Best JCM 800 boost

ARKITOOTHUS · 04-11-2009, 03:14 PM

I'm thinking about purchasing a JCM 800 2210 and I was wondering what would be the best OD pedal I could use to boost it with. Could an MXR Zak Wylde get the job done? I am looking for a high gain sound that can nail modern metal tones like Mastodon or Lamb of God etc. Thanks!

VintageTone · 04-11-2009, 03:19 PM

Hey, wouldnt buying a
higher gain amp be a better option
maybe the JCM900 SL-X?

ARKITOOTHUS · 04-11-2009, 04:21 PM

i've heard the jcm 900 were not as good as the 800s. Also, i thought they came w/ 6L6's instead of EL34's, but I could be wrong. I still want that classic Marshall tone too for classic rock. i'll check it out nonetheless. But can i get a modern metal sound w/ a boosted jcm 800?

Metallon · 04-11-2009, 05:07 PM

I think most overdrives would work great for this. Depending on how much coloring you accept for your tone, you have the ProCo Rat, Ibanez Tube Screamer, MXR Overdrive (green box), Fulltone OCD, Digitech Bad Monkey (I think it's Digitech...? I think so...) or just try any nice sweet volume boost pedal as you're going to roll back the gain knob of the overdrive (or amp, if you prefer that) and max out level which is the volume. There are other alternatives of course, like get a Boss overdrive or something, or a Radial Hot British.

Jo07 · 04-11-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARKITOOTHUS

i've heard the jcm 900 were not as good as the 800s. Also, i thought they came w/ 6L6's instead of EL34's, but I could be wrong. I still want that classic Marshall tone too for classic rock. i'll check it out nonetheless. But can i get a modern metal sound w/ a boosted jcm 800?

get a ts-7 or ts-9 ,808

ARKITOOTHUS · 04-11-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallon

I think most overdrives would work great for this. Depending on how much coloring you accept for your tone, you have the ProCo Rat, Ibanez Tube Screamer, MXR Overdrive (green box), Fulltone OCD, Digitech Bad Monkey (I think it's Digitech...? I think so...) or just try any nice sweet volume boost pedal as you're going to roll back the gain knob of the overdrive (or amp, if you prefer that) and max out level which is the volume. There are other alternatives of course, like get a Boss overdrive or something, or a Radial Hot British.

I assume i would run the amp on the OD channel w/ the gain fairly high and then crank the level and add no drive w/ the pedal correct?

Metallon · 04-11-2009, 05:43 PM

Hmmm, not sure exactly how you wanna do it, and I don't know fully how it works with a twin channel JCM 800, as I hear this is supposed to work with a single-channel JCM 800 (although a hot rodded one). But yeah, lead channel, max out at least the pre-amp gain and I suppose the power amp gain as well, control the overall volume with the master volume, put the OD in front of your amp, crank the volume on the pedal and back off on the gain (but not all the way).

ARKITOOTHUS · 04-11-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallon

Hmmm, not sure exactly how you wanna do it, and I don't know fully how it works with a twin channel JCM 800, as I hear this is supposed to work with a single-channel JCM 800 (although a hot rodded one). But yeah, lead channel, max out at least the pre-amp gain and I suppose the power amp gain as well, control the overall volume with the master volume, put the OD in front of your amp, crank the volume on the pedal and back off on the gain (but not all the way).

Wait, u mean in order to get high gain u need to hot rod a marshall AND boost it in order to get high gain? I thought you could just boost it?

Metallon · 04-11-2009, 06:47 PM

No no, those old JMP's and single-channel JCM 800's needed to be hot-rodded. You have a 2210 so you're fine. No need to hot rod anything.

357mag · 04-11-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARKITOOTHUS

i've heard the jcm 900 were not as good as the 800s. Also, i thought they came w/ 6L6's instead of EL34's, but I could be wrong. I still want that classic Marshall tone too for classic rock. i'll check it out nonetheless. But can i get a modern metal sound w/ a boosted jcm 800?

