The hell with modded Marshalls-just get a stock JCM 900!

[blackba]

I agree with you. I've been playing one for over a year now at the place where we rehearse (we rent by the hour). The room we get each week has a JCM900 and a Single Rec, both half stack. I've tried the Mesa a few times but I'm always coming back to the Marshall and the warmer the amp gets, the better it sounds! For me, I set the gain at noon and push it with a tube screamer if more gain is needed!

I really don't understand the bad rep the 900 series get over the internet. Anyway, Marshall re-issued the model and even Bugera now makes a copy of it!

How do you know your amp has made the big time? When Bugera makes a version of it.

 

[BenoA]

How do you know your amp has made the big time? When Bugera makes a version of it.

When I replied, that's not what came to my mind as I was just "stating" the fact of the Bugera copy... But from your point of view... Could make sense...

 

[tonmazz]

I think the initial impression with the 900 is great but I think you quickly fall out of love with it. Played one in a store for twenty minutes and the first 10 minutes I was saying the same thing. After 10 minutes, started turning the dials and by the end it was poop. As you say though, we all hear things different. At the end of the day it's a Marshall so we're not talking worlds of difference but there is something nasally about them.

 

[mysticaxe]

Am I correct in remembering that the JCM900 is the most recorded amp in professional music? I'm not implying that means it is a top shelf amp, just that it has been very common in professional studios.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Always cool to see someone using gear that isn't part of the internet fad/trendcore scene.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Always cool to see someone using gear that isn't part of the internet fad/trendcore scene.

Yeah, all he needs now is an Axe-Fx.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Am I correct in remembering that the JCM900 is the most recorded amp in professional music? I'm not implying that means it is a top shelf amp, just that it has been very common in professional studios.

I'm willing to bet that from 1994 to 2004 that the Recto saw more recordings and more tours than any amp during that time. Before that probably the JCM800. Over the years i saw more DSL's being used than 900's.

 

[thegame]

The worst 800 I've played was much better than the best 900 I've played.

 

[SFW]

I think that the problem with the JCM900 is that it was not designed for bedroom guitar players. It sounds good in the mix of a band. It doesn't have the low end of the 800, but it doesn't need to when you have a bassist.

 

[Badronald]

Didn't Navarro use the 900 in Jane's?
I saw them a few times live and he sounded GREAT.

He just used a couple Boss pedals and he sounded huge.

 

[Mailman1971]

But isnt the Diode Clipping what Cameron uses in his amps?
If everyone drools on them........why is that a bad thing in the 900's?

 

[MrDan666]

But isnt the Diode Clipping what Cameron uses in his amps?
If everyone drools on them........why is that a bad thing in the 900's?

The diode clipping in the Cameron stuff is not the same as what is going on in the 900's, very different circuit

 

[jerrydyer]

I had one of the screwed up faceplate ones. sounded good low to medium, not loud, sucked loud. didnt react like a real one.

 

[HeimBrent]

But isnt the Diode Clipping what Cameron uses in his amps?
If everyone drools on them........why is that a bad thing in the 900's?

Or... Isn't the diode clipping the same that everyone who's boosting a tubeamp with a tubescreamer or a SD1 is using?

 

[Filter500]

Navarro can make the 900 sound great, so it can work. Larry LaLonde used the with Primus and got some good sounds, but people have different tastes.

 

[loudgtr]

about 6 months ago or a bit longer, that "treetopper" dude with lots of youtube vids had one of a JCM 900 that was freaking fantastic! Watched that one a few times. Might not be in his rotation now, but boy was it good. I was very surprised.

 

[Valtiel]

IIRC The Silver Jubilees use diode clipping as well and those are very highly regarded.

 

[jerrydyer]

diodes are great when used right. better yet , a selection of elements that clip more precisely and sound better than diodes.

 

[stephen sawall]

IIRC The Silver Jubilees use diode clipping as well and those are very highly regarded.

I believe all Marshall amps that are not reissues from the 2 channel 800 on all have diode clipping.

Navarro can make the 900 sound great, so it can work.

Maybelline Dave is more know for Boss Pedals and the turbo babe (Carmen). I have seen him play live a few times and he sounds like Boss pedals more than anything.

But isnt the Diode Clipping what Cameron uses in his amps?
If everyone drools on them........why is that a bad thing in the 900's?

Or... Isn't the diode clipping the same that everyone who's boosting a tubeamp with a tubescreamer or a SD1 is using?

The only real difference is the diode clipping is out front instead of between preamp tube stages. Hendrix, SRV and just about everyone else has used more than just tube distortion.

The thing that people don't know is that Marshall pretty much stole the design of the JCM900 from someone. There was a guy in NYC, nicknamed, Heavy Metal Joe. He did Marshall amp mods and he modded an old Marshall of mine, he did great work. He worked for Korg and the original JCM900 prototype was his idea. He had a handshake agreement with Marshall on his amp. Next thing that happened, Marshall fucked him, stole his idea, and he was out. Ralph, Gainfreak, can tell me of this story since he knew Joe.

And from what i heard the prototype sounded awesome but Marshall still managed to fuck that up.

Mike Soldano said to me one time all amp prototype's sound great ..... for him he felt the whole thing was about reproduction. Interesting story above ..... does not surprise me.

 

[glassjaw7]

I think they're garbage and I've played a bunch of them. Sure they have gain, but the tone was junk to my ears.

This is what I've always thought too. Heard a lot of trashy tones from em and used to HATE those things until I heard my friend Eric's. Maybe I missed something he said and it's modded. Gonna find out...

Talked to my buddy tonight. Yup, he had his 900 modded by some dude in Green Bay or Milwaukee or wherever the hell he said. So I guess I'm back to my initial opinion of the stock 900. I don't like it. I'm actually disappointed. I was gonna look for one for cheap, but not now.