Marshall Jubilee or JCM 800 [Archive]

Rick

05-01-2005, 11:40 AM

Hi all,
Just joined the fun here. Have a question about amps. I'm not the greatest player since I started at age 43 I'm now 48.I'm part collector as well and wanted to toss this out for some various thoughts.

I'd like to get a tube amp,(I currently have a Fender Power Chorus) and I'm not sure which amp is a better choice(Looking for that 70's/80's sound) the Marshall Jubilee or the JCM 800. On the latter I'm guessing the 2204 model is the better one to get??. I know the Jubilee is a tougher amp to find and I'd prefer a combo, Or maybe a even a Fender Tube amp would suit me. I don't know. $$ is not that much of an issue, not gonna go crazy,but find something within reason for the age and rarity of the amp.

I'll try and find more info from other sites and other posts on this forum as well.

I guess I'm looking for random impressions/thoughts from anyone that has a preference for any of the amps I mentioned.
Thanks,
Rick

big mike

05-01-2005, 11:57 AM

I like them both, but agree the Jubilee is much harder to find. Particularly in a combo. I prefer the Jubilee tone. A bit rounder and sweeter to my ear. But you can't go wrong either way.

Welcome to the forum!

sundaypunch

05-01-2005, 01:00 PM

First of all, congrats for taking up the instrument at 43 :dude

You can't go wrong with either amp. The Jubilee will be a little more versatile as it has more gain on tap. Since you don't really know what you want I'd suggest you get a JCM 800. You can pick them up used much cheaper than a Jubilee. They are an easy sell if you don't like it. One thing you will find with this hobby is that if you spend some time hunting you can find bargains on both amps and guitars. You might even be able to make a few dollars if you resell them. It is a cheap way to be able to own and try out a lot of different gear.

RevolutionMan

05-02-2005, 12:28 AM

I'd opt for the jubillee, one of the best amps ever made in my opinion. I've got 2 and they're keepers. They're also one of the more consistent marshalls, pretty much every silver jubillee I've played sounds basically the same, I can't say that for JCM 800's.

It's a sought after and somewhat rare amp also, the resale on them is terrific, and I bet it will continue to increase. My guess is that you won't want to sell it though.

DestroyAllGuitars

05-02-2005, 12:44 AM

The Silver Jubilee IMO is the best sounding of all the "modern"
Marshall amps. No need for mods to get that baby to sing or
scream, and if you are a part time collector this is without a
doubt the one for you to get. They are getting harder to come
by and will most certainly start increasing in value over the years.

Mark C

05-02-2005, 12:54 AM

Are you planning to gig with these or are you planning on playing them in the house? I ask this question mainly because if this is to be your first tube amp, you may be in for a surprise. Marshalls are REALLY loud! The tones you hear on records with them are all at high volumes, they don't sound like that at lower volumes. You should definately try out lots of different amps before you buy anything if you haven't already. Good luck with your search.

Rick

05-03-2005, 03:03 PM

Yes I'm aware of the volume level and occasionally I do play out of the house (just over at the drummer friends garage). Actually I bought the Fender Power Chorus I currently have so I could hear myself over the drummer,the previous amp I had, a Marshall Valvestate 40watt wasn't cutting it.
Thanks for all the replies,I'm going to search out a Jubilee combo 2x12, it may take me a long time to actually find one but I think thats the way I'm heading, although I may take a long look at a JCM 800 combo should I run across one.

Rick

joolzriff

05-03-2005, 04:20 PM

ive owned quite a lot of marshalls and have liked em but never been ultimatly sattisfied until i bough a slash jubilee head and i cant not fault it and havnt faulted it or moaned once about its tone.
best amp theyve ever made for my style and suit.

Rick

05-28-2005, 08:55 PM

Just a follow up on my search for one of these Jubilee amps, found one, a 2x12 combo on a web site classified , could pick it up cheap but the guy says this about it....

" it will not change from clean to lead. Everything else works fine. I checked the tubes and they look good and the switch sounds and feels like it is working but it will not switch..."

Not knowing anything about the technical aspect of this problem, but is this an easy fix for an amp tech? and how much could it possibly cost to fix this problem?

Rick

RevolutionMan

05-29-2005, 01:24 AM

Rick, Not sure about the fix for that, my guess is that's probably something simple for a good tech.

Here's my 2 cents though, I'd pass of the combo. One of the big components to the marshall sound is how the head interacts with a closed back cabinet, combo's just sound different. You won't get the same chunky bottom end from a combo, though it's still pretty good. They're less versatile, as with a head you can use whichever size cab is appropriate for your purposes.

