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Buying a new amp; Because the other one was taken away :(
Topic Started: Aug 30 2008, 06:51 PM (741 Views)
Metallon	Sep 23 2008, 05:14 PM Post #16
Member Posts: 56 Group: Members Member #8,784 Joined: August 30, 2008	Yeah, I talked with the guy who sold it some more. It seems he bought it used, as a modified JMP 1959 from '78 that had an extra pre-amp added. So, apart from switching pots, condises and tubes (he mentioned EL34 RubyTubes in the power amp - he also said that he was unable to determine what tubes were being used in the pre-amp). He also removed both pre-amps from the head and replaced it with a JCM 2203 pre-amp, which more or less explains his way of putting it: "It's a modified JMP 1959 that has been 'restored' as a 2203". Going to ride a train to his jamming place and try out the amp. Then, probably buy it. We'll see where to go from here. So a few quickies: Are those EL34 RubyTubes any good? If not, what to replace them with? (I need good metal tubes with high-gain that'll last some time). I'm also considering replacing the pre-amp tubes, so feel free to suggest good pre-amp tubes! Also, what's a good cab to jam with in a relatively enclosed space? 1960 4x12" cabs with celestion speakers in all their glory, but they're overkill to jam with.
	I express my emotions musically to impress people with music emotionally.
monwobobbo	Sep 23 2008, 09:06 PM Post #17
Posts: 1,032 Group: Moderator Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	EL34 is a tube type regardless of who makes them. thats what the amp uses and they are good for metal etc. 12ax7 is the tube type for preamp tubes (pretty much any tube amp) you can get ones that are supposed to be better for high gain but thats always ?able. Groove tubes are good. funny thing about tubes is that they are only made in like 3 places in either russia or china so despite there being several brand names the tubes all come from the same places.
	and now for something completely different
Metallon	Sep 23 2008, 09:32 PM Post #18
Member Posts: 56 Group: Members Member #8,784 Joined: August 30, 2008	There are also European tubes, right? Anyway, I'm not really interested in the Chinese ones, really. I've read a few good things about the Russian ones - but also some bad. Svetlanas and Sovteks, primarily. When it comes to the power tubes, I don't think I want EL34's, but 6550's/KT88's. Something from JJ maybe... if I have to go with EL34's, again, JJ tubes sound interesting, but I could go with Svetlanas or Sovteks. As for pre-amps tube JJ again, or Sovtek... possibly Electro-Harmonix. Still, not sure... but I definitely want the 12AX7/ECC83's. Unless there's something better at similar pricing? Groovy was an interesting suggestion, I'll definitely look into them tomorrow. Edited by Metallon, Sep 23 2008, 09:39 PM.
	I express my emotions musically to impress people with music emotionally.
Metallon	Sep 25 2008, 08:16 PM Post #19
Member Posts: 56 Group: Members Member #8,784 Joined: August 30, 2008	mon... do you mind stepping back with me and discussing Marshall hybrids? There was a certain screw-up on my part, where I forgot to deduct 30% off my salary (taxes), so it would seem that a good tube amp top + cab is completely out of the question. My alternative would be to either buy a ValveState amp + head, or go with the JCM 800 combo, or try to find something completely else. I know I want the Marshall sound. I've tried ENGL's again, and Brunetti's, and I've tried some Line 6 amps. I've tried Bugera tube amps and Peaveys and Fenders, and I keep going back to Marshalls. Anyway. Which should I go with? I can't personally decide, because I don't feel hyped about either. But, if I want to get a good tube amp then I have to wait for months. Me and my drummer see this as unacceptable. We want to start jamming in October. While I REALLY want a Marshall... I suppose I could buy some other good amp if there is, and just throw in a big bad overdrive/distortion pedal (though I really don't like dist pedals). But, you know, I'm getting desperate. I need a fix. I can buy a marshallnext year ^^
	I express my emotions musically to impress people with music emotionally.
monwobobbo	Sep 25 2008, 08:51 PM Post #20
Posts: 1,032 Group: Moderator Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	sure bud we can discuss hybrids. they are ok but once you've experienced the all tube Marshall it would be tough to go back. the AVTs or older valvestate amps are decent budget amps but won't really give you the marshall sound that you seem to crave. a combo may be a good way to go i mean stacks look cool and all but you'd be suprised at how loud and versitile a combo can be. i use a Legend R&R50 2x12 that kills alot of stacks volume wise. (sorry Legends have been out of production since the early 80s and are tough to find). i also have a Crate V32 1x12 thats only 30 watts but is plenty loud as well. now as far as sound goes the JCM800 is a good amp used on many metal albums. its not the insane distortion amp though. now as far as that goes i've found over the years that you don't need tons of distortion to get a good sound. i've bought god knows how many distortion pedals over the years and in the end found that to much is not good. i've been running a behringer heavy distortion thru the clean channel of my crate and that gets me the newer metal sound (although i still use standard tuning). no shame in using a tubescreamer to goose an amp. try to stick with tubes and not worry about having a stack. oh and by the way on the tubes there are different names for the european tubes but i think the ones you mentioned are the same thing as the EL34s. Edited by monwobobbo, Sep 25 2008, 08:53 PM.
