Revisiting The Marshall JCM900.

[@JackStolz]

I toured with this exact amp from 2007 to 2010 and absolutely adored it. It now lives at the studio!

[@RobertWJackson]

As a JCM 900 fanatic (I still love my '90 4100 to this very day), it definitely sounds like you got one that was either heavily modified or malfunctioning somehow. In my experience, there is not anything fuzzy or muffy sounding about a JCM 900 MKIII at all. Glad you got the opportunity to give it another try!

[@Obigrobi666]

Totally agree!

[@dannbrauckmann1545]

I'm not an expert on JCM900s, but I do know that the Mk III is a different beast from the Dual Reverb, as is the SL-X. Folks tend to prefer those two models over the Dual Reverb models. I read about the differences, at one point, but I've since forgotten what I read.

[@jhellert1]

It's also possible that he was pairing it with a "bad" or "non-ideal" cabinet.

[@zac3126]

@@jhellert1 cosign, the JCM is not my favorite amp or anything, but I've enjoyed and used it, but I always found mine sounded really wooly through my mesa oversize, got a Zilla Cab, and it sounded much more clear. Cab affects so much

[@SaintFredrocks]

@@zac3126 speakers will change your tone more than anything else.

[@DanKamYouKnow]

I got my JCM900 1x12 combo about 10 years ago for $400, changed the tubes a couple times and have been rocking it ever since. Throw a boost in front, delay in the effects loop, and this amp is awesome! Cuts through any mix and has such a good high gain sound.

[@Zerodirt666]

Been using the 900 for years and never an issue. Awesome tone at lower volumes with no pedals and super easy to dial in makes it much more practical for real world use. That it's hated in some circles is an added bonus.

[@JeremyAndersonBoise]

I love this atittude, this is how I roll. If it sounds good, it is good.

[@irrsinnrainer]

Damn, that full mix is basically the sound of my youth. It reminds me so much of the guitar tones a lot of the bands I Iiked back then had on their records. I love it.

[@gogopowerrangers-gogo]

My first and only ever amp has been the JCM900 4100 High Gain Dual Reverb Head for $900AU with a Vox4x12. Got it when I just turned 18, 23 now and still sounds great

[@castleanthrax1833]

Nothing at all wrong with what you've got. ✌️🇦🇺

[@kevinstarofficial]

Morbid Angel used the JCM900 for all of their carreer both live and in the studio. This amp is responsable for the most massive tones ever recorded on albums like Covenant and so on.

[@kvltwalter]

I was going to say the same thing. Trey has been using the 900s for decades

[@Dogmatikos]

with eqs and pedals, this amp sucks...

[@kevinstarofficial]

@@Dogmatikos no man, trey doesnt use any pedals for high gain. if you know what you're doing this amp is brilliant

[@Dogmatikos]

@@kevinstarofficial hahaha no it's not, i had it for years, ac/dc tone at best

[@everyinchtheanimal]

@@Dogmatikos if the best you got was ac/dc either something was broken or you don’t know what ac/dc sound like

[@gavinwild2647]

I've had a 2500 model since college. It has seen many smokey bars and bumpy car rides, but has always performed reliably and brought the rock-n-roll.

[@r1deftone]

SL-X or MKIII?

[@AndiKravljaca]

I've had my 4100 dual reverb head since 1998 and absolutely love it.

[@markusaurelius777]

Couldn't wait to get rid of the one I had....1993. Maybe the tubes were going? I dunno. Grabbed a 5150 Iconic head...still have the Marshall 1960A cab with G12T-75 speakers. The 5150 Head CRUSHES the JCM 900 into the ground, LOL.

[@加藤未唯-t8f]

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs does play the JCM900 100w with a Strat.

[@Bullkthx]

The other guitar player in my old band played one of these and it sounded great. We were a hardcore/metal band, and the tone of our 2 Marshall's kicked the shit out of most of the bands (sometimes much more expensive rigs) that we gigged with. He went straight from his 90's Gibson Les Paul studio right into the amp. No tube screamer or anything

[@chrisgoblin4857]

I used to play in a progressive metalcore band and was using a JCM2000 straight into my Ibanez RG with no pedals. Used it live with just footswitches for channel and reverb and it completely blew the other guitarist's Hughes and Ketner out the water. I love all the JCM series and I will never get rid of my DSL100.

