Some people in the comments don't seem to understand that this is not the JCM900 they are thinking it is. This model was only made over a two year span at the start of the 90s and is basically a JCM 800 with a built in tube screamer like mod. I have had this amp for about 10 years now and I run it the opposite way. I find that if you crank the pre-gain volume and set the volume around 3 or 4 it is very close to a JCM 800. I usually run the sensitivity around 3 or off. Use a Boss SD-1 and you can do a lot of classic Marshall sounds with this.
@r1deftone2 ай бұрын
Agreed. The 900 haters just can't help themselves. I have a '90 JCM800 2204 as well as a '91 MKIII 2500. Both have EL34's and I can't tell them apart. I A/B them back and forth and they sound identical.
@jasonweir91553 ай бұрын
This is my favorite Marshall head ever! Hard to find but sooo worth it!
@litos_mendes3 ай бұрын
my first tube amp ... i bought it for 300 euros ... never gonna get rid of it
@kalebaldwin5398Ай бұрын
These are Bruce Kulick’s favorite amps. He still uses the same heads he got from Marshall back in 1991, when KISS were recording the Revenge album. Both this and it’s more well-known Dual Reverb sibling aren’t as terrible as some make them out to be. One thing I’ve noticed about them is how much upper mid bark they have (and comparative lack of low end), even by Marshall standards. That can be very unpleasant if you’re jamming by yourself, but in a band mix, it works. Of course, it depends on what kind of vibe you’re looking for. When these came out, the scooped Boogie chunk was ‘in’, and you aren’t gonna get that from a 900. I think had they come out a couple years earlier, they would’ve been more loved.
@ericsampoll3 ай бұрын
I've owned a JCM 900 for many years, and I love your approach... I used an eq pedal on the FX loop to get the best results and a tube screamer on front. Like you said, if you know what you're doing, it can sound massive. Great tone possibilities. Great classic Rock and Metal riffs, btw. Always entertaining and informative. 🤘🎸
@PedalScience3 ай бұрын
NOICE! I grabbed one of these (MK III 2x12) a couple of weeks ago - love me some dirty, illegal, sacrilegious diode clipping!
@onesandzeros3 ай бұрын
What does it weigh?
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
😁
@mtguitar51503 ай бұрын
This is the one I had. I paid like 500 back in 97 or so. I bet the price is triple today. I played in a CC style death metal band with it
@peterharvin27753 ай бұрын
I spent a lot of time trying to make my JVM sound like an 800. Then I figured it out (I think): just let the amp be what it is. The ideal would be to win the lottery and have one of each Marshall head, lol. Paradise.
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
Absolutely!
@sayhuhhhh3 ай бұрын
Jerruhhhh! You nailed that core tone for Them Bones…. triple track that and it could have been on the album! We need an Axe FX tone match session for that tone
@CJReaper6663 ай бұрын
I have the Nigel Tufnel JCM900 poster on the wall right next to my monitor, "Now it goes to '20'... that's 9 louder, innit!"
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
YES! So good
@sbiegs3885Ай бұрын
What would you pay for a 900 head today? Also a 1960 4x12
@mattb74763 ай бұрын
I bought mine for $400 usd four years ago.. At that price you can't pass on this Marshall. I'm not a fan of the diode clipping so you just turn that down. Get your great tones just like any other Marshall with a tubescreamer and an eq. My favorite feature is two footswitchable master volumes. Makes for a really easy solo boost. Lately I've found myself using it just for the power section to run a pedal platform through. Works great for that too. Either way you look at it, this amp is a keeper!
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
The dual MV's are so simple yet so effective, love that
@kingmodestfirst44873 ай бұрын
Hi, I had several JCM900s: the SLX (EL34 100w modified to 50w and more gain etc by a technician...), 1 dual reverb combo 2x12" hp, 2 dual 100w reverb heads (EL34 & 5881/6L6) ...but I never had a MKIII. The modified SLX was a war machine for Metal but I always preferred the mono & split channel JCM800 which have less gain but a more dynamic sound with more head. room and a more vintage spirit. The JCM900 and JCM2000 are not up to the standard of the 800.
