Thinking of swapping out Marshall JVM for a Katana

Mewcenary

Hi all,

I have a JVM410HJS (Joe Satriani model) head and 2x12" Marshall cab which is a great setup.  However, I'm not gigging and it is fair to say it is majorly overkill to have sitting around.  For home playing, it is too loud if I have the Master at 0.5.  

It's also big and heavy and I just turned 40  ;-)

There's also needing to child-proof my guitar setup as much as possible, and a stack is nicely pullable on by a nine-month year old child that is now crawling around.

From reading around, the Katana looks EXCELLENT.  I intend to go to Andertons this weekend to try one out.

If I like it, the choices would be:

1. Head and use it with my 2x12"
2. 1x12" combo
3. 2x12" combo

In all cases, the 100W edition.

I'm interested in how people have got on with choosing one of the above and did they have any regrets, or felt it was the right choice?

I feel the 1x12" will have the flexibility to easily be moved around the house, and in addition can't have a Head full down on a child if a rogue wire is pulled on that was forgotten about.

Any particular 1x12" and 2x12" thoughts?  

Thanks all!

Mewcenary

Oh, the other option is Helix + appropriate speaker solution, just to mix things up a bit....

uncledick

There's a Cornell Plexi 7 on here for sale.  Katanas are ok but the build quality looks like something which fell out of a Christmas cracker. IMHO etc..

Legionreturns

I've had a 100 1x12 and currently have the katana head and a 2x12 cab. The latter can be used without the cab for truly quiet home use and can be carried into my local studio for use on one if their cabs. That plus midi was the deciding factor for me. 

Plectrum

Get a CODE.

Sassafras

One of these will do the job:

bluechargeboy

Sassafras said:

One of these will do the job:

Do you put the kid in it, or the amp?

Telejester

if i was in the market it would be the head all the way

andyoz

I'd say if you buy the head you'd play it all the time at home.

It's got an inherent Marshall EL34 tone.

Plectrum

andyoz said:

I'd say if you buy the head you'd play it all the time at home.

It's got an inherent Marshall EL34 tone.

LOL It sounds about as much like a Marshall as my little Zoom multi-effects pedal.

Legionreturns

Plectrum said:

andyoz said:

I'd say if you buy the head you'd play it all the time at home.

It's got an inherent Marshall EL34 tone.

LOL It sounds about as much like a Marshall as my little Zoom multi-effects pedal.

If set right, I've had a pretty damn near perfect JCM800 sound out of mine no bother at all. I've done AB tests in the studio too 

andyoz

Plectrum said:

andyoz said:

I'd say if you buy the head you'd play it all the time at home.

It's got an inherent Marshall EL34 tone.

LOL It sounds about as much like a Marshall as my little Zoom multi-effects pedal.

Don't think you're using it right. Do you own one?

It can get fizzy but tame that and it's sound as a pound. Really gets going with a tubesceamer out front.

Legionreturns

andyoz said:

Plectrum said:

andyoz said:

I'd say if you buy the head you'd play it all the time at home.

It's got an inherent Marshall EL34 tone.

LOL It sounds about as much like a Marshall as my little Zoom multi-effects pedal.

Don't think you're using it right. Do you own one?

It can get fizzy but tame that and it's sound as a pound. Really gets going with a tubesceamer out front.

I agree. That comment smacks a little of either not taking the time to fine tune it, or not actually owning and trying it properly. It's absolutely nothing like a cheap mfx board at all. Great sounds are available if you spend the time with it.

clarkefan

Personally I'd buy the head online and try it at home with your gear and compare for two weeks.  It's the only way I could know if it's right for me.

Re. choices, all I can offer is the 2x12 is heavy...

andyoz

Just read your post fully and see you've got a young one.

With a solid state amp you'll be more inclined to do these quick 15min practice sessions that family 'life' allows. I  used to find the thought of switching on big valve amps put me off that.

The modern cheap modellers like Katana etc is getting close enough to give you a quick fix. Don't sell the valves though as they still do their thing. I've got a JVM like you and a Friedman. On the lookout for an old Marshall 2204 too...