JCM 800 vs. VHT/ Freyette Deliverance

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How do the two compare? I'm looking for a single channnel "clean to mean" amp for classic/ modern rock, with some clean popish stuff thrown in as well. I'm ok with using a pedal for higher gain stuff/ leads, and would be running an R7 thru the amp into a 4x 12 with greenbacks. Price point of about $1k.

I currently have a Budda SD30 (for sale, by the way), and have been borrowing a Marshall DSL 50....I like the refinement of the Budda, but also dig the cut and punch of the Marshall.

If I could meld the two together it would be perfect!

Thoughts?

 

[MGSchindel]

1977 to 1983 2203/2204 all the way. More organic and toneful, to my ears. YMMV.

 

[JohnSykes]

1977 to 1983 2203/2204 all the way. More organic and toneful, to my ears. YMMV.

Yeah. I dont like the VHT.

 

[Braciola]

1977 to 1983 2203/2204 all the way. More organic and toneful, to my ears. YMMV.

Absolutely

 

[MGSchindel]

Here's some porn, then...

 

[Killcrop]

Well the Marshall does the Marshall thing. The 800s have to be turned up pretty loud to sound good. If you can do that then they are pretty great amps. Need a pedal for any kind of real gain.

The VHT is a bit of a cleaner sounding amp with way more gain on tap. Even the less mode has more gain than the 800. The VHT is more touch sensitive than the Marshall for sure. Better master volume. The VHT can get the harmonic energy going at a way lower volume. I would bet the VHT can clean up better than the Marshall. It has been a few years since I owned a Marshall SL.

Both are in your face rock amps. I think it boils down to feel.

 

[vicdeluca71]

JCM 800!!!.Does it get any better?

 

[Kelly]

JCM 800!!!.Does it get any better?

The Deliverance actually has decent cleans. And high gain. Yes, it does get better.

 

[splatt]

the fryette deliverance is capable of delivering more than only “classic rock” sonics & feel,
imo.
it's one of my all-time favorite amps.
there's no fair comparison, for me, w/any jcm800.
(attenuate the deliverance,
if you wanna kinda simulate the limited dynamics of a jcm800..... but, you'll still hafta dial-out its ”grunt“....)
i'll take the deliverance --- no, wait, i already did, & still do.
ymmv.

dt / spltrcl

 

[Oz Hofstatter]

Here's some porn, then...

Hey MGSchindel,
Lots of Marshall, nice!!! Congrats!!! I love the style of the 77' JMP cabinet.
Do you still have the Landry?
I didn't see in the picture.
Keep rockin' ,
Oz

 

[NortheastHick]

For a single channel rock amp you won't find any better than a 2203/2204.

 

[papersoul]

I have a VHT 50/ST and it sounds better than any Marshall I have owned. Very organic and thick. Gain more like a Plexi though. Loves pedals.

If I could find a GOOD older two channel Marshall....I'd get it.

 

[Phil M]

I have a VHT 50/ST and it sounds better than any Marshall I have owned. Very organic and thick. Gain more like a Plexi though. Loves pedals.

If I could find a GOOD older two channel Marshall....I'd get it.

I LOVE the 50ST but keep in mind that one's a little different than the Deliverance.

I like VHTs in general and have owned the 50ST, Sig:X and Ultralead. Do you want your amp to sound like a Marshall or like a VHT? I wouldn't rule out a used Deliverance or 50ST but for what the OP is looking for I might search out a clean late '70s JMP. If you're patient you will find the right deal. But do you need an effects loop for your echo, lead boost, EQ, etc.? That's definitely something to think about because a lot of the older Marshalls aren't going to have it.

 

[anoobis]

But do you need an effects loop for your echo, lead boost, EQ, etc.? That's definitely something to think about because a lot of the older Marshalls aren't going to have it.

I had a serial effex loop put in my Deliverance 120 by a local amp tech. No problem. Worked great. I'm sure the same could be done for most amps that don't have one, as long as there is room.

Deliverance is more versatile than the 800, with separate gain and voicing controls and depth control you can get 80''s massive crunch, and smooth it out for syrupy lead tones and even modern detuned metal tones. It's a different feel than the Marshall but IMO it's a better tone.

Also, there are single channel Splawns you can find used for around 1k very similiar to the JCM 800 but with more gain. I would not hesitate to get one. Splawns are some of the best Marshall style amps made.