Some JCM-900's come with EL34's others come with 6L6's. Just depends on which one you get and what year it came out.

tbwrench · 04-11-2009, 07:25 PM

the jcm800 and zakk wylde od pedal won't give you the heavy drive sound. I have that combination and am very disappointed. i have a jcm 800 2204 and use a metal zone pedal. I am however looking into a MXR 10 band eq instead. the eq has volume, gain and the ten bands of eq. i should have it next week. in the music store it seemed to be what i was looking for, to boost gain and drive,but thats always different at home with your own rig. BTW, I also have a dsl 100. good metal sound, but lacks the sweetness and personality the 800 has.
peace, tbw

ARKITOOTHUS · 04-11-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallon

No no, those old JMP's and single-channel JCM 800's needed to be hot-rodded. You have a 2210 so you're fine. No need to hot rod anything.

oh, okay, thanks for the clarification. I was under the impression that the single channels and jmps could just be boosted to get high gain too. Thanks for clarifying about the 2210 and about the single channels.

tazzboy · 04-11-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbwrench

the jcm800 and zakk wylde od pedal won't give you the heavy drive sound. I have that combination and am very disappointed. i have a jcm 800 2204 and use a metal zone pedal. I am however looking into a MXR 10 band eq instead. the eq has volume, gain and the ten bands of eq. i should have it next week. in the music store it seemed to be what i was looking for, to boost gain and drive,but thats always different at home with your own rig. BTW, I also have a dsl 100. good metal sound, but lacks the sweetness and personality the 800 has.
peace, tbw

Yeah that's because his amp are modify with KT88 Power tubes and EV speakers. He gets his distortion from Boss DS-1 Pedal.

GibsonSlash · 04-11-2009, 11:02 PM

Nothing beats a Black Old Marshall The Guv'nor with JCM800/JMP.

twistudriffer · 04-12-2009, 01:42 AM

get the 2203kk and be done with it

. I currently own two stacks of 800's. One's a 81' 2203 with kt88 tubes and ev12l speakers and the other is a 2203kk with zakk wylde evm12l's. Both I use with a modded mxr overdrive (the green one) and get great saturated metal tone. The kerry king head is prolly the best marshall head (in my opinion) for classic american metal while still retaining its vintage tone when not on "the beast" channel.

If your heart is set on the 2210 it is a fairly versatile amp among the 800 family though. cheers

Vintager12 · 04-12-2009, 03:59 AM

Well some people tell a lot of crap about the JCM 900 SL-X because they don't like it but if you are a metal guy... give it a try, probably you will like it. It doesent sound warm because it's a metal amp. They don't have to sound warm. Some people say it's better then a JCM 800 and they even owned a JCM 800, because it fit's thir styles fit verry good with the JCM 900 SL-X. (view harmony central's reviews on the JCM 900 SL-X)

Metallon · 04-12-2009, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintager12

Well some people tell a lot of crap about the JCM 900 SL-X because they don't like it but if you are a metal guy... give it a try, probably you will like it. It doesent sound warm because it's a metal amp. They don't have to sound warm. Some people say it's better then a JCM 800 and they even owned a JCM 800, because it fit's thir styles fit verry good with the JCM 900 SL-X. (view harmony central's reviews on the JCM 900 SL-X)

Just because you play metal and want a metal tone doesn't mean you need a cold-sounding tone. Take it from me, who loves a really thick, smooth and warm sound to his metal tone and distortion. Thick, smooth and warm. Yeah. With a little crunch

zeusecho · 04-12-2009, 11:09 AM

I'm kinda surprised at some of the responses in this thread. Boosting an 800 is a common way to add some good punch and give it some thick saturation.

An SD-1 or Bad Monkey as a clean boost in front crushes. Set Level to 10, Drive to 0 and Tone at noon. Then add just a little drive not very much at all.

zeusecho · 04-12-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbwrench

the jcm800 and zakk wylde od pedal won't give you the heavy drive sound. I have that combination and am very disappointed. i have a jcm 800 2204 and use a metal zone pedal.

Don't think so...

The Zakk Wylde OD with the 800 should be waaaaaayyyyyy better than the Metal Zone. The 800 needs a boost not a distortion pedal. IMHO.

Metallon · 04-12-2009, 11:20 AM

Agreed. Overdrive + JCM 800 is usually win in most situations. Just try it out. Very small chance you'll be disappointed.

Fender Strat · 04-12-2009, 01:35 PM

+1

You just need a boost.

My favorites are the Tubescreamer and the SD-1.

