Marshall JCM800 vs. Marshall 6100 30th Anniversary

Post by **Mike** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:51 pm

Can you get the JCM800 tones in a Channel switching head?
[youtube][/youtube]

Post by **Hurb** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:03 pm

For most of that, I think I liked the 6100 best, sound wise.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:53 pm

When I first saw this thread title under "New Posts" I had a terrible sinking feeling, thinking this was the spam thread. Don't do that to me Mike...

Post by **Mike** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:39 pm

I won't lie to you, situation at work has made me think twice about having to sell it.

It could cover a month's mortgage and council tax. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that, but if stuff gets fruity it may well.
I think they both have a different sound but are definitely in a very similar vein. The minutae between them is something that only a few people would recognise or care about.

James · Post by **James** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:41 pm

I know it's not a situation to be picky over, but it would be nice if you didn't have to sell it to some rich kid who's daddy is buying him the best studio money can buy. Obviously though if you sell it it will be out of necessity and cash will be king.

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:11 pm

What's the difference in price between those two?

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:12 pm

the 6100 is really appealing to me.
sometimes its hard to catch when they switch, but there definitly is an overal... amp characteristic that comes thru.

Post by **Doog** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:16 pm

Definately a difference in the midrange, but fairly damn close. In a band situation, I'd imagine it'd be fairly marginal.

Post by **Mike** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:21 pm

Doog wrote:Definately a difference in the midrange, but fairly damn close. In a band situation, I'd imagine it'd be fairly marginal.

Exactly my thoughts. I could tell it was mids because I could not dial them any closer. I matched gain, bass and treble response but the mids were characteristically different.

I'd love to do one on the DSL50 Green channel, I reckon that would shut a lot of people up.

I'm going to try and borrow Gareth's TSL combo and see how the Crunch channel on that sounds.

Post by **Mike** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:22 pm

cobascis wrote:What's the difference in price between those two?

Currently you can get a 6100 head second hand for between Â£300 and Â£500.

JCM800 heads are Â£500-Â£700+ these days depending on age and condition.

rodvonbon · Post by **rodvonbon** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:47 am

I watched the video twice because I didn't want to be influenced by my own bias.
[$.02]
The 6100 sounds like the mids are scooped out, shrill, weak and over compressed. The 800 has a more pleasent full bodied tone.
The only time I thought otherwise was when you backed off the gain on the 800 around 3:56. There 6100 sounds like it has a better bass response with the gain lowered. Before and after that though the 800 is miles ahead. The beauty of the 800 is it's mids. It doesn't get it from just the mid knob, but a combination of that and gain. The 6100 sounded (and I know it's not) solid state to me. The best way to describe it is "glassy" if thats even a word. Then again I don't like the TT for the same reason.
[/$.02]

msteuk · Post by **msteuk** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:10 am

In all honesty the 6100 sounds better to me. Obviously it's a matter of taste, but if it were my choice and if money was tight, I'd sell the 800.

blacktaxi · Post by **blacktaxi** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:11 am

i didn't pay attention to what you were dialing during the comparison, but i liked JCM800 more in the first half of demo and 6100 in the second half. the 800 sound more clear at lower gain (good) but a bit shrill at higher gain (bad? dunno). actually, i'd enjoy playing through either of them equally.

BradK · Post by **BradK** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:31 pm

Good fucking god, the 800 is such a beautiful sounding amp. Awesome comparison video!