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Tucker
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

I am a non-too-experienced guitarist, and I've never been in touch with experienced players appart from some teachers I can't talk to very often. Now, i'm looking for a rockin' amplifier with heavy, hard, deep sound and a lot of REAL watts to deliver.

I was thinking about Marshall (of course... What else man??) and I was testing some new VALVESTATEs when, in a corner of the shop I saw... An old JMP 100W!! I must say it doesn't look very good... it seems to be REALLY abused... the cover of the 4x12 stack is broken in several sites and it seems to have had a very long life of rockin'. Anyway I asked for its prize... And my face turned white at once!!! 500$ for the head & the 4x12 stack!!!

I think it's a great deal... but i'm not sure. What happens if I have to retube it within two months, for example?? I don't have much cash... so probably if it has a breakdown soon I'll have to stop playing live (which I do once per month, or so), and my band would not like it...

Anyway... I'm looking for the opinion of an experienced player... What would you do in my situation?? What do you think 'bout this deal??
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Buck
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

Tucker,

A Marshall 1/2 stack at $500 is a GREAT deal, but something has got to be "up" (like, the rectifier
is going, and the guy wants to get rid of it before it blows).

I've been playing prof and semi-prof for 25 years.
If your criteria really is a rockin' amplifier with heavy, hard, deep sound and a lot of REAL watts to deliver -- LOOK NO FURTHER than a 5150
1/2 stack from Peavey!

Yes, that's right, Peavey. This amp cranks. More gain than you'll ever use, and with the active bass (resonance) and presence, you get the thickest, meatiest, balliest sound. Now, I love the sound of an old 100wt plexi Marshall top cranked wide open, but for a real heavy/meaty sound, please check out the 120wt 5150 head n cab!

PS -- you don't quite get the same tone from the 5150 2x12 combo, so avoid.
If you're looking for a DEEP
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T.J. Borek
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

Tucker,

You say you only gig once a month. Do you do any serious recording with your band when not performing? If you only gig once a month, I hope you play to a sold-out room, because $500 is a lot of money for an relic that could die any minute. If it looks like hell, it's probably been there AND BACK.

I agree with Buck about looking into the Peavey for superior sound. Those 5150s are nice.

Finally, if you're not a tube amp fanatic (I've played for 12 years and just don't care, personally), you might consider spending that $500 on a brand new Tech 21 Trademark 60. It's capable of all kinds of nasty sounds, and has a built-in direct box for connecting straight to your PA mixer, so volume won't be a problem. Then you can use the 60W 1 x 12" combo itself as your personal monitor onstage without having to move 200 lbs of gear to and from a gig. It's worth a listen. (Nothing like a warranty!)
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mark
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

Bro,

I'm in love with JMPs. I like the 50 watt combos--got a couple of them. I'd by it in a second if it works. I'm willing to put up with repairs and stuff, because nothing sounds like a JMP.

Mark
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peter gordon
Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 10:30 am:   

Find a valve fanatic... and unleash him on the amp before you buy it... :-) If the guy selling it has any troubles with someone checking the amp... the he is HIDING SOMETHING!!!!!!! And be very aware.... is there a garantee or waranty on this baby. BTW: the amp will kick arse... be louder than anything else you might play.... have more grunt and tone than a stud bull on viagra :-) I have a jcm800 50w half stack and a jcm900 100w 2x12 combo.... what else do you need??? NOTHING!

Cheers :-)
Peter
Playing for 30 years... pro and semi-pro in Australia!
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Bruce Cluley (Bruce_C)
Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2001 - 7:15 pm:   

It's a shame that you are not in the UK. I live about an hour away from Milton Keynes and the Marshall Factory. I have had several and have taken them direct to the factory for a service. Each time they have provided an absolutely excellent service and have taken them there each time I have had a problem that I haven't been able to fix myself. I have expected to pay each time, but never have and they replace all the little things like missing badges and knobs at the same time. If you can get there before 9 am they can guarantee that you can take it home the same day and throw a tour in of the factory while you wait. The reception is amazing and plastered with photo's of virtually any guitarist you can name.
The website is worth a visit as they have some of the handbooks on line and can sort out older ones on request.
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smokey
Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2001 - 4:54 pm:   

I say go for it...even though your message is a month old. Those JMP heads go for $400-$500 on ebay, the 4 x 12 in ratty condition maybe $300. Expect to replace tubes in ANY tube amp, regardless of age.

Peavey 5150 ? That things a hunk of junk. So are most peavey products. You can't go wrong with a Marshall, even if you hate the tone you should still be able to get your money out of it. Those JMP head have a nice glassy tone that can get pretty raunchy...
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SEB SULLIVAN
Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2001 - 7:39 am:   

MARSHALL ARE THE DADDY i HAVE A 27 YEAR OLD ARTISTE 2X12 COMBO & A BRAND NEW TSL-60 HEAD & 4X12. mARSHALL ARE OK, BUT TAKE SOMEONE WITH YOU WHO CAN SPOT MICROPHONIC NOISE ETC. pEAVY ARE OVERPRICED & BOOGIE ARE NICE BUT .....
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Skarekrough
Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2001 - 1:22 am:   

A respected guitarist friend I once knew said to me "Every guitarist should make the mistake of owning a Marshall at least once in thier lives". And while I've followed his advice I admit that there were two instances in my life when I was forced to use Marshall amplification due to circumstances out of my control.

But I think alot of what should be asked is what sort of sound are you looking for?

I'm a big fan of Line 6 amps. I own two and have beat them savagely on the road and in the studio for quite awhile now and had good luck with them. For the $500.00 price range you could get ahold of a combo or even a used Line 6 head. Just something to keep in mind.
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Megaman357 (Megaman357)
Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 8:03 am:   

I disagree...
I owned and played MANY MANY amplifiers....
Boogies, Fenders, Carvins, Cra tes, Peaveys...
just name it.
Recently I have bought a Marshall JCM800 100w
Master lead head mk.2 model 2203.
1980 made. with EL34's.
Just in the minute I heard it... I can't even tell you how I felt.. It's a simple amp.. without any bullshit. bass,mid,treble,preence,preamp volume master volume and two inputs... and It's the best sounding amp I've ever heard.. and It's a Marshall.. but you know - It's all a matter of taste. i just love that big classic british tone.

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