My New JCM800 Build with Progress Pictures *Done!*

[LP Freak]

Looks great so far! Have you decided on a grounding scheme yet, whether typical JCM 800 or star ground?

I was thinking typical JCM.

 

[drewiv]

Can I bring over a six pack and watch the build?

 

[rockstah]

I was thinking typical JCM.

nice. i have used their kits before.
Use the metro step by step (as that kit doesn't really come with any instructions) and head over to valvestorm.com to get the correct wire for it. (at least my kit only came with green and white cloth covered wire. maybe they have upgraded that part of their kit as well.)
Also worth upgrading all filter caps to F&t's. The caps (JJ) that come with that kit are junk.

also you might want to research grounding schemes as all points to ground contribute to tone let alone unwanted noise.

my 2 cents.

Mark

 

[jerrydyer]

youve done it now!!! welcome to the insanity..................................

 

[MississippiMetal]

The typical JCM800 grounding scheme will work if you're just sticking with a stock design. If you have any plans to ramp-up the gain, though, I would implore you to star-ground, because noise only becomes more of a factor as gain increases.

 

[LP Freak]

I was thinking typical JCM.

nice. i have used their kits before.
Use the metro step by step (as that kit doesn't really come with any instructions) and head over to valvestorm.com to get the correct wire for it. (at least my kit only came with green and white cloth covered wire. maybe they have upgraded that part of their kit as well.)
Also worth upgrading all filter caps to F&t's. The caps (JJ) that come with that kit are junk.

also you might want to research grounding schemes as all points to ground contribute to tone let alone unwanted noise.

my 2 cents.

Mark

I thought about using some F&T caps. You say the JJ's are junk.....what's the difference in tone? They also include a 5K pot for the presence intead of the normal 25K. Should I stick with the 25K?

 

[MississippiMetal]

I was thinking typical JCM.

nice. i have used their kits before.
Use the metro step by step (as that kit doesn't really come with any instructions) and head over to valvestorm.com to get the correct wire for it. (at least my kit only came with green and white cloth covered wire. maybe they have upgraded that part of their kit as well.)
Also worth upgrading all filter caps to F&t's. The caps (JJ) that come with that kit are junk.

also you might want to research grounding schemes as all points to ground contribute to tone let alone unwanted noise.

my 2 cents.

Mark

I thought about using some F&T caps. You say the JJ's are junk.....what's the difference in tone? They also include a 5K pot for the presence intead of the normal 25K. Should I stick with the 25K?

The 25k (22k actually) was used in the later marshall presence circuits. The 5k is more reminiscent of the earlier presence circuit, which was changed due to the audible scratching of having DC across the pot.

 

[LP Freak]

I was thinking typical JCM.

nice. i have used their kits before.
Use the metro step by step (as that kit doesn't really come with any instructions) and head over to valvestorm.com to get the correct wire for it. (at least my kit only came with green and white cloth covered wire. maybe they have upgraded that part of their kit as well.)
Also worth upgrading all filter caps to F&t's. The caps (JJ) that come with that kit are junk.

also you might want to research grounding schemes as all points to ground contribute to tone let alone unwanted noise.

my 2 cents.

Mark

I thought about using some F&T caps. You say the JJ's are junk.....what's the difference in tone? They also include a 5K pot for the presence intead of the normal 25K. Should I stick with the 25K?

The 25k (22k actually) was used in the later marshall presence circuits. The 5k is more reminiscent of the earlier presence circuit, which was changed due to the audible scratching of having DC across the pot.

I'll probably just go with the 25K.

 

[MississippiMetal]

I was thinking typical JCM.

nice. i have used their kits before.
Use the metro step by step (as that kit doesn't really come with any instructions) and head over to valvestorm.com to get the correct wire for it. (at least my kit only came with green and white cloth covered wire. maybe they have upgraded that part of their kit as well.)
Also worth upgrading all filter caps to F&t's. The caps (JJ) that come with that kit are junk.

also you might want to research grounding schemes as all points to ground contribute to tone let alone unwanted noise.

my 2 cents.

Mark

I thought about using some F&T caps. You say the JJ's are junk.....what's the difference in tone? They also include a 5K pot for the presence intead of the normal 25K. Should I stick with the 25K?

The 25k (22k actually) was used in the later marshall presence circuits. The 5k is more reminiscent of the earlier presence circuit, which was changed due to the audible scratching of having DC across the pot.

I'll probably just go with the 25K.

Just keep in mind the layout changes ever so slightly.

 

[SFW]

Very cool. One of these days, I want to do a build. Just need to find the time to do it.

 

[LP Freak]

Starting to look like an amp.

And the wiring begins.

 

[Rogue]

Oh cool. I'll be watching this.

 

[Mailman1971]

 

[MYLILSS]

lookin good. im curious to see how it turns out

 

[LP Freak]

lookin good. im curious to see how it turns out

Me too.

Well I just put in an order for a set of F&T caps so it may hold things up a bit. The general concensus says use them. Easier now than later.

 

[Ventura]

This looks very cool - I'll be watching the progress.

Where'd you come up with that cool little platform/work form? Nicely done.

Mo

 

[LP Freak]

This looks very cool - I'll be watching the progress.

Where'd you come up with that cool little platform/work form? Nicely done.

Mo

Something I built. I just copied it from a picture of the one Weber sells. Works great and is adjustable in length for different size chassis.

 

[MrDan666]

Cool thread! Amp looks great so far Paul!

I disagree about the JJ caps being junk. They work fine and sound great in more modern sounding circuits. But if authentic old school Marshall tone is what you're after, the F&T are an ideal choice

 

[LP Freak]

Cool thread! Amp looks great so far Paul!

I disagree about the JJ caps being junk. They work fine and sound great in more modern sounding circuits. But if authentic old school Marshall tone is what you're after, the F&T are an ideal choice

Thanks Dan. I'll eventually be looking for a modded Marshall tone. Nothing over the top or modern though.

 

[MrDan666]

In that case, the F&T caps were the right choice for your amp