Hi guys, I ran into this thread through Google. It's a very interesting read. I didn't knew all this about distortion. I currently have the
Kustom 100DFX. A 100W solid state 212 combo. I bought it in the first place because it sounded almost as warm as a tube amp, and after reading some of the posts here, I understand why. Many solid states sound dead and lifeless compared to it. The clean is really clean, and the distortion rocks. Really nice vintage rock sound. I love it, it never let me down and it's scary loud. But, every time I plug my Strat into a true tube amp, I know that I'm missing something.
So, I'm about to buy my first tube amp, and I decided it has to be a Marshall. I tried many beautiful amps out there but the Marshalls always have something unique about them. I love the sound of the eighties rock bands. I'm a huge fan of Slash's sound, so I automatically thought of the JCM800. I asked a guy about it and he told me the following.
The early model with one channel (2203 and 2204 I believe) can be modded with an extra tube to get the "Appetite for Destruction" sound. The later models with two channels can't, because they have this diode bridge distortion. This puzzled me because I've also read somewhere that Slash used the 2225 Silver amps on the Use Your Illusion albums, which I read here use that diode bridge distortion also.
I'm looking for a mean, gnarling distortion sound, that also sounds very 'tubey'. Listen to the solo on "back off bitch" to hear what I mean, it's almost hollow sounding. Not looking for fat, bassy (nu)metal sounds. I want a thin, mean, warm TUBE sound.
But, I'd also like to know how good this amp is suited for subtle blues stuff. I like turning down the volume on my guitar to get a bluesy sound.
I'm currently looking at the combo version, the 4210 (same amp as the 2210). I don't have the room and money for a seperate head + cab. Besides, a cab can always later be added because the amps themselves are the same (I've been told). I can get one 2nd hand for €450, but totally trashed and with needed maintence and tube replacement. How good of a deal is this?
The 2555 I don't even mention. I'm still a college guy with no money and a love for Rock & Roll, haha. Maybe someday.