HEADache, possible recommendations

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:46 pm

That eBay link i posted earlier, with the combo-turned-into-head JCM800 sold for Â£370, but its now back on eBay. I don't know if that's a good price.. but it might stay about that price again:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marshall-JCM800-J ... =72%3A1298

James · Post by **James** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:05 pm

Short link for combo turned head: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0288045913

This one will be interesting because it's very similar. The only differences are that it's horizontal input and the model sticker is on the opposite side of the back plate.

I've just got back from playing the one in the shop here. It does the Marshally thing in textbook style. The difference in volume between the high and the low inputs is quite surprising and with the High input you can get an awful lot of crunch. Certainly more than I expected.

Mike wrote:Also would be interested in how bright it is clean compared to dirty

I actually forgot to check this. On the whole all of the knobs had extremley useable ranges in mild crunch to more full on sounds. I was quite impressed with that part of it. As things approached what would be unuseable territory you find yourself at the end of the pots range.

I've realised that I'm not really a Marshall fan. I like the sound of them on albums I listen to and things, but for playing myself I prefer something more Fender like. So in a sense I find it hard to give much opinion on this. I do think if you're going to buy a JCM800, it would be a fine one to go for and at a very reasonable price given the condition and the market.

I'd say go for it. If you find that you don't use it as much as you would like you would be extremley unlucky to not get back what you paid for it when selling it.

Serial is something like 00190 CN btw.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:01 pm

Thanks James, I really appreciate the information and the effort you've gone to to get it. I definitely owe you some Rum and Cokes.

However I think I'm going to let it go, as much as I might regret it in the future. The crux of the matter is that I'm not 100% either way - I can see the pros and cons, basically it's a great single channel amp and I've always loved the sound of them, it would be wonderful to own such an amp made the year I was born and to use for recording and stuff - however I know what a stickler I am for having a spanky clean sound on tap, and seeing as rocking a two amp system is beyond stupid for someone like me, this would mean using the 800 as a clean amp, which is just stupid. Plus I have the 6100 which has a great clean and crunch channel, and any difference between the 6100 crunch and the 800 crunch would be completely minute and hard to recognise on a recording, and impossible live.

I'll remain a fan but I just think I've realised I have too many responsibilities now, especially with jobs not being secure, to buy an amp when I don't need one. I think I would feel guilty on the two hour drive there, and guilty back, and guilty as and when I stopped taking it to rehearsal. I'm not a collector, I'm a player.

Sorry shortscale. I'm a wimp.

James · Post by **James** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:05 pm

Well in that case, can somebody lend me Â£500?

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:06 pm

hahah I thought you said you didn't like it?

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:12 pm

He'd flagellate himself to death if he bought it. I know what you mean, Mike. Ignore my diary thread.

James · Post by **James** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:14 pm

Well it's not really my thing, but it is very nice.

I still think you should go for it, but respect the decision not to. Â£500 isn't an awful lot of money, but it's enough that putting it down at short notice on something that isn't a necessity is not an easy decision. I know you don't like the collecting thing, but it is pretty much an investment item as well as a great amp and not using it to it's full potential but still rocking it out at home once a week isn't a bad state of affairs.

One way to think of it that benecol mentioned to me about something else recently. Think of the average guitar player noodling at some dodgy solos and drop d riffz in guitar shops across the country. If you're happy for a box of awesome to go to one of those clowns, then on your head be it.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:21 pm

James wrote:Think of the average guitar player noodling at some dodgy solos and drop d riffz in guitar shops across the country. If you're happy for a box of awesome to go to one of those clowns, then on your head be it.

oof! you can be so cutting at times james, haha!

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:27 pm

You pair of bastards. I'm totally rethinking this now and it's your fault

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:28 pm

Oof - that's my second nastiest goad,after my "your mates have got stupid cars" routine.

James · Post by **James** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:31 pm

The ebay link I put at the top of this page has gone for Â£510 +Â£50 or so shipping. It's missing a knob and the pictures are annoying image shack types you can't see clearly. It does come with a flght case (now that it's past Â£500) though.

It's a shame you don't live closer so it would be easier for you to rock up with one of your guitars and give it a go yourself.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:32 pm

stewart wrote:
James wrote:Think of the average guitar player noodling at some dodgy solos and drop d riffz in guitar shops across the country. If you're happy for a box of awesome to go to one of those clowns, then on your head be it.
oof! you can be so cutting at times james, haha!

I think you'll find that's my piss and vinegar, Llewelyn-Bowen.

James · Post by **James** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:33 pm

benecol wrote:I think you'll find that's my piss and vinegar, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Still, I take credit for use of the word 'clowns'.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:38 pm

If you're nabbing my stock phrases, I reserve the right to appropriate your "plugging the pedals into each other back to front and upside down" routine.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:38 pm

my apologies benecol, you great crying nancy.

James · Post by **James** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:43 pm

benecol wrote:If you're nabbing my stock phrases, I reserve the right to appropriate your "plugging the pedals into each other back to front and upside down" routine.

Well I'll agree to credit you for use of the clowns in the guitar shop line if you agree to avoid my name when mentioning the pedals being plugged in arse backwards.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:45 pm

Dealio.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:45 pm

I've changed my mind and I'm totally coming to see/buy this thing.

I will straight up stab someone if it's not there when I get there haha. Will be good to meet Tim and see James again.

'citin! Now I've decided to go I actually feel really good about it. Go figure.

James gimme a postcode to go to, I need to print off the AA maaaaps

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:51 pm

Mike wrote:I've changed my mind and I'm totally coming to see/buy this thing.

I will straight up stab someone if it's not there when I get there haha. Will be good to meet Tim and see James again.

'citin! Now I've decided to go I actually feel really good about it. Go figure.

James gimme a postcode to go to, I need to print off the AA maaaaps

YEAHHH!!

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:52 pm

Pffft. Casa James is unfindable.