Marshall SC20 Studio Classic VS 1985 JCM800 2204

[@NacekO]

Great tones. I must say that I don't know what I was doing the last 25 years but I have never played through a Marshall amp until 2020 and I fell in love with it instantly :D I have the 20 watt JCM800 and when I put and OD in front of it for the first time I thought to myself "aaaaahhhh so this is why the 80s and 90s metal guys love it so much" :D

[@mattsguitarstuff7564]

These are all AMAZING tones - period!!

[@blakemansfield2356]

You got it!

[@user-j667ezgo]

Both are amazing. I really love the large headrooms and dynamics of 100 watts JCM. These cannot be achieved fully by small amps nor the best digital modeling so far. I replaced my Bogner Atma with JCA-100HDM( modded). However, when I do mixing, I usually compress and cutoff quite a lot of parts of the sound, thus the tone becomes very similar to the sound of good small wattage amps. Studio classic seems to be very useful for recording purposes, and rightly named for their usage.

[@sonnyseabury4051]

Who are the 3 jealous putzes that disliked this video? There's nothing to dislike. The guy plays well, and makes a great comparison.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Sonny Seabury Haha thanks dude

[@chrishastings]

@@blakemansfield2356 im thinking 800 owners who maybe cant play....

[@hauntedchannel9163]

Good thing is you can get the jcm800 tones with the studio and actually be able to hear afterwards. So it's perfect

[@phantasmagora6542]

The 100W head has the depth and sounds smoother all around. The Studio Classic retains the tone of the old 800s for sure, but I feel it adds a lot of bass and mids to compensate for the fact that it is a smaller amp. Still, both sound impressive and record phenomenally.

[@nikolajnb3774]

2204 is 50w, 2203 is 100w Edit 2203 has even more balls, best of the two (imo)

[@andy_stinson]

Keep in mind, that difference in tone could be due to parts tolerance, or even just tubes!

[@guitarexpert2245]

@@nikolajnb3774 Where the hell can one play a 100 wat JCM 800. It's just way too loud. There is no way you could play it M.V on 4 at a club like on this video. Max is just above 2 and it's much thinner sounding.

[@mr.bubbalo9720]

@@guitarexpert2245 modern PA systems means bands need less wattage. Most venues are mic’d up. This 20 would be more than enough. You’re right

[@jalaskabtu]

@@andy_stinson yesssss

[@chrishastings]

Great job Blake! tossing up the reissue vs the studio right now.

[@NoOne-ew6tk]

the SC20 is just one amazing amplifier. I just love it.

[@genustinca5565]

It sounds a bit different from the 100w but I wouldn't say it sounds 'smaller'. Although that is what I expected.

[@guitarexpert2245]

Well i can honestly say i was wrong with my statement from last year. Had a Mini Jubilee & just bought the SC20h off of C.L and i like it much better than the Jub in fact I sold the Jub. Oh well. Live & learn.

[@UPFD91]

I got the SC20H about a year ago and I love it. The 2204 sounds a little better for sure, but the SC20H is a solid amp. I run mine through a 1960A and a Peavey 4x12 that i swapped out the speakers with 4 V30's. Blending those cabs together will blow you out of the water. the tone is inasne.

[@darkmelody9300]

So the 20 watt head drives the 412 fine?

[@UPFD91]

@@darkmelody9300 I run 2 412s with it. One is a peavey cab with vintage 30s. And the other is a 1960A. It doesnt push them as much as my 100 watt. But it still moves them pretty good.

[@UPFD91]

@@darkmelody9300 the blend of the v30s with what ever is in the 1960a cab sounds really good

[@Nghilifa]

For hard rock & metal, I wouldn't consider another amp (2203/2204). They're so friggin great!

[@johnmaloney1681]

Close enough for Rock & Roll. The studio version is a great buy @ 1/2 the price of a reissue head and much easier to haul around. I leave the big ones at home & use the studio combo now. 35lbs!

[@MrMeik1970]

The sc20 is a beautiful sounding Amp. Love it.

