New amp guidance...

[skullfxr]

Most of my amps are in sig. The JSX is going to be going as well as some other stuff.

I want a classic sounding Marshall crunch. Not a hot rodded Marshall, like a classic crunch.

I don't want to spend a DIME over a grand if possible.

The thing is that at the time, I am limited on funds, and a bunch of stuff to sell and a bunch of stuff to upgrade (six MIJ Jacksons will be getting good floyds, two need pickups) but that is not an urgency.

I will be getting a Laney GH50L or GH100L top at some point as well.

What should I look into? This is a new thing for me because I am usually clean or high gain.

I would prefer to buy used,and I do not have the cash stm, I have to wait until my JSX sells as well as some other stuff.

My logic is that I will have the brit spectrum covered, through my Rockerverb, K100, the future Laney, and the classic Marshall.

I do have a jtm45 I built but it isn't scratching the itch.

 

[skullfxr]

Also head only, used only, will buy blind without issue. I don't care about cleans. 50 watts ideal, but 100 isn't a deal breaker

 

[napalmdeath]

What flavor? You have the Marshall crunch covered with the Splawns?

That said, I can't recommend the Laney GH50L enough. I've owned 4, and wouldn't hesitate to own another. The DSL50 is another great option!

If you want to check out my Friedman Runt, I'm just east of Tampa. I'm guessing my Randall RD45H would surprise the shit out of you too! Or, better yet, look at a Thrasher 50. It's definitely got the Fortin modded Marshall thing!

 

[skullfxr]

I just want straight Marshall crunch. The splawns are more hotrodded. The GH50L is going to happen regardless. Maybe I should just pick up a JCM2000 DSL 50 and call it a day. I don't know.

I am a hopeless case. Lol.

I could build a plexi super lead maybe that is what I am looking for.

 

[splatter]

The JTM should cover the marshall crunch. If not I saw an origin either here or on TGP . From what I've heard they sound pretty good and won't break the bank. Or you could just hold out and at some point find a beat up JCM800 for around a grand.
I suspect if the JTM isn't doing it another stock marshall won't either.
Have you tried a tube screamer in front on the JTM?


ACTUALLY YOU NEED TO BUY MY QR

 

[skullfxr]

I may just build a 2203. I prefer Mojo kits to ceriatone. I can get it all for $700ish. easy build.

I think that the jtm45 is not exciting me because the transformers aren't great. I will just stick that somewhere and build a 2203.

I hate to sound like this, but I don't think that I would be happy with anything shy of a good JCM800 clone.

 

[japetus]

All those amps, and you can't find a decent "marshall crunch?". Sounds like you are just looking to spend money to me, not trying to sound rude.

 

[cardinal]

I think you want a 2204 or a clone.

Old school Peavey Butcher or VTM might be the cheapest option. A used Ceriatone or pre-built kit should fall in your budget.

For me, I went bonkers a few months ago and played everything I could, and settled on the amp I've used for years and years: the 2204. Personally, I'd try to stretch your budget a bit and just get a real deal 2204 and be done with it. To me, just the best amp there is.

JTM won't nearly be a tight or brash as the 2204. I used a few 1959s for a bit and loved them, but even they get a bit to brown for me as they get wound up.

People like to describe all kinds of mid-gain crunch as "Marshall-like" but the real thing is a league if it's own.

 

[RaceU4her]

a DSL works for many

 

[mixn4him]

Seriously less than $20 in parts will make that JTM45 build do what you want. If the trannies aren't great that's another easy fix, less than $200 from ClassicTone..

Id convert the JTM45 to 2204 specs first and then see if you still think the trannies are not great..

 

[skullfxr]

All those amps, and you can't find a decent "marshall crunch?". Sounds like you are just looking to spend money to me, not trying to sound rude.

I don't know, everything I have is the hotrodded Marshall or modded Marshall, or vintage. I am set forever on the modded Marshall thing. Lol.

I will probably build the 2203. I can build one better than I can buy.

I am not sure about my JTM45. last time I cheap out on Iron.

 

[skullfxr]

Seriously less than $20 in parts will make that JTM45 build do what you want. If the trannies aren't great that's another easy fix, less than $200 from ClassicTone..

