software

How do you tech-heads do it? Can you do it by just looking inside it, and see how it's built and then you copy it, or do you got some detailed sheets with all the electronic stuff on? The reason why I'm wondering is because maybe my Marshall will die on me one day, who know's, and since they're out of production, I wouldn't be able to get a completely new one, unless you cloned it.

What model marshall is it?

Why not just buy another one second hand? Besides whats gonna die on it that can't be repaired?

Because at the time it may die or whatever, most of them will probably be too beat up, and besides, it would be cool to have one from new. But this is just hypothetical thinking, mostly I was just interested in whether it was possible or not.


Originally Posted by BigBazzWhat model marshall is it?

JCM900 2500 MKlll Hi Gain Master Volume

Its easily possible for someone to make a clone, it would probably cost a lot though.

Very possible, essentially all that´s needed is the amp to be cloned

Do you know any people who clone amps? (besides Scott_F, I don't think he clones marshall's anyway though)..?? Not that I'm probably ever gonna need it, but who knows, maybe if my amp doesn't work anymore in a couple of years, or 10 years, or 15, who knows, then I would probably wish I still had it, and therefore it would be cool.

there are so many amp makers now, that by the time it happens, you won't need to worry about it - there will be someone who has replacement parts.

or else, by then your tastes will have changed

Yeah, maybe..It just made me think, that maybe I will fall so much in love with my amp that I'll miss it when it stops to work some day, and then if I can't find another amp that has a similar voicing, I would be screwed, unless as you say that my tastes change, of course.

Dude...If people can still play through and tour with amps that are 50 years old then you can still be using that amp many, many years from now...I can't think of a single thing that could happen to an amp that would make it un fixable. On top of that...those amps pop up all the time and I don't see them being to hard to come by any time soon. If people can still get ahold of 50's Fender amps, you will still be able to find one of those in years to come. As for building a copy...any amp tech worth a crap at all can get a schematic and build a copy of that amp.

If you can buy the parts to make another amp you can buy the parts to repair the amp you have. I have a 1950s Valco (Supro) that I'm getting ready to have re-furbished. If I can get parts for that, your 900 wont be an issue.

Alright, thanks for your answers.

Sune, in my engineering school we have a saying. Electrical Engineers build things that can last hundreds of years. Mechanical engineers? Well you buy a car you're lucky to get 6 years out of it before it has problems. Amps are not that complicated of electrical devices where you wouldnt be able to clone them... mostly they consist of capacitors, resistors, pots, diodes, rectifiers, etc... and those are used all over the electronics spectrum. The only thing you'd have to worry about is no one making tubes anymore, but that doesnt seem like that'll happen anytime soon.


Originally Posted by joelapElectrical Engineers build things that can last hundreds of years. Mechanical engineers? Well you buy a car you're lucky to get 6 years out of it before it has problems.

#1: EEs don't deal with as many moving parts that wear out. The biggest moving part a EE worries about is a $1 pot

#2: Cars are just as much electrical as they are mechanical.Hmm... I'd not worry about it. If you change up a lot of components, you'll often lose the exact tone of the amp. Resistors and Capacitors all have variance in their manufacturing tolerences. Just get it fixed if it breaks.


Originally Posted by joelapSune, in my engineering school we have a saying. Electrical Engineers build things that can last hundreds of years. Mechanical engineers? Well you buy a car you're lucky to get 6 years out of it before it has problems.Engineering School BS

Heat is the number one killer of components, be them electronic or mechanical.

Cars take a lot of abuse, and they are built a lot better than in years past.
BTW - I am an electrical engineer.

Alright then, you have convinced me.


Originally Posted by StratmanEngineering School BS

I know it is it's just fun to rag on the ME's

An electrical schematic is equivalent to a carpenter’s blueprint.
If you can read a schematic you can replicate a circuit.
Cloning doesn’t require any engineering or design skills as you are simply copying a functional design. It does however require a degree of craftsmanship to assemble all the parts into an attractive package.