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what's the difference between these three Marshall's. And what is all your guys opinions on each. I play hard rock, heavy distortion, big, tight, bottom end, which do you think would suit me best.

The 800 really has to be cranked for a lot of distortion. It's very loose and dark sounding but really gets crunchy when you turn up the master volume. Of course, by then you can't tell if it's the amp or just your hearing failing.

The 900 has more versatility (multiple channels and reverb) that isn't found on most 800s. It has cleaner cleans and more available preamp distortion. Most use watered down 6l6 power tubes instead of EL34s, making the bottom end slightly tighter and the overall sound more fizzy.

When I think JCM 2000, I think new rock and pop punk. There's plenty of gain, but it's very modern voiced making it not so great for metal. If you like the sound of this, get a Peavey XXX and save your self some money (plus the Peavey is just better).

i have owned an 800 and a 900 and even though the 900 has different channels and reverb i liked the 800 alot better. never tried one of the 2000 though.

I've played all three amps many, many times. I'll do my best to tell you how each one sounds:

800: This amp is THE 80's amp. Think Dokken, Ratt, Winger, etc.
900: This amp was geared towards high-gain players. Think along the lines of early green day, Lynch Mob, etc.
2000: This amp was built to deliever super high gain moder metal scoop tones. Think along the lines of Children of Bodom.I hope this helps you on your quest for tone.

I might be wrong but arn't the 800, 900, 2000 series named after the decade they were in production, ie. 800 = 80's, 900 = 90's, 2000 = 00's. Hence the JCM 800 reissue's.

I've heard many people saying negative things about 900 series. I would be more inclined to look into JCM 800 or 2000, more so the 2000 series because of it's more modern design and features.

I've owned the 800 and 2000.

The 800 has better raw tone IMO, but lacks gain. You will need a pedal to drive it, and it's clean channel is usable, but hardly a clean channel really when compared to real clean amps like Fenders.

The 2000 has more features, much more gain, and a very good clean. But it's voicing is definately more modern, and it even has a scoop switch.

If you like classic rock, 80's rock, and stuff like that, prefer a one-trick-pony, no channel switching, and don't really need/want cleans, the 800 is a great rock amp, especially if your a lead player; it sings and has a serious thump to it (power thump, not distortion).

If you play more modern stuff, want a switchable amp with a good clean as well as distortion, I'd go with the 2000.

The only real hi-gain player I know of that uses the 800, is Zakk (and he pushes the front end with EMG's and pedals to get that distortion). But I have to admit, while I love his music and playing, I was never into his tone that much; there's much better modern metal tone out there from other amps.

No question, given the choice, I'd take an 800...the last of the really good Marshalls that sound like a Marshall should. With a goose it can do anything you want gain wise. Cleans are quot;OKquot;

Some of the early 900's were decent amps...when they were using EL34's...but like a modern day Gibson guitar..you had to go through several to find a decent sounding one. Most were thin and buzzy.

The 2000 series doesn't float my boat really..I've heard some guys get a decent quot;old schoolquot; marshall tone out of them on the crunch channel, but not many....and if you are into the scoopy thing then I'd just say buy a MESA Recto and set the voicing switch to quot;modernquot;

I own the 800 and everything here said about them i agree with. Certainly not a high gain metal amp without soemthign in front of it, i play modern-ish punk and LOVE the tone i get from my 800, however im probably a low-medium gain player. The tone i get is raw, dark and warm, just how i want it.

As it's been said, the 800 is a mid-gain '80s amp. With its minimal control layout and LOTS of usable tones (virtually you just dial anything, plug in and without whatsoever you sound good, IMO effective simplicity is the main factor of its good fame). It ooozes ROCK but without mods or some booster pedal before it's not capable of metal alone. Anyway, if you crank it like hell, its triple ECC83 tubes will deliver one of the most defined yet nasty tones of the history. It's said it's durable as hell, as my JCM800 user fellows tell the amp box will fall apart sooner than the amp itself. Unlike the 900 and 2000, it produces really good sounds with different power tubes.The 900 has many differences in the preamp/power amp section, AFAIK some cheaper (yet still effective) components were built in (e.g its tranny), anyway, basically imagine some JCM800 layout with 3 ECC83 tubes some overdrive pedal in the front, integrated to the PC board. Actually, for bigger dirt the JCM900 uses a diode clipping circuit (except fot the SL-X version that uses an extra tube instead), virtually on the same basis as a distortion pedal that unfortunately can't be bypassed if you feel it won't rock your boat. As a side effect, without CAREFUL settings you can carve patterns on glass with your tone The controls are pretty interactive so it1s extremely easy to get a thinny and harsh sound. IMO it's 90% on bad settings that made these amps less desirable, plus the fact that IMO these heads sound good only with EL34 tubes. I've heard one that had 6L6 tubes... Terrible! Considering durability my 15ft SL-X test fly and a year of hard tearamp;wear did not harm the amp, in any mean.

Anyway, THANKS for EVERYONE who flamed these amps so far, without you guys I would be never able to get my superb SL-X for $450. THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS!!! The JCM2000 has two versions. The DSL (Dual super Lead, switchable channels that share the same EQ) that is the better brother. Most people use it maxed and that way it's a pretty modern sounding amp, but add strong Marshall favour and some definion and the capability of pumping out the most intensive (yet defined, a Marshall heritage) lows of all Marshall heads, only the ModeFour can top it, but in a flabby way. If you not max the gain, it can produce superb cleans and virtually 90% close dirty sounds of almost any of its precedessors, except for one thing: it has a much quicker response and somehow sharper tone and apart from its scoop switch it makes something with the midrange that some guys hate and some like. I like it. The other version (TSL, Triple Super Lead) has 3 switchable channels. It is one of the most versatile all-tube beasts that these guys produced. You get separate EQ for 2 channels (clean and lead/crunch) and as a consequence a somehow complicated structure. It has plenty of good old and modern tones but AFAIK there are reliability issues, just like with many of the otherwise superb sounding 30th Jubilee 6100 heads.


