Silver Jubilee vs JVM

[SavageRiffer]

This is my first post here so hi everyone. I bought a 2555x reissue when they first hit the market and kind of have a love/lukewarm relationship with it. Most of the time I love it, but sometimes I wish it had more of a DSL vibe. Now that the DSLs are made in China, I have been looking at the JVMs. It has been years since I plugged into a JVM so I can't remember well enough to draw a comparision. In any case, the JVM videos sound like the JVM really embodies what I love about Marshall amps. I used to have a DSL50 but sold it a few years ago and can't really remember how it compares to either.

I can't afford two amps, and if I buy a second amp it has to be the Diezel Paul, so I'm kind of stuck deciding whether to replace my 2555x with a JVM. Anyway I thought if I could get some insight on each amp from different people then it might help me make a decision. I might add that I use my amp primarily at home pretty quietly, but the 2555x surprisingly does a good job even in 100w mode. In your experiences, how would you compare these amps?

 

[PBGas]

Depends what you are playing through it. The JVM is a high gain monster and the gain can be uncontrollable if you aren't careful. Lots of features and functions on the amp. I had the Satch version and it was great but a bit darker sounding.

The 2555X is also a really nice amp but if you are playing the heavier stuff, you will need a boost in front of it. That being said, I have the 2525 combo on order and am looking forward to getting it as I have always wanted a Jubilee for a very long time and for me it works in the small combo format as it has pretty much everything I was wanting from that.

 

[jcmlespaul]

I just recently bought a jvm the two channel 50 watt version...it's a Swiss Army knife of Marshall amps. High gain tones to clean. I can't compare it to the jubilee since I really didn't spend much time with one. I found the best way to dial in tones is to dime the channel volume and use the master slightly to get volume level. The amp has a lot of mids even with the knob on zero it has a lot of low mids...it doesn't really "scoop". The versatility and the inherent Marshall vibe is what sold me on it.

 

[Racerxrated]

The Jubilee with a boost or two is as good as any modded Marshall I've tried, and I've had at least one example from all the big names except an actual Jose A. You can get a decent clean out of it, so to me its a two channel amp. However the JVM is clearly more versatile. But if you're after one really great Marshall tone, and don't need the versatility of the JVM I'd say Jubilee without hesitation. It has a better tone to my ears.

 

[Racerxrated]

I should add I've never owned a JVM, but I did spend time with a 205 and a DSL in an attempt to replace a Marshall when I was Marshall-less. Didn't really like either that much. So I waited till an 800 or a Jubilee showed up.

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

I owned the JVM210. Liked it, found it a bit compressed. Never owned a Jub, but from the clips of the reissues I've heard, they sound real nice. Very Marshall esque.

Looking back, I shouldn't have sold my jvm, was a versitile amp for sure. I dont think you can go wrong either way.

 

[nigelpkay]

JVM is very compressed. I loved the tone of it, but it's missing some rawness and gets lost in a band setting. I loved the OD1 amber mode but it was a brick wall of sound. I used to have a 2205 before that which was less flexible of course, and it's very close to Jubilee in terms of the diode gain, but it had more of that rawness to it and was very punchy and in your face. It was also way too loud, whereas the JVM I could run at bedroom volume and it sounded great.

I've learned that when it comes balancing features, always go for tone first.

Having said that I had a DSL100H and it sounded really good. Still had a raw tone and lots of gain for other things and boost friendly. It was the best all around amp I've had.

 

[155]

to me the jvms are too thin and I had the 410h and 210h..thats said I have a old dsl 100 that is much better then both of them imo on all channels..never played a jubelli though...betting its better depending on what you are doin..

 

[sahlomonic]

Last weekend I jammed a new Jubilee and a DSL side by side. I have a new DSL at home, and it just doesn't compare to the Jubilee. JVM in my opinion - although a lot more flexible - just doesn't have as much of an organic vibe that the Jub has. For me, though, I'm a guy who digs one trick pony amps rather than a jack of all trades.

 

[blackba]

What are your settings on the jubilee? While I love mine, I have found I like the master to be 6 or higher. The jubilee just begs to be cranked up, going to try mine with an Alex attenuator to be able to fine tune the tone and volume.

Never played a jvm, but I have a feeling the jvm might not need the volume to give up the goods like a jubilee does. I don't really like the half power setting on the jubilee.

