New Amp: Marshall JCM800 Model 2205 Split Channel

I am on quite the streak with Marshall amps lately. On the same trip returning that Blankenship Plexi, my local GC happened to get this amp in stock, also on a customer return - they actually had to pull it from the back because it was not out on display.

I’m not sure why this amp was returned - I gave it a complete playthrough and tested every feature at every reasonable volume before taking it home for myself. A nice bonus, no shipping charge for once!

While we most commonly think of the “JCM800” as the sound of the 2203 and 2204 amps, the moniker “JCM800” is actually a range of models. You could buy a 1987/1959 circuit plexi circuit in a JCM800 shell, as well as your popular 2203/2204 circuits, or even this “split channel” circuit.

Lots of conflicting information floats around about these split channel JCM800 amps, model numbers 2205 (50w) and 2210 (100w) and their combo amp equivalents. Officially introduced in the year 1982, though I have seen some units with 1981 serial numbers, these were designed to push guitar tones and amp design into the next decade. With louder and higher gain tones demanded by artists of the time, and Eddie Van Halen’s famous Marshall Powered “brown sound” at the forefront of everyone’s mind, this amp was designed to offer both more gain as well as a more classic clean-ish normal channel, plus an effects loop and direct preamp line out for studio and modern PA usage.

Early models (82-84/85ish) had an odd placement of the EQ section, resulting in quite mixed reviews compared to the classic 2203/2204 models, which continued on from the JMP range that preceded the JCM800 range. With slow sales and mixed reviews, the split channel range was completely redesigned sometime in 1984 or 1985. The exact time is difficult to pin down but I have done my research and talked with others on the Marshall amp forums and found a few examples of 1985 and even 1984 models with the new circuit design. This redesigned circuit has less channel bleed, more gain, and the gain is structured differently - a bit more the Marshall sound we know and love, but darker and more saturated.

The premise is still the same though - both channels run in parallel much like a Plexi, but instead of separate inputs, they share the same input jack and can be footswitched to alternate between them. The “normal” channel is very much a stripped down non-master volume circuit (and can get extremely loud) and has only bass, treble, and volume controls. The “boost” channel is the evolution of the “high treble” channel on a plexi, and gets a lot of gain plus has the addition of a clipping diode circuit for even more gain. This channel has the usual 3-band EQ, a channel volume, and gain control. Both channel share a master section with an overall master volume, presence, and a reverb control which mixes in a tube driven spring reverb tank - groundbreaking features at the time.

My experience in the past with a 1982 model was disappointing, but I had played a 1988 model in a store long ago but didn’t have the money for it. This 1985 unit has the later circuit and sounds every bit as good as I remembered. It has a good amount of gain, but not so much that it gets overly saturated with a boost, and even the clean channel is bright and snappy and sounds great, if a little loud and hard to control at times. The master volume makes it surprisingly easy to get a decent tone at home studio volumes too. My only complaint is the reverb implementation is a little weak sounding, but it is the first attempt ever from Marshall at this sort of design. It can be turned off from the knob or footswitched off as well. The real highlight is the boost channel, which is just a killer 80s rock and metal tone, though I feel it really has to have the bass maxed out to sound good. The treble control is incredible sensitive, I usually set it around 3 for most music but if I take it up to 5 or 6, and especially if I lower the mids as well, it becomes a very aggressive thrash metal tone machine.

New Amp: Blankenship Variplex 1959 Clone (Kruse Modded)

I’ve been thinking a nice Plexi would be a great addition to the quiver, and I spotted this one online at Guitar Center’s used listings (big surprise!). The Kruse mods listed was a volume control, and since I’d likely be adding a master volume anyway I figured that’d be one less thing I’d have to deal with.

