What do you guys like as a high gain JCM800?

[nightlight]

You could also try a rack unit, the Marshal JMP-1. I think that one will nail the JCM or Plexi tones definitively.

 

[Maarcn3]

The Friedman has killer cleans, so if that matters a lot, maybe consider keeping it for cleans and using a Splawn/Bogner for heavier stuff.

 

[BABMusic]

The Friedman has killer cleans, so if that matters a lot, maybe consider keeping it for cleans and using a Splawn/Bogner for heavier stuff.

Yeah, it does have some of the best cleans I've ever heard in a high gain head. I decided to keep because the high gain channels sound great now that I've stopped putting pedals in the loop. I keep the loop on all the time just for a master volume control, but it sounds so much fuller if I don't use my Boss pedals.

I should have known from my Mark IV experience. The Mark IV suffers from tremendous tone loss if I use pedals in the loop. I didn't think the Friedman would have a similar problem, but it's those Boss pedals that are the problem.

 

[BABMusic]

Also, when I was biasing my tubes yesterday, I noticed that using the Euro Tubes probe, I would get different readings with each tube. One set of JJ EL34II tubes had one tube read 36 ma and the other 31. These were supposed to be matched tubes, so not sure if this is a concern or not. My other tubes had a more closely matched reading in both (36 and 35 ma with the Tad Roadhouse).

 

[matttornado]

As mentioned, A stock JCM800 with an OD if needed. I can't imagine needing anything more than what a pedal can add. Plus, it's way cheaper, you can try different types & you're not ruining a good amp by modding it. Sure, the techs will tell you how great they are. I wonder why? LOL

 

[Ricky Rockhardo]

As mentioned, A stock JCM800 with an OD if needed. I can't imagine needing anything more than what a pedal can add. Plus, it's way cheaper, you can try different types & you're not ruining a good amp by modding it. Sure, the techs will tell you how great they are. I wonder why? LOL

One of my favorite things about the JCM800 is how it reacts to different boosts. It really adds uniqueness to the tone and more so if you stack pedals.

 

[Clay K]

Makes sense. I think I don’t like diode clipping… the 800 does not have diode clipping, correct? I wonder where the Snorkler lands when factoring in all the different layouts you mentioned, or why I like the Snorkler sound more than most other Marshall type sounds.

Also, the headfirst evil Joe was appealing to me. Partly because it has two different flavors

Isn’t diode clipping considered solid state?

 

[Spaceboy]

It's not the cool gearwhore thing to do... but spend some time with a JVM. I don't mean plug into one at Guitar Center. Take it and home and spend some time with it. You'd be surprised what green and orange modes can do.

 

[angelspade]

It's not the cool gearwhore thing to do... but spend some time with a JVM. I don't mean plug into one at Guitar Center. Take it and home and spend some time with it. You'd be surprised what green and orange modes can do.

AGREE

 

[4406cuda]

MGL

 

[Ricky Rockhardo]

MGL

Blake’s clip of the red channel is bonerific

 

[Humbucking]

MGL

I have a MGL 100 & it kicks ass!

 

[311boogieman]

This was one hell of a read

I am assuming you have not settled on what's next amp wise? I was going to start by saying try one of the new Splawns with the toggle switches. But this thread reminded me of why I've never created a thread like this Too many options. Too many opinions. Too many rabbit holes.

All good problems right?

If it were me I'd get a higher output pup for one of your guitars first. Then I would take that guitar to stores, friends, amp fests, local market meet ups. I would simultaneously get rid of about half of those Boss pedals. Are those in the loop or out front? From left to right? Also, I have one of those Male-Male plugs like you are using but I only have one. I don't notice tone suck, but not sure about using as many as you are.

+1 to the Rectifier, you'd be surprised what you can coax out of those.

 

[rsm]

Not in any order: I have and like all three.

Bogner Helios Eclipse.

Engl Artist Edtion 100.

JCM 900 Model 2100 SL-X.

 

[BABMusic]

This was one hell of a read

I am assuming you have not settled on what's next amp wise? I was going to start by saying try one of the new Splawns with the toggle switches. But this thread reminded me of why I've never created a thread like this Too many options. Too many opinions. Too many rabbit holes.

All good problems right?

If it were me I'd get a higher output pup for one of your guitars first. Then I would take that guitar to stores, friends, amp fests, local market meet ups. I would simultaneously get rid of about half of those Boss pedals. Are those in the loop or out front? From left to right? Also, I have one of those Male-Male plugs like you are using but I only have one. I don't notice tone suck, but not sure about using as many as you are.

+1 to the Rectifier, you'd be surprised what you can coax out of those.

Well, sort of settled on my BE50, once I finally discovered how to use it properly. I did 2 major things wrong - 1. wasn't wiring my humbucker correctly, 2. I was using 5 Boss pedals in the loop. Once I removed the Boss pedals and wired my humbucker correctly, it was like hearing a totally different amp. The honky-ness I was complaining about was gone, and the amp sounded much more like how I hoped it would.

I also tried a JVM410 recently. Had quite a lot of fun with that amp for about 3 days. Unfortunately, it had something explode inside and I ended up returning it.

I discovered another problem that I was making. Every time I fold and solder that third round thing to the volume pot, the volume doesn't work correctly. I instead just soldered a wire from the 3rd round thing to the top fo the pot and that fixed the issue. See the arrow that I drew to know what I am referring to. I just can never fold that thing and solder it right.

 

[Bardagh]

I haven't had a BE but I had the JBE which was a really great amp, but I ended up trading it for a 2204 because I really wanted the 800 thing and it really didn't do it. I think its just part of the Friedman sound to seem like there's a high pass filter thrown across the thing. It actually works and sounds great for what it is, but if you start flipping switches and turning knobs trying to unlock what a plain old 800 with a boost does, you'll never find it. I do miss the amp and would have liked to have both.

Of the amps I have played or owned that I do feel like did something approaching a higher gain take on an 800 type of sound, I would say Splawn Quickrod and maybe a VHT/Fryette Deliverance 60. The D60 is also an amp I miss, although I traded it for a great OG 5150.

 

[BABMusic]

I haven't had a BE but I had the JBE which was a really great amp, but I ended up trading it for a 2204 because I really wanted the 800 thing and it really didn't do it. I think its just part of the Friedman sound to seem like there's a high pass filter thrown across the thing. It actually works and sounds great for what it is, but if you start flipping switches and turning knobs trying to unlock what a plain old 800 with a boost does, you'll never find it. I do miss the amp and would have liked to have both.

Of the amps I have played or owned that I do feel like did something approaching a higher gain take on an 800 type of sound, I would say Splawn Quickrod and maybe a VHT/Fryette Deliverance 60. The D60 is also an amp I miss, although I traded it for a great OG 5150.

I also wouldn't recommend a Friedman to anyone who really wants a pure Marshall tone. It just isn't the same thing. It has a British voice and a nice tone as you mention, but it's different. Well, I haven't played the new Jose yet, so maybe that might be an exception. But that one is not going to give you an 800 tone either, as it's a plexi-based high gain.

 

[anomaly]

Peavey VTM60

Was gonna say this. They really are quite similar to a jcm-800, but then they have those mod dip switches. Makes them much more tonally versatile.