This is THE tone

[Racerxrated]

I think there are differences in the filtering and plate voltages between the 2203 and 2204. JMP 2204s often had plate voltages around 370 or so and then increased in the early '80s JCM 800 versions to the low 400s I think. But the 2203 I think often had plate voltages closer to 500. If I understand things correctly, that lower plate voltage impacts a lot of things, including the gain saturation particularly at lower volumes.

This is why I favor the 82s most...my 82 2204 measures out @504v on the plates. Those late 70s JMPs are usually much lower; giving a bit less aggressive tone. Word is(Read this on the Marshall forum long ago) that from mid 82-mid 83 you would see high plate V on the 2204s. I did play an 82 2203 that felt like a 100w Wizard; he wasn’t selling though.

I shouldn’t say ‘destroyed’ the JMPs; just more aggression/attack if you will.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've owned a bunch of JMP's and JCM 800's from the 70's/80's. Never played one that blew me away, honestly. I'm sure they all needed some sort of servicing. But even the voodoo 2204 I had I didn't care much for. They all seemed to have a saggy, sloppy feel to them. Like the caps needed changing or something.

I recently picked up 2 2203x reissues, and both sound absolutely killer. I bought both at great prices to flip, but I have decided to keep one because it sounds so damn good.

Marshall really did this one right as far as reissues go. Would never buy at their new prices, but used, they're where it's at.

Can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried the 2203x; multiple. The only one I’ve liked was a Cameron modded one. The rest seemed sterile/flat sounding to me, and I’ve rolled tubes and adjusted bias. Those vintage transformers, whether from age or being just plain better, make all the difference to me. Even the Jubilee reissue which sounds spot on to an original, when you get the volume up there’s something missing compared to the vintage version.

 

[skullfxr]

I dig it. I need a 2203/4 so bad.

 

[cardinal]

I think there are differences in the filtering and plate voltages between the 2203 and 2204. JMP 2204s often had plate voltages around 370 or so and then increased in the early '80s JCM 800 versions to the low 400s I think. But the 2203 I think often had plate voltages closer to 500. If I understand things correctly, that lower plate voltage impacts a lot of things, including the gain saturation particularly at lower volumes.

This is why I favor the 82s most...my 82 2204 measures out @504v on the plates. Those late 70s JMPs are usually much lower; giving a bit less aggressive tone. Word is(Read this on the Marshall forum long ago) that from mid 82-mid 83 you would see high plate V on the 2204s. I did play an 82 2203 that felt like a 100w Wizard; he wasn’t selling though.

I shouldn’t say ‘destroyed’ the JMPs; just more aggression/attack if you will.

I have some '78 2204s with lower plate voltages, and they probably are my favorite amps that I've ever played. I have played some of the later 2204s and they did seem more aggressive. I'll compare it to the Mesa Mark IIC+ and III that I just got: playing them back-to-back, the III is more aggressive than the IIC+, but the IIC+ obviously has plenty of aggression and easily spews out molten metal if you want it. Likewise, the low voltage 2204s still are plenty capable of aggressive rock and metal, but I can see why others would prefer the higher voltage.

 

[NewWorldMan]

I've enjoyed just about all the older 800s I've played. And let's be real, no two sound the same. Had a great '83 2204 I should have kept years ago. Currently have an '81 2203 that's a monster and sounds great. It's clocked in at putting out something ridiculous around 120W.

 

[lespaul6]

I've owned a bunch of JMP's and JCM 800's from the 70's/80's. Never played one that blew me away, honestly. I'm sure they all needed some sort of servicing. But even the voodoo 2204 I had I didn't care much for. They all seemed to have a saggy, sloppy feel to them. Like the caps needed changing or something.

I recently picked up 2 2203x reissues, and both sound absolutely killer. I bought both at great prices to flip, but I have decided to keep one because it sounds so damn good.

Marshall really did this one right as far as reissues go. Would never buy at their new prices, but used, they're where it's at.

My experience as well... my 2203 reissue sounds much better than the 80 JMP that I had, that thing was a mud machine. The reissue sounds right on par with my 2555 in terms of sound and transformer quality. Lots of pro's using the reissues on the road.

 

[cardinal]

I've owned a bunch of JMP's and JCM 800's from the 70's/80's. Never played one that blew me away, honestly. I'm sure they all needed some sort of servicing. But even the voodoo 2204 I had I didn't care much for. They all seemed to have a saggy, sloppy feel to them. Like the caps needed changing or something.

I recently picked up 2 2203x reissues, and both sound absolutely killer. I bought both at great prices to flip, but I have decided to keep one because it sounds so damn good.

Marshall really did this one right as far as reissues go. Would never buy at their new prices, but used, they're where it's at.

My experience as well... my 2203 reissue sounds much better than the 80's JMP that I had, that thing was a mud machine. The reissue sounds right on par with my 2555 in terms of sound and transformer quality. Lots of pro's using the reissues on the road.

With old Marshalls, the thing to remember is that many of them have been "modded" in terrible ways that even the current seller might not realize.

Over the years, I've bought maybe half a dozen old Marshalls, and I think half of them had been "modded" by previous owners in ways that were not advertised to me when I bought them. Clipped bright caps or peaking circuits. Mustard caps "stolen" and replaced with random crap or just flat out cracked and broken. Nonsensical changes to the cathode bypass cap. Some times something that I just can't even fathom what was the intent.