[@mikedradio]

@@chrisgoblin4857what was ur band called

[@PhuketMyMac]

Oh I love a good Rise Against - Revolutions per minute! And I just happen to have purchased a JCM900 SLX that I am waiting for. You made me impatient...

[@shadoobie]

I have owned the exact amp you are demonstrating in this video. I think that the JCM 900 is a great sounding, and reliable amp. I have nothing but praises for it.

[@ppmoscadebar]

Punk rock amp, straight on. Great review man, as always.

[@matthewanzelone]

Got my 900 about a decade ago, it’s the only amp I’ve used for any gigging or recording since. Leaving on tour with it once again this Saturday morning.

[@AlanTopham2237]

I had & sold an original JCM900... I regretted it every day until I found a 1994 dual reverb Combo version (which I still own & will never sell)... most underrated, but awesome amp ever!!!

[@jwcjrcpa]

I got a JCM 900 circa 1990, a 6100 a year or 2 later, and then an SL-X in the mid 1990’s. Still have all three of them and haven’t played any of them in probably 20 years. I’m afraid to fire them up at this point. Outstanding video man!

[@josefeld7164]

Enjoyed the video thoroughly! I can hear your musical socialization in the playthrough and loved your personal backstory with the amp. I remember, when you told us the story of you saving up on your first Marshall back in the day and it braking down on you. Thanks for putting in the effort, the playthrough sounded great and I can see why some people love the 900 series. More videos like this please 👾🙌🏼

[@astrozombie2000]

I bought one of these new in '92 played it for about 10-12 years sold it bought a Boogie and never looked back, lol. Not a bad amp my tastes just changed. Thanks Fluff!

[@booneh]

The JCM 900 SL-X didn’t use clipping diodes. It had an extra cathode follower after the first preamp stage to increase distortion and ICs running into the master volumes for extra gain. Definitely the best sounding of the line.

[@nessmalone]

That's correct!

[@brettnance3448]

What a great video bro! I've never owned a Marshall Amp let alone jcm 900, I'm definitely gonna start trying them out now since I liked how different that sounded from my evh 5150.

[@dddd717]

I think you evh can get that sound…I’m just trying to save you from getting gas. Lol😅

[@dfp327]

I fucking love that tone so much. I kind of understand why some people hate the 900, but in reality, it is because they want it to be something that it is not. To me, the best example of an awesome JCM 900 tone is Everything Sucks by Descendents. Incredible album!

[@Julianuribe23]

How do you know that was recorded with a 900? I know a lot of punk bands used 900s (or dual recs) but I didn't know that album used a 900

[@legzalez]

I bought this amp when it first came out. Still a great amp. The clean channel is a very good pedal platform.

[@valle4483]

I thought that it had basically no clean headroom?

[@legzalez]

@@valle4483 channel 1 has plenty. Not deluxe reverb clean, but clean enough.

[@valle4483]

@@legzalez Interesting. How do you set the gain of the clean cannel when using it for pedals?

[@nilly666]

ive had a 900 for years now, used loads of different amps before, and theres just something about my les paul custom and that marshall together that just causes some kind of tonal magic when im playing live.

[@nion_1000]

GREAT VIDEO FLUFF. I don't understand the hate either, pretty sure its people who've never had one. I've tried multiple of these and every single one sounded different. Couple years ago I finally found a 93 JCM 900 4100 Dual Reverb, and its a lifer, I love it. It sounded good stock but wasn't great. It was too thin and high end for my taste. Since i cant afford a 800 or jubilee i modded it to my liking to sound more of a silver jubilee or a monster 800. These heads are great stock, you just got to dial them into your liking but they are also great for making them into any sound you want if your into modding like I am.

