Marshall JCM800

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The JCM800 series (Model 2210 and others) is a line of guitar amplifiers made by Marshall Amplification. First built in 1981, the JCM800 became a staple of 1980s hard rock music;[1] notable users include "Anthrax, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and about any other '80s hard rock/metal band".[1]

History

In 1981, Marshall finally reached the end of its 15-year distribution deal with Rose-Morris, which had severely limited its potential to sell amplifiers outside of England; Rose-Morris tagged 55% onto the sticker price for exported models. The JCM800 was the first series produced after the contract expired. The name comes from Jim Marshall's initials, "J.C.M.", coupled with the meaningless "800" from the number plate on his car. It was later noted that "800" stood for the decade. For example, the JCM900 was released in 1990 and the JCM2000 was released in 2000.[1]

The series included head amplifiers with matching cabinets, as well as combos, and was produced until the 1990s.[1] It quickly became a very successful amplifier, and ubiquitous among hard rock and heavy metal bands.[2]

Description

These were the second series of Marshalls equipped with a master volume, which allowed for more distortion at lower volumes. Compared to the earlier "Master Volume" series, they offered some advantages, including the possibility to be patched internally and linked with other amplifiers.[3] The first JCM800s were in fact Master Volume amplifiers (Models 2203 and 2204, at 100 and 50 watts respectively), repackaged in new boxes with new panels. Soon, however, the Model 2210 appeared on the market.[4] These were equipped with two channels, which could be activated via a foot switch, allowing for separate lead and rhythm sounds. They also had an effects loop and reverb, also a first for Marshall.[2]

Initially, users complained that the amplifiers (used with the standard Marshall cabinets) sounded flat compared to the older Marshalls, until it was discovered (by accident) that the fault was with the speakers: The new cabs had been equipped with a new kind of Celestion speakers. Marshall quickly reverted to the older Celestions.[2] Still, some users prefer the pre-JCM800 amplifiers, claiming that those have a warmer, less "brittle" sound.[3]

The amplifier was equipped with EL34 valves (tubes) for amps sold in the UK and 6550 tubes for amps exported to the United States.[3] The JCM800 is considered a "hot" amplifier because it has more gain stages than comparable amplifiers, and in "lead" mode (in the "high" input), an extra triode provides extra gain to the pre-amplifier, which "made for one hot rock amp".[5]

Notable users

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 Maloof, Rich (2004). Jim Marshall, father of loud: the story of the man behind the worlds most famous guitar amplifiers. Hal Leonard. pp. 211–14. ISBN 978-0-87930-803-2. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Pittman, Aspen (2003). The Tube Amp Book. Hal Leonard. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-87930-767-7. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Boehnlein, John (1998). The High Performance Marshall Handbook: A Guide to Great Marshall Amplifier Sounds. Bold Strummer. pp. 10–12. ISBN 978-0-933224-80-3. 
  4. ↑ Fliegler, Ritchie; Jon F. Eiche (1993). Amps!: the other half of rock 'n' roll. Hal Leonard. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7935-2411-2. 
  5. ↑ Hunter, Dave (2005). The guitar amp handbook: understanding tube amplifiers and getting great sounds. Hal Leonard. pp. 46–47. ISBN 978-0-87930-863-6. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Jeff Kitts, Brad Tolinski, ed. (2002). Guitar World presents Nu-Metal. Hal Leonard. pp. 15, 88. ISBN 978-0-634-03287-5. 
  7. ↑ Kies, Chris (March 2013). "Interview: Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion - Premier Guitar". Premier Guitar. Retrieved 1 May 2013. 
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