[@kmanick107]

I got a chance to try one of these little beast today at the Axe Palace in Walpole ma. they also had a full size 800 and a real cool switching system set up so I could switch cabs on the fly, with a tubes creamer through a 4X12 Marshall cab I was surprised by how close they sounded. Definitely a one trick pony , but it's a pretty cool trick :)

[@justingiles7163]

What were the differences between the little one and it’s big brother?

[@Scotanthony1]

Blake, Thanks so much for putting up this video comparison. Your 2204 just kills!!! What a great amp!! Having said that, the JCM 800 Classic is really not too shabby at all. It sounds pretty darn good. Though it’s definitely not quite as sweet sounding as your 2204. But there is one other thing that I think could be a potential consideration for anyone trying to choose between the two, and that would be reliability. There’s just no accounting for a brand new amplifier, with all new components in it, and if one is out on the road or playing consistently, using a vintage amplifier can be extremely problematic, because of the nature of an old amp. In my case, I’d use the 2204 for studio work and the Classic for playing out. Thanks again for the video and your awesome playing!

[@Kinger1625]

I was really impressed with this demo. The head room for those big open notes on the original was amazing, but they have a different focus and way of moving the air. Nice riffing!

[@stevenmgyori3826]

Well done and thanks for sharing brother!

[@blakemansfield2356]

Steven mGyori No problem sir. Glad you liked it

[@alanst.4417]

Great job Blake and killer riffing! The original 800 has a class of its own but the SC seems to do its job pretty well for a 20 watt amp, no doubt it's much more practical too.

[@KeganVanSickle]

Great comparison, killer video! I think for a couple hundred extra, I would go with the 2204.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Kegan VanSickle Yep exactly

[@RussianMoses]

Great job! Both sound amazing!

[@laitysblues]

The studio does it pretty close and well. Gotta remember those amps weren’t all exact and had slight differences

[@thechannelforeverything2170]

Truth.

[@lucwilson1]

This is such an awesome comparison!! Thanks for doing this!! Just got an SC20H... Loving it!!! PS - nice Tool riffs!! :)

[@AndyK.23]

Cool demo! 2204 plus SD-1 = the tone of a generation! Studio Classic sounds decent, for a cathode biased 20 watt modern Marshall. But the 2204 rules. Of course it sounds awesome with the master up that high! Must have been LOUD as hell!?

[@Adrianxmusic]

you know, the studio 20W is more like 2203

[@mitchpearrow4888]

Blake that was just killer. That 20 watt is such a great amp, not taking anything from the original. Thanks for sharing this brother. 👍🤘🏻🎶🎶🎶🤘🏻👍

[@TheGuitologist]

Nice demo!

[@marshallnmoonshine]

Just saw this. Killer in both boxes. Slight edge to the full amp (which I have), but I’d be perfectly happy with the Studio. If they made the Studio when I was amp shopping, I’d have grabbed that one for sure. 2204 is the best Marshall circuit ever.

[@cabbage9398]

Nice to see someone fomat a video well for once

[@blakemansfield2356]

Cabbage I honestly have no idea what I’m doing with editing ha. Learning as I go. Glad you like the one way I know how

[@cabbage9398]

Well what I like about it is it gets straight to the point without any unnecessary wasted space. It includes exactly what someone clicking the video would want to hear and nothing more. Concise, logical, and without ego. When I made that comment I was a little tired of clicking through so many gear demos by people more amateur than yourself who start by chatting pointlessly for 5 or 10 minutes before finally playing something, and then it turns it wasn't even worth the wait because they don't do a good job of demoing the gear, comparing two different kinds, etc... Although I'm not in the habit of downvoting videos, I notice that those videos tend to have a lot of downvotes. So keep doing whatever it is you're doing ;-)

[@blakemansfield2356]

Cabbage Na man I totally know what you mean. Glad you appreciate it.

[@markn4526]

Nice comparison and great playing as always! They sound surprisingly similar. I'm curious about the difference in playing feel. You can tell that the SC20 is being pushed harder...but isn't that the point of the Studio Series? I think Marshall hit it out of the park with the Studio Series.

