JCM 800 Clone recommendations

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bad Brain
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PLX said:
The PT & OT in my Ceriatone AH-50 have absolutely no branding/labelling of any kind - aside from a sticker denoting PT from OT.

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I could probably find the name somewhere but I want to say it was something like pacific audio.
 
Those Gargoyle transformers weigh a ton and look like they would be for a 200 watt amp.
 
I pulled the chassis and took a look.

Those white labels are nothing but date codes and denote OT from PT.

Mine says 2017 on the OT and 2018 on the PT.
 
PLX said:
The PT & OT in my Ceriatone AH-50 have absolutely no branding/labelling of any kind - aside from a sticker denoting PT from OT.

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E5YIgKu.jpg
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No EIA codes stamped on the end bells or other permanent markings like that on the frames?

easstudios said:
Exodus Tempo tone is a Langner modded Marshall, a stock 2203/2204 won't sound like that.
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As are/were most Langner modded amps -- modded 220* Marshall, right? Use that as a foundation, with good quality iron and PS.
 
On the cheap side, there’s Wangs Amps from China that built clones.

Then there is TAD Germany. They have 100w Kits with and w/o assembly and headshells. Kits include CC resistors, their replica of mustard caps and replicas of '68 OTs made by Dagnell, AFAIK. Unfortunately, they recently increased prices. Fully assembled with HS they cost 2.5K. But I would still prefer them over a reissue.
 
Jet City also builds 800 these days. They look nice but their work doesn't look as tidy as other clones.
 
easstudios said:
Exodus Tempo tone is a Langner modded Marshall, a stock 2203/2204 won't sound like that.

I think these are cool JCM800 (or inspired) amps that are built nice and reasonably priced:





I think most modern boutique high gain amps come out of that JCM800 lineage so you'd probably get close with something a bit less "stock". Splawn's seem WAY too dark to do that aggressive Exodus thing.

Huge part of that TOTD tone is T75's in your cab. Not to be overlooked at all.
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Those MGL amps sound fantastic.

Splawns dark? Not in my experience. I've owned 4.
 
hammered said:
+1 on the Splawn Competition. Wish I would’ve kept mine
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Seems like one of the better options for a modded Marshall clone. I noticed they're currently out of stock and not many up on reverb, not much of a used discount either. Comments in youtube demos people seem to love them. Someone here wrote they're too dark though.
 
Dave M said:
As are/were most Langner modded amps -- modded 220* Marshall, right? Use that as a foundation, with good quality iron and PS.
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Yeah, but I mean, there’s several gain stages added, loads of changes to the circuit. Transformers and parts matter but the circuit itself is 95% of the tone. Using some Marshall spec transformers is going to make bugger all difference if the circuit isn’t right
 
I've had a lot of JCM800-style amps but no direct clones. I do have a JCM800 2203X reissue.

None of the amps I have quite have that certain growl that the real thing has, but I really hear that in what you'd probably consider more mid-gain sounds - unboosted. Since a 2203X and a vintage 2203/2204 is out of your budget, you'll have to compromise somewhere. The MGL's look great.

I have to plug the JCM900 MkIII or JCM900SL-X, either can be had in your budget and would sound killer boosted.

Something worth saying about Ceriatone, I have a 2014 KK and a 2022 AH50DLX both with plain stock factory transformers and they are both fine. Extremely heavy, and I have no concerns over the quality of the transformers. Got both of these within your budget too, the KK in particular I really like but it's a bit smoother than the traditional 800 sound, but with gobs more gain if you want it and lots of EQ tweakability which gives it a really wide range of tones. I don't quite get along with the AH50 the same way, but I also didn't love the Friedman it's based on, so I'm not surprised - just need to spend some more time with it I think.
 
denialist said:
(Splawns) Someone here wrote they're too dark though.
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2007-2012 Splawns were dark, rolled off highs. The circuit has been through a few changes so the specific year/version you get will have a huge influence on the sound. Check out some comparisons if you can before grabbing one - my 2006 QR is easily one of the best amps I own and plenty bright, but only 3 preamp tubes and the gain on the drive channel affects the clean channel too so I end up using it more like a single channel amp. I had a 2018 StreetRod that was similarly bright, but with much more bass and the same core tone, that's closer to the newer Splawn circuits and it rips. On the other hand, I've had a 2008 and 2009 QR's, love them for what they do, but they sound like completely different amps. Extremely mids-forward, rolled off highs and bass, cuts through like crazy but pretty polarizing sound that you can't dial out, the EQ on all Splawns I've had doesn't have a huge effect on the tone.
 
TotallyRadGuitars said:
I have to plug the JCM900 MkIII or JCM900SL-X, either can be had in your budget and would sound killer boosted.
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I second this. I picked up an SL-X earlier this year in a trade and ran it side by side with my 2204 for a stereo setup. You can get really close in sound. The SL-X didn't quite have the dynamics of the 2204 but it had much more gain on tap and the way the two gain knobs interact, offered up more tonal options. Had the original owner not hit me up wanting it back, I would take it over my 2204 for it's versatility and higher gain levels. I remember having to eq the amp very strange to get the most out of it. Everything was either on 0 or 10.
 
TotallyRadGuitars said:
None of the amps I have quite have that certain growl that the real thing has
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I want that growl! I'll look into the 900 SLX. I wonder how different the circuit is from the 800 - I understand it's basically a hot rodded 800?

...Nobody's mentioned jubilees, are they worth considering? I think I heard they're smoother and more modern sounding than the 800.
 
Welcome to Rig-Talk :cheers:
You came to the right place :yes:
I also think a Splawn would fit the bill. 3 Gears. Treble on '0'. EQ and volume taper in loop. OD of choice. Non V30 cab. And I use mine like a single channel amp as well. But the clean channel is very clean and the loop is flawless. Good luck.
 
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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I think I'd get the Ceriatone 2202 if I had to do it again. I have the 2204 and it is awesome but the 2202 has a few more features to hot rod it and the wait times aren't nearly as long. I've heard the 2202 is a more accurate representation of the best, original 2204s too. I might still get one of these... but I just play in my home studio so I don't need more watts if that is something you need.
 
denialist said:
https://reverb.com/item/72136081-mo...00-blood-thunder-mod-100-watt-2015-2018-white

So is this amp a clone or a modded marshall? It's out of budget but is already modded. Anyone know anything about the "Blood and Thunder mod?" (Good name anyways??)
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That's a Monomyth it doesn't matter if it's a clone or not. It will not your dick in the dirt. It's basically his take on a butterslax but his is a more raw and aggressive in the best way. I had a 1974 superlead with this mod and it was killer. As far as Marshall type amps right now the Headfirst Atla is my favorite followed by Monomyth then ceriatone and finally Splawn.

The Monomyth is really high gain though. If you want something closer to an 800 this is going to be way heavier than a boosted 800
 
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