Back on the amp hunt.

[Rich_T]

So, about two days after being forced to sell my JMP for financial reasons, I got a new job. Ha, sod's law.

I'm looking around on ebay and locally, maybe for another JMP, because I did love it so, or an early JCM 800, because it is basically the same thing. However, on my search, a couple of other things have caught my eye.

Firstly, the JCM 800 1959 Supler Lead re-issue. The four input jobbie. What are these like? I'm interested in the NMV thing, just for sheer unbridled brutality of volume, but how good are these re-issues? Do they compare favourably to the original NMV models?

Secondly, there are a fair few Sound City amps available in the UK, the old ones that are 120 watts or something utterly ridiculous. I hear they have funny interactive EQ sections that will take some getting used to after using the somewhat subtle Marshall EQ. But do they sound good?

Thirdly, I might just hold out and see if any vintage Orange or Matamp pops up, because I know I'll love it.

Oh decisions decisions. Still, I bet I won't find any of them in red. I miss that head already.

[Brow]

Hi Rich.

I've not really used any of the amps you've mentioned apart from the JCM800, but mines a later twin channel 1 so not really what you're after I guess.

Was gutted to hear about you needing to sell your red JMP though

**EDIT**

I know you use alot of FX, so if you need a clean base to run them through then something like a Carlsbro 50-TOP 50w head may suit your needs. I have 1 and it's an awesome amp for running clean and using with pedals. Not overly expensive neither

[Bludave]

The RI Plexis are OK, but really don't compare to the originals. They have the vibe, but I have found they are brighter then the originals. I have not A/B'b them in side by side comparisons so my opinion is based on my memory of playing through a late 60's 1959. The RI is a good amp. Just be prepared for a lot of volume. In order to get these to sound right they have to be played loud. The speakers you select will also have a lot to do with how they work. I prefer the Greenbacks with these amps (and I also prefer the tone of the 1987 50W model). The greenbacks tend to tame some of the volume as they break up at earlier volume levels. These are not high gain monsters, but they do have the Classic Hendrixy thing in them.

[Rich_T]

It'll be going into a greenback loaded 1960ax cab.

[d1dsj]

Originally Posted by Bludave

The RI Plexis are OK, but really don't compare to the originals. They have the vibe, but I have found they are brighter then the originals. I have not A/B'b them in side by side comparisons so my opinion is based on my memory of playing through a late 60's 1959. The RI is a good amp. Just be prepared for a lot of volume. In order to get these to sound right they have to be played loud. The speakers you select will also have a lot to do with how they work. I prefer the Greenbacks with these amps (and I also prefer the tone of the 1987 50W model). The greenbacks tend to tame some of the volume as they break up at earlier volume levels. These are not high gain monsters, but they do have the Classic Hendrixy thing in them.

+1. I had similar problems with my Marshall 1987x R.I's. However, I recently got a beat up JTM45 reissue and it sounds fantastic ... really sweet and with a Crunchbox in front it really sings at lower volumes too. Well worth checking one out if you can.

[LesPaulRules]

I have played all the amps you've mentioned. Here are some quick thoughts on a few of them.

The JCM 800 Super Lead RI is going to be very loud. It's a great amp... and there is gain there, if you can turn up the volume. The best amp of the bunch if you want to use some type of overdrive pedal in front of it. Build quality is decent and not a concern. Once again, it needs to be brutally loud to deliver the goods.

The old Sound City amps were very clean sounding. They were also very noisy. A great amp for the money (they are fairly cheap), but once again, this amp needs some type of distortion pedal in front.

I used to own an Orange 120. Another great amp, but it needed to be turned up very loud to get any distortion. It had it's own sound, though I prefer more of a Marshall type distortion.

So after all my rants above, the best amp for you (in my opinion) is a late 70's JMP or an early 80's JCM 800. LOL.
None of the other amps you've mentioned really sound like a JMP/JCM.