It finally arrived and just… wow. This thing is trashed. First of all, the amp came with no tubes at all, and no power cable. I borrowed a spare power cable and tubes from my stash and powered it up. It sounds like a wet fart and any volume level - and that’s not an exaggeration. I’m not sure how else to even describe it, it sounds like a broken speaker flapping around, especially on the lower strings. The modifications include removing the standby switch for a rotary selector with different wattages indicated (a variac style volume?) as well as another master volume that replaces the presence knob.

It’s really a shame to see this modifications done to this amp. I didn’t know much about Blankenship before, but after some digging I’ve found them to be highly expensive, true to component Marshall 1959 clones with impeccable quality and top of the line components. Inside are Mercury and Classic Tone transformers/choke, high end Sozo caps, and a beautiful red point to point turret board. Sadly, the mods are pretty shoddily done and caked in some glue/epoxy making it difficult to even tell what is wrong with it.

Another screw up saved by Guitar Center’s return policy, though still sad such a special amp is essentially going into the trash/repair bin.

2021 Update: This one has a happy ending! The new owner contacted me, and Roy himself even chimed in and this amp has been fully restored to its former glory. My only regret is that it’s not mine anymore!

New Amp: Marshall JCM900 Mk III Model 2501

After my great experience with the JCM900 SL-X head, I knew the next on my list would be the Mk III in some form. I spotted this one online for a great price and had to have it, despite the combo form factor growing increasingly less appetizing for me (my music room is starting to get very tight on space!).

This one dates from 1990, is equipped with EL34 tubes, and is essentially the 50w Model 2500 head in a short chassis mounted into a small combo amp. It also comes equipped with one of my all time favorite speakers, the Celestion G12H-100 from the same year. Despite its compact size, it is fairly heavy and kind of cool for a combo amp, comes equipped with inset side handles much like the Marshall 1960 cabinets do, so moving this amp around is a breeze. Really, it’s the ultimate single channel “jam” amp and couple with a 2x12 or 4x12 speaker cab could likely cover just about any gig (the larger speaker cab only needed to fill out lower frequencies in the room, the 1x12 gets plenty loud on its own!)

Much like the SL-X, this was the continuation of the single channel Super Lead Mk II amps of the 70s and 80s. It has a single channel, but two footswitchable master volume controls and a second gain control - in this case controlling the amount of clipping diode distortion added in the preamp. The nice thing about the Mk III is that you can turn this extra gain completely off by rolling the knob down to zero, essentially lowering the voltage passing through the clipping circuit so the diodes never reach minimum voltage to activate. This gets you the classic 3-stage gain structure of your favorite 2203/2204 JMP’s and JCM800s. While the overall circuit does have some differences, this is very authentic sounding and can nail those classic tones as well as a few new ones with the additional controls and effects loop.

Amp Room Reorganized

As my collection of amps has grown, I’ve been struggling with the best way to configure my studio to allow me to get good use out of them all, and maybe spend less time moving cables and power strips around.

I’m limited by the height of some shelves I installed (not strong enough to hold an amp head), so I picked up a storage rack that fits a few heads - but just barely. Glad I measured first!

Next to those, I brought my Fender 4x12 cabinet out of retirement, but with a twist. I removed the speakers, and installed 4 different models of Celestion 12” speakers, each with their own speaker jack wired behind. The great thing about this is I can test different amps with different speaker types easily, or I can mix speakers in pairs like an oversized 2x12, or I can even leave 4 heads all hooked up at once and ready to go.

On the other side, I’m just barely able to fit my 1x12 combo amps.

Here’s a look at the room now that everything is set up:

New Amp: Marshall JCM900 SL-X Model 2100

It’s really hard not to habitually search the Guitar Center used listings. It gives you access to a completely haggle free experience - some items grossly overpriced but others so underpriced it’s criminal. This is the latter - a beautiful SL-X head dating from 1993 complete with EL34 tubes - the most desirable in the SL-X run. The only issue I can spot is one of the plastic caps on the top handle cracked away - talk about a minor issue barely worth mentioning.