[@Viperfitness]

Sounds absolutely fantastic! Thanks!

[@blakemansfield2356]

Viperfitness No problem sir

[@Nightjar726]

Sounds awesome. Yeah the studio sounds different. More mids and less high highs. The punch of the 2204 is awesome. Just can’t be beat. Mods shmods. A good Jcm800 2204 and done. Thanks for doing that ! I do also think there may be a couple slight differences in circuitry in this horizontal model. Not the filtering. That stayed the same in the 2204. When I was modding I remember a couple slight value changes in the horizontal ones.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Nikos Kamesas Dont say that to me and force me to track down a vert 2204 ha. I’d be interested to know if there are any actual differences. I’d love to do a video of them side by side..anyone out there want to help out? There is an ‘80 JMP 2203 sitting beneath the 2204. That’ll make a debut sometime soon.

[@Nightjar726]

Blake Mansfield you also can get more gain like a non master volume from these amps if you put the master up to around 7-8 maybe a bit more and then turn the pre amp to around 7-8. You have to fiddle around a bit to find where the master is creating break up and how much pre amp gain to add as well so it doesn’t mush up. If that makes sense. Also when setting it like that check that the bass isn’t turned up that much cause that can make it much up a bit as well.

[@sammyrocker5150]

Shoutout to XYZ!!!!! awesome

[@mountainpeakcloud8442]

Man the 2204 sounds amazing. Great comparison, you can really hear the difference between them. The 100W naturally sounds bigger, more low end, has a sweeter saturation, more sustain, better note separation. The 20W sounds really good, really captures to tone of the 800, but just sounds smaller, a little more boxy, less dynamics etc. This just makes me want to get the 100W version, but they're so damn expensive now.

[@filipposironi5172]

I think the 2204 is 50W

[@mountainpeakcloud8442]

@@filipposironi5172 Thanks!

[@nickm.9474]

Dang!! Think I like the 20 watt better. Both sound sound great.

[@soundstorm9508]

Killer demo. I actually prefer the tone of the SC20H, I think it's more mix friendly and Marshall probably took some extra time perfecting it for studio use. Hey Blake, on your Suhr Reactive Load, do you go balanced out to the line in on your interface, or unbalanced out to the Hi-Z? I have a Suhr RL and an SC20H coming in and I'd love to get tones like yours.

[@AzizieMislan]

woww.. good job dude. i like both sound..

[@maxmustardman298]

they should consider a 2204 reissue

[@chrischoir3594]

They are actually pretty close , good job

[@blakemansfield2356]

Chris Choir Thanks Chris

[@HF1600ie]

Add a bit more treble to the little jcm, and both will sound close enough. Still, sounds close as it is.

[@Bonehand]

this is one great comparison video

[@Singlehand_Music]

Great tones 🤘🔊

[@jamesha175]

i think the marshall sounds better than the other one

[@michaelroy1202]

The tone of the 2204 is superior but the studio is pretty damn good! Between the two I would prefer the 2204 but there’s no way I’m playing that at home in my studio, my neighbors heads would explode. Have you found anything else that compares as well to the 2204 that can be volume/wattage controlled like the studio and match that same Marshall 800 growl?

[@blakemansfield2356]

Michael Roy No I haven’t. Best bet is a 2204 with a power station from Fryette. Friedmans sound great with a fantastic master but it’s a different take on the Marshall sound and is smoothed out- not very aggressive or ballsy. Everything is a compromise.

[@guitarexpert2245]

@@blakemansfield2356 My Silver Jubilee Mini sounds pretty close. And has way more gain.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Alan K Those things are awesome

[@guitarexpert2245]

@@blakemansfield2356 I still miss my Marshall 4010 combo (2204) sold it 2 years ago. Definitely have regrets. Just so freaking loud!

[@Nickster316]

They sound very similar, except the 2204 just sounds a lot bigger and wider across the frequencies. Given the right cabinet and tweaking, the classic wouldn't sound half bad. Of course the 2204 takes the cake, but considering the difference in size and price, it's still impressive what they've managed to accomplish. Still having a hard time deciding between the Marshall JCM 800 classic and the Fender Bassbreaker... Man, home studio amps just keep getting better and better. I think I might have to start collecting them like guitars.