Also, if you don't dig the amp. It's far easier to sell the head version, especially shipping. Shipping a combo is a drag just because of how big they are.

philippe

12-06-2006, 04:48 PM

I have a 1989 Marshall Silver Jubillee 25/50 watt head and a straight and a slanted cab. Both contain 2 12" celestion greenbacks.
I'm trying to unload it to get a new amp. I'm a new member so I can't post in the buy/sell threads.

I'm new at this forum. I hope this plug isn't against the rules. If it is please send me a PM so I can take this down.

big mike

12-06-2006, 04:58 PM

Well....the thread is 6 mos old, and yeah please don't spam the board in such a manner.

jcmusic

12-06-2006, 05:10 PM

I've got both. Can't go wrong with either but here are some things to keep in mind.

The Jubilees are the most collectible an have SHOT UP in value. They sell for 2X as much as an 800 on ebay. If I kept only 1, it would be my Slash-Jubilee head. Sounds GREAT and, I guess like you, I don't care about the $$ aspect, but $ for $, the 800 is a far better value. The Jub has a wider tonal range as well and it's cleaner sounds are great too.
Not all Jubs are the same. The most valuable are the 2555 and 2550 (100 and 50 watt). The 2253, 2258 are not as valuable. I have the 2555SL, prob not as valuable as a 2555 (I've seen a much wider range of sale prices on ebay for the Slash sig head), but pretty close.

Just watch fleabay and you'll get an idea. If you can get a Jub for 1500 or less go for it, last summer they went for 1800-2000 (prices have softened a bit & there's a nice one listed now plus a Slash halfstack). You could alternately pick up an 800 for about .... $850-$900. Oh, yeah, get a head so you can sort out the best cab for you.

P.S. Of the 800's - only buy a 2203 or 2204. They made some other models that have crappy resale (2210,2205, etc).

lane1024

12-06-2006, 05:27 PM

I would be curious to know what you guys think of the type of Marshall Slash model for sale on evilBay 120061610430. I too am more of a collector than a professional musician. From a collector standpoint this type of amp looks perfect. It’s hard to imagine it would lose a whole lot of value over time.

I happened come across this thread, looked up the amp, and made a bid, all inside of ten minutes, at the moment I am high bidder, I doubt this will last, but you never know. The funky snakeskin thang really clinched it for me.

For perspective I’ve had a modded 77’s JMP for many years. As a new collector I recently purchased 100W Diezel Einstein and a Splawn Quickrod (still in the mail). This Slash model would be a nice addition. What do you think of this type of amp?

jcmusic

12-06-2006, 05:40 PM

I would be curious to know what you guys think of the type of Marshall Slash model for sale on evilBay 120061610430. I too am more of a collector than a professional musician. From a collector standpoint this type of amp looks perfect. It’s hard to imagine it would lose a whole lot of value over time.

The funky snakeskin thang really clinched it for me.

In a music store, they'd sell this used for around $3k. I'd say a fair price on ebay is $2K. $1700-1800 is a very good deal - I'd certainly bid this much if I was just fishing for a deal. Just to give you an idea, the head alone could sell for $1500-1600 BIN easily last summer. They sound great w/ the V30's. Not as bright as a JMP or JCM. They can get that "freight train" in you face sound just like Slash has on "The Spagetti Incident" (check out "New Rose" or "Attitude") quite easily w/ a Les Paul.

Be advised the tolex is not a snakeskin pattern, but rather each piece comes with a vinyl cover (looks like snakeskin). HTH

lane1024

12-06-2006, 05:50 PM

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I saw the snakeskin covers,they have pretty good pictures posted. Still looks pretty cool, timelessly so. They also have the manual and stuff. Looks pretty clean.

I am unfortunetly going to be in Jamaica when the auction ends, not sure if I'll have internet access there, so if I'm serious I have to put in my high bid by tomorrow evening. humm?

Jube2550

12-06-2006, 06:03 PM

All I can say is I have heard someone say they didn't like the Jubilee on one day and on another say it was the best amp they heard on another. Very quirky indeed.

