School me on the JVM410 and JVM205 heads

[jabps]

I never really used the spring reverb in my DSL if I'm being honest. I liked having it though just because I thought it was cool.

I talked with my gear advisor at Sweetwater, and he spoke very highly of the JVM. But, he did say that it wouldn't really sound its best without an attenuator. That said, I'm definitely not buying attenuator, as my Mark IV for example sounds fantastic without one at low volumes. I'm damn sure the Marshall can sound good at lower volumes.

Anyway, I'm in the process of trying to sell my BE50. It's a tough market right now for sellers, and don't want to lose too much money on it. Can't really justify 3 amps (Mark IV, BE50, JVM410), so the BE50 makes the most sense to sell. Mark IV sounds too good to sell. I'll post an update later this winter or early Spring after I receive my amp and play through it for a few weeks.

Man, you do not need an attenuator with the JVM. Of all the high gain heads I have owned it has arguably the best master volume. Sounds great at low volume playing. Per Santiago, the designer of the amp, cranking the Master to try and push the power amp section harder does not work on this amp, not designed that way.

 

[LanBaul]

OD1 is the Marshall side, OD2 leans Mesa. Biasing is doable, just less convenient

 

[BABMusic]

Well, I finally placed my order for the JVM410. One of the other younger store associates made a comment that I think was sarcasm by saying "that amp is a perfect bedroom volume amp". Well, if Marshall made a JVM410 50-watt, I woud much prefer that. Or even a DSL50 head. The store said there's a blemish on the vinyl, which I assume is the tolex, right? It's a b-stock item, but basically new. Should arrive later this week since it's already in my city. I'm going to give it at least 2-3 weeks to see how it sounds. If I find myself using OD2 more than OD1, I would just return it and get the JVM205. Was considering the Friedman Jose for a long time, but I think this amp is a safer buy for me. Although I'm sure I could sell the Jose, I think I would prefer the more options of the JVM and the more gain. Who knows -- maybe in a few years, I could get a Jose if I'm not pleased with the JVM. Just based on my past experience with the DSL, I think there's a high probability I will love the JVM.

 

[jchrisf]

Well, I finally placed my order for the JVM410. One of the other younger store associates made a comment that I think was sarcasm by saying "that amp is a perfect bedroom volume amp". Well, if Marshall made a JVM410 50-watt, I woud much prefer that. Or even a DSL50 head. The store said there's a blemish on the vinyl, which I assume is the tolex, right? It's a b-stock item, but basically new. Should arrive later this week since it's already in my city. I'm going to give it at least 2-3 weeks to see how it sounds. If I find myself using OD2 more than OD1, I would just return it and get the JVM205. Was considering the Friedman Jose for a long time, but I think this amp is a safer buy for me. Although I'm sure I could sell the Jose, I think I would prefer the more options of the JVM and the more gain. Who knows -- maybe in a few years, I could get a Jose if I'm not pleased with the JVM. Just based on my past experience with the DSL, I think there's a high probability I will love the JVM.

It sounds like yours is getting to you before mine gets to me. I'll be looking forward to hearing your initial thoughts while I am waiting.

 

[BABMusic]

It sounds like yours is getting to you before mine gets to me. I'll be looking forward to hearing your initial thoughts while I am waiting.

Were you the one who ordered the B-stock from Reverb's Musicians Friend? I had been watching for over a month this one listed on Reverb, and then I found out that it sold just before I could buy it. Fortunately, there's another one at the same price but it has slightly more blemishes. Assuming the blemish is on the tolex, I wouldn't care much about that.

 

[jchrisf]

Were you the one who ordered the B-stock from Reverb's Musicians Friend? I had been watching for over a month this one listed on Reverb, and then I found out that it sold just before I could buy it. Fortunately, there's another one at the same price but it has slightly more blemishes. Assuming the blemish is on the tolex, I wouldn't care much about that.

I was watching the one that was mint but my Sales Rep at MF made me an offer on a new one that came out about $80 more than that so I figured I just get a new one.

 

[BABMusic]

I was watching the one that was mint but my Sales Rep at MF made me an offer on a new one that came out about $80 more than that so I figured I just get a new one.

Man, I need a Musician's Friend Sales Rep. Thanks

 

[BABMusic]

I'm at home with a headache today, and my JVM arrived. I'll play it more later as I don't feel great right now, but I can already hear some very interesting differences from my Friedman BE50. The resonance control is not needed at low volume playing, at least to my ears. Gain is insane -- I often keep it at 4 or maybe 5.