[@ThatGuyWith_the_RedGuitar]

Nickster316 the videos of the bass breakers make them sound pretty damn good, but I’ve played a few of the different sized models and have been sorely disappointed each time. Try both amps in person first but I found the bassbreaker sounded very muddy and fuzzy. Not much clarity or sparkle, in the drive channel at least.

[@Sonicalvideo]

I really liked your tone. A spectacular sound. What impulse of Ownhammer have you used? And how have you set the Boss pedal?

[@blakemansfield2356]

I believe this is the Mesa 4x12 here. Boss is Gain on 0, Level Maxed, tone around 1 pm

[@HBNF721]

@@blakemansfield2356 Very interesting comparison - Appreciate you taking the time - With the OwnHammer IR, do you remember if it was the V30s version of the MESA - Thanks

[@ziggyz2958]

Excellent demo and great playing, Blake! I have always loved the tone of the JCM 800 and have recently ordered the sc20h and matching 2x12 closed back cab. Watching your video has made me wonder if I will be missing out at all (can't compare them due to quarantine). I steered clear of the big (2203/2204) because of double cost (in Canada) as well as the fact that I live in a townhouse and I don't want my neighbors to hate me. I play old school classic punk (Sex Pistols) and hardcore (Minor Threat, Black Flag, Circle Jerks) and no metal, to me seems I need more mids, highs, and less thump? Do you think the sc20h with 212 cab will get me extremely close to the original recordings? Maybe with correct eq or volume pot in fx loop to run output stage higher? Thanks man!

[@blakemansfield2356]

Absolutely man. I think you’ll love it. Might have to play with an eq pedal or OD for the low volume playing, but you’ll get the tones you’re looking for

[@ziggyz2958]

@@blakemansfield2356 Good to hear! Is there a preferred pedal? I currently have a DOD 250 reissue, BD-2, GE7 and RAT II. Am I correct in assuming this goes in front of the amp while using the high sensitivity input? BTW - not for recording, just basement jams. Thanks.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Ziggy Z You are good to go with those pedals! You could try the eq in the loop, though out front might work just fine. Your OD pedals you definitely want in front of the amp. I would start with the high input but you could definitely play around with the low input and turning up the gain on your rat

[@sebastionhawk5565]

Both sound excellent. Both push mids well. However, 2204 pushes more bottom end, and, the studio is brighter, and, the 2204 with a touch more of "glass." just imo, though. I think that the 2204 has an edge in rythm and "second guitar," and, the studio has slightly better lead tones, as there is more sensitivity and sparkle in it, just a slight bit more than the 2204.. I would like to use both for the aforementioned purposes- 2204 for rythm, and, studio for leads.

[@pedrovandrade]

SEBASTION HAWK Spot on. The 2204 has a punchier bottom end and more top end sizzle, while the studio is a bit more focused on the high mids/highs. To me it makes the 2204 sound fuller, i prefer it.

[@sebastionhawk5565]

@@pedrovandrade yes, the 2204 is defintely fuller. But, the studio is quite an achievement for what it is.

[@MyMotherTheCar]

The Classic sounds good but the 2204 sounds like a hit record.

[@PainterDans]

2204 made the classic sound bland ,missing some magic

[@davidyergensen4509]

Damn, this makes me want to dust off my old white JCM 800!

[@christiancordaway2181]

Hell yes! Knock the dust off that vintage piece!

[@ibexthadevil3533]

Very well done

[@guitarlair]

it sounds like the SC20 has less gain and less low end... it sounds super thin...

[@focusonjunta]

Best comparison out there! The SC sounds similar, but consistently less appealing. Each time, like a slightly disappointing version of the bigger amp’s tone. My conclusion: buy the real thing if you can afford/crank it. Look elsewhere for smth smaller/less powerful.

[@vespass225]

"Consistently less appealing" describes very well what I feel about both the SC20H and the SV20 H. Direct comparison of SV20 to a 1987x for example, the SV20 sounds good, but a whole lot less appealing compared to the 1987x.