I don't think it is the best amp you'll ever hear but if you like hot rodded Marshall tones it does cover a lot of lead tone ground. Cleans are not as good but what is nice about them is lead tones really sing with single coils and smoke with a humbucking Les Paul. Perhaps the enigma is you must fiddle with them more then let's say a JMP NMV or JCM800 2204. Personally I say get both as well. I recall a 1985 "Original Classic" series green tolex 2204s smallbox a buddy of mine bought brand new back then and it was very fat and ballsy in it's own right. Different enought that I like them both for what they are. I am still looking at getting a 2204 because I remember how good that tone was for my tastes. If your from the Marshall PTP old school balls out everything on 10 then the Jube is probably not what your looking for. It is a bit more sophisticated and recording friendly. Fizzy..possibly, sweet and organic enough yes. Good enough for classic rock tones and then some.

gulliver

12-06-2006, 08:12 PM

You can always think outside the box. I went in between the two, and got a Voodoo modded 2205. Two channels, reverb, and great tone.

Rex Nomad

12-06-2006, 08:28 PM

I think both are great. But the Marshall 2204 Head is a more classic rock amp. Fat crunch for days. You can always put a dirt pedal in front if it - if doesn't have enough gain for you.

Enjoy!

IPlayHamers

12-06-2006, 08:30 PM

While I agree the Jubilee is a very nice amp, I prefer the JCM800. It just sounds more agressive to my ears. I guess it's what your seeking in tone.

The gentleman that mentioned the Voodoo mod might be on to something there. You might wanna check with Bray, Cameron and Splawn also.

Good luck,

IPH

clothwiring

12-06-2006, 08:56 PM

I have a 2558 combo that I'd like to sell, if you'd like to learn more contact me via PM.

2555SL

12-06-2006, 09:25 PM

You can't go wrong with a Jubilee 2555 or the Slash 2555SL (what I've owned for years now). Someone mentioned "recording friendly." That is VERY true. Should, for some odd reason, you not like the tones of the amp, then both models will only escalate in price.

For my tastes, probably the best Marshall circuit ever. I'll sell my soul before I sell my 2555SL.

clothwiring

12-06-2006, 09:34 PM

And although I have the 2558 for sale...the 2555 1/2 stack I have is staying put. :)

Ironman

12-06-2006, 10:25 PM

I vote for the Jubilee but I'm partial, it's been my favorite Marshall for many many years. Both are big and ballsy sounding. The Jub's are sweeter and the JCM800's more aggressive. The Jub's have just the right amount of gain for me and I need an OD pedal with a JCM800. In my experience, the Jub's have been very consistent tonally, the JCM800's seem to vary more. I wouldn't mind getting a JCM800 modded for a touch more gain and a trim on the treble. Both are great rock machines, just different.

lane1024

12-07-2006, 06:44 AM

clothwiring

12-07-2006, 06:53 AM

I have a 2x12 jubilee combo if you're interested.

lane1024

12-07-2006, 07:05 AM

Thanks, but I'm thinking more in lines of a half stack. I can somewhat justify the price becuase I can use the 4x12 cabinet with my other heads, Diezel, Splawn, etc.

clothwiring

12-07-2006, 07:19 AM

Cool. Good luck on the search!

gulliver

12-07-2006, 08:26 AM

The gentleman that mentioned the Voodoo mod might be on to something there. You might wanna check with Bray, Cameron and Splawn also.

Yeah, it was only $1k. A friend of mine just sold a Bray 2204 for the same price. If you look, you shall find.

I recommend local ebay searches, so you can go check it out.

Timmo

12-07-2006, 10:33 AM

For the price of ONE "boutique amp" you could buy both like I did ! :roll

I would hate to have to choose which one I like better though. :crazyguy

mmorse

12-07-2006, 12:50 PM

Ironman

12-07-2006, 04:20 PM

I have both. I use my 2550 with my Strat and my 2204 with my LP. Lot's of great classic rock tone! If I could only have one it would be the 2204. I like the gritty old school, aggressive Marshall grind I get with the amp. Had to mod out some of the brightness but now it's a rock machine! :D

My experience too with a 2203X I recently had. It was a great fit with my LP's...not so great with my Strat. A Jubilee and Strat are a great fit, take a listen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Avrey_9RA&mode=related&search

jcmusic

12-07-2006, 05:05 PM

2555SL

12-07-2006, 06:13 PM

I am current high bidder on one now (item #120061610430 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120061610430)). Is this the same type of amp that you Jubilee fans like?

Hey lane, yup, that's a Slash 2555SL. I checked the auction and the current high bid isn't "too" out of line "yet." But, the auction doesn't end for another 5 days, so I'll also be watching this with interest, as I haven't been paying much attention to Jub/Slash values lately.

