JMP 1959 Vs JMP 2203

[alexisgt]

Hello guys!

I'm considering to buy one of these amps:

-JMP 1959 (1978 model year / Non-Master Volume)
-JMP 2203 (1979 model year / Master Volume)

So, what do you prefer?
(I also added a poll if you want to vote, but i need your opinion too)

Which of these amps considering as "better" and "valuable"?

Price ranges for players condition?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bulldozer1984]

i dont think anyone can answer your question until you tell us where and how you will be using the amp.

Personally i prefer a 2203. But i play hard rock so a NMV is just not practical.

 

[dptone5]

Wow. Depends. For general use, I would go with the JMP. If I were in the studio, I'd go with the 1959 for pure power.

DP

 

[Redstone]

I'd prefer the 1959, but that is just me. I don't think either one is better than the other. It differs from person to person. The 2203 might be better for the person who needs a master volume. The 1959 might be better that needs to plug in a guitar and a bass guitar. If you are thinking of getting one of these amps, if possible try to play one in person before you decide. Both amps have their own mojo.

 

[drgordonfreeman]

First, where are you located, and where did you see these amps for sale?

NewReligion has some good clips of his JMP 2203 on this forum. See if you like what he has going on there. I think you will; more so, than the 1959. My vote is for the 2203.

 

[marshallman116]

There's always an attenuator or a PPIMV

 

[MKB]

IMHO neither is better than the other. They are different amps with different tones, and will do different tricks. If anything, they are complimentary.

Both I would think are quite valuable if they are in good unmodified shape. Maybe even comparable in resale value?

If I was forced to choose one without mods it would be the 2203; it has the classic metal tone in the high gain input, can get very nice Marshall cleans with the low gain input, reacts well to pedals, and has a master volume for lower level gigs. The 1959 will need to get stupid loud to sound great without some mods or an attenuator. However, if you are going to modify them, it's hard to beat a good 1959 with a PPIMV for classic rock.

 

[jcm800gridlock]

I currenty own the 50 watt versions of these two amps, a 1987x and a JMP 2204.

My 1987x has the ppimv mod and I probably would not own it without the mod. The ppimv works great.

Love both amps but would probably go with the 2203 since that was my frist Marshall amp back when I was 19-20 years old.

 

[plexilespaul]

the 2203 cause it's more friendly

 

[NewReligion]

I will get stomped on for this but.........

I must have a loop in my amps. With a 1959/1987 I can also use the loop to attenuate the volume using something as a master volume. When I do this my Plexi is the most beautiful singing amp I have played. It has a much different type of gain than the preamp distortion created by the cascaded 2203/2204.

Just so that nyou know I am jamming on my 1981 JMP 2203 at the moment but the Plexi is getting ready to track some studio work.

All Marshalls will kick ass when dialed in well.

My $.02 David ♫

 

[keennay]

If you don't go for the 1959 lemme know why I can find it. I've been looking for a late 70's build for ages, though I did play on a JVM 410H for the first time today and was quite impressed!

 

[Landshark]

JMP 2203 muddafuggas! Master volume ftw!!!

 

[plexilespaul]

by the way on a jmp 2203 turning the master up and the pre down takes you into the 1959 tone teritory.

 

[NewReligion]

by the way on a jmp 2203 turning the master up and the pre down takes you into the 1959 tone teritory.

Man I try that and I just can't get there. In fact I did it last night with negative results. Could just be my amps or my poor hearing.

David ♫

 

[NewReligion]

JMP 2203 muddafuggas! Master volume ftw!!!

I remember you had a JCM 800 2203X. I see that your interest in the 2203 has been renewed?

I admit My JMP 2203 smokes the 2003 2203X I had. I must be transformers and aged components.
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...But my other Marshalls are smoooother and still cry lol. This thread is just begging for a tug of war.

David ♫

 

[Petri358]

Don't want to vote but 2203 is for me
You should play both and decide yourself!

 

[SwampThing]

I will get stomped on for this but.........

I must have a loop in my amps. With a 1959/1987 I can also use the loop to attenuate the volume using something as a master volume. When I do this my Plexi is the most beautiful singing amp I have played. It has a much different type of gain than the preamp distortion created by the cascaded 2203/2204.

Just so that nyou know I am jamming on my 1981 JMP 2203 at the moment but the Plexi is getting ready to track some studio work.

All Marshalls will kick ass when dialed in well.

My $.02 David ♫

Dave what do you use in the loop as your "Master Volume"?

 

[johnfv]

If I had to choose one amp it would be a 2203/2204. That said, I love my 1959T. The MV amps are so flexible: anything from totally clean on the low input to nice crunchy gain on the high input. Easily attained at a variety of levels via the MV. We all rave about plexis (and I'm lucky enough to own one) but IMO the 2203/2204 is the epitome of Marshall tone.

 

[NewReligion]

Dave what do you use in the loop as your "Master Volume"?

I have several 1989 original Alesis Quadraverbs. The Quadraverb plus will work well also but the GT is more of a preamp and will affect the tone.

The Quadraverbs have input and output level pots. In addition I can set channels at different levels internally in order to have a stable (and LOUD) solo boost not to mention awesome studio quality verbs, delays, pitch's and EQ if desired.

I used many other units but always return to the old Alesis Quads as they are simple, reliable and sound freaking great.

Oh and did I mention that they now (out of production but used) can be had for less than a delay pedal lmfao, hell yeah. In 1989 they were $399.00, that's like $700 now I think.

Anyway they have worked well for me since 1989.

David ♫

 

[SwampThing]

I have several 1989 original Alesis Quadraverbs. The Quadraverb plus will work well also but the GT is more of a preamp and will affect the tone.

The Quadraverbs have input and output level pots. In addition I can set channels at different levels internally in order to have a stable (and LOUD) solo boost not to mention awesome studio quality verbs, delays, pitch's and EQ if desired.

I used many other units but always return to the old Alesis Quads as they are simple, reliable and sound freaking great.

Oh and did I mention that they now (out of production but used) can be had for less than a delay pedal lmfao, hell yeah. In 1989 they were $399.00, that's like $700 now I think.

Anyway they have worked well for me since 1989.

David ♫

Awesome! I know everyone worries about "drop in tone" or how a MV will affect lowered tone. Do you experience any of that with the Alesis units?