[@guitarexpert2245]

Your too young to understand the hate. Back in the 80's there was only Marshall amps. for heavy rock. It was Marshall or Fender. That's it. The 900's DR came out sounded completely different than an 800, and most didn't like it but had no choice to use it since there was nothing else out there. Fast forward to 2022, Music has changed so much there are so many amp manufactures now and music is different so the 900 isn't a big deal anymore.

[@yunak9665]

These were coveted in the 90s in every punk, hardcore, and heavier indie circle I was aware of and played in. I can't recall anyone dissing it then or now.

[@guitarexpert2245]

Then your memory is very poor.

[@2DclanSnipingTeam]

The internet trashed this amp for 25 years. I always loved it.

[@lordtavian]

Great amp, totally underrated future classic.

[@Tamajyn69]

I still wish I had picked up a 900 SL-X when I had the chance

[@strizy]

I just got my hands on an SL-X and it's one of my favorite high gain amps, it can get that boosted 800 kinda mid heavy low end thing or you can really tighten it up all depending on how you dial it. Absolutely love the SL-X. This amp sounds pretty good, a bit fizzy/buzzy sounding but not terrible

[@ryancirca72]

...I've always wanted an SL-X, ...Way back in the day when I actually bought my JCM 900, I ran across one they had just come out! I plugged into it & thought DAMN! it was what I actually wanted, But at the time I was playing Rythem for the band I was in & the head was being bought on the bands dime, so of course the Singer Band leader lead guitarist frowned on the idea. ...I'm sure it's because he didn't want my tone to get 'out-of-the box" or beefy'er than his might have been. ...HaHaHaHa!

[@nessmalone]

@@ryancirca72 The SL-X is one of the best amps I've ever tried. And as far as I know is full tube. The other two versions (Dual Reverb and MK III) do have diodes, indeed.

[@guitarexpert2245]

How is the SL-X fizzy/buzzy? You can't crank the sensitivity or pre amp past 1, Noon is best. Then there is NO fizzy/Buzzy. Give that a go. In no way should this amp be Fizzy/Buzzy

[@clayearth8287]

They sound similar tp the English made JCM2000 DSLs red channel. I played a used one at G.C. couple years ago and it sounded the same as my DSL red channel. Key with both amps is not to max the gain out or its gets too much of a presense sound in its tone. Too gritty and dirty. Dial back the gain and crank it up....sounds great....both amps. I owned and played a JCM800 50w dual channel in mid 80s to early 90s but my rythym guitar players 73 Superlead with his rat distortion could esaily drowm me out

[@Chugs4Serotonin]

JCM900s are pop punk in a box, and that's why I've always loved them

[@DaisyHead666]

Sammy from Acid Bath used this on their records, combined with a Randall RG100ES is an INSANELY massive tone.

[@DevinCLott]

I’ve got an old 50 watt dual reverb that is an incredible sounding amp. It’s basically only got one setting, but that one setting does all that I’d ever want it to do. Gain channel with bass and mids cranked, treble and presence between like 4 and 6 and gain all the way up. Sounds like Enema of the State. Best part is it only cost me 500 bucks

[@castleanthrax1833]

Nothing wrong with a "one trick pony" if that "pony" does what you want and does it well.

[@Chef_Jeff69]

I have a ‘90 JCM 900 4100 with EL34’s I bought it new. And used it in my band in the early 90’s. I then got a ‘92 SLO 100. Still have that too!

[@markusaurelius777]

Sold my JCM 900 / 4100 - Hated it.

I love my JCM 900 4100. Played hard all these years! It's in my Ampsenal wirh the 800, JVM 410H, DSL and the JTM45! Greats sounds Fluff!

[@tommorris5069]

I own a JCM 900 and not crazy about it’s gain sound. I run a Wampler Pinnacle distortion pedal and Seymour Duncan 805 overdrive on lower tunings. It depends on the guitar and sound I’m looking for. Sometimes I use the Pinnacle by itself and 805 by itself, and sometimes I stack them. I do like the 900’s clean channel for pedals. I am a classic rock guy.

[@frankiemae1302]

I did hear some bush tone and even green day while you were messing with dials. Thanks for the vid!

[@butchcassidy3373]

My buddy brought his over last night and played his Firebird thru it. Sounds great Love when he brings that amp to play thru.

