Wich amp should i take?

He4D · #1 10-29-2003, 07:30 AM

So..
JCM800
JCM900
Peavey 5150 MKII

Ive tested all these Amps and i really dont know wich one i should take.
The Peavey is a little bit too expensive, but the sound is great. I thought about buy a JCM800 or JCM900 @ebay.
My Style is Black/Death Metal: Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Ulver etc.
Wich one should i take for this style.. never tested a JCM800 with a Distortion Pedal and i heard it would sound great. Is the JCM900 also ok?

Thanks

JEAPSON · #2 10-29-2003, 07:36 AM

I would go for a JCM 800

He4D · #3 10-29-2003, 07:39 AM

Yeah but is it good enough for metal?
Btw. wich distortion pedal should i take if i buy one. The Distortion of the amp is not so good

Gresh · #4 10-29-2003, 11:20 AM

Based on your style, I would think that you'd be happier with the 5150...gobbs of distortion right out of the starting gates, but generally the clean channel blows.

JCMs aren't going to give you the distortion you need without either major mods or a seriously gain-y pedal. Marshalls also generally need to be run pretty damn loud to get them singing...but it's worth the effort, they sound wonderful. Between the 800 and 900, I'd stick with the 800. It is a much simpler design that is easy to work on, tons of room inside for major mods if you get the bug. If you want a 900, then get the SLX model. JCM 2000 models are also great, more gain than the 800s. However, some of the better tones I've come across actually use less gain and more power amp punch...generally a nice fat tone.

Also look into mesa amps (totally different tone than a marshall) or rivera amps (clean = sweet fender, gain = modded marshall on crack), koch is another great one. These deliver much more gain right out of the box. Pretty pricey though!

JerryP · #5 10-29-2003, 12:40 PM

For that style of music the Peavey 5150 would fit the bill. Not the 5150 II (which would be OK too) but the 5150. Those are cheaper used than a Marshall will be.
Jerry

He4D · #6 10-29-2003, 12:47 PM

I also thought of the Peavey TripleXXX 212 Combo.. never heard it but the people on harmony central says it rocks

ChrisReedSmith · #7 10-30-2003, 01:25 PM

I second the Triple XXX. It is an amazing amp that I believe has redeemed Peavey quailty right up with Marshall and Mesa. And at 900 bucks new!? Paaleezz. Beside the Triple XXX I agree that there are many other amps that could suit better, but I feel secure saying the XXX is where its at!! WORD!!

JerryP · #8 10-30-2003, 01:40 PM

Go play a XXX before you buy one. I've worked on several and I don't care for them at all. They sound better with EL34's than 6L6's but it's still not anything I would buy. You may like it, just play it for yourself before you buy one.
Jerry

LegacyMan · #9 10-30-2003, 04:53 PM

JCM's were the standard metal machine during the 80's and some people use them still (zakk wylde, at least before his sig amp). Throw a Boss SD-1 in front of it and you'll be fine.

Or pick up a used 5150 for $400-550. Have a tech throw in an adjustable bias circuit in there and go.

pawel · #10 10-30-2003, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LegacyMan

JCM's were the standard metal machine during the 80's and some people use them still (zakk wylde, at least before his sig amp)

His signature amp is pretty much a JCM800 with some minor mods, and he still uses a few 800's in his live rig (at least last time i saw him he did)...

The_Grindfiend · #11 10-31-2003, 03:08 PM

I would go for the JCM 800 without hesitation. They sound excellent (which is what you should primarily be concerned with, not gain), and if you want more gain just throw a good OD/dist. pedal in front of it. Or, if you really want it to sound good, I've heard Voodoo Amps will do amazing things to the already great 800s. If you got the Hex circuit installed, you probably wouldn't even need the pedal.

http://www.freewebs.com/montyjay/montyjayframes.html

This will take you to a page with sample clips on it.

He4D · #12 11-01-2003, 07:27 AM

Thank you for the site.. The old Metallica sound is also awesome.

He4D · #13 11-01-2003, 08:30 AM

The old Darkthrone sound also rocks.. from soulside journey.
Sound Clip
Someone knows what amp that could be?.. I would say Mesa Recto..

saTa · #14 11-01-2003, 10:25 AM

depends... if you like to play loud... get the jcm800 + a jcm800 1960a box (or even the complete tower... :P)

dunno.... i like it

He4D · #15 11-01-2003, 10:40 AM

I also want to play @ bedroom