This is my first single channel Marshall amp and it’s a blast. This is the continuation of the Mark III, and by extension the Mark II series Super Lead amps. You get the bare bones features - one channel - with some cool modern features like two gain controls, two master volumes (footswitchable) and a high/low power switch - in an amp with just incredible tone.

Interestingly, it doesn’t feel “high gain” by modern standards - it’s certainly not the high gain metal monster I was led to believe by internet reviews and really it’s no slouch at classic Marshall tones. I can see why bands like Kiss used these on tour in the 90s - they are great at nailing those classic tones they were known for but can go just a bit further if you want them too.

Despite having 5 gain stages and a second gain control to dial them in, this is not going to replace a modded Marshall, or a Marshall with a boost. Instead, it allows you to dial in a bit more saturation to use with that same boost or a subtle variation on the classic Super Lead Mk II sounds. It has far less gain than my Splawns or the Mesa Marks and Rectos of the same era, for example. It really is your favorite classic Marshall tones, just pushed to 11… or maybe 12.

New Amp: Splawn Quickrod (2006)

Yet another Guitar Center acquisition, this one popped up and I noticed the 3 preamp tubes and the offset input on the front. I’ve read before that these earlier models had a different circuit, this being the “second” iteration of it (the “first” being the two-input no gears model). I wanted to hear just how different this would be from my 2008 model, which sounds far different than the 2012+ models already.

This one got some pretty serious damage during shipping - the headshell actually broke so badly that the top half of the shell disconnected from the bottom/chassis. As an added bonus, Guitar Center packed this amp without a power cable and the fuses removed - including the fuse holders!

Luckily my local GC is “one of the good ones” and after I gave them my information and waited a few days, they sorted it out for me and got me a hefty partial refund to cover the cost of a new head shell and the fuses.

An added shout out to Scott Splawn, who answered my email and pointed me in the direction of the current fuse holders they are using on their amps. Unlucky for me, I ordered 3 of these fuse holders and they are not the same as installed on this amp - but I’m perfectly capable and just removed the old ones and installed two brand new fuse holders + fuses into this amp. It works and sounds fantastic, so no complaints from me there.

I also took some time to wood glue the top of the head shell on, and “clamped” it by placing two other heads on top of this one. The original screws do not quite fit anymore, but it feels plenty solid after a week of drying time. I’m able to pick up the amp and move it around by the handle, although usually for the sake of my back I’m picking up my amps by either side underneath “forklift style.” Since I’m not touring or anything, I’m happy with this temporary solution as long as I’m keeping the amp. If I ever were to sell this, I most likely would go ahead and just purchase a new headshell or have this one professional repaired and retolexed at the least.

On the other hand, I have no intention of selling this amp now that I’ve played it. It is brighter, more aggressive, yet somehow more classic sounding than my 2008 model. It’s also much more capable of 80s rock and metal tones than my 2018 Streetrod, and really it’s my favorite Splawn by a wide margin now. The clean channel is really more of a crunch channel though, and turning up the gain on the drive channel also increases the gain and grit on the clean channel so they are definitely tied together.

This is the first iteration of the Quickrod circuit with “gears.” I am in love with 3rd gear on this amp, it has a good extra push in the bass without getting flubby or loose, and just a tone of usable gain with great crunchy mids. This has to be one of the best modded Marshall tones on the planet and I see why these amps captivated guitar players at the time of release. This particular unit has been back to Scott’s shop as well, and has the loop master volume installed, which makes it easy to dial in these killer tones at home studio levels too, which is a great bonus. He also mentioned that it got a new headshell at that time, so I think it’s safe to say that this poor thing has been housed in a broken headshell for the second time now!

New Amp: Mesa Triple Rectifier 2 Channel Revision G

I spotted this one online at Guitar Center in fairly rough shape but for an absurdly low price and I couldn’t resist. I’ve been loving my Triple Rectifier 3 channel and was really interested to hear just how different these older 2 channel models sound in comparison.