@larslevinberget95583 ай бұрын
We got a decent sound out of the MKIII in the 90s by treating it like a "modded 2203"; preamp gain around 4-6 Bass 6 middle 5 treble 4 presence 3 and then master volume around 2...gain sensitivity up around noon according to which guitar, pickups etc Moderate gain tones sounded better cranked up than hi-gain, so we put an SD1 or TS9 in front and a Quadraverb or a DSP256 in the loop :) I heard Lee Jackson had something to do with the design of this amp...at least the 9000 rack series, before he joined St Louis Music designing for Ampeg and Crate in the 90s
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
Ooooh that's interesting to know about Lee!
@ERiCtheBuLL3 ай бұрын
I love my SL-X to death and most likely will never part with it. A touch of preamp gain, some pedal distortion/boost, and it makes for killer metal tones. Always wanted to try a MkIII but never had an opportunity. You had this thing sounding great, especially boosted.
@AngusClarkGTR3 ай бұрын
In retrospect 900’s aren’t as bad as we all said they were. I think the main thing is that they seem to be designed to sound pretty good at lower volumes, but they don’t sound great when you turn them up. Thanks for putting it on the bench!
@larslevinberget95583 ай бұрын
Yes! Contrary to my Peavey VTM60 and Marshall 2203 half stacks, I had to turn up to band volume to get my tone, the JCM900 sounded sweet at bedroom volume :)
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
Excellent point! The older Marshalls definitely start to glow up around 4 on the MV
@TheLesgumesАй бұрын
I have one, I run it with the preamp gain at 8, sensitivity at 5 max (noisy past that), this amp really cuts through the mix. I use it for a doom band, 50w setting loud no boost and it sounds great. Less flabby than a dual rec, a bit less bite than a 6505, less wooly than a Rockerverb. Just turn it up.
@jimsassano87783 ай бұрын
LT does great amp demos because of his versatility & ability. And he makes the best faces hands down! There are some good sounds that can come out of this amp
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
🙌
@jarenb23313 ай бұрын
Love your music optimism and energy my dude, thanks for a the vids, public axe fx settings, and all. I rarely comment but very overdue to say thanks. Also, you should create your own amp in axe fx, and talk to them about officially publishing it.
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
I appreciate that mate. My favourite parts of the internet are the parts where people share information so i'm just trying to do my bit!
@darrylritter42753 ай бұрын
I Had the 50watt version. Gave it to my brother. It's monsterous sounding. He also has matching 4x12 top and bottom cabs from the early 90's. I think it's better than the SLX imo. Solid amp. Great video!
@user-qt2ok6gd6s2 ай бұрын
My 900 reverb is amazing once i learned how to tame it, loads of headroom and still with true Marshall dna. Another great vid Leon, these amps are an underrated bargain.
@mydayis53 ай бұрын
The first proper ‘big boy’ amp I ever owned was JCM 900 MkIII. I was 18 and ordered one from my local music shop in 1990 having been saving for a year one. It was a total dog and when it was nicked from a venue 6 months later I was quietly relieved…..other than having to then save to buy a new amp!
@Allan-ts1ux3 ай бұрын
Holy cow Almighty you have hit the good ol rock vibe at the top with a plant and the honey dripppers sound at 3:38 n 346 Leon..love that and Ozzie, I'm in heaven mate.. it's definitely a Frydai night with my favorite two cats 😺 🌏 🦘. Every Marshall are so Kool.. love my two 💓😻
@hoosierdaddy23083 ай бұрын
Very cool. Sounds like a Marshall to me. 😂 I think it was Europe I saw in a Video I bought on DVD in London live and the excellent guitarists was using like two of these ( probably one as a backup ) and like 4 cabs if memory serves me. I think it was this amp. May have been Jcm 800s. 😂. I'm old and the 70s are killing me. 😂 Great playing as always man. You're the guy if I was jamming with you I would. have a hard time not just listening to you 😂.. We would have fun though I'm sure. ❤.. I hope some day you can come to the States again brother. That boost with the BLD sounded killer man! I get your TShirt today. Then have to go to post office and send out asap.. I haven't forgot ya. ❤ I'm just slow brother. I can't wait to know you've received it. ❤ I bought a shirt yesterday that said ' The man, the myth, the legend ' 😂😂.. I work today at the diner. I got another job three days a week I think as a manager of an apartment complex. Wish me luck brother. It's a good salary and will pay for my gun and guitar toys. 😂❤ You be well sir and have a great weekend brother. I'm off to file nut slots and set up that strat. It's almost ready then I will wear out my fingers tonight making noise thru my Boss ME 70 and headphones. I will have to do some recording. ❤ Later my good friend. ❤ Tim..
