Some 2204 Love

[briango2000]

I have always thought the 2204/1987 amps sounded sweeter than their big brothers, and have been working on a lot of them lately and see why many top players from the day covet them. I always wondered why they played 50's when they could have had 100 watters. Certainly depends on what you are doing musically, but man these sound great. The one in this video is one of the best I've heard with the original iron. It has been gigged regularly most all it's life and is not a case queen. It has been sitting some recently so I put the tune on it and serviced it for the owner. I think I'm going to go look for one for myself now.

Brian

 

[briango2000]

I've had some get warm, but I always figured it was ambient heat from the tubes, not so much the OT itself.

 

[LP Freak]

Sounds great like always Brian. I'll be off to another gig shortly with my BFG Marshall. Can wait to tear it up.

 

[Marshall Law]

you did an awesome job on Dave's amp, he couldn't be happier, thanks again for everything

 

[Schaf]

I really like the 2204's but find the transformers (output) get really hot after an hour of use. I use to have to shut mine off at gigs and practice because the transformers were too hot to touch...playing at volume 6 or 7. I never had this problem with 2203's.

Where in the hell could play at that kind of volume? My 50 watter would be way too loud with even the loudest drummer.

Schaf

 

[Marshall Law]

Where in the hell could play at that kind of volume? My 50 watter would be way too loud with even the loudest drummer.

Schaf

those Modded Marshalls sound awesome at bedroom levels, BELIEVE IT

 

[Schaf]

Where in the hell could play at that kind of volume? My 50 watter would be way too loud with even the loudest drummer.

Schaf

those Modded Marshalls sound awesome at bedroom levels, BELIEVE IT

Oh I believe it. My stock one sounds pretty good at low volumes too. But I could never turn it up to 5 with the stock MV with a band. Way freakin loud! I love my 2204. Thinking of sending it to Friedman though.

Schaf

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I prefer the 2203's usually but with Marshalls, it just depends on which one. I've had identical 2203's/04's that subtle differences. The best 2204 was better than the worse 2203 if that makes any sense.

I still have one bone-stock 83 JCM800 2203 w/6550's that will never leave me. Its always cool coming back and firing that baby up after not using it, throw an SD-1 in front and blast it. Just a simple set up but tone for days....I really need to replace the caps in mine tho...

 

[thenine]

is that one modded? I am seeing some toggles under the input?

 

[LP Freak]

is that one modded? I am seeing some toggles under the input?

Yea, but just a little. Brian is the man.

 

[briango2000]

It has been modded...Saturation and FM switch. This one is pretty crunchy but still articulate, I could add more gain.

 

[charveldan]

Where in the hell could play at that kind of volume? My 50 watter would be way too loud with even the loudest drummer.

Schaf

those Modded Marshalls sound awesome at bedroom levels, BELIEVE IT

Oh I believe it. My stock one sounds pretty good at low volumes too. But I could never turn it up to 5 with the stock MV with a band. Way freakin loud! I love my 2204. Thinking of sending it to Friedman though.

Schaf

Friedman dropped a resistor betwen the treble pot and MV, and another resistor across my master, where before there was just wire leads, when he modded my JMP 2203, the result was warmer, more usable volume. Now the sweet spot is between 4 & 6 on the MV where before i would peel paint at 2 to 4, ask him about it if you get yours modded. It will do whatever you want it to from bedroom to stadium.

 

[briango2000]

I have done something similar on certain mods...just depends on what the player wants the end result to be. Basically it's just lowering the value of the pot and slightly altering the taper.

 

[LP Freak]

Hey Brian. What's the FM switch?

 

[guitarmike]

Where in the hell could play at that kind of volume? My 50 watter would be way too loud with even the loudest drummer.

Schaf

those Modded Marshalls sound awesome at bedroom levels, BELIEVE IT

I agree. I practice every morning before I go to work with my main rig. 100 watt Friedman modded Marshall through a 4x12 and I have no problem getting great tone at almost whisper volumes. If I need to go loud this thing is a monster, it will crack plaster.
I have an old Metaltronix head from Lee Jackson, that is the loudest amp I ever played through. Totally useless unless played at stadium levels. I am going to get it modded, just need to decide where to send it.

 

[briango2000]

FM= Fucking Magic An old friend who is an electrician gave me that one.

 

[LP Freak]

FM= Fucking Magic An old friend who is an electrician gave me that one.

What's it do?

 

[Marshall Law]

What's it do?

It gives you a boner

 

[charveldan]

I have done something similar on certain mods...just depends on what the player wants the end result to be. Basically it's just lowering the value of the pot and slightly altering the taper.

Dave Friedman and i discussed the mods ahead of time, but he did the volume mod and a couple other things on his own [which i wanted], it was like he read my mind.

 

[gbsmusic]

There is nothing better then a BFG baby!!!!!!