In short - wow. At times I felt the 3 channel rectifier was both too bassy and too piercing, overall a fantastic amp but it couldn’t quite nail some of the late 90s/early 00’s tones I think of when I think “rectifier.” Well, this being the same amp circuit used on so many recordings of that era it nails the tone perfectly. Anytime I pick up a low tuned guitar to play some Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, or Incubus this THE go to amp. As an added bonus, it also nails a lot of those 90s punk rock tones like Unwritten Law, Blink-182, Lagwagon etc plus rock bands like Foo Fighters. Really, we could list pro bands all day that used these amps as they are extremely popular and great both recorded and live - and now I see why.

Find your very own 2ch Recto on Reverb here

Anyway, the tolex is in rough shape and I’ll attempt to re-glue the edges where it is peeling up, and it needs a good cleaning inside as it’s very dirty and rusty - well traveled for sure but sounds as good as new. Definitely a keeper as far as amps go and a great option to have in the deck.

More Details Here

New Amp: ENGL Raider E344 1x12 Combo

Yet another amp on my list to add to the stable was an ENGL of some kind. I’m not really that well versed in ENGL amps, while I know the popular models I have very little experience with how they sound or what models are designed for different things, besides the obvious ones (Retro Tube 50 for example).

However, I love the tones from the ENGL Savage I’ve heard in Ola Englund’s youtube videos (back when it was Fearedse).

On a random search of the Guitar Center used listings, this combo amp popped up with a huge price reduction. I didn’t know much about it, but I was tempted to find out. It’s not a very popular model and didn’t sell that well, but it is a top of the line combo so I figured it couldn’t be that bad.

Sadly it arrived missing the footswitch and with one spring broken in the spring reverb tank. Luckily I was able to work out a deal over the phone for a partial refund, repaired the reverb tank spring, and ordered a replacement Z-9 footswitch online (quite expensive).

What a great sounding amp - there are some really great tones in here and it’s 4* channel design covers a tone of ground. The footswitch is programmable yet still uses a standard guitar cable which is great. Buttons 1-4 can be used to select the channels, pressing it a second time engages the 2nd master volume, and it does remember which volume is selected if you choose another channel and come back. That’s great because my favorite setting for Channel 2 is with the gain maxed, but that makes Channel 1’s clean far too loud to use the same volume. Instead, I set up channels 1, 3 and 4 to use the 1st volume control, and channel 2 set to volume 2. This keeps them balanced in volume.

I always feel I should put an asterisk when calling this a 4* channel amp. Channels 1 and 2 share the same gain, EQ, and reverb controls. The only difference is the “high gain” switch is turned on automatically on channel 2 - and 4 for that matter since channels 3 & 4 also share controls. Since the gain and EQ can’t be set separately, it does limit the options somewhat as a channel switcher.

That said, Channel 1 is a fantastic clean channel though I have it set with some dirt because I love channel 2 with the gain maxed. It has a nice natural mid scoop but is still very thick in the low mids and is great for classic rock tones. Channel 3 picks up where 2 left off with a similar amount of gain around 6-7, but a bit darker, less scooped, and much tighter/bouncier low end. Channel 4 is just channel 3 with the high gain switch on, adding more gain and saturation to the same core tone.

Channels 3 and 4 are the essential ENGL sound, which is what I was after in the first place. High gain palm mutes are saturated and have a quality that is hard to describe but distinctly ENGL. It’s the same type of glorious palm mutes I hear in the aforementioned Ola video that made me so interested in this type of amp to begin with. I’ll link the video below do demonstrate what I’m talking about.

Another great feature is a built in, adjustable noise gate that is active on channels 3 and 4. This gate works perfectly and I set it one time and totally forgot about it from that point forward. It’s threshold is adjusted on the back panel.

