AMP SHOOTOUT: Marshall Plexi vs. JCM 800

I had the opportunity to borrow a reissue Marshall 1959SLP, so I thought I would make a quick comparison with my own JCM 800.
The amps used are:
- Marshall 1959SLP Super Lead 100w reissue (circa 2010)
- Marshall JCM 800 model 2204 50w (circa 1985)
I recorded DI tracks using my Gibson SG Special, straight into a Focusrite Clarett 8PreX, then re-amped these using a Two Notes Torpedo Reload. Both amps were captured using GetGood Drums Studio Cabs: Goldstack impulse responses. For the boosted segment, a Mason OD808 was placed in front of each amp, with the Drive at minimum, the Balance at maximum, and the tone around 2 o'clock.

[@davidstorm4015]

With youtube compression, even using good headphones, these sound identical

[@CraigJSmithMusic]

For sure. They’re much more similar than I expected! If you’re after the classic Marshall sound, you really can’t go wrong with either

[@CraigJSmithMusic]

If I had to describe the difference when playing, the 800 is slightly thicker and saturated, whereas the Plexi feels like it has a sharper response to pick attack

[@Billywagner22]

​@CraigJSmithMusic that's probably because of the 4700pF cap on the bright channel of the 1959

[@space_kat1]

i can definitely hear a slight difference, sounds to me like the JCM800 is slightly thicker than the Super Lead, but it really is a very slight difference

[@LS-qw6xq]

Also, it sounds like the 800 has more body and presence in the upper frequency level, whereas the plexi shows a hint of darker sounds with edge.

[@the_anderman]

I have a JCM800 2203 and a 1959SLP and I can’t believe how similar they sound here. To me, the 2203 is a bit harsher, more aggressive and tighter than the 1959. The Plexi has a nice sag and smoothness to it with a clangorous top end. Obviously these differences are more apparent to the player than the listener - great comparison!

[@KahnuevsKrake]

It seems that people say the Plexi is more open sounding and "touch sensitive". I'd put that largely down to the fact it doesn't have a master volume. I have a JCM 800 Studio and I use the low sensitivity input with both the gain and master volume on full blast to get that proper power tube distortion and run it through an attenuator so it's not ear splittingly loud. It sounds gorgeous!!!

[@EthanRMus]

Hey question bro Im considering the JCM 800 Studio 20 Watt, is that the one you have, and if so, would I be able to get a good tone at bedroom level living in an apartment?

[@KahnuevsKrake]

@@EthanRMus Yeah it is the one I have. Bedroom volumes can be achievable, but they sound really shrill because they're designed to not sound muddy when you crank them up. So I would recommend an attenuator to regulate the volume whilst cranking up the tubes and also consider amp positioning, carpets, acoustic sound mat etc. Just try every trick in the book you can think of to get a good tone whilst minimising noise to your neighbours. I think one of the most common mistakes is assuming a small combo amp format would be better. The reason being that most combos have open back speakers, which means sound comes out of the back into the wall and travels to the other flats. Closed back speaker cabs are more directional and therefore better suited for flat dwellers. So if you do get it, get the head and the matching 1x12 closed back cabinet, not the combo version. Hope this helps.

[@EthanRMus]

@KahnuevsKrake Preciate the thorough reply! Yeah I have a Fender Deluxe Reverb and a Vox AC15 now and those both sound beautiful at bedroom/apartment level, was hoping to complete the holy trinity of classic amps with a marshall like this but maybe its best I dont unless Ive tried it in person first. Would hate for the tone too be shrill or something in a way I wasnt anticipating at my volume levels. I was gonna go for the vertical 2x12 cab, but you think probably just the 1?

[@truescotsman4103]

This is good. Everyone needs to be aware of the differences between these two platforms.

[@kahlrhoam6769]

THX for not using a booster! It drives me crazy when someone does that, front to back in shootouts! Great tone & rhythm there! 👏

[@TexAgsArmyVet]

I once owned a JCM800 2204 50 that was modded by Voodoo amps out of New York. I still regret selling that amp. I've been playing guitar since 2003 and it is still the best Amp I've ever owned or heard.

[@joeinterrante7873]

My great friend has three Marshalls The Silver Jubilee with 4 12s sounds so fantastic. Great cleans, crunch and all the rest

[@psychedeliccarrie5921]

JCM 800 sounds a bit thicker but the general tone is very similar.

[@LightningN1NjA]

Jcm 800 sounds sick!

[@shanemaderejr.7675]

Great video! It’s interesting how similar they actually sound. The JCM800 sounded like it had a touch more in the high mids, maybe 2.5 to 3 kHz.

[@GuitarUnderground]

I agree with others that they sound more similar than I expected. I think the JCM is slightly bigger, fatter, and higher gain. I'd rather go SLP if I had to choose, and add an EP Booster to the line to get more JCM character when that's needed.

