Marshall JCM2000 TSL122

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Skybone

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When I was looking to buy a new guitar amp, I'd considered everything, but with everything I read I was wanting to try Valves as everyone reckoned that they were far superior to the Solid State amps and the Hybrid amps. Didn't really consider the Digital Modellers as they weren't something I knew about.

Other criteria I had was that it had to be versatile, portable, and turn downable as I would be using it at home mainly as well as rehearsals. It had to be a 2x12" configuration as it could push more air, more air movement = more impact = more oomph.

After trying many amps, I'd narrowed the selection to either a Fender Twin, a Peavey 5150 combo, or a Marshall combo.

The Twin was a nice powerful amp which could be pushed into real dirty break up and real sparkling clean sounds, but wasn't really that portable (anyone tried carrying one by that flimsy top handle?). The power reduction switch was also a great tempter.

The Peavy 5150 head sounded great through a 4x12", but I tried a couple of the combo's which were incredibly disappointing, as they tended to sound like tinny transistor radios! Erm.....maybe not.

Finally the Marshall option. I was really looking for a JCM900 2x12, but couldnt find one anywhere. I tried the TSL as it was reduced in the shop, had three channels, EL34's, a power reduction switch (which drops about 120 Watts to about 25 Watts, which, on about 2 at home, is still too bloody loud!), more importantly it had recessed side carrying handles, making it more portable than either of the other two, oh yes, and it was a Marshall. At 33kg it wont break your back either.

This amp is incredibly versatile, as the Clean channel is clear and sounds really nice, but Crunch & Lead are the real plus points of this amp. OK, so I try to play rock, and the Crunch channel is what I was after more than the Clean channel, but its nice to have the Clean there, and it does that real "on the edge of breaking up" sound, roll the off the volume and its crystal clear. It comes with a 5 way footswitch, one for each channel, one for the reverb (which is typically lush), and one for the effects loop, which can be set as a dummy mode switch for the selected channel. By placing a patch lead into one of the 2 effects loops, you can set it up so that on the selected channel you can have a reduced sound (using the FX Loop and the FX Volume knob on the front panel), and a boost (the normal channel with the FX Loop switched off).

Oh yes, did I mention that it was 120 Watts of Marshall power? :wink:
 
Wish I'd known you were looking for a JCM900 2x12 as I have one that I'm considering selling :smile:. I'm looking for a much less powerful amp, for use at non neighbour-bothering levels. I've got a Fender Champ 12, which is a good sounding amp, but still too loud.
Has anyone out there tried a Cornford Harlequin? I've heard good things about them, especially as an amp for home/studio use. For those who don't know, Cornfords are hand-built British amps, but without outrageous boutique pricetags. The Harlequin has a Celestion Vintage 30 speaker, but is only 6W.

James
 
I have to go with Barry's thoughts on "neighbour friendly" playing, especially later on. POD is just SO versatile its scary.

Its an amp Jim, but not as we know it.....

There again, the Marshall does neighbour friendly too, only when they're out or the kids are kicking up a fuss!
 
When the POD first came out I was very tempted to get one. I've used one in a studio and have to admit that its a very versatile box for recording and has the advantage of being able to do decent sounds at low volume levels, but (you knew it was coming :wink: ) in the end its just not for me. Most of the sounds and effects I wouldn't use and it just doesn't respond to your playing like a decent valve amp (I know its unfair to expect it to).
As to the Harlequin, I take your point about it still being too loud - I know it would be really but its probably going to be about the best you could hope for, for a nice valve amp that could be used for occasional noisy jamming too. Not bothered about effects loops, but I do like my reverb.... Decisions! :smile:
 
Barry,

P'raps this is what I need :smile: :

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/Torres_Engineering/Tiny_Tone_Head-01.html

Sounds cool actually, if a bit expensive. Torres also do a mod kit for the Champ 12, to make it break up easier on the clean channel and even up the tone across the channels, which sounds good. They have a UK outpost too:

http://freespace.virgin.net/vyse.co/

Apparently its a very easy mod to add, but as you said in my effects post, you've got to know what you're doing to avoid frying yourself :smile:

James
 

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