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

Don't let the fact of the DSL being made in Vietnam sway you

They are rock solid great sounding amps

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

Don't let the fact of the DSL being made in Vietnam sway you

They are rock solid great sounding amps

I find them kind of thin/fizzy.

anyone else the same ?

 

[jabps]

Bought my JVM's years ago and never looked back. Quite a few years on and I have no need for any other amp. Played many years with another guitarist, tons of gigs and I can tell you, never got lost in the mix. It's pure Marshall and it's versatile. My only recommendation would be using it with Celestions 75's... or V30's. Oddly was never a fan of those speakers until I went with the JVM...it's just works, especially the '75's.

 

[Racerxrated]

Bought my JVM's years ago and never looked back. Quite a few years on and I have no need for any other amp. Played many years with another guitarist, tons of gigs and I can tell you, never got lost in the mix. It's pure Marshall and it's versatile. My only recommendation would be using it with Celestions 75's... or V30's. Oddly was never a fan of those speakers until I went with the JVM...it's just works, especially the '75's.

Matching speakers is huge. Jubilee/V30s, Mesa/V30s, JCM 800 and most Marshalls/G1265 and greenbacks. Old school 75s can sound really good too...but I haven't found many amps that work with newer versions of the 75s.

 

[59Bassman]

I'm still befuddled by the Jubilee craze. I've owned two of the 50 watt 2X12's. One I pulled out of the box in 1988 and I could never get a tone I could use out of it below 8 on the master - painful levels. This was attempting hard rock in the 80's. Everyone wanted a modded Plexi, and the Jub didn't get there in my experience. I traded that Jubilee for an Ampeg SS-140C (yes, SOLID STATE, with stereo chorus) and got much better tones.

Fast forward 6 years and I bought another, this one used from Daddy's Junky Music. I figured the first one had to be a fluke. Second one was no better. By this point, I had gotten into lower gain roots and classic rock. That Jubilee routinely got kicked around by the old Peavey Classic series when they first came out.

Sorry for the threadjack, I just wonder what I was missing when I owned mine. I will tell you that at one point while I had the first one, I decided I needed to get it modded (it was the popular thing to do, of course). I can't remember if I called Jose or whom, but I was politely told to "call back when I bought a REAL Marshall...."

Times, they change I guess.

 

[ProgFree]

Don't let the fact of the DSL being made in Vietnam sway you

They are rock solid great sounding amps

I find them kind of thin/fizzy.

anyone else the same ?

Same thoughts here, not rock solid nor great sounding. Not even close to the older JCM 2000 DSL made in UK.

 

[LanierP]

My brother just saw Steve Vai jamming at a private party in Dubai last Saturday, and when he sent me the pix, Steve was playing thru a JVM 210 halfstack. Thought that was an interesting choice of back line rental.

 

[Racerxrated]

I'm still befuddled by the Jubilee craze. I've owned two of the 50 watt 2X12's. One I pulled out of the box in 1988 and I could never get a tone I could use out of it below 8 on the master - painful levels. This was attempting hard rock in the 80's. Everyone wanted a modded Plexi, and the Jub didn't get there in my experience. I traded that Jubilee for an Ampeg SS-140C (yes, SOLID STATE, with stereo chorus) and got much better tones.

Fast forward 6 years and I bought another, this one used from Daddy's Junky Music. I figured the first one had to be a fluke. Second one was no better. By this point, I had gotten into lower gain roots and classic rock. That Jubilee routinely got kicked around by the old Peavey Classic series when they first came out.

Sorry for the threadjack, I just wonder what I was missing when I owned mine. I will tell you that at one point while I had the first one, I decided I needed to get it modded (it was the popular thing to do, of course). I can't remember if I called Jose or whom, but I was politely told to "call back when I bought a REAL Marshall...."

Times, they change I guess.

Sounds like you dig the low gain stuff. I boosted my Jubilees, sometimes twice to get the saturation I want. I wouldn't know how a Jub sounded without a boost, to be honest. Other than the clean channel. Most guys here are into gain gain and more gain....a plexi a Jubilee isn't lol....but if you're into modded Marshall high gain I'd put a boosted Jube up against any.

 

[SavageRiffer]

I'm still befuddled by the Jubilee craze. I've owned two of the 50 watt 2X12's. One I pulled out of the box in 1988 and I could never get a tone I could use out of it below 8 on the master - painful levels. This was attempting hard rock in the 80's. Everyone wanted a modded Plexi, and the Jub didn't get there in my experience. I traded that Jubilee for an Ampeg SS-140C (yes, SOLID STATE, with stereo chorus) and got much better tones.

