2205 vs 2204

[bennieusmaximus]

I am wanting to get my hands on a JCM 800 el34 50w.2205 or a 2204.The channel switcher and the single channel are pretty close in the money area and I know they are both 800's but I was wondering if there was any difference.I would prefer the singel channel right off the bat for simplicity.I have played threw a single channell,but not a channel switcher.Is the 2205 an all tube path?Any comments?Single channel 800's are pretty scarce around here,but I know where there is a '84 2205.

 

[AlvisX]

For me ,personally, 2204,hands down ,but it's really about what kind of sound you're after. To my ears 2204 does classic Marshall better than 2205,and that's what I like

 

[JayCM800]

They're both great!

 

[NewReligion]

The 2205 uses clipping diodes in addition to tubes on the preamp. Kind of like having a built in OD pedal if you will. I have owned Many 2204/2203's and 2205/2210's. I am a 2205/2210 guy. I just can't get a 2204/2203 to sound like the 2210 in the video. They are all great amps, it just depands on the voicing you want.

My advice on the 2205/2210 is to not run the Gain above 9 as it begins to sound thin and brittle if you do. I then use a Boss SD-1 to push the front end like in the Video. The 2205/2210 provides Reverb, Effects Loop and a somewhat usable "clean" Normal Split Channel.

Saturation, Sustain and Clarity. Clipping Diodes and 5 12AX7 Preamp Tubes.

Best to you and good luck.

I MADE THIS VIDEO JUST FOR THIS REASON: David.

Jubilee's Kick Ass Too!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k1LCayMzcI]YouTube - ‪Marshall 2210/2205 JCM 800 & Boss SD-1 David C. Hopkins‬‏[/ame]

 

[TubeStack]

Yeah, they're both great. Tom Morello is a 2205 man, same w/ Michael Schenker.

Here's a related thread.

 

[Codyjohns]

The 2205 uses clipping diodes in addition to tubes on the preamp. Kind of like having a built in OD pedal if you will. I have owned Many 2204/2203's and 2205/2210's. I am a 2205/2210 guy. I just can't get a 2204/2203 to sound like the 2210 in the video. They are all great amps, it just depands on the voicing you want.

My advice on the 2205/2210 is to not run the Gain above 9 as it begins to sound thin and brittle if you do. I then use a Boss SD-1 to push the front end like in the Video. The 2205/2210 provides Reverb, Effects Loop and a somewhat usable "clean" Normal Split Channel.

Saturation, Sustain and Clarity. Clipping Diodes and 5 12AX7 Preamp Tubes.

Best to you and good luck.

I MADE THIS VIDEO JUST FOR THIS REASON: David.

Jubilee's Kick Ass Too!
YouTube - ‪Marshall 2210/2205 JCM 800 & Boss SD-1 David C. Hopkins‬‏

David your 2210 sounds beautiful................I'm boosting the front end of my 2204 with the SD-1 and I have to say that both models love this pedal.

 

[NewReligion]

David your 2210 sounds beautiful................I'm boosting the front end of my 2204 with the SD-1 and I have to say that both models love this pedal.

Thanks again Mike. I know this video gets old but new guys come around and ask the age old question, 2204 or 2205?

I really am still wanting a non cascaded 1959SLP Re-Issue with Effects Loop, just not sure I would play it much as the 2210 is the work horse and cornerstone of my Tone.

Mike you should include a Video of you and the 2204 on this thread as it may asssist the OP.
David

 

[bennieusmaximus]

David that thing sounds killer!!!Diodes,single or dual channel...It all comes down to the tone ya want.the 2205 sound like the one.little more gain than the 2203.Thanks for the help everyone.If the effects loop is decent thats always a plus.

 

[jcmjmp]

I'd get a 2203/2204 and a nice OD pedal vs any 2205/2210.

 

[Codyjohns]

Mike you should include a Video of you and the 2204 on this thread as it may asssist the OP.
David

This is the only video of my 2204 I have right now as I have only had the amp for a week now...........I will make a better video soon.

Oh yeah no boost in this video it's all amp.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCIg3jTCma4]YouTube - ‪1978 Marshall 2204 JMP‬‏[/ame]

 

[NewReligion]

This is the only video of my 2204 I have right now as I have only had the amp for a week now...........I will make a better video soon.