[@baykay9559]

Excellent video and very helpful! Thanks

[@rareform6747]

SLP as a collector Player own Two in Stereo . 55 playing years is top of TITS 💫

[@strummer101]

Great riffage and great shoot out. Long Live the SG

[@nigelwoolfmobile]

They both sound awesome.!! 😍🤩

[@compucorder64]

In this video they sound pretty similar, especially in the mix. But, I do think the Plexi sounds more articulate, brighter, but also more shrill. The JCM 800 is thicker, darker, more scooped and sounds smoother and more compressed. Listened to solo, the differences are more obvious, and would be in a sparser mix too. The Plexi is also more shy of bass and low mids than the JCM800, which is less obvious in a mix. And it has more pronounced hum in the upper mids that brings out the pick attack, and that's the signature of the Plexi sound. Where fuller bass, thicker low mids, and more scooped upper mids, smoothed out treble is the JCM800 sound.

[@kiak90]

both great amps, to my ears the Plexi is a little more versatile thanks to the eq, more precise and clearer

[@CraigJSmithMusic]

I did find the Plexi to be slightly easier to dial in. The 800 really has a sweet spot it likes to be in. It could just be psychological, but I thought the Plexi felt slightly more “immediate” when playing if that makes any sense. But this is really splitting hairs haha

[@malthus101]

so they sound absolutely identical. sweet! no need to buy both.

[@j.koppany]

They sound really similar, the JCM800 is more fat to me, both sound great

[@LoreAccurateHusky]

I can barely hear any difference between these two, only in the last isolated clip could I even hear a slight difference between the two and it was just some extra harshness on the 800 some post eq could fix. In a mix you couldn't tell these apart, it would be literally impossible. All this time I really believed all the talk about how the 59SL had this special sound of being perfectly voiced and balanced and how the 800 is always too harsh and bright and here this stands saying most of that is kind of bullshit. You are doing the lords work, on god frfr.

[@juliobonnemaison9179]

JCM800 Thicker tone.

[@Nickk81]

2 great amps

[@jimmykrutakofficial294]

Plexi is cleaner and brighter on the high end, JCM is muddier with a more pronounced high mid resonance

[@bennyvandelocht4242]

Lovely sound!! Witch cabinet/speakers did you use? How did you place the mic? Which pickups are in the SG? My JCM800 has a lot more low end in the tone, so I might get the same with a treble booster...

[@BYRONLOAIZA]

sinceramente por más que me esfuerzo, no logro identificar una diferencia entre ambos, notaste talvez una diferencia en el tacto a tocar la guitarra?

[@diwattos]

i have plexi 100w sld is the best amp ever.

[@sassulusmagnus]

Great sound, great playing. That SG Special looks different. Crescent fretboard inlays and extra hardware on the headstock. Limited edition?

[@CraigJSmithMusic]

Yes the inlays were a limited edition. The thing on the headstock is called a Tone Butler and is supposed to help with tuning stability

[@davidmini3606]

the SLP is that 100 watts because the JCM 800 2204 is only 50

[@CraigJSmithMusic]

Correct

[@ahankararockband]

To me pretty much same sound maybe Plexi is very slightly brighter.

[@idanramos1942]

Great sounds! Both are great but I love the plexi, what load box did you use?

[@CraigJSmithMusic]

Thanks! Two Notes Torpedo Reload

[@gunsnrosesfrk]

What cab and speakers are you using?

[@Sellen-]

love both 😎

[@CraigJSmithMusic]

Me too! They both have “the sound!”

[@strummer101]

Rewatching

[@bobubastardbbqandmetal9908]

Almost no difference in this recording. but I played both, there is a difference..Both punchy..Plexi is glassier. JCM has more upper mid range punch...Both Amazing

[@stevegardiner8473]

For me, the Plexi just has the edge. A bit more depth to the tone.

[@truescotsman4103]

It's more open. The master volume circuit compresses and filters frequencies the Plexi is much cleaner and that lack of gain leaves it less compressed and more open.

[@caseyjones3522]

@@truescotsman4103 yall are high. these amps sound identical.

[@truescotsman4103]

@@caseyjones3522 YOu have wooden ears. I have both amps and they're completely different circuits and can't even have the same settings. You might get them to sound similar but not the same. Ever. You're high bruh.

[@user-nk8ww9ce9k]

And to think I sold my jcm800 head in 2003 for 500$….

[@roter4baron]

difference is neglectable to me

[@gs3173]

Lets be honest, this is one guy with one amp.

[@kevinlane7555]

Thank you for playing rhythm and not noodling

[@jeffallen3372]

You definitely aren't changing amps. That is the same amp all the way through.

[@CraigJSmithMusic]

Haha I can assure you I am changing amps

[@brianthorson6509]

sound the same

[@spensertoth7893]

These comparisons are always sus. Unless eachamo is set at the same there really no comparison. Turn em both to 11 then compare.

[@CraigJSmithMusic]

I just set them both to where I thought they sounded best. They’re very similar amps so they ended up sounding nearly identical, except for little nuances. And for the record, they were both turned up very loud haha

[@jvcmaster20]

The way guitars were recorded, with delayed doubled R/L track this comparison is useless.