New Amp Day with pics. Marshall Studio Classic JCM800

fretmeister

UPDATED POST

Here it is!



It sounds as good as it looks!

Jonathanthomas83

I am genuinely looking forward to hearing what you think of it. Enjoy!

fretmeister

Just got the delivery slot - between 2pm and 3pm.

Probably a good thing - otherwise I'd be playing all day and not doing any work!

robgilmo

Exited for you buddy.

fretmeister

robgilmo said:

Exited for you buddy.

You don't have to leave!

 

andyp

I think these look (sound) great from the online reviews. I would love one, but for my level and budget they are both overkill and too dear. I haven't seen many first hand reports other than on the Marshall Forum, which seems somewhat... well... biased.

Keen to hear how you get on with this.

fretmeister

It has arrived.

Bad things first - it was not in a Marshall box. There were no manuals / warranty cards etc.
On one of the corner protectors there are some scratches.

This has diminished my joy of getting a new amp by quite a bit.

I have emailed the vendor to ask for an explanation. If they don't reply with sensible suggestions as to how I might be happy again I will be sending it back for a swap.


The cab, from the good people at Jet City appears to be perfect.


I have played for 30 minutes or so to make sure the amp was actually working. It does.

As expected at 20W it is monsterously loud. Stupidly loud. 

The 5W setting is far better and I suspect that setting would be enough for most gigs with a good modern cabinet.
The cleanish sound with the gain down is very good. Does need the presence at zero and the treble down a bit (I've got a Pearly Gates in my guitar - it's bright).

I've not tried the low input yet.

With the gain at 10 it sounds huge. Fans of modern metal amps will be surprised that there isn't that much gain - it's kind of Van Halen levels really and it reacts very well to the volume pot.

Smacking it with a SD-1 is instant Zakk Wylde. Still not massively filthy but a big and singing tone that really does show up sloppy playing (oops). Boosting it with an EQ is straight into Kerry King Slayer mode. Cutting, aggressive and very tight. Not much low end, leaving proper space for the bass and drums.

The thing I am really impressed with is that at 10 on the Gain it is pretty damn quiet. It has showed up that my strat could do with some more shielding.

Transformer hum is the quietest I've heard on an amp for years - I have been spoiled with the noise gates in my Helix - but the Marshall is nice and quiet.


I've not tried the FX loop yet, but I will when I find my delay pedal.


For home use at TV volumes I reckon an attenuator is still a good idea even in 5W setting.

SouthpawMark

Was the Marshall from a shop? If so, and if they sold it as new, then that’s really poor. I think I would send it back out of principle. 

fretmeister

Yes.

I suspect it was on display as the tags were still on it.

fretmeister

It has been resolved very professionally.

Also - When you crank the gain, and then hit it with a @ThorpyFX Veteran Si it makes my groin go all tingly. 

JezWynd

fretmeister said:

robgilmo said:

Exited for you buddy.

You don't have to leave!

 

He’s retreating to a safe distance. Happy new amp day. 

musteatbrain

If the effects loop is anything like the mini jubilee, you will have no issues.
I use a TC spark boost in the jubilee loop and it works really well 

jacksparrow

Happy new amp day these look great.

ThorpyFX

fretmeister said:

It has been resolved very professionally.

Also - When you crank the gain, and then hit it with a @ThorpyFX Veteran Si it makes my groin go all tingly. 

congrats on your new amp day..... pretty bloody cool!

fretmeister

Tried the fx loop with a trusty old boss dd6.

works very well.

Didnt like my Mr Black Gilamondo though, the pedal switch made very loud thumps. Might have to put it in the loop on a LS-2.

Jonathanthomas83

You have a Gilamondo? I've been searching for one of those for a looong time!

That amp stack looks so cool, mate. How's it going with it? You managed to get high gain yet?

Can it get to this sort of Marshall JCM800 gain with a TS style pedal?



around 8:02

fretmeister

Jonathanthomas83 said:

You have a Gilamondo? I've been searching for one of those for a looong time!

That amp stack looks so cool, mate. How's it going with it? You managed to get high gain yet?

Can it get to this sort of Marshall JCM800 gain with a TS style pedal?



around 8:02

te video is only 8:02 long!

Jonathanthomas83

Hmmm, sorry! ha. Anything around the 4:30 mark where he has a JCM and an OD808

Jalapeno

Awesomesauce ! (WOW'd)

fretmeister

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Hmmm, sorry! ha. Anything around the 4:30 mark where he has a JCM and an OD808

Yup! It will.

Even with my Pearly Gates equipped strat, which isn't a high output pickup.

Strat - into Hardwire CM-2 Tube Overdrive set in classic mode so it's in TS mode, then into the amp.
Needs the power section up a bit to get the low end going properly, even in 5W mode.

It's a glorious sound!

Jonathanthomas83

fretmeister said:

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Hmmm, sorry! ha. Anything around the 4:30 mark where he has a JCM and an OD808

Yup! It will.

Even with my Pearly Gates equipped strat, which isn't a high output pickup.

Strat - into Hardwire CM-2 Tube Overdrive set in classic mode so it's in TS mode, then into the amp.
Needs the power section up a bit to get the low end going properly, even in 5W mode.

It's a glorious sound!

That's awesome!

Good news also considering your earlier comment:

Fans of modern metal amps will be surprised that there isn't that much gain

Which slightly worried me. But if it can get anywhere near the sound in that video, then that's all the gain I'd need!

Thanks for trying it!