Once returned to the stock circuit, they all sounded awesome IMHO. But man they can really get screwed up by someone mucking around in there. Especially since it wasn't long ago that people considered these amps to be unbearably bright, so people were trying to do things to make them less aggressive and darker/muddier. I think the tide has turned and folks are embracing the unbridled krang of a stock Marshall, so all these poor mod attempts are just really undesirable.

 

[psychodave]

That clip sounded great. Of course the added reverb and delay helps.

I love my 1980 JMP with GE 6550’s. It is so thick sounding. With a VFE Standout out front, it really rips.

 

[Thunkful]

They sound great for sure, but imo the amp feels like it's getting out of my hands whenever i've tried to boost one. Prefer the feeling of the modded marshall-style world.

I just got the new JCM800 20 watt studio classic and it sounds just like this! With my Waza SD-1 I couldn’t put my guitar down, it sounded so good.

How loud do you need to get the SC20H in order for it to sound good with a boost?

 

[Bad.Seed]

I've owned a bunch of JMP's and JCM 800's from the 70's/80's. Never played one that blew me away, honestly. I'm sure they all needed some sort of servicing. But even the voodoo 2204 I had I didn't care much for. They all seemed to have a saggy, sloppy feel to them. Like the caps needed changing or something.

I recently picked up 2 2203x reissues, and both sound absolutely killer. I bought both at great prices to flip, but I have decided to keep one because it sounds so damn good.

Marshall really did this one right as far as reissues go. Would never buy at their new prices, but used, they're where it's at.

My experience as well... my 2203 reissue sounds much better than the 80's JMP that I had, that thing was a mud machine. The reissue sounds right on par with my 2555 in terms of sound and transformer quality. Lots of pro's using the reissues on the road.

With old Marshalls, the thing to remember is that many of them have been "modded" in terrible ways that even the current seller might not realize.

Over the years, I've bought maybe half a dozen old Marshalls, and I think half of them had been "modded" by previous owners in ways that were not advertised to me when I bought them. Clipped bright caps or peaking circuits. Mustard caps "stolen" and replaced with random crap or just flat out cracked and broken. Nonsensical changes to the cathode bypass cap. Some times something that I just can't even fathom what was the intent.

Once returned to the stock circuit, they all sounded awesome IMHO. But man they can really get screwed up by someone mucking around in there. Especially since it wasn't long ago that people considered these amps to be unbearably bright, so people were trying to do things to make them less aggressive and darker/muddier. I think the tide has turned and folks are embracing the unbridled krang of a stock Marshall, so all these poor mod attempts are just really undesirable.

I don't doubt what you're saying for a second. If I hadn't turned a nice profit on every one of them that I sold, I'd have been inclined to keep them and have them gone over with a fine toothed comb.

in the end, I'm glad I didn't as I paid $1,000 for my Mint 2203x and I'm elated with it. But I'll still buy every sub $1k early 2203 or 2204 I find in hopes of finding a good one

 

[IHateRap]

That sounds really great.

 

[nigelpkay]

They sound great for sure, but imo the amp feels like it's getting out of my hands whenever i've tried to boost one. Prefer the feeling of the modded marshall-style world.

I just got the new JCM800 20 watt studio classic and it sounds just like this! With my Waza SD-1 I couldn’t put my guitar down, it sounded so good.

How loud do you need to get the SC20H in order for it to sound good with a boost?

It sounded amazing at really low volume (Less than 1). I haven’t had a chance to really krank it up yet but it’s still pretty damn loud in the bedroom even at 1. Apparently they max out around 4-5 where the volume stops and it gets oversaturated, but haven’t tried that yet.

 

[panhead]

oh my Im looking at 22 marshalls in my back room. Should they stay or should they go. ddd ddd. For a high price that is.

 

[stephen sawall]

I think there are differences in the filtering and plate voltages between the 2203 and 2204. JMP 2204s often had plate voltages around 370 or so and then increased in the early '80s JCM 800 versions to the low 400s I think. But the 2203 I think often had plate voltages closer to 500. If I understand things correctly, that lower plate voltage impacts a lot of things, including the gain saturation particularly at lower volumes.

This is why I favor the 82s most...my 82 2204 measures out @504v on the plates. Those late 70s JMPs are usually much lower; giving a bit less aggressive tone. Word is(Read this on the Marshall forum long ago) that from mid 82-mid 83 you would see high plate V on the 2204s. I did play an 82 2203 that felt like a 100w Wizard; he wasn’t selling though.

I shouldn’t say ‘destroyed’ the JMPs; just more aggression/attack if you will.

I have some '78 2204s with lower plate voltages, and they probably are my favorite amps that I've ever played. I have played some of the later 2204s and they did seem more aggressive. I'll compare it to the Mesa Mark IIC+ and III that I just got: playing them back-to-back, the III is more aggressive than the IIC+, but the IIC+ obviously has plenty of aggression and easily spews out molten metal if you want it. Likewise, the low voltage 2204s still are plenty capable of aggressive rock and metal, but I can see why others would prefer the higher voltage.

I like high plate voltage for the fast attack and punch when playing rhythm. When playing lead I prefer the feel and sound of lower plate voltage. Overall I tend to prefer lower. I like how the poweramp breaks up lower on the volume.