CJM800 heads, 50 vs 100

[BuckoBell]

Hey guys, please weigh in on the differences you have experienced between the 100 watt and 50 watt versions of JCM800 heads. I'm interested if they sound similar, or the same, maybe have different tubes or features. Some examples I found are 2203 vs 2204 and 2205 vs 2210. Am I missing a few more?

Thanks

 

[mott555]

IMO they're practically identical (2203 vs 2204, can't comment on 2205/2210 since I've never used one), the 100-watter is just a few decibels louder.

My personal preference is the 2204, fewer power tubes means it's cheaper to retube and puts out less heat.

 

[Ken]

Hey guys, please weigh in on the differences you have experienced between the 100 watt and 50 watt versions of JCM800 heads. I'm interested if they sound similar, or the same, maybe have different tubes or features. Some examples I found are 2203 vs 2204 and 2205 vs 2210. Am I missing a few more?

Thanks

Besides tube cost, the 100 will have more clean headroom so you can play cleaner louder than with a 50.

Ken

 

[iron broadsword]

Definitely some pros & cons, but headroom is the big one. Since you're going for an 800, and the epic 800 tones (a generally accepted opinion, at least) are gotten from getting the power section cooking, I'd say go for the 50w for sure, and use a clean amp with it if you end up needing that. Definitely test it out though before you buy, and let your ears fall in love with it.

 

[BuckoBell]

Some of the JCM 2204's I'm hearing in youtube videos sound great. So the basic difference is fewer power tubes, that's what makes it 50 rather than 100 watt?

 

[iron broadsword]

Right, two less power tubes. When you halve the wattage you lose headroom which is a good or bad thing depending on what you're going for.

 

[BuckoBell]

Thanks for the advise folks. I'm sold on a 50 watt head. Now which one? No FX loop is kind of a deal breaker for me. Looks like that eliminates the 2204 MKII Lead Series. Am I right, just the 2205?

 

[plexilespaul]

Thanks for the advise folks. I'm sold on a 50 watt head. Now which one? No FX loop is kind of a deal breaker for me. Looks like that eliminates the 2204 MKII Lead Series. Am I right, just the 2205?

imho 2203 sounds bigger with more headroom than a 2204 which is a little more compressed. depends on what you like...if you can hear both that will be great.

 

[Masteresgt]

JCM800 series come with several model for 50 watts:

50watts:
2204: Head, one channel, no loop
4010: Combo version of 2204, 1x12"
4104: Combo version of 2204, 2x12"
2205: Head, split channel, FX loop
4210: Combo version of 2205, 1x12"
4212: Combo version of 2205, 2x12"

Combo version can be found for cheaper than head version !

And yes 50watt model has only 2 power tube instead of 4. Typical push-pull topology allow an EL34 tube to power 25 watt each. More power don't really means that the amp will be louder (but yes 3 to 6dB louder...) but more headroom !

 

[paul-e-mann]

2204 - less tubes, more speaker choices. Loud as f*ck any way you slice it!

And if you need super clean you always have the low input.

 

[BuckoBell]

Thanks again for all the input. I remember the 2210 I had in the 90's was too loud and I always wanted a bit more saturation out of it. Maybe the 100 watt has too much headroom for my sound. I wonder how dumb it would be to remove two of the four power tubes? Bad or terrible idea?

 

[Ken]

I wonder how dumb it would be to remove two of the four power tubes? Bad or terrible idea?

There's a lot of threads on this. My opinion is it's a terrible idea.

Ken

 

[NOGE]

My opinion is it's a terrible idea.

+1. I tried it and it seemed a bit pointless. Still loud as fvck but didn't sound as ballsy.

 

[anitoli]

Maybe the 100 watt has too much headroom for my sound. I wonder how dumb it would be to remove two of the four power tubes? Bad or terrible idea?

This is one bad idea that REFUSES to go away.......

500 years from now kids will read bogus text books on music history:

" The magic guitar sound of this time period was achieved by players who knew the secret to tone was the removal of two power tubes.........."

 

[BuckoBell]

LOL, I thought it was a dumb idea, and better to ask then to try it out and damage something.

" The magic guitar sound of this time period was achieved by players who knew the secret to tone was the removal of two power tubes.........."