Eag · 04-12-2009, 02:24 PM

Holy crap, it's gonna take the OP a hundred years to UNLEARN everything he's been told in this thread!

I've owned and/or played almost every model Marshall ever built.

#1 None of the amps mentioned in this thread ever came with 6L6 tubes. The USA versions shipped with 6550s and the Brit versions shipped with EL34s. They're easy to change if one wants to. Personally I like the 6550s better, they hold together better at high volumes and have bigger lows.

#2 Two channel JCM800s such as the 2210 have LESS balls than single channel models like the 2204 and 2203. I have found the single channel versions to be much better all-around. I think someone is confusing these single channel models with non-master vol models like the 1987 and 1959 although they can scream pretty good too if pushed with the right pedal or run through an attenuator. The 2204 and 2203 do not have to be modded to get the sounds the OP wants. The right volume settings, the right cab and the right OD will take your old Marshall to Screamsville. Here are my two favorite pedals to kick an old Marshall in the ass with:

Mesa V1 Bottle Rocket:

Marshall Drivemaster:

#3 The JCM 800 is not necessarily better than the 900, just different. The 900 SL-X is a stand-out among the 900s, it has more available preamp gain than any of the other amps mentioned in the thread. If I was looking for a purpose-built high gain Marshall this would be the one I would try first. The JCM800 is not exactly the first amp I would plug into for LOG covers.

Last of all, I have always preferred 100 watters to 50 watters. I like the fact that they stay tighter when they are cranked.

Vintager12 · 04-12-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallon

Just because you play metal and want a metal tone doesn't mean you need a cold-sounding tone. Take it from me, who loves a really thick, smooth and warm sound to his metal tone and distortion. Thick, smooth and warm. Yeah. With a little crunch

I don't realy play metal, GN'R and those things. Sometimes I play 80's metal but mostly Hard rock and classic rock.

Vintager12 · 04-12-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eag

Holy crap, it's gonna take the OP a hundred years to UNLEARN everything he's been told in this thread!

I've owned and/or played almost every model Marshall ever built.

#1 None of the amps mentioned in this thread ever came with 6L6 tubes. The USA versions shipped with 6550s and the Brit versions shipped with EL34s. They're easy to change if one wants to. Personally I like the 6550s better, they hold together better at high volumes and have bigger lows.

#2 Two channel JCM800s such as the 2210 have LESS balls than single channel models like the 2204 and 2203. I have found the single channel versions to be much better all-around. I think someone is confusing these single channel models with non-master vol models like the 1987 and 1959 although they can scream pretty good too if pushed with the right pedal or run through an attenuator. The 2204 and 2203 do not have to be modded to get the sounds the OP wants. The right volume settings, the right cab and the right OD will take your old Marshall to Screamsville. Here are my two favorite pedals to kick an old Marshall in the ass with:

Mesa V1 Bottle Rocket:

Marshall Drivemaster:

#3 The JCM 800 is not necessarily better than the 900, just different. The 900 SL-X is a stand-out among the 900s, it has more available preamp gain than any of the other amps mentioned in the thread. If I was looking for a purpose-built high gain Marshall this would be the one I would try first. The JCM800 is not exactly the first amp I would plug into for LOG covers.

Last of all, I have always preferred 100 watters to 50 watters. I like the fact that they stay tighter when they are cranked.

+1.

ARKITOOTHUS · 04-13-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eag

Holy crap, it's gonna take the OP a hundred years to UNLEARN everything he's been told in this thread!

I've owned and/or played almost every model Marshall ever built.

#1 None of the amps mentioned in this thread ever came with 6L6 tubes. The USA versions shipped with 6550s and the Brit versions shipped with EL34s. They're easy to change if one wants to. Personally I like the 6550s better, they hold together better at high volumes and have bigger lows.

#2 Two channel JCM800s such as the 2210 have LESS balls than single channel models like the 2204 and 2203. I have found the single channel versions to be much better all-around. I think someone is confusing these single channel models with non-master vol models like the 1987 and 1959 although they can scream pretty good too if pushed with the right pedal or run through an attenuator. The 2204 and 2203 do not have to be modded to get the sounds the OP wants. The right volume settings, the right cab and the right OD will take your old Marshall to Screamsville. Here are my two favorite pedals to kick an old Marshall in the ass with:

Mesa V1 Bottle Rocket:

Marshall Drivemaster:

#3 The JCM 800 is not necessarily better than the 900, just different. The 900 SL-X is a stand-out among the 900s, it has more available preamp gain than any of the other amps mentioned in the thread. If I was looking for a purpose-built high gain Marshall this would be the one I would try first. The JCM800 is not exactly the first amp I would plug into for LOG covers.