[@vonholland64]

I’ve always thought Eddie used an 800 on fair warning

[@Fandao19]

Nice!

[@bradleywood1499]

Inside Out.. Hell yeah 🤘👍

[@Fandao19]

2204 Destroyed!

[@blakemansfield2356]

Fandao19 It’s funny how many people said the studio sounded nothing like an actual 800. It has a touch more mids and highs...but it still captures that sound wonderfully. I never great results with it in the room though

[@JoseyStranded]

@@blakemansfield2356 the studio version sounds better to me.

[@snicklefritzthetab8411]

Real jcm smokes the studio.

[@oyvey8526]

No way, lol, 2204 had way more harmonics and more oomph going on. Not to say the studio is not awesome but to say the studio destroyed the 2204 is bs.

[@lowqualityguitarvideos]

both killer

[@Kashed]

What song are you playing starting at 2:09? It’s great!!

[@plexi59]

2204 the best

[@blakemansfield2356]

bruno suono Pretty much 👍

[@matuldamegasen8562]

Great vid! Easily 2204 for me.

[@pisyunok]

Which one OwnHammer IR is used?

[@mulletmule]

Tone is very close. The 2204 just as more headroom

[@blakemansfield2356]

Rob Miller They are close. In the room...not so much

[@lovecraftmusic8717]

@@blakemansfield2356 what you mean exactly? Pros & cons?

[@blakemansfield2356]

trey azagathooth Studio was very bright and thin in the room. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it

[@lovecraftmusic8717]

@@blakemansfield2356 thank you for the info.

[@seek4truth]

@@blakemansfield2356 so, did you EQ it to get rid of brightness? Or when it goes through cab sim and fully cranked brightness goes away?

[@yannickgauvin7987]

Wha thé speakers in your cab ?

[@dianathompson7597]

It's sounds good

[@chrischoir3594]

what does "Eddie SD1" mean?

[@ajhwb]

Van halen riff boosted with Boss super od sd1

[@thewrit6946]

It’s too bad the horizontal inputs sound so bad 😜

[@brandonboe2286]

Inside Out by XYZ \m/

[@johnsfixton8857]

2:51 what song ?

[@frankscassi4960]

Both amazing, I think I'd go for a 2204 but the Studio Vintage, though a bit different, is still a great alternative if volume and portability are issues

[@alanwake7143]

Are there Silicon diodes somewhere in the JCM 800 Circuit? It’s got that “Splattery” quality on the attack.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Alan Wake Nope

[@mitchellferre1652]

🎯👍👍👍

[@blakemansfield2356]

Mitchell Ferre You need an 800 - know you have room for it!

[@deftonedigga]

What are the sd-1 settings fella please?

[@j.reveille6815]

Blake does the classic set up...gain zero volume full tone noon or 1.

[@sethvanhorn7409]

What was the first song?

[@mercatorjubio3804]

Unchained

[@gbhgbh001]

F all difference that really matters... great review to put it to ben though...

[@seek4truth]

Is it possible to get the same sound on 5 watts mode + guitar cab at bedroom level? Do you practice and play with studio monitors with the studio classic?

[@Dimillio7]

I got the SC20 with matching cabinet SC212 and this thing can be loud, I mainly play on the 20W setting cause 5W lacking a bit of low end but still sounds amazing! Bedroom level on 20W setting would be ~0.5 on the master volume with gain on about 8-10 ( I tend to push it towards 1 on master volume then it's louder then TV volume levels but not too loud ), It will sound great on any volume but of course better as you push it to master volume 1 and further. 5W setting can give you a whisper quiet volume although you can get there with 20W also just get the master volume under 0.5, you would prefer to push it farther to enjoy the real sound when speakers pushing air. I bet it sounds even better on master level 4 but it would be too loud for an apartment. If you want a small version of the legendary JCM800, don't hesitate and get it, it's really close to it's big brother but of course you can't replicate the exact same sound of an hardwired 100W beast but it come with huge amount of weight and loudness. Actually master volume ~1.5 on SC20 is loud as JCM800 100W on master volume ~2.5

[@seek4truth]

@@Dimillio7 please answer me cause I am going to base my next purchase base on your reply! My question: JCM-800 is too big for me, but i can buy either the Studio Classic Head and use it with my Fryette Power Station 2 or buy a Kemper. Which one (Studio Classic+Power Station or Kemper) do you think will get me closer to pure JCM800? Thanks a lot!

