oldGNRfan

Does anyone know what the last Marshall was that DIDN'T have diodes? My friend and I were discussing it and he said that the JCM 800 2203/04 were the last ones. Is he right?

Jae

Well, for 2203 and 2204s there are many different years for that. I think they started putting in diodes after 1984. Anything past 1984 I think have the diodes. Anything pre don't.

Also I have a JMP Master lead 50W (2204), which is from '78. Not called a JCM800 and cosmetically different but I'm sure it's the exact same circuitry as the JCM800 pre1984. Interesting to look at the history of these.

oldGNRfan

Yeah, I know. The 800's are great though. Last Marshall without complicated circuits. Does anyone know if the JCM 2000 Range has diodes?

Jae

Hmm. From what I hear some JCM2000 has diodes and some do not. Not 100% sure. Good question though.
I personally like JCM800s and Plexi circuit amps like the 1959SLP and 1987x, both reissues (never actually tried the '68 era ones except the the JTm45).

I heard a JCM2000 before, but I didn't like the tone for some reason. Was a bit thin, but maybe because I didn't have it cranked. I tried a JCM900 once and that sounded pretty good cranked at 100% volume (with attenuator).

Love the crunch of the plexi circuits though.

oldGNRfan

Yeah, I don't know why but IMO Marshall hasn't come out with anything really good since the 80's. They went into diodes and shit. That's why I buy used for amps now. Everything is too modern. I got a Les Paul Studio and love it through a JCM 800. To me, a Les Paul Standard is better for a Plexi and a Studio for a JCM 800. I don't know why but the Standard into a Plexi is like THAT classic rock tone and the Studio into a JCM 800 is THAT hard rock tone. I don't know why. Marshall hasn't come out with anything real good in so long. It's a shame, really.

JohnH

None of the modern Marshall valve amps built this century, including DSLs TSLs VMs and JVMs use diode clipping circuits

__________________
DSL401
8412 cab
Crate Powerblock
1 x 12 Vintage 30 cab
'76 Shergold Masquerader
'93 Les Paul Studio
'83 Roadstar

oldGNRfan

Really? What do they use to get all that gain? It can't JUST be the tubes like JCM 800 and before.

wareagle

what are diodes?

from the context im guessing something in the master volume, but i know that the new marshalls have master volume...

oldGNRfan

Like Diode Clipping. I know the JCM 900 had them. I thought the JCM 2000 had them. I know the JCM 800 didn't(2203/04) but am wondering if every model after did have diode clipping.

MKB

Marshall indeed seems to be getting away from diode clipping lately. However almost everything they sold with a master volume (except for 2203/2204) from JCM800 to recently has diode clipping, especially the channel switching stuff.

That being said, Marshall has made some excellent sounding amps with diode clipping, the Jubilee and 2210 being just two examples. The JMP1 has diode clipping also.

JohnH

Theres bunches of diodes used for switching and rectifying functions, but those recent and current ones I listed do not use them in the signal path for clipping to make the distortion sounds, unlike some of the amps of the previous 20 or so years. Its all done with valve gain. There plenty available, with four preamp tubes.

__________________
DSL401
8412 cab
Crate Powerblock
1 x 12 Vintage 30 cab
'76 Shergold Masquerader
'93 Les Paul Studio
'83 Roadstar

oldGNRfan

I get it now. THANKS!

crossroadsnyc

That might be the difference in pups you are noticing. The USA Standard & Studio are the same guitar, just different refinements w/respect to pups & eye candy (binding/finish/etc.). Both guitars will sound great through both amps.

What color Studio do you have?

5er driver

The JCM 900 SL-X is the only 900 series amp that does not have clipping diodes. All its pre amp distortion comes from 4 pre amp tubes.

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Now Annoying In
((((((Stereo))))))

Plug that beotch in an' let her rip!

oldGNRfan

Alpine White. It is my BABY!!! I'm not for all the "eye candy" like the Standard. I also like the hotter pickups pushing the amp a little more so I don't need a boost or od pedal. Just a wah pedal guitar and amp. SIMPLE! Also, it is a difference in pups, looks, and feel for me. I don't feel right playing a Standard to a Motley Crue or Maiden song. I just don't, don't know why. It's my curse.

jcmjmp

If we're taking signal path, the JCM 900 SL-X had no diodes. Same thing with the JCM 2000 DSL & TSL. Vintage Modern is diode free in the signal path to... so is the JVM I belive... A better question would be which Marshall have diodes.

jcmjmp

umm.... yeah, all tubes. It is possible to get brutal distortion with tubes, ya know? Ever heard of Mesa Boogie, Soldano, Bogner?

oldGNRfan

Let's go with that then.

oldGNRfan

New question!!! Which marshall amps did have diodes!!!

oldGNRfan

So, how many more tubes do they use then? I'm not a big fan of BRUTAL distortion though I do love my fair share of classic metal a la early Metallica and Iron Maiden. They are more crunchy then brutal though.

American Viking

JCM 800 2203/2204 NO solid state diode clip. 100% tube distortion
3 preamp tubes
JCM 800 2205/2210 solid state diode clipping distortion
3 preamp tubes
JCM 900 4100/4500/2100/2500 solid state diode clipping distortion
3 preamp tubes
JCM 900 SL-X NO solid state diode clip. 100% tube distortion
4 preamp tubes
JCM2000 TSL/DSL NO solid state diode clip. 100% tube distortion
4 preamp tubes
JMP 1959/1987/2203/2204 NO solid state diode clip. 100% tube distortion
3 preamp tubes

__________________
-I'd rather be a good liver than have one...

American Viking

that doesn't cover everything but there's very few Marshall models with solid state diode clipping distortion. Also the Silver Jubilee has the diode clip.
With all models this doesn't mean that the distortion is solely on the diode it's just like adding a little boost like using an effects pedal.
No 2204/2203 ever had diode clipping no matter what year they were made. I was offended when I read that!

__________________
-I'd rather be a good liver than have one...

oldGNRfan

DING! DING! DING! I think we have a winner!!! What's your favorite model?

jcmjmp

jcmjmp

JMP-1 has diode clipping as well.

oldGNRfan

Really? Never knew that.

crossroadsnyc

Alpine White is hot, dude. Should wear in realllllly nice over the years!

oldGNRfan

Oh, I know, CAN'T WAIT!! It is my favorite Les Paul model. It shows marks, but I say that marks are signs of love. Little scratch here and a little black mark there and a little yellow smudge there. Looks vintage already!

American Viking

I'd have to go with the JCM 800 2203. Out of everything I've ever owned or played I always go right back to this one. I still love JMP's, and plexi's but in their own respect. Really, I love damn near all Marshall's!

__________________
-I'd rather be a good liver than have one...

oldGNRfan

Do you really like the new Marshall's or would you say that they haven't really built anything really good since the 800? I'm an 800 man myself, don't like all of the modern high gain shit. Like that classic metal crunch, ya know?