Last of all, I have always preferred 100 watters to 50 watters. I like the fact that they stay tighter when they are cranked.

Thanks for the info. What exactly is the "right cab" you speak of? And I like a lot of music, please don't think i'm a LOG exclusive kinda guy. But a boosted JCM 800 can nail lamb of god tones correct? I want brutal metal plus great classic tones.

rokknrola · 04-14-2009, 07:53 PM

I run a CMATMODS Tube Slammer with my JCM 800 2204 and 2205 heads. Great pedal.

adriano_passos · 04-17-2009, 12:57 PM

I like a Tubescreamer Ts-808, the overdrive for JCM 800. Great pedal

cwpainter · 04-17-2009, 02:10 PM

I have played a lot of 800's in the studio and my Fulltone OCD with the Fatboost2 on top of it works wonders on those amps

stargazer76 · 04-18-2009, 01:00 AM

Some JCM 900 DR's were equipped with 5881/6L6's.

Eag · 04-18-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARKITOOTHUS

Thanks for the info. What exactly is the "right cab" you speak of? And I like a lot of music, please don't think i'm a LOG exclusive kinda guy. But a boosted JCM 800 can nail lamb of god tones correct? I want brutal metal plus great classic tones.

By "the right cab" I mean one most suited to the kind of music you want to play. There are many cab and speaker combinations from the Marshall factory and a zillion aftermarket speakers and enclosures of all kinds out there. For example, if I wanted Hendrix tones I would lean toward a cab with greenbacks. A cab with V30s might make a good all-around cab. If I wanted max metal I would want a tighter and stronger speaker like CL80s or G12K100s.

But honestly, there are many amps out there better suited for all-out metal than the ol' 800. Gazillions of em. Don't get me wrong! My old Marshalls have their safe place in my studio, their place just isn't modern metal.

Finally, remember that we're talking opinions here. Nobody is right or wrong.....you gotta decide with your ears what's right in your world.

04-11-2009, 03:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
ARKITOOTHUS Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 20	Best JCM 800 boost I'm thinking about purchasing a JCM 800 2210 and I was wondering what would be the best OD pedal I could use to boost it with. Could an MXR Zak Wylde get the job done? I am looking for a high gain sound that can nail modern metal tones like Mastodon or Lamb of God etc. Thanks!

04-11-2009, 03:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
VintageTone Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 92	Re: Best JCM 800 boost Hey, wouldnt buying a higher gain amp be a better option maybe the JCM900 SL-X?

04-11-2009, 04:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
ARKITOOTHUS Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 20	Re: Best JCM 800 boost i've heard the jcm 900 were not as good as the 800s. Also, i thought they came w/ 6L6's instead of EL34's, but I could be wrong. I still want that classic Marshall tone too for classic rock. i'll check it out nonetheless. But can i get a modern metal sound w/ a boosted jcm 800?

04-11-2009, 07:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
tbwrench Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: wisconsin Posts: 61	Re: Best JCM 800 boost the jcm800 and zakk wylde od pedal won't give you the heavy drive sound. I have that combination and am very disappointed. i have a jcm 800 2204 and use a metal zone pedal. I am however looking into a MXR 10 band eq instead. the eq has volume, gain and the ten bands of eq. i should have it next week. in the music store it seemed to be what i was looking for, to boost gain and drive,but thats always different at home with your own rig. BTW, I also have a dsl 100. good metal sound, but lacks the sweetness and personality the 800 has. peace, tbw

04-12-2009, 01:42 AM	#15 (permalink)
twistudriffer Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: the sticks Posts: 47	Re: Best JCM 800 boost get the 2203kk and be done with it . I currently own two stacks of 800's. One's a 81' 2203 with kt88 tubes and ev12l speakers and the other is a 2203kk with zakk wylde evm12l's. Both I use with a modded mxr overdrive (the green one) and get great saturated metal tone. The kerry king head is prolly the best marshall head (in my opinion) for classic american metal while still retaining its vintage tone when not on "the beast" channel. If your heart is set on the 2210 it is a fairly versatile amp among the 800 family though. cheers