[@julianortiz4151]

Been using JCM 900s since the mid 90s. I’ve had two in that time and I’ve never had an issue, though the learning curve for how to properly use it and the FX Loop was a little challenging. Once I properly understood what worked and what didn’t to get my ideal sound and tone for what I played (Thrash and Death Metal), which took only a few days, I’ve never looked back. Over the years I have had several Marshall heads, including a first gen Valvestate VS100, a JCM 2000 and a Mode Four, but I always come back to the JCM 900 because I can easily dial in my preferences for live performances. It is a live beast!

[@haganhere5592]

I have had my JCM 900 model 4100 since 1990. It has an incredible sound, but it is also the most finicky amp I own. It only sounds great through my early 70’s Marshall 4x12 with the original creamback speakers and my 1987 PRS. If I change the guitar or cabinet the head does not perform well. Now that I use an Oxbox to record I use my vintage Superlead 100 and a distortion pedal. Thanks for the video Fluff!!

[@CharlesWillisBonsai]

The clipping diodes are after the first two tube stages. The op amps and solid state stuff is the effects loop.

[@guitarexpert2245]

No the op amps are all over the pre-amp. Essentially the pre-amp is all solid state to get it's distortion.

[@CharlesWillisBonsai]

@@guitarexpert2245 look up the schematic.

[@manupbritain5232]

I got a DSL 100H last year and it is an awesome amp. It covers lots of ground from clean to high gain. For less than £400 it was a bargain!

[@63221mm]

Ive had my 900 DR since 98. Bought it new. I play 80s shred and this amp doesnt disappoint. Im running a boss mt-2 into return and also running the mt-2 into return of my 2000 dsl head. Together they crush, especially w delay between the 2 heads

[@richarddeeble09]

The sound of 90s punk as well as a very good clean channel that a lot of alt rock bands liked. It was pretty common to run a rat or ds1 into these

[@brandt69420]

My fav Marshall tones. JCM900 is wicked

[@markusaurelius777]

lol

[@dennischristensen2945]

Still rocking my JCM900 from 1991´ish i even bought a second one a few years back, love them both :-D

[@lubstorfk]

I have a Dual Reverb 4500 and I love it. It was built in 90 or 91, can't remember now off the top of my head. I'm running EL-34's in it which is what it came with new. I love the clean channel and can get very "marshally" tones out of it. One just needs to take the time to dial it in for your taste. The hate is undeserved and a lot of folks are starting to realize it.

[@rickycompton2610]

Finally someone not bashing a JCM900 I own3 of them A Jcm900 2100 mark 3 and a JCM900 4100 and a JCM 900 2500 I got them all really cheap years ago my favorite one is the 2100 I’m still looking for a clean JCM 900 SLX , Killer video Fluff

[@agirlsname7159]

If anything blows a young guitarists' mind, it's the notion of sound alone vs. sound in a mix. I never had more compliments and amazement for my live tone than the brief period I had a 900 in the 90s. I of course dumped it for a Recto because that was clearly "better." Nobody ever raved about my live tone again. There's something about the 900 that just cuts, even if it (like me naked) is nobody's fav in the bedroom.

[@castleanthrax1833]

I hear ya.

[@gearoidwalsh8606]

That's exactly right.

[@JakeTerch]

Cool video of the Dual Reverb Fluff! I own a 4100 from 2000 and it’s a great complement to my 2203 and TSL100. I pretty much only use channel B with the gain at 14 and master at 5, attenuated with a THD Hot Plate. But cleans are also stellar. This amp compresses in a cool way unlike any other Marshall. Gotta get the master volume cooking to get the power amp flavor in, like pretty much any Marshall.

