My JCM 800 - Anything come close for <= $500? - Guitars101

heugel · 08-16-2004, 09:21 PM

I've had my ol' 800 for about 8 years now. The original owner had it for 10 years before that. So needless to say, it's seen it's last road day if I want to keep it in one piece.

I'm looking for a new gigging head, but cash is gonna be tight until after the holidays. Anything new out there come close to that raw, saturated, punch-in-the-gut high-gain tone of the ol' 800?

I've shopped around at the music stores, but you know how it is... everything's worth listening to seems to be an "$800 special" or more, and well... the selection's pretty limited. I'm trying to stay away from a rack system or a modeler if I can. I just want a mean ball-buster of a head that'll tear it up.

I'm all about smaller companies and different stuff if anyone knows an alternate direction to the Marshall/Mesa/Peavey route.

Thanks in advance.

mab8485 · 08-16-2004, 11:17 PM

Maybe you should check out the carvin mts series tube amps. To be honest i havent played through one, but the prices are great and i havent seen anything but great reviews.

**dbmaster** · 08-17-2004, 03:43 AM

Krank Revolution 1....

mab8485 · 08-17-2004, 03:55 AM

Perhaps a second hand carvin x100b?

**PickUpTheBones** · 08-17-2004, 04:01 AM

Why not just take your 800 to a good amp tech? [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]
For $500 bucks, you could get your amp overhauled and wrap it in new tolex. It'd be like brand new again and ready to rock for another 18 years. [img]images/smilies/rock.gif[/img]

Construction wise, the 800 is one of the simplest amps out there. Its also one of the easiest to rebuild. Seriously, for $500.00, (probably less), you could make that thing almost brand new again. [img]images/smilies/woot.gif[/img] = [img]images/smilies/icon_jam.gif[/img]

heugel · 08-17-2004, 04:29 AM

NO FILTHY TECH WILL EVER TOUCH MY BABY! EVER!

Actually, I'd rather buy another one used before I did anything at all to this one. 18 years of good and bad things have added lots of character to my 800, so I'd rather keep it as is.

**PickUpTheBones** · 08-17-2004, 06:04 AM

[ QUOTE ]
heugel said:
NO FILTHY TECH WILL EVER TOUCH MY BABY! EVER!

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL!! [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img]
Tis' true - you can't beat the character of a road worn amp.
Every little mark or ding can remind you of a great night out or "that drunk asshole" who tried to help and knocked your amp into the door frame during loadout. [img]images/smilies/drunk.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/whistling2.gif[/img]

That's cool man - I can totally dig your logic.
Good luck with the hunt [img]images/smilies/icon_cool.gif[/img]

**Evhmoon** · 08-17-2004, 06:19 AM

CARVIN's are good. I also have a Carvin SX-200 that i have had since 1988 or so.. its on its laast leg sorta. but it made a great practice amp for many yrs..even used it my high school talent shows back then....

3fingers · 08-17-2004, 07:56 AM

My opinions: The JCM 800 is essentially a 2203 head. The Marshall 2203 was made in late 70's and early 80's before the official JCM 800 name. I own an 1980 2203 and it is gainy, punchy, and filled with tone. On EBAY, you may get lucky and wind one that cosmetically needs help, but internally is very solid. www.blamepro.com/mar/2203X.htm. Best of luck woth your search. [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb1.gif[/img]

3fingers · 08-17-2004, 07:59 AM

take the period out of the link above so that it reads
http://www.blamepro.com/mar/2203X.htm

Try that.

heugel · 08-17-2004, 08:28 AM

Yep, mine is a 2204 (50W) model.

Just out of curiosity, anyone able to guess the approx. cost of trying to build one... from scratch? [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

08-17-2004, 01:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
heugel said:
Yep, mine is a 2204 (50W) model.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a '78-'79 2204 (50w) as well that I bought brand new. I have had the amp now for almost 25 years and for the last 8 it has been sitting unplayed. I got the wild idea to sell it to purchase a bedroom amp and other toys. Bonked on that idea and took it to a great tech and had it completely overhauled, tubed, and sussed for around $300. All I can say is that I would of been very stupidly sad if I would of got rid of it. Yep, it is one heck of a bedroom amp, but it sure sounds good to me. Sorry for the rant, but I love my amp.

[img]images/smilies/icon_jam.gif[/img]

Road worthy replacement for the 800, I vote for another 800 or an older Carvin. You can find some great deals on ebay on the Carvins.

Peace,
vaporpark

3fingers · 08-17-2004, 04:28 PM

[ QUOTE ]
vaporpark said:
[ QUOTE ]
heugel said:
Yep, mine is a 2204 (50W) model.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a '78-'79 2204 (50w) as well that I bought brand new. I have had the amp now for almost 25 years and for the last 8 it has been sitting unplayed. I got the wild idea to sell it to purchase a bedroom amp and other toys. Bonked on that idea and took it to a great tech and had it completely overhauled, tubed, and sussed for around $300. All I can say is that I would of been very stupidly sad if I would of got rid of it. Yep, it is one heck of a bedroom amp, but it sure sounds good to me. Sorry for the rant, but I love my amp.

[img]images/smilies/icon_jam.gif[/img]

Road worthy replacement for the 800, I vote for another 800 or an older Carvin. You can find some great deals on ebay on the Carvins.

Peace,
vaporpark

[/ QUOTE ]

..I don't think that would be cheaper at all...sort of like buying a car piece by piece...however, if you know about building amps then these are the places for components that I would recommend:
http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/ for transformers
http://www.mojotone.com/ for the box or tolex

You would still need tubes, CAPS, and knobs, switches, etc...

Just the Tranny's and tubes are about $500....

I had a guy re-work my 1980 2203 as it was very poor cosmetically...but I only paid $300 for it about 3 yrs ago and it is now a killer diller at roughly $250 for his labor and parts. The guru guy I know lives in North Carolina. I can PM you his name if you want it. I let him also do some minor restorative stuff on my 74 JMP and it was like trusting him with my girlfriend...he was good to her!!! The only thing else I would recommend is a modeler...I know you do not like the idea as I did not myself, but I could kick the crap out of one and never worry twice....in a club...i really would never take the Marshall's out anyways...I used a friends Line 6 Spider and was very happy. My final thoughts to you. Wish you the best of luck [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

rgx312 · 09-08-2004, 04:26 PM

Laney Pro Tube, the 6 knob version. Very similar sounding but slightly higher gain than a JCM800, possibly a little more high end and not quite as much of the Marshall mid oomph! Still a great Brit high gain amp and can usually be found for pennies!

Cheers

Stu

heugel · 09-09-2004, 06:01 AM

I decided to save up a few extra bucks and get a Carvin Legacy half. $1300 with casters and covers. I played one a few weeks ago at a buddy's house in Columbus and it kicked my ass. Thought about going with an MTS, but the features on the Legacy seemed well worth the extra couple hundred bucks.

I'm buying my stepson a POD XT Pro for christmas this year (well, actually his grandparents are gonna cover half the cost) so I'll have that around if I need it on down the road.