04-12-2009, 03:59 AM	#16 (permalink)
Vintager12 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 693	Re: Best JCM 800 boost Well some people tell a lot of crap about the JCM 900 SL-X because they don't like it but if you are a metal guy... give it a try, probably you will like it. It doesent sound warm because it's a metal amp. They don't have to sound warm. Some people say it's better then a JCM 800 and they even owned a JCM 800, because it fit's thir styles fit verry good with the JCM 900 SL-X. (view harmony central's reviews on the JCM 900 SL-X) __________________ The Emperor of the Vintage Modern.

04-12-2009, 11:09 AM	#18 (permalink)
zeusecho Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 170	Re: Best JCM 800 boost I'm kinda surprised at some of the responses in this thread. Boosting an 800 is a common way to add some good punch and give it some thick saturation. An SD-1 or Bad Monkey as a clean boost in front crushes. Set Level to 10, Drive to 0 and Tone at noon. Then add just a little drive not very much at all. __________________ Marshall DSL50 H&K Switchblade 50W Combo Line6 4x12 (Hellatone 30s and 60s X pattern) Gibson LP Custom ESP MH-301 Merz Custom Acoustic Taylor 355ce 12 String

04-12-2009, 01:35 PM	#21 (permalink)
Fender Strat Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 36	Re: Best JCM 800 boost +1 You just need a boost. My favorites are the Tubescreamer and the SD-1.

04-12-2009, 02:24 PM	#22 (permalink)
Eag Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 342	Re: Best JCM 800 boost Holy crap, it's gonna take the OP a hundred years to UNLEARN everything he's been told in this thread! I've owned and/or played almost every model Marshall ever built. #1 None of the amps mentioned in this thread ever came with 6L6 tubes. The USA versions shipped with 6550s and the Brit versions shipped with EL34s. They're easy to change if one wants to. Personally I like the 6550s better, they hold together better at high volumes and have bigger lows. #2 Two channel JCM800s such as the 2210 have LESS balls than single channel models like the 2204 and 2203. I have found the single channel versions to be much better all-around. I think someone is confusing these single channel models with non-master vol models like the 1987 and 1959 although they can scream pretty good too if pushed with the right pedal or run through an attenuator. The 2204 and 2203 do not have to be modded to get the sounds the OP wants. The right volume settings, the right cab and the right OD will take your old Marshall to Screamsville. Here are my two favorite pedals to kick an old Marshall in the ass with: Mesa V1 Bottle Rocket: Marshall Drivemaster: #3 The JCM 800 is not necessarily better than the 900, just different. The 900 SL-X is a stand-out among the 900s, it has more available preamp gain than any of the other amps mentioned in the thread. If I was looking for a purpose-built high gain Marshall this would be the one I would try first. The JCM800 is not exactly the first amp I would plug into for LOG covers. Last of all, I have always preferred 100 watters to 50 watters. I like the fact that they stay tighter when they are cranked.

04-14-2009, 07:53 PM	#26 (permalink)
rokknrola Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 19	Re: Best JCM 800 boost I run a CMATMODS Tube Slammer with my JCM 800 2204 and 2205 heads. Great pedal.

04-17-2009, 12:57 PM	#27 (permalink)
adriano_passos Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1	Re: Best JCM 800 boost I like a Tubescreamer Ts-808, the overdrive for JCM 800. Great pedal

04-17-2009, 02:10 PM	#28 (permalink)
cwpainter Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York, New York Posts: 1	Re: Best JCM 800 boost I have played a lot of 800's in the studio and my Fulltone OCD with the Fatboost2 on top of it works wonders on those amps __________________ Black 1962 American Vintage Reissue with CS '69s Taylor 914CE Marshall JCM 900 (4100) Fulltone effects

04-18-2009, 01:00 AM	#29 (permalink)
stargazer76 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 42	Re: Best JCM 800 boost Some JCM 900 DR's were equipped with 5881/6L6's. __________________ JCM 900-4100 JCM 800-2204 1960A/G12T75 1962RI Stratocaster

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