Guitar Gear Forum

Cool additional info. The History of Marshall book sounds cool. I'll hafta look to pick it up.

I had 2 jmp 2203s. Both 1980 model year. They sounded very different from each other and were set up the same. Wish I'd kept one of them.

Another point is that from 67 through around 73 or 74 all superleads came with el34 tubes. Around 74 all USA market Marshall's started being shipped with 6550 tubes as they had less warranty problems due to damaged tubes from shipping overseas etc. even early 80's USA market models still came with 6550's. uk market models still always came with el34. I personally think that the el34's sound much better as 6550 are harder to get crunch out of and are really loud before breakup. It's a popular mod to switch them back over to el34.

Jp77 wrote:Another point is that from 67 through around 73 or 74 all superleads came with el34 tubes. Around 74 all USA market Marshall's started being shipped with 6550 tubes as they had less warranty problems due to damaged tubes from shipping overseas etc. even early 80's USA market models still came with 6550's. uk market models still always came with el34. I personally think that the el34's sound much better as 6550 are harder to get crunch out of and are really loud before breakup. It's a popular mod to switch them back over to el34.

Yeah. EL34 or nothing IMO

Great thread. At some point, I want to get a Marshall, but I get so lost on their name schemes.

phrophus wrote:Great thread. At some point, I want to get a Marshall, but I get so lost on their name schemes.

Me too. I thought I had it figured out in this thread, but I think I might be more confused now.

ovid9 wrote:

phrophus wrote:Great thread. At some point, I want to get a Marshall, but I get so lost on their name schemes.

Me too. I thought I had it figured out in this thread, but I think I might be more confused now.

I'm just trying to narrow it down to the ones that I'd be most interested in, so I can ignore the rest of 'em.

It's quite simple.

1959 = 100 watt 2 channel, bright and normal(Plexi-like/4 input) comes in both JMP and 800 style
1987 = 50 watt 2 channel, bright and normal (Plexi-like/4 input) comes in both JMP and 800 style
2203 = 100 watt single channel master volume. comes in both JMP and 800 style
2204 = 50 watt single channel master volume. comes in both JMP and 800 style
2210 = 100 watt 2 channel (gain and clean). Some diode clipping. 800 only
2205 = 50 watt 2 channel (gain and clean).Some diode clipping. 800 only

There were some design differences on these models throughout the years, but that is the basics of it all.

I've had version of everything and they all rule the JCM800 2203 is the one that stuck though

atrox wrote:It's quite simple.

1959 = 100 watt 2 channel, bright and normal(Plexi-like/4 input) comes in both JMP and 800 style
1987 = 50 watt 2 channel, bright and normal (Plexi-like/4 input) comes in both JMP and 800 style
2203 = 100 watt single channel master volume. comes in both JMP and 800 style
2204 = 50 watt single channel master volume. comes in both JMP and 800 style
2210 = 100 watt 2 channel (gain and clean). Some diode clipping. 800 only
2205 = 50 watt 2 channel (gain and clean).Some diode clipping. 800 only

There were some design differences on these models throughout the years, but that is the basics of it all.

I've had version of everything and they all rule the JCM800 2203 is the one that stuck though

OOOOOH. It is fairly simple if somewhat arbitrary.

So, the 2203 was just a designation to the basic design "100w, 1 channel, MV" given to a couple different amp lines. Got it.

ovid9 wrote:OOOOOH. It is fairly simple if somewhat arbitrary.

So, the 2203 was just a designation to the basic design "100w, 1 channel, MV" given to a couple different amp lines. Got it.

You got it

These are essentially the same amp. Both 2203's


The 1959/1987 is the same deal. Some years have the plexi panel, small logo's, big logo's, etc. The JCM800 version of these amps are a bit more rare.

Here is the JCM800 1959. I have only seen a couple in front of my face,