getting a Marshall JCM 800 to sound more metallic/fuzzy

[Mike McGrath]

I'm in the process of switcing from a JCM 900 to a JCM 800, because
generally I prefer the JCM 800 distortion - it's way less fuzzy than a JCM
900. But, ... if I do want more gain, or a hotter sound out of the JCM 800,
would anyone have recommendations for a simple pedal setup that will do
this? I'm thinking of things like the Tube Screamer, Comptortion, etc. but I
have no experience with those types of pedals. All I've got is an MXR clean
boost micro amp, and a Danelectro Daddy O.

Thanks,

/ Mike

[joe]

don't mess with perfection, a jcm800 is the quintasential rock amp
do what i do, buy a cheap amp with a reasonable clean channel and run a
processor through it and leave the 800 to do it's stuff

p.s. and play lots of zep through it...

"Mike McGrath" <mmcgra...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:oDpEb.14443$2We1....@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...

[J Heinz]

Hi.
I actually do use a jcm 800 lead combo often, and have been using a variety
of pedals for different distortion sounds. I generally use a Marshall
Guv'nor, Tube screamer, and Pro Co Rat, alone or in combination, depending
on what sort of distortion I want in any particular piece. I particularly
like the Guv'nor with the amp distortion, both at about 2/3 gain. The Rat
really only works well for more extreme metal sounds for me, so it's used
only occasionally. I also often use an old DOD 250 pedal, which compares
well with the TS., but no on/off light.
J Heinz

"Mike McGrath" <mmcgra...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:oDpEb.14443$2We1....@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
>

[2Loons]

There are a variety tubes you can mess with but if you go that route, ask a
qualified tech what his recommendations are.
I used to own a JCM-800 100w single channel head on top of a 4x12 slant.
That thing really kicked some ass. Loved it.
I had some success switching around different matched tubes trying to get
more gain out of it.
Thats about the only changes I would dare. Like Joe says .. why mess with
perfection?
Crank up the gains all the way, and let the tubes heat up. You'll find that
after the tubes get hot, that baby will ROCK!
Very important to let them heat up.
Its also the signature Angus Young tone.

"joe" <a@b.c> wrote in message
news:hluEb.57880$aT.1...@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

[Romer]

Hi, im a musician from Sweden and I have used Marshalls for over 20 years.
My opinion is that both JCM 800 and 900 are great amps and you should have
both of them. I have a Marshall 6100 anniversary modell that actually have
both amps in it. It愀 a 3 channel all tube amp with all channels totally
independent from each other. Check this out for some reviews:

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/Marshall/6100_30th_annniversary-01.html

/ R.R

"Mike McGrath" <mmcgra...@rogers.com> skrev i meddelandet
news:oDpEb.14443$2We1....@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...

[Mike McGrath]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I was hoping to use the JCM 800 for it's
great distortion, and only occasionally go to a fuzzier tone. But I was just
playing the JCM 900, and I might miss its tone, so if finances permit, I may
keep the 900 around as well. I used to have the JCM 2000 in the TSL combo,
and although I liked its variety of sounds, I had problems with the amp, and
eventually traded it for the JCM 900 + other goodies. I have always seen
good reviews of the JCM 2000, but mine was a lemon.

Cheers,

/ Mike

"Mike McGrath" <mmcgra...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:oDpEb.14443$2We1....@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
>

[joe]

hi loons,
i too have the 100w but having used the 50 i would have to say
(if it's possible) that it was a sweeter tone again. the only knock if any i
had with the 800 (100w) was that to get to the cream it was sometimes just
too loud but the 50w was cream all the way.
what do you think?

"2Loons" <now...@here.com> wrote in message
news:ogCEb.24982$Ze7....@news01.roc.ny...

[joe]

any opinions on the jcm2000 triple super lead (ala jeff beck)?

"Romer" <raimo_r...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:cRDEb.191$pF....@nntpserver.swip.net...

[Ross M Stites]

Mike,

Try both the pedals you have now in front of the JCM800. The key is to
keep the distortion down and turn the volume way up on an overdrive pedal.
I've always thought the microamp should be good match for the JCM800 but
haven't tried it myself. Proven pedals are the Tubescreamer and the Boss
SD-1 overdrive (more metal sounding IMO), so give those a try too. Either
of those is capable of giving you a great old-school metal or hard rock
tone.

Ross

[2Loons]

I agree 100%
That and the single channel was the ONLY bitch I had against the 800.It was
a 2203 model. There is only one way to play it. Loud and nasty. Like you
say, a little too much sometimes.
I used a smaller Fender chorus for some of the mellower stuff and ran them
both through an A/B/C switch to go between.
It was a bit of a pain in the neck getting them both mic'd and dialed in
and sounding sweet through the front-end cabinets, but it worked.

"joe" <a@b.c> wrote in message

news:4bHEb.58495$aT.3...@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

[Romer]

Yes, I had one and sold it after a copple of weeks. The sound is to
"screamy" and cold. The Marshall 6100 has much more warmer Marshall sound.
But again, it愀 a matter of opinion...

/ Romer

"joe" <a@b.c> skrev i meddelandet
news:EcHEb.58496$aT.2...@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

[Christopher Bell]

I found the ProCo Rat to be the best distortion with my 2204 JCM 800. I
don't like the Rat with anything else, but, with the preamp pegged, and
the Rat set at 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock, and maybe 5 o'clock (almost all
the way up) it was the best Marshall distortion I had ever heard. All
of my Boss stuff that I use now sounded horrible in front of that amp.
It's just a good match...

[Alan N]

In article <Xns9456BCF...@129.250.170.84>,
Christopher Bell <cab...@nospam.hotmail.com> wrote:

I need to borrow one of these from my local dealer. I tried one years
back with a different amp. I even forget what it was at the time.
Sounded horrible. But I've seen so many posts about the rat's and
2203/04.. Might have to go there and borrow one for a weekend..

[Shane]

SansAmp Tri-OD or GT2 or anything SansAmp of that ilk. Push the valves over
the edge. DOD Yngwie reissue is pretty cool too through a 2203 or 2204.

"Alan N" <ala...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:alann19-885BE4...@news.east.cox.net...

[Christopher Bell]

I had that DOD 250 twice, and just thought it was too bright. As it is, I
play my Marshall with the treble OFF, and the bass all the way up. The 250
had a good simple sound to it, but, I thought it could have benefited from
its own tone knob - which I'm sure the SansAmp stuff has.

To the original poster - please try the Rat - It wanks through every other
amp I've ever played it through - sounds buzzy and undefined. But, through
my Marshall - instant Ted Nugent - AC/DC... Even though Nugent never really
used a rig like that (to my knowlege)

"Shane" <sh...@bmusic.com.au> wrote in
news:PbQEb.493$g21....@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au:

[Mike McGrath]

Thanks again to all the posters. Can't wait to try out these great
suggestions.

/ Mike

"Christopher Bell" <cab...@nospam.hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns94571DF...@129.250.170.96...