Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head  (Used)

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

You wanna play with the Big Boys, You need what the Big Boys play. I have owned this amp in the past....Just the BEST.....Don't let others fool you. This is it!!!!!
Simple, but the BEST!!!!
Nothing is Better
Always a good buy

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

I like the simple interface. You will have to spend a little time to dial in the settings to get the tone you want. This is not a metal amp, you will have to use a distortion pedal. I use the MXR Fullbore Metal. I will try the Boss Metal Zone in the future. I don't have access to a music store nearby, so I had to rely on the videos on Youtube. Unfortunately, 99 percent of the videos don't do this amp any justice.
I'm using this along with a 1960B straight cabinet. This amp is extremely loud even at low volume. You probably won't get away with playing this in an apartment building or a small cafe. Clean channel is bright, full, thick, and bell-like. The distortion is clear and crunchy. In order to get a metal sound out of this, you will have to use a distortion pedal.
I haven't had any issues with the tubes or transformers yet.
The price is certainly open to argument and debate. Of course it's expensive, but it's not as expensive as other amp heads and the tone is unmatched in my humble opinion. It's very well constructed and has a solid feel.

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

This is it....a no nonsense stripped down Marshall. No reverb, no double rows of endless knobs, one channel, simple, straight forward and LOUD. I bought this amp used as a slightly older model (still the reissue though) and it's a mixed review. For one, it is everything you expect with nothing you don't need. Having said that, this amp definitely is not for everyone, admittedly, not even for me (even though i did decide to keep her). When people see stacks of Marshalls on stage and hear about the 'bone crushing gain', it simply is not true...unless you crank this thing up....and unless you are playing a 1000 seat venue, that ain't happening, most definitely not happening in your own house. It does have a preamp control which acts as a master volume but unless you run an attenuator or a distortion pedal, you really aren't getting that nasty tone at low volumes. And therin lies the 'problem' with high wattage Marshalls...they really aren't that high gain unless you crank this sucker up, and that is no easy task because it will be so loud. I personally use a Fulltone OCD pedal and that definitely sweetens the tone. Plugging directly into the amp, it does have a cool, raunchy tone, definitely better with humbucking pickups. Put in a good overdrive pedal and you have a nice AC/DC, 70s metal tone. This definitely isn't a metal amp without some mods done to it, although Kerry King has his own line based on this amp. One channel, and no reverb. The fact that it is such a simple circuit does mean that there isn't much to interfere with the tone. Built rock solid, and just looks so rock n roll. Also, very quiet with no mechanical issues. I'm not exactly sure what tubes are stock but mine has JJs in the preamp section. I'm sure you can definitely change the sound with different types of tubes.
I'm astounded that this thing is $2300 brand new and honestly can't imagine shelling out that kind of dough for such a limited amp, but if you are looking to just rock out to classic rock or blues and have the means, than by all means. Just remember that if you play out, you probably won't go past 4 and at home, you won't go past 1 unless you like pissing off your neighbors. With an attenutator or good over drive, that will definitely help matters.
I do have this hooked up to a 1936 2 X 12 with the crappy stock Celestions so i would venture to say this thing will make a lower wattage classic speaker scream. Hook this up to a 4 x 12 and it will come to life...and that i am positive of is what it trully needs. But than you run into the problem again of practicality and it's hard to justify unless once again you are playing places large enough to accomodate such massive amounts of wattage.
So in short...you get what you see: True Marshall tone, super volume, and the real deal rock n roll package. Not great for metal, but oozes raunchy rock n roll.

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

You would be hard pressed to find a better rock/hard rock amp. This amp has a magical tone that just inspires you! However, it does not give up the goods easily. I know it sounds cliche, but you really do have to turn this amp up to get the full experience. This amp starts to shine when the Master Volume is at 6 and above. At this point, the power tubes start to clip and you get some additional overdrive and extra harmonics. The amp really starts to get warm and full sounding. I've found that turning the power amp up to 8 gets a really nice overdrive and extra harmonic yet still tight sound. You really have to experience it and it's absolutely awesome! Above this, it starts to loosen a bit and get warmer and more overdriven but will lose some clean when you back off the guitar pickup volume. I have the preamp volume always on 10.

