So this JCM800 followed me home today…

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Killcrop

Killcrop

Well-known member
2204 50w vertical input from 1982. It’s all original and had 6550 tubes. I was surprised at how great it sounds. I was thinking it was going to have less gain than the EL34 model I had. I don’t think I would have been able to tell the difference. This one might be a little punchier in the bottom end. Not sure I should convert it to EL34s. Thoughts?

Also Looking for ideas on OD pedals. I have the following…
Boss Super Overdrive
Mythical OD
BB Pre
Benson Pre

I had a JCM800 a few years ago and ran a Friedman OD in the low input and that was fun, but it’s a very noisy pedal

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Happy new amp day. If she sounds great, leave it as is. 6550's are a bit punchier with better clarity IMO. If this were 100 watt NMV you might think differently about them.

Also, thanks for confirming that Marshall guys aren't into plush carpeting like Mesa guys are. My hypothesis has been confirmed and I would add that you have a very nice looking wooden floor there. The blonde is nice and bright.
 
Great amp. SD1 would do the job perfectly.
I'd only suggest that a combination of a light OD and a boost pedal would work even better getting you a few more accessible textures. Like having rhythm crunch, heavy rhythm and a boosted lead within a tap of a pedal. I have been using the Rodenberg SL-OD with a JCM800 like amp and been really happy with it.
 
VonBonfire said:
Happy new amp day. If she sounds great, leave it as is. 6550's are a bit punchier with better clarity IMO. If this were 100 watt NMV you might think differently about them.

Also, thanks for confirming that Marshall guys aren't into plush carpeting like Mesa guys are. My hypothesis has been confirmed and I would add that you have a very nice looking wooden floor there. The blonde is nice and bright.
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I am a blond only kind of guy
 
Nice! Don't be surprised if it cleans up better with the guitar's volume knob than a EL34 model. SD-1 should be good but a Griff Super Drive is better to my ears. Sold both my SD-1s after I got the Griff. Cool amp. Enjoy.
 
guitup too said:
Nice! Don't be surprised if it cleans up better with the guitar's volume knob than a EL34 model. SD-1 should be good but a Griff Super Drive is better to my ears. Sold both my SD-1s after I got the Griff. Cool amp. Enjoy.
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I was driving home and was 99% thinking I am going to put EL34s in it.
I am now 99% sure I am going to stick with the big bottles.
 
I have a JMP and 800 both with 6550's. Never once have i thought of converting to 34's. I have tried several OD's into the front end and the SD-1 wins every time. Amazing how a cost effective pedal shines over pedals 3x the cost. Add any LP and win the trifecta.
 
I built my 800 / JEL to USA specs ( running 6550 's ) and am quite happy with it !

I would run a Chiron ( Klone ) into the front end .... as my first choice ... then my 808 as my second choice ... as popular as my Superdrive is .... I don't like it as much as the first two ...
 
7704A said:
Nice! I have a 4104 from '82 with 6550's that I really like. I'm thinking I'll probably keep it as 6550's, but we'll see. Here's a video from a RT member comparing the two.
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Normally I always gravitate towards whatever makes an amp sound wider and more modern which in that video would be the 6550's, but damn if high gain Marshalls aren't awesome with EL34's. Those mids, man.
 
7704A said:
Nice! I have a 4104 from '82 with 6550's that I really like. I'm thinking I'll probably keep it as 6550's, but we'll see. Here's a video from a RT member comparing the two.
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That’s a Mansfield production if I ever heard one.
 
Killcrop said:
Something a bit more tight. I can probably get them dialed. So far the Boss is probably the best.
Wondering if an SLO pedal in the low input would be interesting?
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The SLO Pedal sounded amazing into the normal input on my Hiwatt. Are they the same amp, no. But both are bright, and cutting in nature. Ymmv, but I definity think it's worth trying if you're curious. With the deep switch in I was able to get it very very close to the tone of my Mesa Tremoverb on the Vintage Orange channel.
 
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