 

[MBreinin]

I traded my '78 JMP 50 watt for my Deliverance....I definitely am a happy camper. The VHT destroys the Marshall, and can do much, much more than the Marshall. No real need for any pedals with the VHT, or an attenuator. It can do the clean to mean with the volume knob, and it if you want to play in real high gain territory, the More switch is all it takes. I almost always play in less mode though, and it is more than enough gain. It is more modern than the Marshall, for sure, but it is also much more versatile.

Mike

 

[Phil M]

I had a serial effex loop put in my Deliverance 120 by a local amp tech. No problem. Worked great. I'm sure the same could be done for most amps that don't have one, as long as there is room.

Deliverance is more versatile than the 800, with separate gain and voicing controls and depth control you can get 80''s massive crunch, and smooth it out for syrupy lead tones and even modern detuned metal tones. It's a different feel than the Marshall but IMO it's a better tone.

Also, there are single channel Splawns very similiar to the JCM 800 but with more gain. I would not hesitate to get one. Splawns are some of the best Marshall style amps made.

Color me embarrassed. I just assumed the Deliverance had a loop like the other VHTs I've owned. I was trying to point out that the VHT would have a loop while the old Marshall might not. Oops!

I also owned a Splawn Quickrod for 2 years. Very cool amp but it really seems to divide players for some reason.

 

[anoobis]

Color me embarrassed. I just assumed the Deliverance had a loop like the other VHTs I've owned. I was trying to point out that the VHT would have a loop while the old Marshall might not. Oops!

I also owned a Splawn Quickrod for 2 years. Very cool amp but it really seems to divide players for some reason.

Haha I was wondering about that. No worries

The Splawns have a midrange voicing that some people can't get into but I love it. I had the Nitro that had a quickrod midslope, opposed to the normal low end mids of a Nitro, which the Supercomp ( single channel Nitro model) model now has as switchable from a low end midrange to the more quickrod mid voicing. The Promod and single channel Prostock have KT88s and the Nitro and Supercomp can be had with KT88s for a more 'modern voicing' according to Splawn. I would look into those if anyone is interested in the JCM 800....

 

[papersoul]

I LOVE the 50ST but keep in mind that one's a little different than the Deliverance.

I like VHTs in general and have owned the 50ST, Sig:X and Ultralead. Do you want your amp to sound like a Marshall or like a VHT? I wouldn't rule out a used Deliverance or 50ST but for what the OP is looking for I might search out a clean late '70s JMP. If you're patient you will find the right deal. But do you need an effects loop for your echo, lead boost, EQ, etc.? That's definitely something to think about because a lot of the older Marshalls aren't going to have it.

Yea, the 50 is different and I love it. It sounds HUGE!

On the Marshall front. What is the best 2 channel Marshall with loop. How about a Silver Jubilee? Anything from the 80s?

 

[Phil M]

On the Marshall front. What is the best 2 channel Marshall with loop. How about a Silver Jubilee? Anything from the 80s?

Tough question. I like the Jubilees but they're tough to come by. I could be happy with a DSL50 and I know they can be had in great shape for $600-$700. The VintageModern is not bad but it's not a true two channel amp and the reverb is digital and sounds weird to me (I don't use reverb anyway).

 

[Deathmonkey]

My Deliverance 120 is the single most recorded amp in my studio by a mile, not just because it's also my main recording amp.

I really don't like when people say amp x "destroys" amp y, because it's all subjective. I understand players that are not necessarily thrilled with any given designers' sonic palette - especially as you get into the boutique ranks, the sounds become more and more singular visions of their creators.

So, all that said, if you like the brighter, rougher edge of the JCM 800, I'd go with an 800, or more vintage style clone. I really like Splawns for this side of the Marshall coin, tho good luck getting "clean" out of one of their single channels.

If you like the smoother, darker, woodier side of Marshall, with far more versatility than an 800, definitely take a Deliverance for a spin. I wouldn't say that it sounds like an 800, but in many cases where I might reach for an 800, I prefer the Deliverance.

So if your tonal taste runs more GnR, Scorpions, Buckcherry, I'd steer you towards an 800 or appropriate homage. If you like more Blackmore, Judas Priest, Randy Rhoads tones all the way to modern metal, I'd definitely recommend the Deliverance.