[J Moose]

Several months ago Premier Guitar did a shootout of JTM45 heads... original vs. custom builds vs. a stock reissue with some years on it. Consensus was that were variations but overall the differences were pretty small... even the PCB reissue. So much so, that at the end in a blind shootout the guy playing the guitar couldn't readily identify which was which after a few swaps.


I had a Sound City 120 for a while... to be fair it was a sick puppy when I got it... dropped a few hundred bucks into it with my tech before I even brought it home, and even then it was the tip of the iceburg but put it in largely "operational" condition.

They're REALLY loud, and really clean... somewhat like a cross between a HiWatt and a master volume Twin. The EQ is active & somewhat funky... you'll either love it or hate it. About all I ever used that head for was fuzz bass & baritone guitar.

If you can score one for a good price it might be groovy to have around as an alternative amp... but personally I couldn't see using one as a main head if I was used to the bark of a JMP. Its a good platform for dirt box players...

The old Orange OD80 & 120 are amazing heads... loud as hell but unlike anything else. I've heard the recent Orange reissues of those are spot on but haven't played one. The other Orange heads like the AD/Rockers don't sound ANYTHING like the old amps.

[Rich_T]

Cheers J. I'm looking at the re-issue Oranges now. They look really nice, the OR50 especially.

[Lake Placid Blues]

JCM800 1959's and 1987's are not re-issues. They always made those models and just continued the same circuitry into the JCM800 range. A JCM800 1959 looks like a JCM800, with the full length metal control panal, but it has four inputs. A JCM800 1959 will probably sound like 70's 1959.

[Scott_F]

I've got a thing for JTM45's. But, they're not overly gainy like a JCM 800.

[Invader09]

Wow man ! You got like MY setup ! lol.
I have a 1985 JCM 800 2204 (50 watt) and run it through a 1960AX cab. Those greenbacks are a match made in heaven for the 800... it's like they were meant to be ! Gutted you had to sell your JMP. Totally recommend another, or an 800 !

[everdrone]

those jcm800 vert imputs from the early 80s are fetchin a pretty penny these days

Id get a rockerverb over em because the price is the same used

I read the orange reissue reviews - Id wait on that amp, not good read

I love the ampeg v4 and just pmed a guy cause I wanna buy it, so that is what I recommend, being that we listen to the same music. also, v4 plays bass!! I play bass too so, versatility, bassists are in demand!!!

I really want a jcm800 4010 cause so small and light, so huge of tone. walk in to a gig with guitar in one hand, amp in the other. a dream! plug into a 4x12 to unleash teh mayhemz...

cheers!

[FenderHead]

go for the JMP 2203

[Rich_T]

Originally Posted by everdrone

those jcm800 vert imputs from the early 80s are fetchin a pretty penny these days

Id get a rockerverb over em because the price is the same used

I read the orange reissue reviews - Id wait on that amp, not good read

I love the ampeg v4 and just pmed a guy cause I wanna buy it, so that is what I recommend, being that we listen to the same music. also, v4 plays bass!! I play bass too so, versatility, bassists are in demand!!!

I really want a jcm800 4010 cause so small and light, so huge of tone. walk in to a gig with guitar in one hand, amp in the other. a dream! plug into a 4x12 to unleash teh mayhemz...

cheers!

The vert input 800s are still pretty reasonable in the UK. I'm not sure about the Rockerverbs, I don't really want a channel switcher with a ton of gain and they aren't really what the Orange sound was about. Nice amps, but not for me. The V4s are cool, but very rare over here, and utterly back breaking in weight. Probably a bit too much clean power for me too.

I'm liking the look of this OR50 a lot.

[That90'sGuy]

I'd go back to the JMP. If you liked what you had before, why change it?

[everdrone]

UK - thats right huh. stonerrock dot com reviews are poor for tone and construction for the reissues, but orange costs a ton in the USA; Id take a chance on orange though if I was in the UK, rockerverbs sound awesome to my ear in person, but ya JMP is the shiz and I remember your recording of Melvins that soundsed awesome with that amp...

[everdrone]

oh ya, since ur over there, matamps are way cheaper in Europe so Id just get the GT1 and go with that! reliability, construction, awesome tone that USAers want anyway....