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!
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
I love the JCM 900 4100 dual reverb with 5881/6L6 tubes. Most of the hate comes from JCM 800 fan boys that can't cut they're hair and let go of the 80's. Most people who hate the JCM 900 haven't even played it. John 5 from Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and now running with Motley Crue used nothing but the JCM 900 and the cleans from that amp sound amazing.
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!!!
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.
I have used one for 10 years and never understood all the hate it gets, this thing sounds awesome. I wouldn’t say it’s better than some of the top Marshall amps but it sounds really good to my ears. It’s also an amazing pedal platform! Try a few different Boost pedals with it
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...
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
There is nothing wrong with diode clipping - if it’s done right. Many modded Marshalls - including a lot of those beloved Jose mods - use diode clipping. And, of course, we stick overdrive pedals in front of our amps.
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.
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
in the late 90s I played live with a 900 4500 and an 89 jcm 2205 both on 900 4/12 cabs with t75s. The 2205 seemed to jump out better and had better mids. The 900 seemed tamer and wanted to be pushed to sound good and was brighter. BUT the CLEANS just walked all over the 800. Anyway I sold the head to a boy that was learning how to play and got a plexi reissue and have been playing live with it ever since. The 2205 is always stacked under the plexi as a back up. Anyway, I bought a used re-issue 4100 last night and waiting for it to arrive. All these years I have thought about those cleans I used to get, so I am revisiting the 900. I think they cost a bit more to build is why they ask so much for a non popular head. They have to spec a 6l6 tranny, valve failure circuitry, pentode/ triode mode ,Reverb tank and circuit, and the effect loop is a bit diffrent. (sweepable pad vs in/out). People say it's a stomp box in a power amp. I think they are a bit more than that.
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.
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!
Рік тому+1
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!
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 👾🙌🏼
I bought a 50watt in 1994 and gigged with it forever. I I sold it for $500 10 years ago because I bought a threee channel amp which is more useful for gigging and didn’t use it for a few years.I plugged it in Again just before I shipped it off and quickly realized the mistake I had made. It sounds AWESOME.The person I sold it to did nothing but complain because a couple of the knobs were crackly from sitting around so I offered to refund his money. To my dismay he apologized and decided to keep it. Been regretting selling it ever since. Lucky the one I bought to replace it was a Peavey XXX which is another one people loved to hate on and are now realizing what an excellent amp is is. Never gonna let it go.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
I play my JCM900-4102 in stereo thru a clean 100 watt Traynor Block 100 junker, dial them to a nice balance and my clean dirty sound using no other effects, just the stock foot 900 pedal is great. Folks hear it and love it.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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
...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!
@@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.
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
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
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.
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.
Obviously a JCM800 is gonna slay the 900, BUT you have to crank the 800 up LOUD to get any kinda good crunch going and it’s basically a one channel amp, it does a single thing really well. That’s why I just got a JVM 410HJS, gets REALLY close to legit 800 tones plus so much more at ANY volume level, incredibly versatile amp, but ultimately it will be beaten in a head-to-head with any of the actual vintage Marshalls it’s imitating. 95% of the way there is good enough for me. The crunch channel is really REALLY good, way better than a regular stock 410h. Plus FX loop, fully programmable 6-button footswitch, and MIDI.
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.
I played a JCM900 in my band for over 15 years in the 2000s. Great tone, cut through a live mix great, and recorded OUTSTANDING. Recorded better than my friends Mesa Triple Rex. Terrific amp, big recommend from a long time user. NOTE: Bugera 1990 Infinium is modelled on the JCM900, and sounds exactly the same for even cheaper.
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.
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.
Easily the most underrated Marshall amp of all time. I wish I hadn't sold my 4100 but it needed so much work doing to make it more reliable and robust. Clean? Chimey as hell. Dirty? Filthy as fck. I beg them to do a JCM900 Studio classic reissue. Sounds incredible through Vintage 30s especially when being pushed by a JB.
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!
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.
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.
...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!
I never managed to get a satisfactory anything from my early nineties costly mistake, and never spent so much time twisting knobs in frustration. It made my old pawnshop amps seem like problem free miracles.
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!
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.
One more thing about the JCM 900 Dual Reverb models. When they came out in 1990, they actually came with EL34's from the factory, and they do sound a lot different from the 5881 versions that they eventually switched to after about a year and a half of them being in production. Reach out to me if you'd like to try it, I'll be happy to loan you mine.
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.
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
@@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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
I toured with this exact amp from 2007 to 2010 and absolutely adored it. It now lives at the studio!
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!
Totally agree!
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.
It's also possible that he was pairing it with a "bad" or "non-ideal" cabinet.
@@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
@@zac3126 speakers will change your tone more than anything else.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I was going to say the same thing. Trey has been using the 900s for decades
with eqs and pedals, this amp sucks...
@@Dogmatikos no man, trey doesnt use any pedals for high gain. if you know what you're doing this amp is brilliant
@@kevinstarofficial hahaha no it's not, i had it for years, ac/dc tone at best
@@Dogmatikos if the best you got was ac/dc either something was broken or you don’t know what ac/dc sound like
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
Nothing at all wrong with what you've got. ✌️🇦🇺
I've had my 4100 dual reverb head since 1998 and absolutely love it.
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.
JCM 900 SL-X goes hard as hell. Best of the 900s IMO.
Totally agree!
