JCM 800 Clone recommendations

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Hi y'all. Although I've been aware of the JCM 800 clones for a while, I've only recently started considering getting one. Specifically I'm looking at the Ceriatone line. Do these really replicate the Marshalls — not just the tone but the volume and response? Can anyone share recommendations, experience and caveats? While pedals and possibly mods will be implemented, I'm ultimately going for a more classic thrashy/chunky tone, not too saturated. I would say close to Exodus Tempo tone if I had to pick. Comments appreciated, thanks. Also, I play B/C# standard.
 
seriously though....does it have to be a jcm 800? dsl's and tsl's with pedals get pretty mean.....Hatebreed uses boosted tsl's I believe...
 
If you're looking for more of a classic thrash tone (which is something I love), I think a 2203 with a boost is always a safe bet. If it is a modded marshall I usually want a negative feedback option on it to decrease the apparent saturation and find that sweet spot in attack/body. I sound like a broken record here but I think a Landry LS100 G3 does this type of music really well with the voicing switches set appropriately. And they can be had used for under 2k. Otherwise a Ceriatone/or any other marshall clone with pedals will be up to the task. I know he is divisive here, but the fortin modded tube screamers with a Marshall will sound perfect.
 
itsgoodnow said:
If you're looking for more of a classic thrash tone (which is something I love), I think a 2203 with a boost is always a safe bet. If it is a modded marshall I usually want a negative feedback option on it to decrease the apparent saturation and find that sweet spot in attack/body. I sound like a broken record here but I think a Landry LS100 G3 does this type of music really well with the voicing switches set appropriately. And they can be had used for under 2k. Otherwise a Ceriatone/or any other marshall clone with pedals will be up to the task. I know he is divisive here, but the fortin modded tube screamers with a Marshall will sound perfect.
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I love the Fortin Tubescreamers. They’ve been the one Fortin product that actually did it for me lol. Anything with great juicy midrange growl tends to win me over though
 
If you’re on a budget under $2K or so, I’d recommend a Sovtek MIG100H over the other amps that got recommended. It’s like a 6L6 powered JCM800 with a fat, chewy quality to it and it has a more raw, organic sound since it’s an older amp and IME can hang with amps that are way more expensive than it is. If you can get a jcm800 or 1959 at a good enough price though I still may lean more toward that
 
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What’s your budget? And I’m assuming you want one already built? It’s hard to say, I know a lot of people complain about the transformers in the Ceritone clones, and how expensive shipping is from SEA. Only downsides I can think of is 800’s are not especially tight stock, nor do they sound very good below 3 on the master vol.
 
braintheory said:
I’d recommend a Sovtek MIG100H over the other amps that got recommended. It’s like a 6L6 powered JCM800 with a fat, chewy quality to it and it has a more raw, organic sound
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I was thinking of the 100 watt Sovtek as well. But from what I understand I'm looking for more midrange bite and overall growl from the EL34's rather than the smoother 6L6 sound? Maybe the older Sovtek has this quality as well. I might go look around town to see if there's one to play somewhere.
 
Chubbs said:
What’s your budget? And I’m assuming you want one already built?
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$1500 max, and yeah, already built, but I'd reconsider if putting a kit together isn't a bad idea for a novice. Thanks for the info about the transformers and shipping, which I hadn't considered.
Chubbs said:
Only downsides I can think of is 800’s are not especially tight stock, nor do they sound very good below 3 on the master vol.
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Yeah, will be using a tubescreamer + distortion and for band practice/live.
 
Chubbs said:
800’s are not especially tight stock
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I'm looking for a tone not quite as tight or as much gain as EVH's or Peaveys, yet more growl, articulation and crushing resonance.
 
denialist said:
Hi y'all. Although I've been aware of the JCM 800 clones for a while, I've only recently started considering getting one. Specifically I'm looking at the Ceriatone line. Do these really replicate the Marshalls — not just the tone but the volume and response? Can anyone share recommendations, experience and caveats? While pedals and possibly mods will be implemented, I'm ultimately going for a more classic thrashy/chunky tone, not too saturated. I would say close to Exodus Tempo tone if I had to pick. Comments appreciated, thanks. Also, I play B/C# standard.
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The Yeti is your best bet. It'll get pretty nasty, and get you into Tempo territory. Especially boosted. It's a killer amp!

I wouldn't discount a Splawn Competition either.
 
@napalmdeath cool thanks I'll check it out. Have you heard anything about ceriatone reliability or transformer issues?
 
I had a Ceriatone 2204 that had a Fortin mod, long ago. Sounded good. But, the PT went out on it....which was a thing long ago with the stock transformers. Not that it happened often, but it did happen. I'd order one without transformers and grab a set from Merren, or another vendor.

I'd take that over a DSL..although the DSL is a cheaper option that does sound good enough. But there are better sounding options. The MiGs, as mentioned are another good option.

Sounds though that you might want a modded Marshall tone? The 2203/4 won't have crushing resonance unless someone mods it. I'd then suggest a 1987x or 1959x and send it off for a mod....I recently got one modded by Nick here on RT (check out the Nick or Burning Rain mod, google) and it has a TON of crushing gain and a resonance mod.....there's also Jeremy (Red Plated) here who also does great work. Nick is east coast; Jeremy west.
 
@Racerxrated Yes, probably the "Modded Marshall" tone, but I don't really know what that means. I mean I understand that the amps are modifed in some way, but aren't there different mods that have different tones? So what type of mod? I also don't get why some combination of pedal can't aproximate those voicings anyways.

I should also add that as "tight" is a somewhat relative term, I'm looking for relatively tight but not hyper tight as is the trend in some quarters these days. And that midrange bite/attack which I don't associate as much with the 5150 or peavey ultra line.
 
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