What do you guys like as a high gain JCM800?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BABMusic
  • Start date Start date
JohnnyGtar said:
Man, I think that's definitely the way to go. Magnet swaps can change things, too.
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I just swapped out my Friedman humbucker for a Duncan Pegasus. It's definitely a lot better in terms of tightness, which is what I want. The gain however, didn't really increase much at all. I was also surprised how dark the DSL and Dual Rectifiers sounded with the Pegasus.
 
BABMusic said:
I just swapped out my Friedman humbucker for a Duncan Pegasus. It's definitely a lot better in terms of tightness, which is what I want. The gain however, didn't really increase much at all. I was also surprised how dark the DSL and Dual Rectifiers sounded with the Pegasus.
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The Pegasus isn't a high-output pickup.
 
Smash said:
Try Wagner Ironman pickups, they will push your amp in the best way
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I've had an Ironman bridge in a guitar for about 5 years and like it but recently got a couple new guitars with Lundgren The One in the first and Lundgren Black Heaven in the other and they make the Ironman sound weak as hell. These pups made me realize there's actually not much push from the Ironman, pretty low output and mild compared to the Lundgren. They crunch up way more also.
 
BABMusic said:
Oh really? What would the minimum resistance level be for a high output humbucker?
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Is the Pegasus hotter than a PAF? Sure. Is it a "high output" pickup? I wouldn't call it that. The resistance you measure on a pickup is merely a correlation to its actual output. Having owned two Pegasus pickups, I'd say it's not even as hot as a JB. But what do I know.

Seymour Duncan even calls the Pegasus a "medium output" humbucker. And yes... it's rather dark.
 
Bad Brain said:
Been eyeing an '87 2205. I know nothing about this series, other than @TotallyRadGuitars brief write up. Please tell me more!
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I had one of the later models, and those are the ones to get because they have more gain than the earlier ones. Bone stock. Sounded freakin' amazing. Several friends who played through it wanted to buy it. Had to sell it. Man, I miss it. Best amp I've ever owned.

I asked AI about those amps. Here's the reply:

"The Marshall JCM 800 Model 2205 amps were produced from 1982 to 1989. These were part of Marshall’s first dual-channel designs, offering both clean and overdriven tones, along with features like spring reverb and an effects loop—pretty forward-thinking for the time.

Early models (1982–1984) had a different EQ layout and circuit design, which received mixed reviews. Around 1985, Marshall redesigned the circuit to improve gain structure and reduce channel bleed, making the later versions more popular among players seeking that classic '80s rock tone. If you're eyeing one, the mid-to-late '80s versions tend to be the sweet spot."
 
If you want a bit more more power and more highs than the Pegasus, the Duncan Custom (SH-5 is Gibson spacing) or (TB-5 Fender spacing) might be just what you're looking for. Those pickups have ceramic magnets. Duncan says they sound like" a PAF on steroids".
Info: https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/duncan-custom

Also, @JackBootedThug is a big fan of the Duncan Custom 5 which is the same wind as the Custom but uses an Alnico 5 magnet.
Info: https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/custom-5

The search for good tone can be the rabbit hole from hell. LOL
 
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