YouTube - ‪1978 Marshall 2204 JMP‬‏

Good recording Mike. Sounds Like a 2204/2203 to me bro. Nice playing too.

David

 

[Codyjohns]

Good recording Mike. Sounds Like a 2204/2203 to me bro. Nice playing too.

David

Thanks David

One thing I can say about the 2204 is that it's sooooooo god damn loud ......I can't get the amp volume pass 2 without blowing my band mates heads off at rehearsal.

 

[Crunchcity]

Ah, two of my favorite amp models. I really want to try 2205/2210 if the right opportunity comes along.

Here's my 2204 boosted with an SD-1 and EQ pedal set with a very slight mid boost.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuO8-F_lAYU"]YouTube - ‪800-900 comparison test 004.avi‬‏[/ame]

 

[NewReligion]

Now I will bring out the Haters.

All right dude. This is John Norum. Not only does he play for Europe but he is a Virtuoso guitarist Master Class. Signed at one time with Mike Varney and Shrapnel Records. Here are a couple videos that cover 1.) his gear & 2.) what he can do with it. Again best luck to you. The 2204 and 2205 are worlds apart in what they provide and offten time we end up here on the forum pointing fingers saying my amp can kick your amps ass lmao. Great player+ good or Great amp = no lose situation.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z_1dsqJqXE]YouTube - ‪John Nourm's gear‬‏[/ame]

Listen to these crying notes!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQCsE0P4otw]YouTube - ‪John Norum - Shimmering Highs‬‏[/ame]

 

[NewReligion]

Ah, two of my favorite amp models. I really want to try 2205/2210 if the right opportunity comes along.

Here's my 2204 boosted with SD-1 and an EQ pedal set with a very slight mid boost.

YouTube - ‪800-900 comparison test 004.avi‬‏

Cool Scary licks. What's loaded in the Splawn Cab??????????? Not Celestions?

 

[Crunchcity]

Cool Scary licks. What's loaded in the Splawn Cab??????????? Not Celestions?

Hey David, thanks!

The Splawn cab has Celestions, an x pattern of Greenback RI's and H30's.

 

[Codyjohns]

Ah, two of my favorite amp models. I really want to try 2205/2210 if the right opportunity comes along.

Here's my 2204 boosted with an SD-1 and EQ pedal set with a very slight mid boost.

YouTube - ‪800-900 comparison test 004.avi‬‏

I love the Boss SD-1 .........turns the 800's into fire breathing dragons.

Nice playing Crunch.

 

[sccloser]

To get the classic marshall tone, I play through my 2205's clean channel. I set the volume anywhere between 6 and 9 for gain, then control the overall vol with the master. Good AC DC tones. Switch to boost channel with gain set to 7 or 8 for leads and 80's tone.

When I need to play clean, I do so on the clean channel, with the vol on my guitar turned down to clean it up. Clean enough for what I play.

2205 I think is more versatile than the 2204, but I could be happy with either. Closest amp I have to the 2204 is my 2500 mkiii and I have gigged it with no problems.

 

[AlvisX]

Someone mentioned M. Schenker ......I believe his definitive work (IMO) was all 1987's as there were no 2205's in '74

I got my 4212 for about 400 bucks back when the dollar & Euro were 1:1.How could I not buy it ...?
It's been my experience with nearly every channel switchin amp I've had to operate ,is that I always liked the sound of the "clean" channel cranked ,better than the "gain" channel. The Marshall's no exception .I did a little gain & mid tweakin on my clean channel to where it's not so clean . Sounds pretty darn good with 6L6s and WGS 65's

....but not as good as the two single channel 800s I got .
I use the 4212 for a backup amp in Europe if the Mig 50's fail

Check these guys out,they suck but the 4104 is workin...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PviJXs4Vfc]YouTube - ‪Alvin Youngblood Hart / Fightin' Hard‬‏[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlJUfJGD64Y&NR=1]YouTube - ‪Alvin Youngblood Hart / Shoot Me A Grin‬‏[/ame]

 

[plexilespaul]

i had both the 2205 and the 2204 and i must say they are both good amps but the 2204 to my ears was the better sounding classic rock amp...the crunch (mild overdrive to full mayhem) on that amp sounded just right.
On the other hand the 2205 was a bit fizzy but cranked it had a sweet marshall roar to it.