	and now for something completely different
Metallon	Sep 25 2008, 09:04 PM Post #21
Member Posts: 56 Group: Members Member #8,784 Joined: August 30, 2008	+1 about time. I want the combo, in all honesty - the top + head thing is more desired due to tops being easier to transport (smaller than combos) and that open-back combos might lack that punch that you can get from an enclosed, decent cab. But the thing is, the gain becomes an uncertainty with the 4210. But, it can probably be easily rectified with a good MXR or an OCD, or whatever. Anyway, the main point is, I like the Marshall sound, and I want it to color my overall sound. The gain is needed simply to allow more sensitivity with guitar playing (I don't like lots of headroom - some is fine). It's just there to let me get that chuggy thrash metal tone, and other than that, I'm totally fine with the sound. I played a Vintage Modern amp on its low-gain setting. I had the master volume at 3 and had the pre-amp volume almost all the way, and hit it with an MXR Zakk Wylde where I had the tone at 12 o' clock, gain at 10 o' clock and output maxed. I did some solo playing and... ...wow. The slight lack of gain gave it this amaaaaazing sound that was just out of this world! It really made me realize that I don't want super-high distortions. But I need enough gain to be able to play anything early Metallica, for instance (I always play early Metallica for warm-ups, it's become routine, really). Long post again. Edited by Metallon, Sep 25 2008, 09:11 PM.
	I express my emotions musically to impress people with music emotionally.
monwobobbo	Sep 25 2008, 09:29 PM Post #22
Posts: 1,032 Group: Moderator Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	keep in mind that an overdrive or distrtion pedal is another form of gain. you won't have any problems in that dept. like i mentioned before i'm surrently experimenting with my Crate and a behringer heavy distortion pedal. on clean its only the volume with no additional gain from the amp . no more gain is needed and the amp roars just waiting for no one else to be home so i can turn it up. you won't have any problems with a JCM800 in the gain dept.
	and now for something completely different
Metallon	Sep 25 2008, 09:34 PM Post #23
Member Posts: 56 Group: Members Member #8,784 Joined: August 30, 2008	I was thinking, maybe I should settle with an alright sound... you know, something that I like and that allows me to play the music I want. I don't have to love the sound, but it's alright if I feel comfortable with playing it. I'm sure that we can deal with minor nuance and tonal differences, I mean, as long as it does the job good, it's all good. HOW well the job is done can be dealt with when I have enough money to deal with it, no? So, whether I buy that JCM combo or a ValveState/AVT... I'm sure both will sound good, and I've found a VS8100 top + cab that costs a bit less than the combo, so price-wise, the 8100 has a plus. Then again, the 4210 is all-tube, and I'm sure he can sell his TS-7 fairly cheap (or maybe I shouldn't get the TS-7?) EDIT: Seems the little extra cash may be worth it for the JCM 800 combo, after all? Granted, I'll have to try it just one more time just to see, but ultimately we're talking about $200 USD in price difference between the 4210 and the 8100 + 8412 (the latter being cheaper). Edited by Metallon, Sep 25 2008, 09:37 PM.
	I express my emotions musically to impress people with music emotionally.
monwobobbo	Sep 25 2008, 09:46 PM Post #24
Posts: 1,032 Group: Moderator Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	get the JCM800 if you can and a tubescreamer is never a bad thing to have. had mine for about 15yrs.
	and now for something completely different
Metallon	Sep 25 2008, 09:54 PM Post #25
Member Posts: 56 Group: Members Member #8,784 Joined: August 30, 2008	Alrighty then, I'll try my luck with that one. If that doesn't work I can always try to sell it and buy another amp... But yeah, if we feel like playing rock and hardrock, then the combo will do the trick, no doubt about it. That feels comforting. Because for a while I was worried that I was going to live another 2 months without playing my new guitar. Seriously, I shelled out $1,000 for a new guitar and after playing it less than a dozen times, I can't use it anymore? Y'see, I have no amp atm, not even a practise amp ^^
	I express my emotions musically to impress people with music emotionally.

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