Marshall JCM800 Superbass

[JP Soundsystem]

I had my first rehearsal last night with my new rig. I was just blown away by the power and warmth of this thing. It seemed a perfect match with my Tbird!!

Even the rest of the band seemed happy.

Has anyone else owned one of these hellbeasts? Any secrets/tips would be much appreciated!

It's also my first valve amp, and my bass playing life has been changed forever. No more solid-state nonsense for me ever again.

Edited September 15, 2011 by JP Soundsystem

[Mr. Foxen]

Has it had a service recently? A good clean of all the sockets, including the valve bases (meths, cotton buds, pipe cleaners and interdental toothbrush depending on sizes sorts this) will keep it tip top and avoid those crackles and things that happen sometimes.

[bigjohn]

Nice amp. I had one. It was (had gone) brown too.

I seem to remember getting some joy out of the slope control.

Tis a beastie. Though got a little heavy for me!

[JP Soundsystem]

It sounds fine at the minute, but for my own peace of mind, I'm going to get it serviced next month. Possibly a re-valve too.

Also, I paid £580 for this. Good deal?

[JP Soundsystem]

[quote name='bigjohn' post='1374415' date='Sep 15 2011, 01:31 PM']Nice amp. I had one. It was (had gone) brown too.

I seem to remember getting some joy out of the slope control.

Tis a beastie. Though got a little heavy for me![/quote]

That slope control has the ability to flatten cities!!!

I thought it would be ridiculously heavy, so I'm pleasantly surprised at the weight. But then again, I haven't had to carry it anywhere yet!

[bigjohn]

[quote name='JP Soundsystem' post='1374420' date='Sep 15 2011, 01:36 PM']That slope control has the ability to flatten cities!!!

I thought it would be ridiculously heavy, so I'm pleasantly surprised at the weight. But then again, I haven't had to carry it anywhere yet![/quote]


I had to carry mine about 400m from the shop (luckily to the pub) when I first bought mine.

Never again


£580 is alright if you like it and it's in good nick. I sold mine for £450 about 3/4 years ago on here. Probably a little on the cheap side.

[lucky]

I still have mine around, beasty things best of the oldschool IMHO

all i'd say is don't be afraid to play with the EQ (i'm always tweaking..), i know both myself and the previous owner had some slightly more severe settings than on my other amps

what are those cabs you're using with it?

[JP Soundsystem]

[quote name='lucky' post='1374492' date='Sep 15 2011, 02:41 PM']I still have mine around, beasty things best of the oldschool IMHO

all i'd say is don't be afraid to play with the EQ (i'm always tweaking..), i know both myself and the previous owner had some slightly more severe settings than on my other amps

what are those cabs you're using with it? [/quote]

The cabs are model '1937' 2x12 bass cabs with the original Celestion G12-65 speakers. They sound magical!!!

I made sure I got to rehearsal early so I could have a good play with the EQ before everyone else showed up. Within about an hour, I'd found 'my' sound. It took me about 6 months with my Hartke!! Simple is best.

[nash]

I don't have a super bass but I have a JCM800 1959 super lead from 1981. Has the 2 channels and 4 inputs. A friend of mine modded it to have a master volume and 2 gains with one channel having and extra gain section based on a Bognor Ubershall and the other (clean) is the SL, it sounds fantastic with mt bass through an 8x10 and with my guitar through a 4x12. Such good heads.