[@johnjohnstone8506]

First off love the channel and great video. I definitely hear mid to lake nighties pop punk in this amp. With regard to the diode clipping. There is diode clipping going on but I don’t think it is fair to say this is just a stomp box amp. The schematic shows the ac signal goes through the first half of 1st tube as a buffer, next is the second half of the tube as a gain stage, then it is hard diode clipped to ground, then another half of the tube is used for a 2nd gain stage, then the last half of the second tube is used as a cathode follower (no gain) for the tone stack. If I had to guess I would say the second gain stage tube, after the diode clipping, is probably going into saturation at higher gains, and probably clipping the single at a lower threshold then the diode clipped. So basically at real high gain the diode clipped section is far less noticeable. I am not 100% positive as I haven’t done calcs or modeled it but I would assume this is the case. If the goal was to only introduce diode clipping then the 2nd gain stage could be omitted completely. I imagine at low to mid gain you are getting a combo of diode clipping and tube saturation. But it is definitely different then just a straight op amp to diode hard clip stomp box sound.

[@AdrianRP1]

The 100w version is the 4100. The 4500 is the 50w version. There was 4 900s. The dual reverbs...41/4500, the 2100/2500 MK3s, and lastly the 2100/2500 MK4s. Incidentally, if you plug the fx loop up with the a patch cord it brings V2, a tube into the tone stack via the fx loop. The Mk4s were all tube. The MK3s used clipping diodes with the sensitivity control.

[@Simple5.0]

I love my 4100. The thing sounds so good. I don’t think it’s my favorite amp but it’s up there.

[@Lespaul13100]

I had the Marshall JCM900 50w for years, served me well!

[@stangfan1984]

I have a 94 JCM 900, and it sounds phenomenal! Great for early 90's metal! I think all the hate mostly comes from Marshall purists hating change.

[@BrashFink]

I had a early 90s 50w Master Volume (the one you play here) in the 90s, and now have a 93 Dual Verb (I do not use the verb anyway). STILL one of my favorite amps. I traded in a JCM 2K on it that I NEVER could get dialed in. Played the 900 in the shop and had the sound dialed in 3 knob turns.

[@rankin1289]

I didn't realize how much I love this sound.

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

It's not my sound, but now I want to go play Tony Hawk Pro Skater.

[@MikeCarpenter222]

The model 4500 was the 50 watt Dual Reverb model. I've had one since about 95 or 96 and it's my all-time favorite amp. I have an 800, a rectifier, and a 5150 III and I always go to the 900 first. It has a different voice than anything else and I love how it sits in a mix.

[@daveeatworld]

I have a 1990 4500 and agree. It’s my favorite amp too. You just need to take the time to dial them in.

[@RobertWJackson]

@@daveeatworld If it's a 1990, that one should have EL34's instead of 5881's. I've got a 4100 from the same year.

[@MikeCarpenter222]

Mine is a 91. I find that mine really shines with a Les Paul and the gain dialed back to about 1:30-2 o'clock.

[@daveeatworld]

@@RobertWJackson yes it has EL34s. The 5881s weren’t used until 1994 IIRC

[@RobertWJackson]

@@daveeatworld I think they switched to the 5881’s a lot sooner than that. I think it was actually around late 1991 or early 1992.

[@StratsRUs]

I love your musical interludes.They should be longer !

[@Jonsvintagetoycave]

I bought my jcm 900 100 watt half stack new in 98-99… loved it then And still do.. is perfect for skate punk! … has always been my main amp

[@snakeeyes7763]

I currently have a JCM900 4100 (from 98) and it’s been so solid! Tone is “Marshall” the gain allows for bedroom use at low volume even at 100w! When I had my 83 JCM800 that thing would need to be run at 12 o clock before being able to chug anything. I also had a Silver Jubilee which had the same issue, they’re just not user friendly at home levels.. the 900 is great all round! Plus it’s cheap!

[@guitarexpert2245]

800's are too freaking loud and need to be loud to get the goods. However their tone is unmatched. Jub's are built off of 800's. Same deal. Loud. Not great P.A's back in the day the amps had to be loud.

[@andrewcap2419]

JCM 900 SL-X goes hard as hell. Best of the 900s IMO.

[@nessmalone]

Totally agree!

[@hotcitysoul7144]

JCM 900 SLX 2500 is incredible

[@jeffallen3382]

I have an original 1990 JCM900 4500 model with EL34's. You need to try a GT-7025 preamp tube in V1 position. Trust me you'll love it!

