JCM900 4102 opinions?
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- NippleWrestler
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JCM900 4102 opinions?
I'm looking at the JCM900 2x12 combo from ~1990 for $800.
Reviews are all over the place and it seems a very polarising circuit. This is the 100w Dual Reverb version with the 2 T75 speakers and EL34s.
I've been looking for a combo to take to jams without lugging head, cab, and cables and wondered if this 900 would be a suitable option for some chugs.
Any thoughts on the subject?
Reviews are all over the place and it seems a very polarising circuit. This is the 100w Dual Reverb version with the 2 T75 speakers and EL34s.
I've been looking for a combo to take to jams without lugging head, cab, and cables and wondered if this 900 would be a suitable option for some chugs.
Any thoughts on the subject?
Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
I have a 50W head and can frankly say it's one of the worst tones in my stable. yrmv
If it fits your budget, maybe look at running a BEOD pedal into the power amp or something. Would be a huge improvement
If it fits your budget, maybe look at running a BEOD pedal into the power amp or something. Would be a huge improvement
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
I can't seem to find one used and I really don't like their speakers, and I'd always prefer a 212 over 112. Since the 900 is 80km away it's not so convenient to test drive.
- The Scarecrow
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
I've had a couple of 900's. Great if you like a box of bees as your only tone. Not so great otherwise.
Only luck I had was with a 50w head I put EL34's in over the awful 5881's, left the gain around halfway and really drove it with an MXR overdrive in front. Decent, but my DSL smoked it.
Only luck I had was with a 50w head I put EL34's in over the awful 5881's, left the gain around halfway and really drove it with an MXR overdrive in front. Decent, but my DSL smoked it.
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
fizzy as hell,always because i actually tried to use the treble and presence control.
800 for a 2x12 with a 100w tube amp is all good though,you could always just bypass the pre.
800 for a 2x12 with a 100w tube amp is all good though,you could always just bypass the pre.
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
So…..
You have to turn them up to get the goods. Low master = fizz central. Get the master over 6 and it’ll even out.
The GT12-75 probably doesn’t help - it’s pretty bright & crunchy.
Silverchair Frogstomp was a 900 (IIRC). And I think one of the Devilskin guys (Paul Martin?) may be 900 loyal. They can do a pretty good chug if you run em right.
You have to turn them up to get the goods. Low master = fizz central. Get the master over 6 and it’ll even out.
The GT12-75 probably doesn’t help - it’s pretty bright & crunchy.
Silverchair Frogstomp was a 900 (IIRC). And I think one of the Devilskin guys (Paul Martin?) may be 900 loyal. They can do a pretty good chug if you run em right.
- NippleWrestler
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
It's going to be 80% at home and the rest elsewhere where it'll be louder. There's always places to lessen fizz and treble and I know Marshall are great lovers of overly bright bright caps that I could easily remove... But if it's fundamentally a turd then maybe there's something else.
Still, $800 for a made in England Marshall tube amp doesn't sound terrible.
I'm simultaneously talking myself into and out of the thing.
Still, $800 for a made in England Marshall tube amp doesn't sound terrible.
I'm simultaneously talking myself into and out of the thing.
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
The lost art of the Sooty.NippleWrestler wrote: ↑Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:32 pm It's going to be 80% at home and the rest elsewhere where it'll be louder. There's always places to lessen fizz and treble and I know Marshall are great lovers of overly bright bright caps that I could easily remove... But if it's fundamentally a turd then maybe there's something else.
Still, $800 for a made in England Marshall tube amp doesn't sound terrible.
I'm simultaneously talking myself into and out of the thing.
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
I’ve got a 4100 head on the way and I’d also like to know any tricks. I’ve been reading up on mods including removing some of the clipping diodes entirely and disconnecting the preset tone stack that’s on the drive channel which gives it a distinctively 90s preset tone.
Also a depth knob can be added so it’s not so thin at lower volumes.
More than half of the reviews online say it’s terrible and not to touch it, putting it down to the clipping diodes or other reasons. means they are cheap though! I only have one memory playing a 50watt duel reverb many years ago and thinking I didn’t really understand all the hate but I guess I’ll find out this week when my 4100 arrives!
Also a depth knob can be added so it’s not so thin at lower volumes.
More than half of the reviews online say it’s terrible and not to touch it, putting it down to the clipping diodes or other reasons. means they are cheap though! I only have one memory playing a 50watt duel reverb many years ago and thinking I didn’t really understand all the hate but I guess I’ll find out this week when my 4100 arrives!
- jeremyb
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
Have you considered an AC10 and a Boss DS-1?
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
Half the reviews are positive, the other half call it the worst possible amp to ever be made. I've nothing against diodes, worse comes to worst there easy enough to put on a switch, or just remove entirely. I'd be interested to hear an amp techs perspective on mods to reduce the fabled fizz.Reg18 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 27, 2023 3:25 pm I’ve got a 4100 head on the way and I’d also like to know any tricks. I’ve been reading up on mods including removing some of the clipping diodes entirely and disconnecting the preset tone stack that’s on the drive channel which gives it a distinctively 90s preset tone.
Also a depth knob can be added so it’s not so thin at lower volumes.
More than half of the reviews online say it’s terrible and not to touch it, putting it down to the clipping diodes or other reasons. means they are cheap though! I only have one memory playing a 50watt duel reverb many years ago and thinking I didn’t really understand all the hate but I guess I’ll find out this week when my 4100 arrives!
If there even is any fizz ha.
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Re: JCM900 4102 opinions?
Never heard one or played one, and maybe an unpopular opinion but it is just that, an opinion. Having to do a bunch of mods on an amp to get even close to the sound in your head, then it's the wrong amp for you.