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I've heard that some clones of the JTM 45 have smaller transformers which tames the volume necessary for decent natural overdrive. Are the JTM 45 clone's more small club friendly because of this than the real thing? or are they still fairly volume dependent for crunch tones?

JTM 45 circuit is pretty much an EL34 or KT66 version of a 59 Bassman. That which Leo stole from GE, Jim stole from Leo! It's a beautiful world.

I'd not put smaller trannies on a JTM 45 if I were asked to build one. I'd put some big old beefy sucker on there. Keep in mind, yes, you could downsize, but it's a tonesuck IMO.

If you want Marshall-esque tones at club volumes, get an 18 watt (2xEL84) Marshall clone. Some of them have a master volume in the design.

To answer your question, yes, volume dependent for those crunch tones.

Is it the EL34 tones you desire or just good crunchiness? You might want to think about going with a lesser powered tweed amp. Like a 30 watt Pro or Super.

You can really tame those a bit by using 5881 or 6L6WGB's in it. breaks up sooner than a JTM45 and has what I think is a much better tone. Just my old ears. YMMV


Originally Posted by Scott_FJTM 45 circuit is pretty much an EL34 or KT66 version of a 59 Bassman. That which Leo stole from GE, Jim stole from Leo! It's a beautiful world.

I'd not put smaller trannies on a JTM 45 if I were asked to build one. I'd put some big old beefy sucker on there. Keep in mind, yes, you could downsize, but it's a tonesuck IMO.

If you want Marshall-esque tones at club volumes, get an 18 watt (2xEL84) Marshall clone. Some of them have a master volume in the design.

To answer your question, yes, volume dependent for those crunch tones.

Is it the EL34 tones you desire or just good crunchiness? You might want to think about going with a lesser powered tweed amp. Like a 30 watt Pro or Super.

You can really tame those a bit by using 5881 or 6L6WGB's in it. breaks up sooner than a JTM45 and has what I think is a much better tone. Just my old ears. YMMVYes, I received a caution flag from a bro regarding the volume of the JTM45. And have been steered more towards the Deluxe Reverb or Super Reverb.

I just want a small amp that give decent cleans and respectable fuzzy overdrive at tolerable volumes. My HellHound that I am using currently with EH 6L6's and EH 12AX7's sounds perfect, at full volume! With the gain or volume backed off it's just kinda loses it OD. So, I guess I am looking for an amp with a nice clean tone that I can OD with a pedal, Tweak Fuzz or other.

I've heard of using an attenuator to tame the volume of a JTM45. Does the amp run through the attenuator and then to the speakers? Is this essentially what the Power Soak did?


Originally Posted by Guitar ToadI've heard of using an attenuator to tame the volume of a JTM45. Does the amp run through the attenuator and then to the speakers? Is this essentially what the Power Soak did?You've got the idea. Of all the attenuators, the Weber MASS seems to be the most effective. THD makes one, but Stevo used the Weber at the UGD jam to tame his JCM800 and he succeeded. Some of hte guys using it didn't understand the concept of how to properly use the MASS, but Stevo had it down.

Some clones, like the Fargen create the JTM-45 sound (don't have a clue how) with EL-84s. It really is something that needs to be heard to be believed. The best part is that the amp breaks up at a decent volume in 30w mode and 15w mode is even sooner!


Originally Posted by Scott_FYou've got the idea. Of all the attenuators, the Weber MASS seems to be the most effective. THD makes one, but Stevo used the Weber at the UGD jam to tame his JCM800 and he succeeded. Some of hte guys using it didn't understand the concept of how to properly use the MASS, but Stevo had it down.

1 on the Weber MASS.

Once you get it down, it basically works as a master volume. Stevo turned me on to it amp; it works like a charm. It uses an actual speaker as the load, so the tone suck is very minimal.

Loaded with all the options, it was the least expensive too!