1X in front and its simply as good as any modded Marshall I've had. I keep thinking I'm gonna send it to someone for a real mod but it doesn't need one. Yours looks built really well, I bet it screams!

 

[JTyson]

Dam, it sounds great, better than quite a few 2204 stockers I've heard. Fusionbear does some killer builds, the Nalor OD Supreme (with some personal tweaks) he did was absolutely outstanding sounding. Big fat girth in the midrange, and really pissed off sounding. Guy knows his stuff

 

[sjk]

I found mine on GC.com for way less than 1K, vertical input 82. Has a loop though and some small circuit mods that give it a ton more low end. Smoother gain too. I put an SD1 or a OD1X in front and its simply as good as any modded Marshall I've had. I keep thinking I'm gonna send it to someone for a real mod but it doesn't need one. Yours looks built really well, I bet it screams!

In the last year and a half I have bought 2 late 70's 2204's and played 4 more and all of them were meh? Perhaps they all needed a tuneup?

 

[sjk]

Dam, it sounds great, better than quite a few 2204 stockers I've heard. Fusionbear does some killer builds, the Nalor OD Supreme (with some personal tweaks) he did was absolutely outstanding sounding. Big fat girth in the midrange, and really pissed off sounding. Guy knows his stuff

I would agree he definitely knows his stuff. Has a great ear as well.

 

[LP Freak]

Yea, that sounds great.

 

[lespaul6]

You will note the quick and snappy marshall characteristics when playing rhythms.. no lag

 

[JiMB]

Congrats!
I played that amp at Carl's place and can attest to it sounding great.

 

[Racerxrated]

I found mine on GC.com for way less than 1K, vertical input 82. Has a loop though and some small circuit mods that give it a ton more low end. Smoother gain too. I put an SD1 or a OD1X in front and its simply as good as any modded Marshall I've had. I keep thinking I'm gonna send it to someone for a real mod but it doesn't need one. Yours looks built really well, I bet it screams!

In the last year and a half I have bought 2 late 70's 2204's and played 4 more and all of them were meh? Perhaps they all needed a tuneup?

I've had a few here as well, first thing I do is throw a pair/quad of good vintage 34s in, re bias and put some Chinese pres in there. See how it sounds. Usually helps but a few might have needed a cap job. Amazing how vintage 34s can improve a Marshall!

 

[bbaug14]

"Stock". Bypass on the 10k isn't "stock" although it did happen a time or two. Sounds awesome. Carl can build 'em. Sounds a LOT like my Landry.

 

[codyjarret]

Congrats.
Looks beautiful and sounds beautiful.

 

[mooncobra]

sounds great.

 

[jape23]

Oh yeah, you're going to have some fun with that one for sure! If possible, I'd like to hear some mic'd clips of that amp.

 

[sjk]

You will note the quick and snappy marshall characteristics when playing rhythms.. no lag

You aint shittin, I like. And it's got all those high mid frequencies 9 out of 10 of the boteek guys are trying to eliminate

 

[sjk]

Oh yeah, you're going to have some fun with that one for sure! If possible, I'd like to hear some mic'd clips of that amp.

I have an sm57 but no idea how to mic it and get it to computer?

 

[sjk]

"Stock". Bypass on the 10k isn't "stock" although it did happen a time or two. Sounds awesome. Carl can build 'em. Sounds a LOT like my Landry.

Seems you are liking the Landry, I've had gas for that one as well ever since the guy posted the speaker comparison clips over at TGP.

 

[sjk]

I found mine on GC.com for way less than 1K, vertical input 82. Has a loop though and some small circuit mods that give it a ton more low end. Smoother gain too. I put an SD1 or a OD1X in front and its simply as good as any modded Marshall I've had. I keep thinking I'm gonna send it to someone for a real mod but it doesn't need one. Yours looks built really well, I bet it screams!

In the last year and a half I have bought 2 late 70's 2204's and played 4 more and all of them were meh? Perhaps they all needed a tuneup?

I've had a few here as well, first thing I do is throw a pair/quad of good vintage 34s in, re bias and put some Chinese pres in there. See how it sounds. Usually helps but a few might have needed a cap job. Amazing how vintage 34s can improve a Marshall!

I think I may need to find a quad of g12-65's, amp can be a bit bright and I've never tried those with these amps. You know where to get any used older ones?

 

[sjk]

Congrats!
I played that amp at Carl's place and can attest to it sounding great.

Jim I would love to had heard clips of you playing this thing as well as Carl's awesome clips. I love your clips but I know you must prefer plexi's as I don't think I've seen a clip of you playing a 2204. It's a ripper!