@sadwingsraging30443 ай бұрын
15 years down the drain for my job here recently. Not in a hurry to get back out there myself. Sick of paying taxes. Good luck!
@R3dbudd3 ай бұрын
My first tube amp. Got one in 92 I think for $650 with an Ampeg 2x12. Left the sensitivity off, gain around noon and boosted with a Soundtank TS9. Gut at work has it since the late 90's and won't sell it back to me. Sore spot in the heart with this one, lol. Got an SLX to try to scratch the itch but it wasn't the same, didn't love that one.
@scottpeters44012 ай бұрын
I had one of these when they came out..The 900’s were Marshall’s response to the amp modding craze happening at the time..They had ads in Guitar Magazines that said as much…they are no 2203/4 by any stretch,but there are some good sounds in there..
@robbilton9006Ай бұрын
I've had a 2500 50w since one of the guitar players i was in a band with wanted to go the jmp1 route and he had it from new. This must've been late 90s early 2000s. I've never thought it too muddy and I've played it on low power most of that time.
@SidLives2 ай бұрын
From what I understand it’s a jcm 800 with the diodes added, so if that control is set to 0 (11) they’re out of circuit, I think having the relays and such for the switchable MV boost takes away from the classic 800 tones, you should send it to Headfirst let him work his magic on it
@rdshred43 ай бұрын
Badlands - High Wire, kudos sir!!! Love that riff!!!
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
Jake was on fire with that album
@thecount97293 ай бұрын
The trick is to leave the sensitivity control all the way off because all it does is engage the clipping diodes. It's a great amp but you gotta crank it with the gain down around 8.
@stevenlawrence22323 ай бұрын
Great playing as always Leon. For me this amp went from dumpster fire to absolutely on fire at 7:00 and beyond. As usual so much of this stuff is about the nous of the user and tried a true tricks to get that tone
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
Wild hey!
@MusicOfDreamweaver3 ай бұрын
Leon, real talk: I have always associated you with the black singlecut PRS, but lately the DGT is everywhere. Is it a new favorite? Squeexing out the SC?
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
The SC lives in Drop C so it's "The Ragdoll Guitar". The DGT is killer in Drop C but I play it in standard a lot and the coil tap makes it a great all rounder for doing KZfaq demos
@eds47543 ай бұрын
Wonderful amp! Some cool distinctive tones that have a 90’s thing going on. Kind of prefer the gain tones in this to a Jubilee. Pretty sure the “Brit 9000” in Amplitube is one of these and not a 4100.
@WesF_Personal3 ай бұрын
Great video as always, Leon! A preamp pedal I recently bought has a JCM 900 model in it. I was totally unfamiliar. Thank you!
@RdoGomes3 ай бұрын
Beautiful saturation all around
@cliftonwright70813 ай бұрын
Whelp. Not my favorite Marshall sound ever but you make it sound great!
@saveroom_3 ай бұрын
The gain controls seems to behave similar to Tech 21 double drive
@rocketsauce50673 ай бұрын
I have a 4100 and I think it's great. I also use my IR-X in the return and that rocks.
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
It makes a great power amp hey
@guitarexpert22453 ай бұрын
I thought you were done demoing Tube amps, so glad you willing to go back to your roots every once in a while. An SL-X demo from you would be wonderful at some point? have an 93 SL-X, it kills. But would love to hear your opinion. Put an EQ in loop to add more low end on the 900's. Fun video.
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
So keen to try an SLX
@JackStolz3 ай бұрын
One of my best buddies had a Mkiii. I had the 4500. We used sonic maximizers in the loop. Everyone else I knew had unboosted rectos so the 900s really cut. Maybe too much haha!
