JCM900 4102 opinions?

[NippleWrestler]

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?

[Optical]

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

[robthemac]

Would a DSL40 not fit the bill? Cheaper, lighter, still loud.

[NippleWrestler]

Would a DSL40 not fit the bill? Cheaper, lighter, still loud.

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]

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.

[Kris]

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.

[griff]

Haven't tried the dual reverbs ones, which I've heard are the worst of the 900s. I had a mkIII which was pretty awesome but had to be loud to deliver.

[murky]

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.

[NippleWrestler]

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.

[hamo]

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.

The lost art of the Sooty.

[Reg18]

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!

[jeremyb]

Have you considered an AC10 and a Boss DS-1?

[NippleWrestler]

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!

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.

If there even is any fizz ha.

[NippleWrestler]

Have you considered an AC10 and a Boss DS-1?

I can't tell if that's a joke.

Friends don't let friends play Vox.

[FuzzMonkey]

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.