Marshall Jubilee or JCM 800

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

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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, 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.

 

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.

 

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).

 

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?

 

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

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

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