[@simonpilgrims]

I run mine on channel A. Great rock tones with input gain at 3 o'clock + clean boost pedal. The amps do get a fuller tone the higher you drive the overall volume.

[@User-jk8wq]

Basically the sound of classic pop punk. Love it!

[@runabout76]

Great review! The JCM900 line is quite misunderstood. All the models were meant to be the evolution of the previous. The 2100/2500 (Mk III and later Mk. IV SL-X) were the successors to the 2203/2204 single channel amps, but with an FX loop and dual master volumes. The 4100/4500 were the successor to the 2210/2205 split channel models. Similar concept but more gain. The 6100 (30th Anniversary) was technically supposed to be a 3 channel addition to the line, but was delayed, so it was re-named. The best of the lot were the 6100LM and the 2100/2500 Mk. IV SL-X, but they often get overlooked because of the hate of the 4100.

[@joshuacyran6444]

I'd love to see a revisit of a 900 SL-X. I know you've said you owned one in the past. It's the only Marshall I've ever owned, and a great amp in my opinion.

[@Loordt29]

yea, love my SL-X. always thought the SL-X was more of a hot-rodded 800 with tubes instead of the clipping diodes.

[@bobmartino8073]

LOL my 1950's Les Paul 2022 model. Of all the amps I have, my JCM900 is my absolute favorite. I also own it's clone in my Crate Blue Voodoo 120. Great video.

[@doctersound9630]

FLUFF Please make a video like this for the EPIC SUPER DUPER EXTREME MARSHALL TSL 100 amp next! Most underrated amp ever! Pretty please? Cheers from Canada!

[@jean-philippemorin1176]

I have a 50w jcm900 slx, it has one channel only and an additional gain tube instead of clipping diodes compared to the dual reverb. It sounds pretty good. I wish it had more low end, low mid punch, but I like the grain and kind of distortion it does.

[@nessmalone]

That's correct. SL- X is full tube. The other two versions (Dual Reverb and MK III) do have diodes, indeed.

[@guitarexpert2245]

Just put an EQ in the loop , you'll get the low end. Have a tech change the bass pot to 1m. It's simple for them to change and shouldn't cost much. I can match my 2000's low end with an EQ in the loop. without the EQ can't match the 2000. Give it a go. I use a boss GE-7

[@jean-philippemorin1176]

@@guitarexpert2245 thanks for the recommendation I'll give it a try! :) I have a delay and reverb in the loop already, would you put the eq in the end after those pedals? I mind how much bass punch could be added this way since the preamp of the unit is maybe cutting some bass and low-mids. Generally Its tough to add back something that is not there or that has been removed in front. I will get an eq and give it a try anyway since this has worked for you. Thanks again.

[@guitarexpert2245]

@@jean-philippemorin1176 I'm not really sure of what order to put the EQ in the loop. You can try before or after those pedals and see. But make sure it's in the loop, not in front of the amp. Oh, it's a big difference in low end with the EQ. Also you can raise the level a little on the EQ which pushes the power tubes more. You don't have to add much bass on the EQ to get there. All the older Marshall's stock never had much low end. They are midrange amps that cut through a band mix like no other. That's what a bass player is for to fill in the low end. I don't know what kind of music you play. if it's metal or heavy stuff the EQ in the loop is the trick. Then if you ever want to add a pedal like an SD-1 which also cuts and tightens the low end the EQ will bring back that low. I bought a used GE-7 off Guitar Centers website a few months back. Best $70 I've spent. Also I leave the pre-amp knob between 5-6. Any lower you lose low end. Any higher gets muddy.

[@EasyHeat]

BTW, I dig the new environment Fluff! Looks good amigo!

[@GrungePopRecords]

Bravo. Good one. One of our bands use it exclusively with zero pedals. Check out Prince Of Lilies and their two Steve Albini-recorded albums

[@jtapp2222]

Great review. Last week I played on my cousins mid 90s JCM900 50 watt and it blew my mind! He has tons of amps from mesas, Marshalls, orange, and Verellen. I play rock and metal and I couldn’t get enough of it! I play dual rectifier and triple and I’m gonna go backwards and get this. Doesn’t this amp have a 100 watt to 50 watt switch? I thought I read that somewhere.

