JCM800

[Ogi-wan]

Soliciting opinions:

Which Mesa amp (of the models currently in production) will sound the most like a JCM 800?

(Yes, I realize that it will not be the same. I'm just asking which will get me the closest. )

 

[Eclipse]

I would say the Stiletto. An EL-34 amp voiced closer to a Marshall than any other Mesa I've tried. I've only played the Duece and this is a great amp. More versatile than a JCM800, better cleans and I would say more gain on tap.

Marshalls like the JCM800 respondes better to OD pedals than most Mesa's IMO, and many users of the JCM800 use pedals (or mods) to achieve atleast higher gain sounds.

I have not had the pleasure to try the Ace tough.

 

[ursinus]

I just ordered a Stilletto to compliment my MKIV. When I demoed it, I went through all the different voicings with many guitars and many days. My local dealer is great in that he knows I'm a serious buyer so he pretty much lets me do anything in the store. The Stilletto is the "brit" amp. It can do AC/DC from the Bon Scott days, it can do Black Crowes, it can do Iron Maiden, it can do fusion (Think Guthrie Govan's tone on "sevens") I love it! The versatility is great too. Between the channel switching, bold vs. spongy, and tube rectification vs. solid state, you have a beast. Can't wait to recieve mine. BTW I got the Ace as 50 watts is more than enough for me....... 8)

 

[mcsdude]

I know this is a boogie board - but why not just go for a jcm 800? They are some of the best marshalls ever made and some of the older ones will probably increase in value some.

 

[ursinus]

I know this is a boogie board - but why not just go for a jcm 800? They are some of the best marshalls ever made and some of the older ones will probably increase in value some.

I thought about that. I own a 78' JMP that is in my brothers studio, but he uses it to make money and it has to be cranked to get a good tone out of it. I almost bought a stock JCM800 that was cheap, but it just sounds so thin to me at low volumes and I just don't like to have to crank so loud to get a decent tone. Even with a hotplate, it's still a hassle to get a consistent tone. The Stilletto has that grind and smoothness available at a tolerable volume that is more "alive" IMO vs. the JCM.....my .02

 

[Johnson]

I agree with the majority on this one...I would check out a stiletto!

 

[Johnson]

Check out this thread...it was pretty recent and it discusses the jcm800 vs Stiletto:

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=14831

 

[HipKitty]

Another vote for the Stiletto here! Not that the 800's aren't bad, they're just not as flexible. Eclipse is correct about most 800 users, they use pedals to get more distortion from the 800. I have several clients that are 800 users/owners, all of them use some type of pedal....but that's not so bad for me as my primary role is the boutique effects biz

Also, the designs are pretty different between the two amps....kinda like comparing apples and oranges....

 

[Gear-Monkey]

I would say the Stiletto. An EL-34 amp voiced closer to a Marshall than any other Mesa I've tried. I've only played the Duece and this is a great amp. More versatile than a JCM800, better cleans and I would say more gain on tap.

Marshalls like the JCM800 respondes better to OD pedals than most Mesa's IMO, and many users of the JCM800 use pedals (or mods) to achieve atleast higher gain sounds.

I have not had the pleasure to try the Ace tough.

+1

 

[Shep]

stiletto hands down.. it's whole idea is that its tapping into the marshall market

 

[phyrexia]

LSC with EL34s sounds pretty close too. Definitely the Stiletto though.

 

[MesaMadness]

+1

JCM 800 & Stiletto owner here. Go for the stiletto.

 

[ThunderMonkey]

another vote for the Stiletto Deuce, it's a very cool "brit voiced" Mesa amp ! :wink:

 

[sgtbaker]

I'm selling my Deuce I if you're interested.

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=15062

 

[NJ-Nick]

I have two jcm800's ...my original 2203 and the ZW I picked up a couple years ago. My normal rig in big venues is the two JCM's in stereo. One head drives a 4x12 and the other drives two 2x12's. The stiletto gets/nails the sound pretty nicely !!!!
That said I use my newly acquired 5:50 2x12 in my cover band....you can get near a 800 sound with most boost/overdrive pedals....

Just the way I hear it.....my opinion !!

 

[Hobo]

The Stilleto Ace looks great.

I have an F-30 & a JCM800, both combos. I can get JCM800 tones from my F-30.

 

[cant play pool with a rop]

I used to have a JCM 800 and actually miss it sometimes for its simplicity and straight Marshall tone especially with a 4X12 with 75s. Straight up rock 8) I got the Ace and Mesa 4X12 now though The Ace has a better clean and more gain on tap and much more flexible.

 

[Ogi-wan]

That's nice...but do you think the Ace (or the Stiletto series) sounds more like a Marshall than any other Mesa amp?

I used to have a JCM 800 and actually miss it sometimes for its simplicity and straight Marshall tone especially with a 4X12 with 75s. Straight up rock 8) I got the Ace and Mesa 4X12 now though The Ace has a better clean and more gain on tap and much more flexible.

 

[Guitarzan]

That's nice...but do you think the Ace (or the Stiletto series) sounds more like a Marshall than any other Mesa amp?

Very much so!