player opinions

Marshall JCM 2000

Marshall JCM 2000

  1. Name: Seth

  2. Price Paid: $900

  3. Performance

  4. The JCM2000 line of heads are all very straightforward, yet versatile all tube heads (4x ECC83, 2 or 4 EL34). They have 2 channels (classic gain and ultra gain) with 2 additional modes within each channel (classic gain = clean, crunch; ultra gain = lead 1, lead 2). Each channel has its own reverb control (accutronics reverb), gain, and master volume. There is a deep switch which greatly boosts the bass, and a tone shift which scoops the mids for a very dark, heavy sound. The 4 band EQ (bass, mid, treble, presence) is shared between the tow channels unfortunately (although the TSL head has independent EQ’s on all three channels!). The reverb and channels are footswitchable, but it would be nice to have the modes footswitchable. Also the tone shift functions on all channels when engaged (I don’t know anyone that wants a scooped mid clean sound). All in all versatile, but it is a find your sound and play amp as some of the different features are not footswitchable (but hey — get a Boogie if you need that type of amp.)

  5. Performance Rating: 6

  6. Sound Quality

  7. This amp has incredible tone! I play the amp with a Jackson soloist and a B.C. Rich Warlock. The Jackson sounds much better through the amp due to the very hot pickups and active electronics, but the Rich also sounds good. I recommend using this amp with a guitar that has high output pickups. It is a Dual Super Lead, and the gain is very high on the ultra gain channel. This amp was definitely built to rock. The classic gain channel also provides a fairly good crunch and clean sound if you use the clean mode and back the volume of the guitar off a little; much better than previous Marshalls in this regard. The ultra gain channel is amazing. Lead 1 mode provides a great rhythm sound (sounds good with my more alternative sounding songs). Lead 2 is metal all the way; the gain is insane (I have the gain on 8 because it can get uncontrollable above that). I use a 4x12 bottom cab with extra bass so I have the treble set at 5, but with most cabs this amp is very trebly. The bass boost is good at low volumes, but coupled with high gain and high volumes it can get muddy. The tone shift when used with Lead 2 gives a very Megadeth, Metallica, KMFDM type sound.

    This amp is the best Marshall available for metal, although its a little too warm and spongy for super-speed death metal without using a lot of palm muting. Basically it functions great in rock, alternative, and metal. My only gripe with the tone is the slight hum I get from it, but it is not loud enough to be a real concern. If you need a lot of features in one box, I would go with a TSL or Mesa Boogie. However, if you just need one or two great tones and want that "Marshall sound" and great feel, this amp is for you (although you should always give any equipment a long test session before purchasing; tone is so subjective). No amp is perfect, but this is about as close as I have ever heard based on my tastes.

  8. Sound Quality Rating: 10

  9. Construction

  10. It seems to be built fairly solid, maybe not as much so as the older Marshalls though. I use it for an hour at a time, 2 or 3 times a day, and it has not let me down. It has a 5 year warranty anyway, and Korg USA (Marshall distributors) are very helpful over the phone (they even returned my call long distance and stayed on for a while answering all of my questions.)

  11. Construction Rating: 8

stats

  1. Average Ratings
  2. Performance: 6
  3. Sound Quality: 10
  4. Construction: 8
  5. Ratings Key
  6. 10: Excellent
  7. 0: Useless
  8. Available At
  9. Musician's Friend
  10. Company
  11. Marshall

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