[@r1deftone]

4100/4500 is the Dual Reverb model, 100/50w head versions, respectively. Other 900 models include the MKIII 2100/2500 and SL-X 2100/2500.

[@shaynes.9773]

I had both the 4100 and the 4500 over the years. Originally I had a JCM 4100 Dual Reverb I bought in 1991 and had it until I foolishly sold it in 2001. A few years ago, I purchased a near mint used JCM 4500 head and the matching 1960A cab and it was okay... but it missed some of the sound I loved from the 100 watts of the 4100 head. It definitely wasn't as tight sounding as the 4100. That difference between the 100 watt 4100 and the 50 watt 4500 is very noticeable to me. So, a few of years ago, I went to my closest Long and McQuade music store traded up the JCM 4500 head toward a brand new Vintage Reissue 4100 head-- and it is the same great sounding amp like I had in the 90s. I am so glad I got the 4100 Vintage Reissue and my JVM 410H Joe Satriani head when I did, just before the amps prices went through the roof. The amp prices now are completely crazy now. I played every style on the JCM 4100, but mostly 90's style Punk Rock. It can do any style from Black Crowes to Alice In Chains to Slayer. It is an all around great heavy Rock amp.

[@LucasMastropasqua]

I don’t know this first hand but long after I got rid of my non-reverb JCM900 in the 90’s apparently if you jumped the fx loop with a patch cable and turned the loop level to high it acted as an additional boost which fattened it up somewhat. I wonder what that would sound like. I hated my amp so much I ended up using mine as a power section for some digital guitar rack gear.

[@darthmal1]

Seemed like everyone in the Chicago scene was playing a 900 in the mid to late 00's. I was in my local used shop like 10 years ago, I put the JCM 2000 and 900 side by side, I ended up with the JCM 2000. It just had more of that Marshall sound that I was looking for.

[@Aphrenety]

The MKIII 2100 Master Volume is a really great version too 👍🏻

[@WittyMonikerHere]

Back in the day, these amps used to be the bane of my existence and were a common staple in venue backlines and dingy rehersal studios. Most of the ones I played, I was never able to coax a decent tone out of them that wasn't harsh, shrill and thin, EXCEPT for the MKiii version - that thing sounded like a hot rodded 800 w/ a boost in front if you cranked the preamp knob and gain. If you can get your hands on one, definitely worth giving it a shot.

[@Jstall7543]

Sounds Great Brother! Killer Combo!

[@apersonontheinternet8034]

Was doing sound for a gig with 3 JCM900s provided for house backline. Every single one sounded completely different, like, not even slightly close. The only thing they had in common was that they all needed the treble and presence practically off, bass on full and mids on about half. Even then they sounded like a can of wasps.

[@ryancirca72]

...Throughout the 90's I only used JCM 900's the "4500" Versions. (DUAL REVERBS). I Absolutely LOVED them! Dialed on correctly these amps are beasts! What I never really liked about a lot of mine was that I could never get a factory channel/reverb pedal to last more than like 2 gigs! I never used mine live with any effects at all! Rarely I would in rehearsals hook up a delay to it, just to add some ambience to my clean channel. But seriously I hop everybody does keep sleeping, & hating on these, ...I would hate to see them go up in price!

[@kevinleonard2368]

I've owned an early 90's JCM900 4500 DR and loved it. I NOW own a '93 JCM900 DR & '87 JCM800, both 100 watts. I actually prefer the JCM900 cuz it has more gain and effects loop for soloing boost.

[@DavesGuitarChannel]

You are talking about 4100 and the 4500. Which are both dual reverbs. The amp was the step up from the JCM 800 2210 2205. Which is very different from the JCM 800 2203 and 2204. Calling amps by the series name causes great confusion. Where as I do not care for the 4100 4500 models, the JCM 900 2100 and 2500 are awesome.

[@martinclayton7260]

I bought my 900 brand new in 1991, and I loved it. I played in a band where the other guitarist was using a JCM800, and they didn't sound very different? Mine never seemed to have that much gain, and it sounded rich and full?

