School me on the JVM410 and JVM205 heads

[BABMusic]

Okay, so I've never played either of these amps. So far, some people I asked about these heads have told me they sound unnatural or artificial. Kyle Bull's video, which I just watched today said he wasn't all that impressed with this amp, and he's obviously a big Marshall guy. Said he couldn't find a sweet spot where it wasn't too bright or too dark. Some have also said that the 410 is the way to go because the OD1 is the best high gain tone and that OD2 is actually more like a Mesa/Marshall thing. Is it true that the 205 head is the Mesa/Marshall tone only on overdrive mode? That would probably turn me off. I already have a Mesa tone that I love (Mark IV). Mainly, I just want a more authentic high gain Marshall tone similar to my old DSL100 I used to own. Cleans are not so important to me because I already have that covered. Also, are these things a pain in the ass to bias? I want to be able to do this myself, and I know these do not have the external bias knobs.

So, school me on these amps.

 

[Techdeth]

I do not think it sounds like a mesa ever . It will never remind you of your mark iv . Has both . Get a jvm 410 so you have all the options

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Been on a bit of a Marshall kick lately, so happy to share my experiences.

Overall - what the JVM gains in versatility (it can cover A LOT of ground with the 4 channels and associated options), it loses in overall rawness of tone. I found my old JCM2000 DSL 100 to be more raw/open/aggressive, and you'll then get even further toward the desirable Marshall 'kerrang' with a JCM800 (I currently have a 50 watt 2204 I absolutely love). The JVM, comparatively, is more compressed, and can get buzzy at lower volumes.

Another thing to ask yourself - what Marshall tones are you really looking for, and what kind of amp approach most inspires you? The JVM has a VERY wide range of gain built in, going from plexi inspired all the way to very high gain/modded territory. A JCM800 won't get close without a boost. For me, I've been finding a lot more inspiration in the simpler amps. With many options/channels like the JVM, I find myself tweaking/testing options, which is less inspiring to actual playing. In comparison, plugging into a JCM800, I cue into its vibe, and play accordingly, adding a pedal or two if I want to expand what it's doing. Simple, to the point, and 'the sound'.

All that said - in a loud/band mix, these nuances are further lost, and a JVM will absolutely offer a wide range of Marshall inspired tones (exactly what it was designed to do). They're great amps, but if you're looking for the most authentic/pure Marshall tone, you're better off looking at their simpler/more traditional options.

My opinion, YMMV. Good luck on the hunt!

 

[rsm]

I think it sounds great; I have a JVM410H and it covers all the Marshall tones I'd ever need from JTM/45 to JCM 2000. I have other Marshalls / Bogner / Engl for the Marshall / modded Marshall tones I like too;

There's a Satriani version that many say is better, never tried one.

If you know what Marshall sound you want, you may just want to get that amp; but if you want a wide range of Marshall tones, the JVM410H does it. IMO

 

[angelspade]

Posted a very detailed review of the JVM 410H a few months back. You should take a look. Its a great amp.

 

[angelspade]

Thread 'Delayed NAD Description & Detailed Review'

Jun 6, 2025

Marshall JVM410H Review

My two main amps are the Koch Supernova and Diezel VH4. Both are rich and hi-fi sounding boutiques that are amazing at what they do. About 18 months ago I acquired a limited edition jubilee silver JCM2000 DSL half stack that I was enjoying. Shortly after the fires hit my town (Pacific Palisades) a collector made me an outrageously high offer for that set-up and I accepted. I loved the looks and rarity of that half stack, but I think I only "liked" how it sounded....Really good, but not great. Having the Koch and Diezel, I doubted that I would miss...

• angelspade
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Rig-Talk

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