JCM800 - Bedroom level playing - Any hope?

[Azaril000]

JCM800 - Bedroom level playing - Any hope?
Hey all,

I have finally after weeks of deciding, tone researching and deal hunting found a JCM800 for £600.

As I have stated in my other posts I have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 40w which I can safely manage at bedroom levels without attenuators but with just a simple volume box, I can jack in my overdrive or fuzz and still relatively keep it at bedroom levels. My version of bedroom levels is pretty versatile, My neighbours are hardly in and even when they are its not much trouble. I can also get a good tone out of my Fender HRD in my bedroom the full fender sound out of it. I do not play at volumes where It hurts my ears.

Anyways the reason I mention that is to give some idea that I can manage reasonable a 40w amp.

I have really set myself to buy a JCM800, to just go ahead and buy the real deal tone instead of "can be's or close enough's". I found a 50w head.

I know for a fact even at 50w its still a gigging amp, so I am asking the wel knowledgable folk at this forum if theres any hope of me playing this beast in my bedroom with or without any help? Attenuators? 1x12 cabs, 2x12 cabs? I dont want to do anything to damage the amp or shorten its span.

Im pretty hyped to get it, but honestly if its gonna blow my ears out then I dont also want to waste the money as I prob wont be gigging for a LONG time (LONG).

Cheers!

[RIMRAK]

What model? That makes a huge difference. If its a 2203 or 2204, forget about it, way too loud even with a pedal for low volume playing. I mean it can* be done, but doesnt sound very good. If your talking about a 2205 or the 2210 2 channel amps, they sound much better at low volume.

[Azaril000]

Its the 2204 Master volume head

[carbz]

Well it boils down to how picky you are about the tone. I like cranking the master volume to get the power tubes cooking. Once you get used to this kind of tone you will realize most pre-amp sounds to thin and buzzy. The only way to achieve that at low volumes is by using some kind of attenuator or re-amp. Many guys don't like the attenuators at low volumes as they claim it squishes the tone way too much. To me it still sounds far better doing that then all pre-amp gain. A JCM 800 has a master volume so you could certainly use it at bedroom volumes even with out attenuation. Just my 2 cents.

[RIMRAK]

Originally Posted by Azaril000

Its the 2204 Master volume head

My Favorite Marshall!!! They are not good at, nor meant to be played quietly, but man when you wind a 2204 up there is nothing in the world like it..Enjoy!


Loudly!!!!

[Axeplyr]

"As I have stated in my other posts I have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 40w which I can safely manage at bedroom levels without attenuators but with just a simple volume box, I can jack in my overdrive or fuzz and still relatively keep it at bedroom levels."

just curious... How exactly are you using this "volume box"?

[Azaril000]

Well i think the volume box is just a simple audio taper pot, where the HRD users a linear one, so its just running through my fx loop.

[TubeStack]

Hey, man - coming from someone who's recently owned and sold a JCM800 2204 - I loved that amp with all my heart and cranking the MV was one of the most fun and glorious experiences a rock guitarist could ever have.

But, it was way more power and volume than was ever practically use-able, except for extremely loud band rehearsals for fun, or alone at home every now and then (and every time afterwards, my ears would physically hurt, real pain).

Tried the Ultimate/Ho attenuator and Hot Plate, sounded like shit and neutered the thing completely. Pointless, to me.

After a fair amount of hand-wringing, I sold it and bought a different amp (Dr Z Remedy), and I couldn't be happier. (The Z has a fantastic 1/2 power switch to run at 20W, but can also rock the house at 40W, if desired.)

Especially considering that you're mainly talking about home use, a JCM800 50W head just ain't an amp for that kind of application, unless you like shaking the house, being heard all down your street, and completely destroying your ears (as fun as that sometimes is... ).

You can use the preamp distortion, but the JCM800 sounds thin and tinny when doing that. It really doesn't sound good until the MV is at least at 4, which is already pretty f*ckin' loud. LOL Even on 2-3, a JCM800 is a loud mother.

As far as the Fender HR Deluxe comparison, there really is no comparison - a vintage Marshall head's 50W is like no other amp rating, in my experience - when cranked, it will melt your face off.

Sorry, probably not what you want to hear, but I've just been through all this, took a few months to get it sorted out. Why both with attenuators, etc - you're not really using the amp as it was meant for and might as well play something as it's meant to be played. You'll get far better tone.

[John Coloccia]

Originally Posted by Azaril000

Its the 2204 Master volume head

Fugetaboutit. Even my 2205 needs to be opened up a little to sound good. Not super loud but certainly above bedroom level if your thinking about playing it at night in an apartment, for example. It'll play, but it sounds weak and fizzy. The 2204 is practically hopeless without a serious attenuator. That's just my experience with one 2204 but I think you'll agree. Why not trudge down to the local GC and see for yourself?

A pod, or something like that, stuck into the effect return will sound much better IMHO. It'll feel a lot better too.

[AshyLarry]

I've tried the Hot Plate and a Bad Cat Leash and the leash sound way better than the hot plate. It might be worth looking into, I was very impressed. (Didn't use a JCM tho).

[RockDC]

I like mine at bedroom volume Master @ 2 but LOVE mine at 4 or 5.

[Ironman]

I'd recommend an attenuator for at home playing. I used a Hotplate with my 2203 at home, just enough attenuation to to get the beef out the pwr. section and then using an OD to goose the preamp. Some JCM800's sound like total crap at home friendly volumes and others are OK. You might be OK without an attenuator, you're just gonna have to experiment. FWIW, I like a Jubilee much better for lower volume playing than JCM800's, I don't need an attenuator with a Jubilee.

[ellpolo]

i have a 78 JMP 2 input master lead. Ya it has a master volume but you dont get the real marshall tone until your at or above stage volume. Kinda sucks for a bedroom amp

[Melodyman]

I only have a 2203x which isn't as loud as an original I'm sure, but with a boost pedal I can get pretty good tones out of it at lower house volumes. It's a little tricky but I can do it.

[SgtThump]

Originally Posted by Azaril000

Its the 2204 Master volume head

Great amp. I never had a problem getting great tones with those at bedroom volumes, but that doesn't seem to be a popular opinion.