Id convert the JTM45 to 2204 specs first and then see if you still think the trannies are not great..

One thing that I don't think about the JTM45 is KT66 and I am not familiar with them tbh. Maybe I should go EL34.

 

[skullfxr]

I think you want a 2204 or a clone.

Old school Peavey Butcher or VTM might be the cheapest option. A used Ceriatone or pre-built kit should fall in your budget.

For me, I went bonkers a few months ago and played everything I could, and settled on the amp I've used for years and years: the 2204. Personally, I'd try to stretch your budget a bit and just get a real deal 2204 and be done with it. To me, just the best amp there is.

JTM won't nearly be a tight or brash as the 2204. I used a few 1959s for a bit and loved them, but even they get a bit to brown for me as they get wound up.

People like to describe all kinds of mid-gain crunch as "Marshall-like" but the real thing is a league if it's own.

I think this is where I am.

 

[Bad.Seed]

I think you want a 2204 or a clone.

Old school Peavey Butcher or VTM might be the cheapest option. A used Ceriatone or pre-built kit should fall in your budget.

For me, I went bonkers a few months ago and played everything I could, and settled on the amp I've used for years and years: the 2204. Personally, I'd try to stretch your budget a bit and just get a real deal 2204 and be done with it. To me, just the best amp there is.

JTM won't nearly be a tight or brash as the 2204. I used a few 1959s for a bit and loved them, but even they get a bit to brown for me as they get wound up.

People like to describe all kinds of mid-gain crunch as "Marshall-like" but the real thing is a league if it's own.

I think this is where I am.

Buy my butcher or vtm. I've owned a few 800's and IMO, the butcher is the closest thing I've heard to an 800 that isnt a direct clone. Mine is in good shape, no issues at all. $450

People can scoff at the Peavey stuff all they want, but I own many amps like yourself, and don't hesitate to plug into eithe rof these when I want a slighlty more classic Marshall tone than my Splawn QR or Friedman JJ can offer.

The DSL 50 is a decent option too, but the Butcher gets closer, IMO

 

[napalmdeath]

a DSL works for many

Yep, a DSL50 is the ticket. Boosted green crunch is about as close to an 800 as you can get, without buying an 800!

 

[Bad.Seed]

a DSL works for many

Yep, a DSL50 is the ticket. Boosted green crunch is about as close to an 800 as you can get, without buying an 800!

Having owned both at the same time, gotta disagree. Not that the DSL 50 green channel sounded bad, it actually sounds fantastic. But it didn't have the same grind and kerrang as the JCM 800, and also felt the 800 felt fuller and just overall more aggressive. Just my opinion though.

Editing to add that I still feel the Butcher is the closest representation of an 800 tone I've played without being a direct clone. Not disagreeing for disagreements sake!

 

[splatter]

the thing about an unmodded 800 is you gotta crank it for it to sound decent IMO. I don't know of any club you can do that in . If your playing at home and don't mind the volume then that may be the way to go.

I'm done with the marshall thing myself. I have a modded marshall I built that kills but I never play it anymore. Not since the VH2 and the Ecstasy arrived.

 

[cardinal]

I think my 2204s sound great at lower volumes? In my experience, the 800s are harder to get there because the volume jumps up so quickly on the master knob, but the JMPs have a much more gradual taper for some reason. But they all sound the same to me, and that sound is the sound of awesome.

The 2203 is a bit of a different animal, perhaps. But the 2204 is nothing to be afraid of.

 

[LP Freak]

They all fall short of the real thing

 

[Bad.Seed]

the thing about an unmodded 800 is you gotta crank it for it to sound decent IMO. I don't know of any club you can do that in . If your playing at home and don't mind the volume then that may be the way to go.

I'm done with the marshall thing myself. I have a modded marshall I built that kills but I never play it anymore. Not since the VH2 and the Ecstasy arrived.

Agreed here. They don't really start to breath hot and heavy until they're WAY too loud. But if you want good power tube breakup from just about any tube amp, it's gonna be too loud for modern venues.

OP: I don't think you're gonna come across what you want unless you really put some power to it. What you have now is your best bet.