Some things you may want to keep in mind if future resale is part of your equation. 1) The seller doesn't have the original Certificate of Authenticity (a minor point, but one that may matter upon resale), 2) these amps came with a 1-button footswitch to change the channels (not mentioned or shown in the auction), 3) also no mention of the original owner's manual. Added up, those three will affect resale "somewhat". To give you an idea, I picked up my 2555SL back in '00 and thought I had payed "way" too much @ $900. However, I really wanted the amp, knew what it sounded like (my friend owned a Jub 2555), and my amp was N.O.S., unplayed, in the original Marshall box with manual, footswitch, certificate, etc etc.

Plus side on the auction you're interested in is that the amp and cab look very clean (i.e., looks like a "bedroom" player is selling it). For me, and all of the above considered, not sure I'd be a player at much over the current high bid. Then again, they only made 3000 of those heads in '96, and there's no word yet of a planned Jub reissue by Marshall. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Marshall does reissue them somewhere over the newxt few years, as they seem to be in reissue mode as of late.

Either way you go, good luck. They truly are wonderful amplifiers.

Cheers

IIIBOOMERIII

12-07-2006, 08:57 PM

JCM 800 2203!!! I love it...I think mine is a 1983...it has an R at the end of the serial #.

I did the first four mods that are listed at www.tone-lizard.com (http://www.tone-lizard.com). It is listed under The Ultimate JCM 800. All I did was change the value of the first 4 resitors and I fell in love with it again. Mind you there were more mods to go to do the entire Ulitimate JCM 800. I was satisfied after the first four. Cool reading, check it out.

mmorse

12-08-2006, 10:55 AM

My experience too with a 2203X I recently had. It was a great fit with my LP's...not so great with my Strat. A Jubilee and Strat are a great fit, take a listen here:

It's not that you can't get a Strat to sound good through a 2204. It's that it takes quite a different setup (EQ, master, pregain etc) from a LP. It's just a lot easier at a gig to use one amp for one guitar and one amp for the other. That way you get the best of both worlds.

mmorse

12-08-2006, 11:04 AM

The Jube will sound good w/ anything. Biggest tonal diff IMO is it is noticeably "less bright" than the 2203/4. As far as Strats, I think it depends greatly on the Strat/pups. A friend's Jeff Beck Strat sounded fat with with either. Again the 800 is a far better value for the $$. FWIW, I also prefer my JMP MV 2203 slightly over the JCM 2204.

RATM/Tom Morello sound is a 2204 I think.
Navarro/Jane's Addiction was also JCM 800's w/ Boss pedals.
As much a bad rap as the 900's get, though I've heard some great ones.

You can easily mod out the brightness in a 2204 ala Tone Lizard. I did it and I'm by no means tech savvy.

You can pick up a black box 2550/2555 (don't know the combo model numbers) for a lot less money than a silver jubilee. Same amp. Just a different covered box and front panel. I paid $750 for mine a couple years ago. From a collector standpoint though, the silver jubilees are probably the way to go.

jcmusic

12-08-2006, 11:27 AM

You guys have me convinced on the Jubilees, I've been considering one for awhile and it's now time to make a move. I am current high bidder on one now (item #120061610430 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120061610430)). Is this the same type of amp that you Jubilee fans like?

Lane, the price on that one is over the top now AFAIC. Don't worry, the heads come up all the time. Cabs don't but no one cares about that (or the manual etc. ..) really. Believe it or not, when I went ebay crazy earlier this year, I would watch all the Marsall listing every day and I did this for a few months so I would know what a particular model would normally go for. I would check the bay 2-3 times a day. Well, one particular day I get homoe from work and log on and see a brand new auction for a 2555SL with a BIN price of $1000. I hestitated for about half a sec before clicked furiously. I knew these were regularly selling for $16-1800. Moral of the story: be patient, vigilant and eventuall you WILL get a great deal on a great piece.

Be careful - obsessive behavior leads to GAS. I don't watch it like I used to (I DID go amp crazy) but I have definitely noticed the Marshall/eBay market has softened a bit. Probably just seasonal.

smunched

12-13-2006, 10:07 AM

Hey everyone. I'm lookin to buy a used head and have been lookin for either the Jubilee 2555 or 2550. I'm basing my choice strictly on the fact that I love RHCP and John Frusciante's sound / style and that is sorta what I'm going for. John uses the 2550 I believe.

