Share your almighty 2205/2210

[medicjg]

When I go astray and play other amps looking for that elusive tone that we all search for im always reminded that the split channel 800s are the best sounding amplifiers in the world. I plug back in and always ask myself why I play anything else. To my ear nothing compares the feel and tone are unmatched as far as im concerned.

 

[kips1963]

I owned and used a 2205 and a 2210 from about '90 to '97. If memory serves one was an '86 and the other was later, maybe '88 or '89. They aren't perfect amps, but in my opinion they were the epitome of what Marshall tone should sound like. At the same time that Rock was reaching perfection in writing, production and live performance, Marshall was right there with the 2205 and 2210, reaching the same maturity and empowering the entire 80s Rock/Metal movement. Early credit goes to the older JCM 800 models as well.

In my opinion, the 2205 and 2210 were the last amps Marshall built with proper Mids and build quality. By 2000 the Mesa Rectifier gained dominance in the amp world and Marshall began following the "scooped mids/huge bass" trend, losing its place as the world's leader in guitar amplification. They began using PCB construction which, for the most part, was quite inferior to what you'd see inside a Mesa rectifier. Additional amp manufacturers were coming on the scene during this time, of which Diesel became one predominant contender, and modeling began to take hold as an inexpensive and appealing alternative.

Long live the 2205 and 2210! Unfortunately I sold mine when they fell out of favor by the late 90s.

That is true. The thing I notice when I play my 2210 is how much mids this amp has. To be honest, I feel that all these mids together with the compressed nature of the sound make the amp somewhat 'stiff'. It lacks some Plexi-like headroom.... Is there a way to 'open up' the sound a bit more? Without sacrifying too much gain?

 

[Vinsanitizer]

That is true. The thing I notice when I play my 2210 is how much mids this amp has. To be honest, I feel that all these mids together with the compressed nature of the sound make the amp somewhat 'stiff'. It lacks some Plexi-like headroom.... Is there a way to 'open up' the sound a bit more? Without sacrifying too much gain?

I'm gonna be honest and say probably not. It sounds like you might be looking to make your 2210 be more responsive to pick attack and playing dynamics? Perhaps you're looking to make it a little more "squishy"?

The only recommendation I have to offer if you find the mids overbearing would be to check out the DSL 50 or 100. Those amps are similar to the 2205/2210, but have less mids and better cleans. The clean channel in particular allows for a wide level of clean-breakup, and the OD channel has a wide range of gain with less midrange than the 2210. The DSL sounds more "new school", the 2210 is more "old school".

Maybe others can offer better suggestions.

 

[jc109]

On the link below:

1987, 2210, ts9, '95 Strat with a JB in the bridge.

Was thinking about letting it go.
Thanks to everyone on this link for bringing me to my senses!!!!!

 

[Gary666]

not the best pick, but only one I have on this PC, '87 2210, my main gigging amp.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

I had a 2210 and a 2205. Best amps ever. Last great build quality before "computer" boards. Full-size pots bolted to the chassis, big caps, Drake xformers, FX loop, spring reverb, plenty of gain, plenty of mids. Clean channel was a toss-in, but in fairness, nobody gave a crap about clean channels when these amps were being designed. Fender had that market.

They fell out of favor during the JCM900/Valvestate days, but minty used models still sold for roughly $500 just because of the Marshall name. Sold my minty 2205 for $350 and my frankenstein'ed 2210 for $250.

 

[NewReligion]

I had a 2210 and a 2205. Best amps ever. Last great build quality before "computer" boards. Full-size pots bolted to the chassis, big caps, Drake xformers, FX loop, spring reverb, plenty of gain, plenty of mids. Clean channel was a toss-in, but in fairness, nobody gave a crap about clean channels when these amps were being designed. Fender had that market.

They fell out of favor during the JCM900/Valvestate days, but minty used models still sold for roughly $500 just because of the Marshall name. Sold my minty 2205 for $350 and my frankenstein'ed 2210 for $250.

I love that damned circuit. Like a HSS Start, always kept one within reach. Nothing sounds like a 2205/2210!

Here she is: 04 Never Surrender by DavidCHopkins on SoundCloud - Hear the world

David ♫

 

[jc109]

On the link below:

'87 2210, ts9, '95 Strat with a JB in the bridge.

Was thinking about letting it go.
Thanks to everyone on this link for bringing me to my senses!!!!!

With her friends.

 

[dptone5]

On the link below:

1987, 2210, ts9, '95 Strat with a JB in the bridge.

Was thinking about letting it go.
Thanks to everyone on this link for bringing me to my senses!!!!!

Jason,

Wow. Listened to your clips! Manifesto is a great tune! Your tone and playing is great!

Thanks!!

DP

 

[jc109]

DP,
Thanks so much!!!!!
I owe alot to the drummer, Dave Anthony.
He now plays for Chris Duarte!!!!!
Nothing like a great drummer to hide behind!!!!!!

 

[hazmat7719]

I have one on the way!

 

[LSummer]

First I used mostly the boost channel but now its other way round. "Clean" channel is more cooler I think (I'm boosting it with OD) with smaller gain, just miss the middle knob on that. Great amps anyway!

 

[hellride]

Still lookin', still savin' da doe.
It will be mine, oh yes, It will be mine!

 

[Barfly]

1988 Marshall JCM 800, 2210. I'm the original owner. I tried almost every amp in Sam Ash on 48th street and this one did it for me. Schwing. True Story.

ps: Can anyone ID the bottom? I've had it since before the AMP. I've long lost the metal tab that had the info and my friend Frankie bought 2 for me (w/my dough.) I kept one and gave the other to my friend because he was allllll right.

 

[shredless]

1st one was a 1982 Anniversary model 2210 (still have the cab though, I even kept the headshell!)
2nd 1989 2205
3rd and only one I currently have is 1984 2210

absolutely hated the 1982 one....
the 89 was bad ass for searing leads...
the 1984 I just got and am getting to know it, but its quite a monster

agree...the clean channels all sucked

 

[supershifter2]

Here are my 3 2205.

 

[vinceB]

\ . The only drawback is that it makes the loop a little harder to get along with the last pedal in the loop becomes the master volume that is the pedals level pot.

I have an 89 4210 that also does this. If it's supposed to be this way I want to try the MXR EQ that has a gain control and level control. If I use it last in my chain that might turn out to be cool. I thought something was wrong with it.

 

[vinceB]

 

[Vinsanitizer]

The 2205 and 2210 models have a certain midrange "slap" or "whack" that I have not heard in any other Marshall. Hard to describe, but the harder you pick the more prevalent it is. It's a tone I can clearly and easily identify. No Marshall before or after has that sound. I've never been able to reproduce it, and regret getting rid of my 2205 and 2210. It does something to make the midrange so sweet and clear, yet aggressive as well.