[@guitarexpert2245]

First 2 years were the best one's for sure.

[@luisfernandopedraza7274]

I have a 4500 90s 50 watts. And I really love it

[@5stringfrolic]

I have both a 50w jcm800 and the 900 and absolutely agree. The 800 is incomparable but the 900 has it's place and has served me well.

[@guitarexpert2245]

I concur for sure.

[@deeseen3495]

Great stuff man!

[@Dankjo]

Gotta jump the loop with these though! They Sound sooooo much better if you do! And use cha A and a SD-1nn

[@tiboorens4831]

I owned a 900, and I'm sad I sold it a couple of years ago. The clean channel is insanely good. But I did like the gain channel too.

[@rabbleinarms5742]

I LOVED my 900! I sold my JCM2000 for an early 90's 900 and it sounded WONDERFUL. you DO have to spend a little more time to dial it in..... but have you ever tried to dial in a Mesa MK3? I only sold mine because I wasn't gigging and had too many amps so I sold almost all of them off. been seriously thinking about picking up an old used one. Thanks Fluff for ruining the market. 🤣

[@drdelewded]

My favorite Marshall amp. For 10 years it with my 1976 Les Paul Deluxe it was my sound while I still played shows (No pedals, besides a old Morley wah I used as a tone cut.)

[@drdelewded]

I didnt like the 2000's or any of the DSL/TSL etc that came out after it

[@drdelewded]

I gotta say though, locally, people know and you can't find an older one for under $1000 anymore. I got mine back in the late 90's (guy was selling either his 50 Watt JCM 800 or 100 Watt JCM 900.. either for $500) I tried buying both but he wanted to keep one.

[@DavidEllison-kc9ik]

Been playing a 900 since 99. It's still what I think a guitar should sound like. Guess it's all down to personal taste, but I for one love it.

[@SluggerStark]

These were ubiquitous in the punk scene, mid 90's through mid 2000's or so and weren't hated as much as you hear. Our bands first amp was a 50 watt Hi-Watt, which while awesome, was a single channel affair. Cheap cheap in those days, as were jcm 800's and Plexis, which were a dime a dozen. We were stoked to finally get a 900, mainly due to its channel switching, but with some care to setting it up, we got killer tones out of it, for what we were doing.

[@24avenged24]

I'd say they were popular in the punk BECAUSE they flopped with the intended audience. It made used ones cheap and "cool" because they weren't mainstream. Same reason fender offsets became popular with shoegaze and grunge players, and Les Pauls were saved by blues players.

[@BirdMachine-if5hg]

Thanks for this vid. I just bought a 1990 4102 version of this amp (2x12 combo). Yet to receive it, but I've played one of the heads in the past and thought my fuzz face sounded great through it. Maybe having a naturally thinner or brighter sound is good for when you're using a fuzz pedal, so it cuts through better.

[@jeffwilliams3436]

The JCM 900 had its place…but that being said I never could love mine so I flipped it. The video re confirms my notions on why I got rid of it. That plastic fizzy top end.

[@fernypirata1054]

I record, rehearsal, and play live with a jcm900 4100 since 2000 and everyone says thats a fantastic amp!!!

[@MetalDragon5745]

I got my reissue about 10 years ago back when they were still 1800 usd. Mine sounds killer it's never given me any problems has tons of gain, with an SD-1 you will have all the gain for any genre. And it has a clean channel personally i like it just as much as an 800 maybe more. You should have used it with a boost to just to show people what it sounds like boosted.

[@danielloveless2962]

I picked up a 1990 50w model about 5 years ago and found a trick with a small patch cable in the effects loop that adds abit of top end boost right out of the gate..I usually run and tube screamer or a evh 5150 pedal in the front end and it’ll blow any highgain 100w amp out of the water on a full stack with v30s

[@nickx1754]

The tone of this amp isn't really my thing but it's still Interesting to know the basics of the circuit design and have a tone reference.

[@RockG.o.d]

Started recording my new album with the jcm 900 with greenback speakers. :) sounds awesome.