@divebomb993 ай бұрын
Have the 50w. Dime the preamp control. Zero out the Gain/Sensitivity control. Hit the front with a quality OD. Off to the races.
@ericolson3263 ай бұрын
Speaking of trying to make something what it isn't, I own a 900 SL-X that I've had modded (twice?) and still find somehow way too muddy AND too fizzy to be of any use. Eventually discovered the Marshall sound I'd been chasing in -- of all things -- the Synergy BMAN module. 😄
@vhemi4263 ай бұрын
I literally just watched your other jcm900 video about 2 hours ago😭.. this amp has really good things about it and I don’t really understand the hate for it, but I would definitely like to try a 6100
@TheOtherJohnBrowne3 ай бұрын
All the 900 series Marshalls are underrated. This sounded great
@texxhexxmm2 ай бұрын
Got the 50Watt Head.Love it.
@heavybrett-al40823 ай бұрын
Whoooooo shred time 😜🙏🎸😁🤘
@bruiserbrawler80543 ай бұрын
THIS is my favourite Marshall.
@Burkhimself3 ай бұрын
I’d heard this was the SLX, but with diode clipping instead of the extra tube….I had an early ‘90’s SLX 100w for a little bit that was really dark and great, sold it for a killer profit. This one sounds great to me…..did you like this better than the dual reverb one ?
@Dan_Ranger3 ай бұрын
That’s right, the S LX was all tube whereas the Mk iii had the diode. I’ve had both amps in he past and preferred the S LX. I replaced both with Laney GH100L’s in the 1990’s.
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
Haven't played a Dual Reverb for ages!
@konradchudy14913 ай бұрын
It sounds like 90's Megadeth.
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
Hahaha that's a pretty good reference actually!
@sergeyv49083 ай бұрын
Week ago i played on gig with Rockerverb and JCM900 and now i do not understand a hate of JCM900 - it has a nice tone. JVM maybe more flexible (and complex indeed) but this thing can make all you need. What the story behind? Why people are not paying enough respect for that series?
@hoosierdaddy23083 ай бұрын
The Angle of the amp in relation to you in the video makes the head look 10 feet wide. 😂.
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
🤣🤣
@redsilverjack3 ай бұрын
have this amp 2100 and use a mr scary mod in it, sensitivity 0 and volume A at 0 also , its amazing i love it.
@jasonweir91553 ай бұрын
EQ in the fx loop, Super Overdrive or Klon clone in front and you’re good.
@jasonweir91553 ай бұрын
I wish Fractal would model this one in the FM3/FM9/AxeIII
@danielvought18022 ай бұрын
This is the THE punk rock amp. So many punk bands used these and figured out how to make them sound nasty. But punk nasty isn’t metal nasty 😂 these pair up with 5150s really well not so much with mesas there’s a funky midrange thing going on
@Lee-oc8xf3 ай бұрын
Leon How to imitate the Marshall JCM900 on Axe FX III?
@notalkguitarampplug-insrev7843 ай бұрын
Could you offer ToneX or NAM capture when doing those nice amp videos? That would be great to try those gem by ourselves with our own guitars ❤
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
That's a pretty cool idea actually. I'd like to make some profiles of my entire collection at some point this year.
@coalfacechris13363 ай бұрын
Sounds great, LT. Wish I could my SL/X 2100 (Mkiv) over the desert to you for a burn.
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
So curious about the SLX now!
@KaddysJamKave3 ай бұрын
It's an ok Marshall amp... surprised Bruce Kulick uses the 900 over the 800 though! That always puzzled me...
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
Maybe availability?
@borjar.63733 ай бұрын
Can anybody tell me why do they call "mk" to the amps?
@ryanblackman41193 ай бұрын
Mark, as in the revision number
@sadwingsraging30443 ай бұрын
8:10 💥🔨nailed it!😊sooo gud.
@TomekGrzyb823 ай бұрын
Doesn't sound bad at all :)
@jacksonmarshallkramer5087Ай бұрын
I had a 50w Mark III 2500 Master Volume on top of a 1969A 4x12. With a Zoom GFX 8 or Boss ME70 multi effects board run into the front input on a clean setting, it sounded absolutely fantastic. I'm a hair metal player. Dokken, Ozzy, Dio, etc. On it's own, it just wasn't there, but the distortion+delay+reverb from the pedalboards sent it to the stratosphere. No drop D, because it's gay. That's post Nirvana bs, and I have ZERO interest.