[@Dimillio7]

Feri M I actually thinking about getting the JCM800 2203X cause as much as the mini version is close it’s not quite it. I would sell everything and keep the real JCM800, cause nothing ever can replicate it. Everyone who sold his JCM800 regret it, and I’m sure you will. Kemper get you option to easy record with every amp there is but it’s lacking the natural sound of tunes, the sonics just not there and I’m not sure digital sound can ever replace tubes, if it does not soon. You looking for something new but there’s nothing better than the real thing. BTW if you look closely you can see that SC20 is full of Chinese plastic materials and it’s frustrating cause his big brother is build to last and it will. If you still wondering which is closer I would say that SC20 sounds more natural then Kamper but smaller. SC20 would be the closest cause of the tubes natural sound and cause of the looks. It’s my opinion, hope I helped

[@seek4truth]

@@Dimillio7 do you have any opinion about the JCM800 reissue? Made in England, and they are selling it for about 1500 Euros.

[@Dimillio7]

Feri M You mean the JCM800 2203X? Cause it’s the reissue version and brand new cost 3k$ if I’m not mistaken The difference between an old JCM800 and the reissue is that the reissue has some Chinese components that effect the sound and this why most of guitarist use the old ones, they sound better but the lack of FX Loop is a downside for sure. I dream of JMP 2203 from the late 70s but there’s none in my country unfortunately

[@mazklassa9338]

Why they never made an equivalent amp of this with just a nice straight footswitchable clean is beyond me.

[@tylajoeconnett]

It's the way the amp works, in doing that you'd need a separate circuit.

[@mazklassa9338]

@@tylajoeconnett so then putting in another circuit would affect the original tone if the tone design or gain frequency was not what it is?

[@Briman24]

XYZ!!!!

[@shakeyjonez]

The mighty fucking VAN HALEN!!

[@wyattbarton2678]

2204 is more juicy

[@blakemansfield2356]

wyatt barton YES. Good ear

[@jameskavanagh4300]

The sc20h sounds like a toy compared to the real deal, the transformers in the sc20h are like tonka toys compared to what is under the hood on a real deal 800

[@jmv668]

Obvio si es 5 veces mas poderoso.....

[@vpsaxman]

JCM800 sounds better.

[@moimeme7839]

The smaller amp sounds like I will keep my ears longer. Way too much treble for me in those sets

[@xWILZTAx]

Feck me the 800 sounded incredible. The new studio just sounded like a dsl to me.

[@blakemansfield2356]

xWILZTAx haha it’s a monster man

[@spada60]

R U FRIKIN serious mon the studio sounds phenomenal

[@dr_pavlic]

2204 much better...

[@vanitune9458]

Dudes, he's using different speakers; it's a good vid but, it's not Apples-Apples

[@matthias7455]

The description says both with suhr reactive load & IRs.

[@johnsimms3957]

The 2204 sounds better.

[@guitarexpert2245]

The new Studio Classic's aren't very good. Wanted one so bad when they came out but played them and realized , not so good, I ended up with the Silver Jubilee Mini. So much better. There are so many SC20H's & combos for sale on Reverb and G.C. Which tells you people dont like them.

[@torahwarrior2442]

Also says people dont know how to use them...

[@guitarexpert2245]

@@torahwarrior2442 They're a pretty straight forward amp. Not not sure what your saying?

[@anonymoususer3496]

SV20 or 2525H, which do you think is best??

[@lookingjust987654321]

Hey dude nice XYZ : inside out cover there

[@Mike-gy2xd]

hell yeah, that was a nice treat

[@AzizieMislan]

woww.. good job dude. i like both sound..