Overall this is one heck of an amp and I can’t help but think it just wasn’t advertised that well or perhaps the form factor and lack of a direct head equivalent killed this one before it even got going. The Sovereign combo amp is similar in design but geared more towards metal players and thus sold a little better to the usual ENGL shoppers. I think if there were a raider head, or if they’d just made this as a Powerball combo or Savage combo it would’ve sold much better. Either way, I won’t complain because those amps sell for double what I paid for this combo amp, but the tones are nearly the same!

Listen to these palm mutes - amazing.

New Amp: Peavey 6505

Ever since selling my EVH 5150 III, I’ve been considering adding one back to the stable. My main concern was that hollowness to the mids of the EVH amps, despite adding some nice clarity to the notes and many reviews online citing the EVH as a clearly better amp than the old 6505/5150 I/II, I just had to find out for myself.

So I worked out a deal on this 6505. I’ve heard the standard 6505/5150 models are a bit more aggressive and have a little better drive tones than the 6505+/5150 II’s, so I went for this model instead. I’m not sure how true that is, the more I learn about it the more I think it’s just internet hearsay, but since I don’t own a 6505+ I don’t know for sure.

Any mids the EVH was missing, this amp has an excess of. This is one of the thickest, fullest sounding amps I’ve ever had and it really needs to have the mids scooped out a little to make it more clear sounding. Much like the EVH, it also has an extreme amount of gain and gets very saturated sounding.

The rhythm channel can be set clean or crunch mode, but crunch is essentially just another high gain channel. The gain maxed in crunch mode feels close to the gain around 5-6 on the lead channel, but really the lead channel isn’t really usable with the gain set higher than that anyway. This would be great if these channels had separate EQ’s, so you could dial in two different high gain sounds - but this is not the case. Even though the rhythm channel has a bright switch as well (which affects both the clean or crunch modes), it’s not a big enough difference to make it sound much different from the lead channel.

Ultimately the best way to set this amp up is to dial in the lead channel to taste, sacrificing everything for that perfect lead tone, then set the rhythm channel to clean and just deal with the way it sounds - with the tiny bit of flexibility of the bright switch on or off.

I’m sure the 6505+ would do the two high gain sound thing much better than this - but I wonder what I’d have to give up as far as the lead channel to do so. I suppose I’ll have to find out someday. For now, this is a killer amp and I find I like it a lot more than the EVH 5150 III on the lead channel, but I do miss the separate EQ’s that amp had for its channels.

New Amp: Mesa Triple Rectifier 3 Channel

I got a local trade offer on my 2009 Splawn Quickrod for this lovely Mesa Triple Rectifier. I’ve wanted a rectifier on and off since I first got into guitars, and spent tons of time in my college town’s music shop demoing the Dual Rectifiers they had there. I’d never really considered the Triples, thinking they’d be way overkill and too much wattage to handle in my studio. I’m surprised that the volume can be kept pretty reasonable, especially with the loop output control combined with each channel’s volume controls.

The clean channel is really great sounding, if lacking much character with the gain turned lower. I find the gain maxed out in clean mode is my favorite setting, it does not get distorted like this but does add a little more chime and sparkle to it.

I use channel 2 in vintage mode, which is thicker in the mids than modern and can get pretty close, especially boosted, to classic metal sounds though since I have a few Marshalls and the Mesa Mark my standards are pretty high here and I think the best use for channel 2 vintage is actually as a more mid-heavy lead tone to use over channel 3 modern’s rhythm tone.

Channel 3 is the perfect modern metal tone machine, especially boosted with a tubescreamer, although I like it plenty without the boost. It has plenty of gain and gets very thick, especially tuned down a few steps for heavier modern styles. The sizzle can be dialed up or down with the presence control, which really affects the voicing of the entire channel - turned up reduces the bass as well and tightens the attack, but turned down it can get a bit more full sounding if a little more muddy in complex chords. It’s a great rhythm channel though I find it a little piercing for leads, unless that’s the desired outcome.

More Details Here