Iron Maiden/Marshall amp questions...

[jonny toetags]

:|::QBB:

IMHO, Iron Maiden tones took a dump after the Powerslave album. They used Gallien Kruegers on Somewhere In Time, you can easily tell because they sound too processed. I'm not sure exactly what they used on Seventh Son, but it doesn't sound like a straight Marshall. I hear some stereo chorus on the guitars which i can't stand.

I know they did use JMP's at some point, probably around the Seventh Son era. If you wanted the tone from the first album on up to Powerslave i would say a JCM800 with a boost pedal. For albums after that probably a JMP and a multi effects processor.

+1
The whole SIT and SS era had GK amps around.
Surprisingly, i like the SIT tone

 

[mrp5150]

:|::QBB:

:|::QBB:

+1
The whole SIT and SS era had GK amps around.
Surprisingly, i like the SIT tone

The really processed tone fits the theme of that album IMO. Not the tone I want, but it's not terrible.

 

[MisterBulbous]

I think everyone's correct on the Gallien Kruger set-up -I know Adrian (and maybe Dave) were endorsed by GK and as they progressed from Number of the Beast, their stage transitioned from a wall of Marshalls to very few amps with tons of stage props. I always catch heck for buying my wife tickets to the Seventh Son tour, but I remember seeing the GK's on stage. Looked like tiny combo's. Personally, I think their tone became too compressed and sterile after Powerslave.

By the way, have you heard their cover of Jethro Tull's Crosseyed Mary? They've got some severely heavy tone on that one. 100% Martin Birch with all the midrange.

 

[MrDan666]

:|::QBB:

:|::QBB:

I remember there was some JMP 50 watt head on Ebay last year that was supposedly built for Maiden. The guy was asking like $8000 for it.

I know those JMP's are loud, but do the ones with a master volume sound alright at moderate volume?

2203's (which are the Master Volume JMP's and JCM800s), dont really get that sound until you start pushing air IMO. I have a JCM800 2204 which is the 50watter.. i had to boost it and push the thing to around volume 2 or more to get that crunch. and trust me.. Volume 2 or louder is very loud man!

 

[mrp5150]

:|::QBB:

:|::QBB:

2203's (which are the Master Volume JMP's and JCM800s), dont really get that sound until you start pushing air IMO. I have a JCM800 2204 which is the 50watter.. i had to boost it and push the thing to around volume 2 or more to get that crunch. and trust me.. Volume 2 or louder is very loud man!

Hmm, which Marshall would you suggest then?

 

[jonny toetags]

:|::QBB:

:|::QBB:

Hmm, which Marshall would you suggest then?

All Marshalls are LOUD

 

[MrDan666]

:|::QBB:

:|::QBB:

Hmm, which Marshall would you suggest then?

The only Marshall i have played and really enjoyed is my Cameron modded JMP. Iv discovered that for me, modded Marshalls are where its at because i can get awesome tones at any volume.

As we all know though, tone is subjective so what i think sounds good or bad, you may think the opposite etc.. but i generally dont enjoy stock JMP's or JCM800's at anything but loud volumes because i cant get the right kinda saturation in the gain at low volume. When i hear Maidens Marshall tones, it sounds like the amp is cranked!

 

[mrp5150]

:|::QBB:

:|::QBB:

I think the only amp Marshall makes that you'd like is the JVM. The others don't have anywhere near the amount of distortion you like. You know that VHT 50CL? Most Marshalls have less distortion than that.

I don't need it to get heavy tones like I normally go for, I just need it to get heavy enough for Iron Maiden tones. The VHT had way more than enough gain for Maiden tones.

 

[mrp5150]

:|::QBB:

:|::QBB:

Oh, I see. I still don't think you'll like a Marshall, though.

Well, I don't really like them for the stuff I normally play, but I think if I got a nice one I would really enjoy it for Maiden style tones. I think I'm either gonna get a JMP or a 2204 whenever I can afford to. If I end up not liking it, I'll just sell it and try a different one.

 

[MrDan666]

:|::QBB:

:|::QBB:

Well, I don't really like them for the stuff I normally play, but I think if I got a nice one I would really enjoy it for Maiden style tones. I think I'm either gonna get a JMP or a 2204 whenever I can afford to. If I end up not liking it, I'll just sell it and try a different one.

Hey Mark!

The main thing i found with old Marshalls is they are really picky with speakers, they sound great with some and some sound shit with them. I have known several guys with JMP's play it through their own cab that might have had say 75's or V30s, and they didnt like the tone at all! They then tried the same amp through H30's or Greenbacks and totally fell inlove with the amp!!

So if you buy one and say you didnt dig it with the V30's.. dont be put off, because it will sound drastically different with other speakers!

This is why playing and experimenting with Marshalls can be expensive... its finding the key ingredients to go with the amp