I have two early '70s jmps and my friend has two early '80s jcms and we have been taking about doing a straight trade: jmp for jcm. That way we would each have one of each Marshall. All amps in question have been gone through and are great specimins. Would one of us be ripping off the other in terms of monetary value on this trade? I have done a little ebay research but it's tricky to find a mean value for either. That's why I thought I'd throw this post out to you guys. Thanks
How early in the 70s? If it's PCB (post-mid 73) then it's not quite 2:1 (say $1500 for the JMP and $1000 for the JCM?).
The one I'd be trading is stamped "E" so I believe it's a '74. It's got a thick pc board and appears to be all stock except for some funky aluminum foil shielding inside the head box that needs to come out.
The JCM my friend has is a 2205--50 watt with channel switching and reverb. Does that change the equation? The JMP I'd be trading is a '73 with PCB. What do you guys think? It's still really hard to appraise from scanning ebay. Thanks
I wouldn't trade away your older one for his. Not a fair deal. Take his and some cash for yours. Check the plexi-palace on a fair market rate on both heads.
73 is definitely worth more, esp than a 2205. IMHO, $850 for the 2205 and $1100 for the 73. Is the 73 50 or 100 W?
I'm not sure I'd even go $850 for the 2205, some people love them but they're definitely at the bottom of the heap 800 wise. In addition the 73 will appreciate considerably faster than the 800, I'd be looking for $500 in addition to the 2205 for your amp... Either that or sell the JMP and buy your buddy's amp...
Neve your gonna regret that trade. I love JCM 800's but that trade would be like shooting yourself in the foot. You'll be bleeding and it will be your fault. Save some coins and buy a JCM 800 2203 OR 2204 and have three amps. :BOUNCE
It's 50 watts. Both my JCMs are 50 watts with the difference being that the one I'm considering trading has a pcb and not ptp like the 72. Is the 2205 really "the bottom of the heap"?? Why?
I'm not gonna set here and say its a bad amp. Its not my fave JCM 800. The thing is trading a Mazarati for a Doodle Bug just aint a smart trade. I hope I'm not comming off as an arse. I'm sure the 2205 is a good amp but not worth an even trade for a Super Lead.
I just a/b'd the two this afternoon and I have to agree. The JMP has a much more beautiful tone and harmonic distortion (using a power brake on both and jumpers on the JMP). I was expecting a little more outta the 800. Not bad at all, but not in the same league IMO.
IIRC correctly the 2205 was the first amp with the diode distortion, and had kind of lame channel switching. That said, a lot of folks like them, I just don't think the BASIC tone holds up to a good JMP or even an early JCM800.