Fast forward 6 years and I bought another, this one used from Daddy's Junky Music. I figured the first one had to be a fluke. Second one was no better. By this point, I had gotten into lower gain roots and classic rock. That Jubilee routinely got kicked around by the old Peavey Classic series when they first came out.

Sorry for the threadjack, I just wonder what I was missing when I owned mine. I will tell you that at one point while I had the first one, I decided I needed to get it modded (it was the popular thing to do, of course). I can't remember if I called Jose or whom, but I was politely told to "call back when I bought a REAL Marshall...."

Times, they change I guess.

I'm speaking strictly about the new reissues. I have never played the 50w model from back then, and only have had a couple of hours on the old 100w model. I personally think the new one is better. There's no switching issue, the FX loop is fantastic, the external bias is great, the controls are very responsive, and it performs pretty well at low volumes which is what I use it for 90% of the time. For all the Friedmans and other modded Marshalls on the market, I have yet to find one that actually sounds better than a Marshall. Mods are cool for more gain, but I boost them anyway so I'm not buying into the pricey stuff anymore.

Don't let the fact of the DSL being made in Vietnam sway you

They are rock solid great sounding amps

I find them kind of thin/fizzy.

anyone else the same ?

Same thoughts here, not rock solid nor great sounding. Not even close to the older JCM 2000 DSL made in UK.

I haven't tried the new DSL's but I was really disappointed when they stopped making that model in the UK. However, I have played the new DSL100 and can't say necessarily that it's any less great sounding than the original. The DSLs have lots of midrange so I didn't perceive it as thin at all, and I found plenty of bass at 3:00 without using the deep function. If that is your experience then perhaps it might bring up the question whether there is as much consistency as their UK manufacturing. I doubt it, but perhaps.

My brother just saw Steve Vai jamming at a private party in Dubai last Saturday, and when he sent me the pix, Steve was playing thru a JVM 210 halfstack. Thought that was an interesting choice of back line rental.

I have seen several videos lately of Vai using Marshalls, and a few of him with his Legacy sitting on top of a Marshall. It would be something if he suddenly came out with a JVM Vai edition.

Sounds like you dig the low gain stuff. I boosted my Jubilees, sometimes twice to get the saturation I want. I wouldn't know how a Jub sounded without a boost, to be honest. Other than the clean channel. Most guys here are into gain gain and more gain....a plexi a Jubilee isn't lol....but if you're into modded Marshall high gain I'd put a boosted Jube up against any.

I always boost my amps with a Klon or other mild overdrive too, but I heard a guy playing an unboosted Jubilee with some Bareknuckle Painkillers that made me want to get a set of high-output pickups. It reminds me of Michael Schenker because I heard that he got his tone mainly from 50w Marshalls and high-output ceramic pickups.

 

[blackba]

I'm still befuddled by the Jubilee craze. I've owned two of the 50 watt 2X12's. One I pulled out of the box in 1988 and I could never get a tone I could use out of it below 8 on the master - painful levels. This was attempting hard rock in the 80's. Everyone wanted a modded Plexi, and the Jub didn't get there in my experience. I traded that Jubilee for an Ampeg SS-140C (yes, SOLID STATE, with stereo chorus) and got much better tones.

Fast forward 6 years and I bought another, this one used from Daddy's Junky Music. I figured the first one had to be a fluke. Second one was no better. By this point, I had gotten into lower gain roots and classic rock. That Jubilee routinely got kicked around by the old Peavey Classic series when they first came out.

Sorry for the threadjack, I just wonder what I was missing when I owned mine. I will tell you that at one point while I had the first one, I decided I needed to get it modded (it was the popular thing to do, of course). I can't remember if I called Jose or whom, but I was politely told to "call back when I bought a REAL Marshall...."

Times, they change I guess.

There were circuit changes in the jubilees, so maybe you got two early ones. I don't believe the combos had a choke either. I have always run my 2553 head through a 212 closed back cab. Used to use CL80's, now using WGS ET65s. Not sure how much I would enjoy the jubilee as a combo. I play a Peavey Classic 30 pretty regularly and I like my 2553 over it. The 2553 sounds better to me at all levels of gain and takes pedals better, but as you know amps vary and I may have a good one.