Musician Gear & Tech Discussion

I just heard some info on what I was told was a "1983 Marshall JCM 800" some 100 watter.

Some time elapses and we have discovery.

After looking at a picture of it and checking the serial number, it is a "1990 Marshall JCM 800 model 2210".

"???" I thought they stopped making them before 1990.

The early ones circa 81-83, are better made but they have channel bleed.

About '86 they revised the circuit including the controversial diode clipping.
(You get around that by not turning the gain up past 8.)

Anyone actually had a late 80's- early 90's version of this head?
What's the story on this type of head? Is it trash or treasure?

I have no idea from your description.

I was very fond of an early JCM 800 50 watt combo amp I had for a while.

I would say try it out, could be a jewel in the rough!

Put a tube screamer in front of it, would be my advice!

I agree with JW, only your ears can tell you if it's worth having. Plug it in and turn it up.

I have a JCM800 100W head from the early '90's and sent it to David Bray for Mod 1 and it sounds incredible. With the post phase master you can drive the tubes and control the output. He basically turns it into a Plexi so you need to have good hands because everything is transparent (no mush). We use a tube screamer or a tube driver with it.

Check out the sound clips at David Bray's site. If you want to go deluxe then look at the 45/50 amp. I played through that amp at his house when we picked up my amp. This is the same amp that Phil X played at the amp show a year ago. WOW!