amp experts - vintage amp question

[FALKEN]

what is the difference between the marshall jmp and the vox ac-30? I believe they both use EL34's and have similar controls. are they meant to be similar? I was also wondering about the JCM800, which can also run on EL34's. Is this meant to be a circuit-board version of the JMP? Are all of these amps pretty much the same?

[Outlaws]

Originally Posted by FALKEN

what is the difference between the marshall jmp and the vox ac-30? I believe they both use EL34's and have similar controls. are they meant to be similar? I was also wondering about the JCM800, which can also run on EL34's. Is this meant to be a circuit-board version of the JMP? Are all of these amps pretty much the same?

AC30 = EL84


EL84 is much smaller of a tube.

[FALKEN]

thanks. what about the jmp/jcm800?

[Outlaws]

Originally Posted by FALKEN

thanks. what about the jmp/jcm800?

AC30 and the JCM800 are completely different amps (circuits) to start with so even if they did use the same tubes, there is no way of even comparing them other than which one sounds better to you.

Though the JCM800 model 2203 and the late 70's MasterVolume heads are the same circuit inside as each other. They just have a different housing.

[FALKEN]

Originally Posted by Outlaws

Though the JCM800 model 2203 and the late 70's MasterVolume heads are the same circuit inside as each other. They just have a different housing.

is the 2203 hand wired or is the jmp master volume circuit board based?

If I try to find a hand-wired head, will I be able to duplicate the JCM800 sound?

[Double2]

Just for starters the Vox AC 30 employes a power section that uses a Class A 30 watt design. The Marshall JCM 800 is a 100 Watt Class A/B design. Both Amps are totally different in the preamp and power amp section as well as power output. Then there is the speakers, don't get me started . All great amps.

[Outlaws]

Originally Posted by FALKEN

is the 2203 hand wired or is the jmp master volume circuit board based?

If I try to find a hand-wired head, will I be able to duplicate the JCM800 sound?

You are looking in the wrong places IMO.


Some of the earlier of late 70's were handwired if I recall, but they had inconsistancies in sound quality....or so they say.

Handwiring isn't all its cracked up to be. A well designed circuit board layout with good components will sound every bit as good, but have a lot better consistancy from amp to amp.


but back to this part.....
"If I try to find a hand-wired head, will I be able to duplicate the JCM800 sound?"

if you want to duplicate the JCM800, why not just go buy an actual 1980's model 2203? Why bother duplicating what already exsists?.....and is much cheaper.

[FALKEN]

well, right now I am playing a Crate Vintage Club 50. Which is an excellent amp. It is a sort of knockoff of the AC30. Or at least it runs the same tubes and has a similar sound. I'm not totally happy with my tone though (is anyone ever?) I went up to NY and played a vintage AC30 and wasn't stunned really. so I am looking into the marshall alternative. I don't really dig the marshall drive channel but if I could find a quality hand-wired head that ran EL34's at about 50 watts without a master volume ...I think I would be more than satisfied.

[FALKEN]

Originally Posted by FALKEN

is the 2203 hand wired or is the jmp master volume circuit board based?

okay I think I've been able to answer my own question.

New one: what is the difference between the JTM45's and the earlier JMP 50-watters?