Originally Posted by JeffBSome of the early 900's were decent amps...when they were using EL34's...but like a modern day Gibson guitar..you had to go through several to find a decent sounding one. Most were thin and buzzy. True. For some reason the really early models have a better tone. First run care, I guess As I've mentioned before, tere is a JCM900 version that uses no diode clipping circuit but an extra tube for greater gain, called SL-X but as I know it is a relatively late bird because it came out in the mid-'90s, just shortly before the arrival of the more successful DSL series. I think them guys realised that 900 amps miss something that the 800 had and tried to save the situation. I own a 50W EL34 SL-X and I think it is the perfect and full-round link between the tone of a 2000 an a 800. It is a one-channel amp so there is no switchable channels only a switchable master volume but hey it's a PERFECT tool for a no-brainer like me It has a highly interactive dual gain control layout that allows you to set it almost from SRV to Korn. No, it's not a Recto-type thing but it can produce the same way compressed sound and it's nothing like a Fender but if you have the spiritual load and a battered Strat, it will deliver blues and very-very few folks will notice the difference if they don't see the label.IMO, in short

i think the dsl is ok as is the slx, other than that i much prefer the jcm 800

In the shop where I worked we had a 800, 900, and 2000.
The low end of the 2000 was to mushy sounding, I couldn't get inspiring tone from it like I could the 800, or 900.

The 900 sounded great for my style, I don't know what it was but I could EQ that amp and blaze away, my wife preferred the tone to the 800, that said....I don't know the type of tubes, or if it was an SL-X. It sounded best with a Klon Centaur in front of it, that made the tubes really give it up.

All that said the 800 roar is unique and larger than life. There is something special about these amps, but as was said you really need a pedal to goose it at lower volumes.

Luke

I have always been impressed with my 1991 Marshall JCM 900 (model 2100). It dosent fit the usualy 900 sterotypes at all. Actually, Jeff H and Gr8scott seemed to be suprised with its tone this past weekend.


Originally Posted by theodieI have always been impressed with my 1991 Marshall JCM 900 (model 2100). It dosent fit the usualy 900 sterotypes at all. Actually, Jeff H and Gr8scott seemed to be suprised with its tone this past weekend.

I 100% agree with you on this. The first few years of the 2100, prior to the SL-X are wonderful sounding. I have one too (1990 model) and it just sounds so sweet. Just had it retubed / biased a few months ago and it sounds like a new amp.

The 900 series amps that ruined their reputation are the 4100 and 4500 series. For some reason, they just didn't sound the same. Couple that with the fact they started coming with 5881's instead of EL34's. UGHH!!! I hated those amps. The SL-X went down hill when it started coming with 5881's too. I'm glad that the 2100/2500 model built between 1990 and 1992 came only with EL34's.


Originally Posted by TattooedCarrotThe only real hi-gain player I know of that uses the 800, is Zakk (and he pushes the front end with EMG's and pedals to get that distortion). But I have to admit, while I love his music and playing, I was never into his tone that much; there's much better modern metal tone out there from other amps.

Zakk's amp is also loaded with 6550 power tubes instead of EL34's. Gives more headroom.


Originally Posted by ErikHThe 900 series amps that ruined their reputation are the 4100 and 4500 series. For some reason, they just didn't sound the same.

1

I really wonder why they started producing 4100 DualRV re-issues this year, along with the Handwired series IMO the worst SL-X I've heard eats alive the best 4100 I've heard so I really don't see their point. Maybe, they had a number of non-assembled 4100 PC boards in store, well-well the '90s weren't so far...


Originally Posted by NecroPolo 1

I really wonder why they started producing 4100 DualRV re-issues this year, along with the Handwired series IMO the worst SL-X I've heard eats alive the best 4100 I've heard so I really don't see their point. Maybe, they had a number of non-assembled 4100 PC boards in store, well-well the '90s weren't so far...

I often ask myself the same thing.

Here's what i think:

800 - The nice models are awesome awesome amps, but yes, they sound like the 80s. Lots of hair metal tones to be had there, but wiht a nice OD pedal, these amps can be pretty versatile.

900 - I equate the tone of the nicer models to lots of late 80s, early 90s punk, like Descendants. Lots of gain and top end crunch. Sort of abrasive, but in a good way for punk

2000 - I hate these amps. They sound like nothing but fizzy, solidstatey, harsh garbage to me.

Note that with the JCM800, once you add a good overdrive or distortion pedal, the background hiss and noise is out of this world, and you need (at least I did) some type of Hush or noise gate. I don't need my Hush with my Carvin, and get the crunch without a pedal. I miss my JCM800, but not with respect to using it with a pedal, but for it's bare bones, no pedal, slighlty-dirty quot;cleanquot; sound.

IMO, the JCM800 I had by itself wasn't so much 80s as it was 70s-ish Humble Pie sounding. Sure it was 80s with a pedal, but what amp couldn't be?

JCM800. I played a 2000 TSL combo and it sounded like a crate amp and a fuzz pedal. lol