@chrisdover85073 ай бұрын
I’m pretty sure John 5 used this amp all over Rob Zombies Hilbilly Deluxe?! Dracula etc. maybe Baseford would know?
@billl.44103 ай бұрын
John 5 used the Dual Reverb 900.
@troy23222 ай бұрын
Hi, I just purchased one of these amps, - do you have to have a foot switch to go between the clean and dirty channels on this amp? - I know you said it has a foot switchable master volume. -but is there a way to access both channels without a foot switch?
@LeonTodd2 ай бұрын
You need a foot switch to swap between the masters
@kierenmoore32363 ай бұрын
900s are metalzzz amps
@GeoffField-ks8mp3 ай бұрын
New here, great channel!
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
Welcome!
@yjm3123 ай бұрын
Very nice tone! a queston off topic any chance the Marshall dsl will be in the fractal?can you make this 900 tone or a dsl tone?
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
The Brit 800 Mod or Friedman BE models would be the place to start
@sadwingsraging30443 ай бұрын
-Saggy- _Ponderous_ Like the dragging of iron feet😮
@ryanblackman41193 ай бұрын
What’s that riff @ 1:43?
@cameronlovelace42482 ай бұрын
Did you ever have any more communication with the guy who commented on the previous video and claimed to have designed the OG MkIII?
@LeonTodd2 ай бұрын
I didn't, he had some interesting things to say though so I hope he does!
@cameronlovelace4248Ай бұрын
@@LeonTodd Coolio. I grabbed a 50w MkIII a couple of months ago with a 1960 cab for $1k USD. First thing I thought when I plugged in was, “It sounds like a Marshall!”
@rumy68713 ай бұрын
How many of you are on a high wire, baby?
@michaelmarchei85393 ай бұрын
1st 🥇
@Stockholm.sweden3 ай бұрын
I had one. Very stiff compared to my '85 2204. I sold it, have not looked back. It's got it's thing but it is no 800. Far from it, to thin and raspy.
@r1deftone3 ай бұрын
I have an '85 2204 and an MKIII...I just sold the '85 2204. IMHO the MKIII sounds identical to my 90 2204. (EL34's)
@Stockholm.sweden3 ай бұрын
@@r1deftone the MKIII just has a lot of gain. When you back it down and try to make it sound more like a JMP it falls way short. Back a down 2204 and it sings. Way more useful and a lot more tones from it. The 2204 also has the Low input which is killer for cleaner type of tones. It can be everything from a funk machine, to a blues machine, to a metal machine.
@r1deftone3 ай бұрын
@@Stockholm.sweden I have a '79 JMP 2204 as well. The MKIII has a high/low switch on back, it''s the same as the high/low input on earlier models. If your MKIII didn't perform, it likely needed servicing, new tubes, bias and caps. Also, these amps sound their best when the loop is patched or used. FWIW I also have a 2555, 2205 and an 2500 SL-X. The JMP and the SL-X are my favorites. YMMV
@Stockholm.sweden3 ай бұрын
@@r1deftone nah, it was in great shape. It's just not as good an amp as the 800's. I have three 70's JMP's and three 800's. The 900's just don't come close. Can't polish a turd.
@r1deftone3 ай бұрын
@@Stockholm.sweden You're right, you can't polish a turd. You would know.
@Bricklinsv19703 ай бұрын
Not ideal for a Metal Amp its so muddy.
@r1deftone3 ай бұрын
@8:00+ isn't muddy.
@user-qt2ok6gd6s2 ай бұрын
Try the solar chug pedal into the front end, it will tighten it up and give you brutal metal tones.
@hellofx3 ай бұрын
There's a good reason why it's been forgotten . . . it sucks.
@cazziebb17073 ай бұрын
He said goes to 11 not 20
@LeonTodd3 ай бұрын
The jcm900 print add says "this goes to 20...that's 9 more innit"