Although all of this is fine and good but not exactly practical on a 100 watt amp. And this thing is loud!! To harness this amp and make it useable in any situation, I use an Ultimate Attenuator and OMG you really get to experience what this amp has to say. Even though it's a single channel amp, it's EXTREMELY touch sensitive. If you play softer or adjust the volume on your guitar, it reacts and cleans up or gets more distorted. Using a Les Paul, you can set your neck pickup to a low level and the bridge at full volume. Switching between pickups will then yield a clean or overdriven tone by switching between the two. At high master volume levels, there isn't a huge decrease in output volume between clean and overdrive. Or you can set the volume on your pickups anywhere between and this makes for infinite possibilities.

All added together makes this truly one of the most respected amps in Marshall's great history. It can be a bit on the bright side but that's what tone controls are for. The Marshall JCM 800 2203x is really a thing of beauty.
As Marshall describes, this amp is simple and straightforward. You have a preamp volume, master volume, treble, middle, bass and presence - that's it! And that's all you need!! They have added an effects loop that is true bypass. But this amp has tone to die for!!
Built like a tank. Very robust and a great feel to the knobs. Feels like a very high quality product and it is.
A bit on the expensive side but as a technician told me, "That's why people spend the money to get a Marshall. Because they sound like THIS!!" - Amen.

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

I tried this amp today while looking at many amps. I played a Vibrolux, 57' twin, JTM45, 1974x combo, AC30 and the JCM and this was without a doubt the best (played it through a Marshall 1960ax cab). I'm searching for a one channel amp that can get pretty distorted at moderate volumes with no pedals and this is it. Although I do intend on boosting it with my Tube screamer and Fulldrive mosfet. I play very hard blues (think Bonamassa, Gary Moore (R.I.P.) and Hendrix) and this amp does it perfectly. I played my guitar which is a Fender custom shop Custom Deluxe Strat which you can also see my review on and the guitar just screamed. I was very surprised on how this amp cleaned up with the volume knob. I gave it a 5 on features because it is so simple-my number one requirement after good tone. There is no DSP or crappy Marshall digital reverb. Just true blue Marshall power. The 100 watts is not too much at all. I could get the master to about three in the store I was at. So overall this amp will most definitely be added to my arsenal and complete the quest for tone.

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

I'm 52 and played since 9....went thru all the Marshall in my time...JCM800 is the best ever..some may not thinks so only for 1 reason!That would be using wrong speaker....G12 series speaker is the only king to bring out the true nature of this amp...I have a JCM800 2x12 combo for over 30 yrs....last year replace tubes...only repair ever done...all distortion pedals used...the distortion built in this is best ever...don't care what anyone says...plays blue to down tuned metal...I will be buried with this amp.

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

sorry marshall, but you guys are slipping !!! all cheap parts used throughout!..this amp is a piece of junk !!!! sending mine back, should go into the dumpster!

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

I bought this amp hoping it was all that Marshall is cracked up to be. It broke down 30 in. I got it replaced but it broke again in less than a year. Its under an extended warranty but still I cant play it when its in the shop and Im afraid to turn it and use it for fear of it breaking again. Some kind crazy.

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

Look, this is easy: it's the best amp ever made. Ever. By anyone. Do not be fooled into thinking boutiques and DSL/TSL tizziness will get you there. Just buy one. I am am touring pro - I would not ever consider getting onstage without my trusty JCM 800 backline.

Comments about Marshall JCM800 2203 Vintage Series 100W Tube Head:

This amp can do it all from rock,hardrock, blues and Metal just add a Zakk Wylde overdrive then you get that extra gain..=)But Man when you crank it you hear marshall tone the mids are awesome No muddiness what so ever every note sounds very clear just beautiful...Well this is my first review so I hope this would help anybody out=) Try this use a cab with either vintage 30's or greenback speakers then you'll hear that vintage marshall tone.