 

[angelspade]

I'm at home with a headache today, and my JVM arrived. I'll play it more later as I don't feel great right now, but I can already hear some very interesting differences from my Friedman BE50. The resonance control is not needed at low volume playing, at least to my ears. Gain is insane -- I often keep it at 4 or maybe 5.

Congrats! Look forward to a full review brother.

 

[BABMusic]

Congrats! Look forward to a full review brother.

Will do. Right now, I'll just share that while the BE50 and JVM410 share the undeniable Marshall DNA, I find the JVM sounds better on the lower 3 strings (D, A, E) and the BE50 sounds better when playing the top 3 (E, B, G), especially when playing leads. Playing busy rhythm licks on the lower 3 strings on the JVM sounds thicker, smoother, and with an easier, graceful feel on my hands. It's kind of frustrating that both amps have this opposite experience. JVM takes my SD-1 better.

 

[angelspade]

Will do. Right now, I'll just share that while the BE50 and JVM410 share the undeniable Marshall DNA, I find the JVM sounds better on the lower 3 strings (D, A, E) and the BE50 sounds better when playing the top 3 (E, B, G), especially when playing leads. Playing busy rhythm licks on the lower 3 strings on the JVM sounds thicker, smoother, and with an easier, graceful feel on my hands. It's kind of frustrating that both amps have this opposite experience. JVM takes my SD-1 better.

Interesting immediate assessments...I'm definitely looking forward to your thoughts after playing / dialing in the JVM for a few weeks. It's rare for me. but I actually have grown to appreciate this amp more as time has gone on. Usually some of the magic dissipates after the new car smell wears off.

 

[jchrisf]

Mine arrived today.. but I won't be able to play it until tonight.. hopefully. Can't wait!

 

[BABMusic]

Mine arrived today.. but I won't be able to play it until tonight.. hopefully. Can't wait!

I was exploring mine last night and I looked closely at the red channels to see where I liked the gain. It was at 2. It's crazy that I can get a high gain tone with it on 2 (in the red modes of OD1 and OD2). Orange modes you can push the gain up a lot higher, but you have to be careful with the looser bottom that can come if you put it up too high.

 

[Findthetone1]

I was exploring mine last night and I looked closely at the red channels to see where I liked the gain. It was at 2. It's crazy that I can get a high gain tone with it on 2 (in the red modes of OD1 and OD2). Orange modes you can push the gain up a lot higher, but you have to be careful with the looser bottom that can come if you put it up too high.

When I had my 205H, I pretty much lived on OD orange with a boost. One of the few amps I really miss.

 

[BABMusic]

Unpopular to say this, but I actually use OD2 more than OD1.

 

[angelspade]

Unpopular to say this, but I actually use OD2 more than OD1.

I now use them both equally as much...and both for rhythm playing .

 

[jchrisf]

Unpopular to say this, but I actually use OD2 more than OD1.

I think I mentioned this before but from what I hear online, I like OD2 better than 1. We'll see what I think in person soon.

 

[BABMusic]

I think I mentioned this before but from what I hear online, I like OD2 better than 1. We'll see what I think in person soon.

I hear it as as a more smooth version of OD1, but with less mids (more scooped). It's also slightly tighter. I haven't yet really explored the yellow modes, which I will do later today.

 

[jchrisf]

I got to spend a few minutes with it and to me it sounds like a DSL. I was not all that impressed. I'm wondering if I need to bias it? I did like the Crunch and OD1 channels the most.. the clean channel was awesome with an OD in front as was the Crunch. I did like the Plexi trick on OD2. The Reverb wasn't very good. It does sound great but nothing special so far.

I need to spend some more time with it and see what I can dial in but I think it is going back unless I can bias it and it comes alive.. the journey continues and I'll see what else I can dial in with it.

 

[BABMusic]

I got to spend a few minutes with it and to me it sounds like a DSL. I was not all that impressed. I'm wondering if I need to bias it? I did like the Crunch and OD1 channels the most.. the clean channel was awesome with an OD in front as was the Crunch. I did like the Plexi trick on OD2. The Reverb wasn't very good. It does sound great but nothing special so far.

I need to spend some more time with it and see what I can dial in but I think it is going back unless I can bias it and it comes alive.. the journey continues and I'll see what else I can dial in with it.

I also felt like it sounded very close to my old DSL100. I checked the bias on mine with a Eurotubes probe, and it was ast 26 mA for both sets of EL34s. I left it alone because Marshall used to set the bias way too high and 26 is much safer. It's a little low, yes, but it's a safe bias. Anyway, maybe give it some more time? If it's not for you, at least you now know.