Vintage Modern or 2203?

  • Thread starter Thread starter The Luke
  • Start date Start date
T

The Luke

Member
I am looking to get another amp, and have been considering both of these. Mainly looking at the 2203 reissue I know of for sale locally, but eBay keeps bringing Vintage Modern head and cabs to my attention.

I currently run Les Pauls into a JCM800 2210 (100w head) with a 1960A. I play in an original hard rock band, with the odd slightly southern influence. Sort of Guns n Roses meets Motley Crue with Whitesnake and a little Skynyrd. I also occasionally play for an Elvis tribute act (seriously), and a classic/80s rock cover band. All these with the same rig, never using the clean channel - volume knob works wonders :)

So, I sound pretty much the same through either either the VM or 2203, but I think the reason I am tempted by the VM is that it is different and not the same old 2203 sound. Maybe it is worth while to be the odd guy out. On the other hand, the 2203 has been used so much for a reason - it's awesome.

I am really thinking out loud at the moment as I might be able to get a 2466 and 425A for a good price, so I am wrong for considering VM?

Any input to my childishly indecisive ramblings would be appreciated ;)
 
Let me ask you this. . .why a 2203 reissue? You could easily find a late 70s 2203.

I'd recommend finding like a '78 2203 or 2204 JMP. They sound amazing, stock. And, they take pedals very well. It would certainly nail the hard rock with a hint of southern style.
 
I will be honest, I have never had the pleasure of an original 2203. I have played a JMP 4104 combo (2204 really). That was 2x12 greenbacks and it was awesome. Blasting it with my Keeley SD1 was great too.
The only reason I say reissue 2203 is I know someone selling one for a good price - almost £200 cheaper than an original 2203 will go for.
 
I've never played a reissue, so I can't comment on how it compares.

Personally, I'd prefer the real deal, vintage amp.

I have a 1978 2204 JMP and it ROCKS. Totally stock, and original -- thinking about recapping, but leaving it stock as is.

My other Marshall is a 1971 100 watt Super Lead. This one also sounds great, but it's going to go to Dave Friedman one of these days.
 
The VM is one of the better products Marshall has put out recently, but the 2203 is a classic killer. It's hard to beat.
 
I find that if I keep the VM (2266) on the low dynamic range it really approaches the 2203 well. Also, keeping the gain down on the high dynamic range gets the "hot-rodded" 2203 sound. I like the VM because I don't have to use a pedal to get that "juiced" sound.

Cheers,
 
Just trust me on this. Get a 2203 and have Briango2000 mod it for you. I am ampGAS free thanks to him!!
 
reverymike":1jytrgnw said:
I've never played a reissue, so I can't comment on how it compares.

Personally, I'd prefer the real deal, vintage amp.

I have a 1978 2204 JMP and it ROCKS. Totally stock, and original -- thinking about recapping, but leaving it stock as is.

My other Marshall is a 1971 100 watt Super Lead. This one also sounds great, but it's going to go to Dave Friedman one of these days.
Click to expand...
I liked the reissue, and have gigged one I borrowed to try, and was really happy with it.
I would love a Friedman mod, but being from England, modding is not really an option right now financially

Mr. Willy":1jytrgnw said:
The VM is one of the better products Marshall has put out recently, but the 2203 is a classic killer. It's hard to beat.
Click to expand...
See that is kind of what I think - 2203 is a classic, but the VM is great too, so do I be different to the standard hard rock 2203? Hmm.

gbsmusic":1jytrgnw said:
Just trust me on this. Get a 2203 and have Briango2000 mod it for you. I am ampGAS free thanks to him!!
Click to expand...
Again, being in England, the price sending an amp either way is not really an option.

And as for it being GAS - I won't lie it kind of is, but I really hate only taking one amp to gig with. Not sure how I have managed to last so far without incident. Must be that reliable old JCM800 I have :)
 
Mods can be cool, but I think people sometimes get carried away and start to believe that an amp has to have some kind of mod to it to sound good. The truth is, that a stock 2203 sounds freaking great, with good tubes and filter caps. There is a reason the classics are 'classics.'

Modded amps can be very cool (I plan on sending one out to Friedman at some point), but I'm definitely keeping one of them stock.
 
If you don't go the modded amp route.... I love my VM 2466 halfstack!!! Plus I can play it at home at very reasonable volumes.

Jim
 
VM's kick all kinds of ass! And can be had for cheap if you look around. I may trade my DSL50 for one in the near future.
 
Dammit I missed out on a vintage modern head and cab on ebay :( £560 for a 2246 and 425A. Bollocks. Would have been an excellent buy. Bloody mobile phone bidding :thumbsdown:

As for mods, I think getting a mod depends on the amp, and whether I get it for a good price lol If any, the only real style I would consider is a Jose type mod for the Sykes sound. However, I have no immediate desire for a modded amp right now, as the stock VM/2203/2204 have been good the times I have played them.

Back to checking eBay and classified listings for a good deal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top