I'm quite new to the world of amp heads / cabinets (have been playing through a Roland JC-120 2x12 Combo) and so I'm open to any advice / feedback from anyone as to what to look / watch for. 1 thing that I'm curious about is to know some information on the original tubes that come in either of these amps. Is it reasonable to say that the tubes would have a huge impact on the sound that comes from the head? There is a rig on ebay right now (item # 230062844435) but it appears that this head was re-tubed and I'm looking for something that will sound like the original amp sounded (not modded).

Also, I believe that the 2550 is only a 50/25 watt head whereas the 2555 is a 100/50 watt head. Should I be worried about the power (or lack thereof) in the 2550 vs the 2555? Would it be safe to run a 1/2 or full stack off the 2550?

Any help here would be really appreciated. Thanks a bunch.

jcmusic

12-14-2006, 11:32 AM

I can't believe that auction (item #120061610430 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120061610430)) ended at $2325. Keep fishing and you'll snag one at a good price.

Psssst, ....

190061572237 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Marshall-Silver-Jubilee-2555-The-Slash-Amp-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ190061572237QQihZ009QQcategoryZ38 075QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

BIN!

jcmusic

12-14-2006, 11:37 AM

P.S. I'm the current low-bidder (and high-bidder). Sure I'll buy another for $1300!!

smunched

12-14-2006, 01:07 PM

P.S. I'm the current low-bidder (and high-bidder). Sure I'll buy another for $1300!!

This is the second ebay run for that amp (first time it didn't sell for $1,500 BIN or the $1300 starting price so I'd say you may be buying it for $1,300).......is $1,300 a pretty good price for that amp? I'm guessing this one was passed up the first time due to the few tolex scuffs and little marks maybe and collectors weren't after it.

Jube2550

12-14-2006, 01:38 PM

An original silver tolex 2550 half stack like mine recently went for $2550 (weird price) on ebay. The Fruciante Freaks and Slash Sensationalism are driving these prices for sure. I can say however, after owning several heads, racks and combos that nothing sounds like the Jubilee no matter how I try to duplicate it. That is what makes the amp special even though from an engineering point of view it is not technically advanced or special. Even after hearing how good the JCM800 2204 sounded if I had to choose, the Jubilee hands down sounds much smoother and more refined with a very unique single coil blues driven lead tone out of any stock Marshall to date, at least to my ears.

jcmusic

12-14-2006, 02:08 PM

This is the second ebay run for that amp (first time it didn't sell for $1,500 BIN or the $1300 starting price so I'd say you may be buying it for $1,300).......is $1,300 a pretty good price for that amp? I'm guessing this one was passed up the first time due to the few tolex scuffs and little marks maybe and collectors weren't after it.

More Marshall for me then!

If that one slid by before, I have to say that on one hand I'm pretty suprised, on the other, you can occasionally get a super-deal. (got my Slash head for $1K BIN!).

Ironman

12-14-2006, 07:28 PM

The Fruciante Freaks and Slash Sensationalism are driving these prices for sure.

And Joe Bonamassa. Damn, I'm glad I already have a 2555! :AOK

jcmusic

12-20-2006, 11:45 AM

I was outbid. :(

sold for $1325.

:eek:

Jube2550

12-20-2006, 09:07 PM

Since the Jubes are pricey and if you can't grab a slash head reasonably, next best thing 2204 with a guvnr pedal.

jcmusic

12-21-2006, 10:49 AM

Is there any diff b/w the diff versions of that pedal BTW?

mxr2000

07-21-2008, 12:56 PM

bump

jetydosa

07-21-2008, 01:10 PM

Wtf?

glman

07-21-2008, 01:24 PM

here's a clip of my 2555 slash which is basically the exact same amp as the silver Jubilee
listen to the clips " Getting Stronger and You should Know "
both done with my Santana II and the slash 2555 - guit direct into amp - No Pedals - Reverb and delay added from the mixing desk
I've yet to find an amp with a better lead tone than the 2555 Marshall Slash

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=508391

mxr2000

07-21-2008, 03:13 PM

Big White Tele

07-21-2008, 04:32 PM

Ive had a few JCM 800's, including a Vert input 4010 and an 2204. I just recently came accross a JCM 900 dual reverb 212 combo dirt cheap, so I snagged it. Man this thing sounds great. I replaced the stock tubes with a pair of Svet winged 'c's and it really works well. I know they have reports of reliability issues, but for the money there a good deal. Id say sonically its in the middle of an 800 and a jub.