JCM 900 SLX 2500 is incredible
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
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.
@@chrisgoblin4857what was ur band called
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.
SL-X or MKIII?
I love the JCM 900 4100 dual reverb with 5881/6L6 tubes. Most of the hate comes from JCM 800 fan boys that can't cut they're hair and let go of the 80's. Most people who hate the JCM 900 haven't even played it. John 5 from Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and now running with Motley Crue used nothing but the JCM 900 and the cleans from that amp sound amazing.
JCM900s are pop punk in a box, and that's why I've always loved them
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!!!
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.
That's correct!
I have used one for 10 years and never understood all the hate it gets, this thing sounds awesome. I wouldn’t say it’s better than some of the top Marshall amps but it sounds really good to my ears. It’s also an amazing pedal platform! Try a few different Boost pedals with it
It’s because they couldn’t get that oasis sound from it haha.
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...
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.
I hear ya.
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.
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!
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
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!
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.
Sammy from Acid Bath used this on their records, combined with a Randall RG100ES is an INSANELY massive tone.
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!
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.
I have a 1990 4500 and agree. It’s my favorite amp too. You just need to take the time to dial them in.
@@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.
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.
@@RobertWJackson yes it has EL34s. The 5881s weren’t used until 1994 IIRC
@@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.
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.
Then your memory is very poor.
The internet trashed this amp for 25 years. I always loved it.
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!
Sold my JCM 900 / 4100 - Hated it.
Great amp, totally underrated future classic.
There is nothing wrong with diode clipping - if it’s done right. Many modded Marshalls - including a lot of those beloved Jose mods - use diode clipping. And, of course, we stick overdrive pedals in front of our amps.
Besides the diodes, the entirer pre-amp is OP-Amps, all solid state. If you can't crank the hell out of it sounds thin, & very solid state.
@@guitarexpert2245 why are there preamp tubes in it then?
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.
Punk rock amp, straight on. Great review man, as always.
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
Nothing wrong with a "one trick pony" if that "pony" does what you want and does it well.
in the late 90s I played live with a 900 4500 and an 89 jcm 2205 both on 900 4/12 cabs with t75s. The 2205 seemed to jump out better and had better mids. The 900 seemed tamer and wanted to be pushed to sound good and was brighter. BUT the CLEANS just walked all over the 800. Anyway I sold the head to a boy that was learning how to play and got a plexi reissue and have been playing live with it ever since. The 2205 is always stacked under the plexi as a back up. Anyway, I bought a used re-issue 4100 last night and waiting for it to arrive. All these years I have thought about those cleans I used to get, so I am revisiting the 900. I think they cost a bit more to build is why they ask so much for a non popular head. They have to spec a 6l6 tranny, valve failure circuitry, pentode/ triode mode ,Reverb tank and circuit, and the effect loop is a bit diffrent. (sweepable pad vs in/out). People say it's a stomp box in a power amp. I think they are a bit more than that.
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.
Gotta jump the loop with these though! They Sound sooooo much better if you do!
And use cha A and a SD-1nn
I bought this amp when it first came out. Still a great amp. The clean channel is a very good pedal platform.
I thought that it had basically no clean headroom?
@@valle4483 channel 1 has plenty. Not deluxe reverb clean, but clean enough.
@@legzalez Interesting. How do you set the gain of the clean cannel when using it for pedals?
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!
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!
I didn't realize how much I love this sound.
It's not my sound, but now I want to go play Tony Hawk Pro Skater.
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 👾🙌🏼
I bought a 50watt in 1994 and gigged with it forever. I I sold it for $500 10 years ago because I bought a threee channel amp which is more useful for gigging and didn’t use it for a few years.I plugged it in Again just before I shipped it off and quickly realized the mistake I had made. It sounds AWESOME.The person I sold it to did nothing but complain because a couple of the knobs were crackly from sitting around so I offered to refund his money. To my dismay he apologized and decided to keep it. Been regretting selling it ever since.
Lucky the one I bought to replace it was a Peavey XXX which is another one people loved to hate on and are now realizing what an excellent amp is is. Never gonna let it go.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
I play my JCM900-4102 in stereo thru a clean 100 watt Traynor Block 100 junker, dial them to a nice balance and my clean dirty sound using no other effects, just the stock foot 900 pedal is great. Folks hear it and love it.
Check the 900 SL-X.. best of all the 900's IMO. All-tub circuit. No diode clipping
that's correct!
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.
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
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.
The Punks, the Thrash, and the Hardcore have been worshipping this amp since it came out.
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.
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.
My fav Marshall tones. JCM900 is wicked
lol
I love my 4100. The thing sounds so good. I don’t think it’s my favorite amp but it’s up there.
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!!
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.
My buddy brought his over last night and played his Firebird thru it.
Sounds great Love when he brings that amp to play thru.
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.
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
...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!
@@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.
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
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
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.
I think you evh can get that sound…I’m just trying to save you from getting gas. Lol😅
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.
yea, love my SL-X. always thought the SL-X was more of a hot-rodded 800 with tubes instead of the clipping diodes.
Obviously a JCM800 is gonna slay the 900, BUT you have to crank the 800 up LOUD to get any kinda good crunch going and it’s basically a one channel amp, it does a single thing really well.
That’s why I just got a JVM 410HJS, gets REALLY close to legit 800 tones plus so much more at ANY volume level, incredibly versatile amp, but ultimately it will be beaten in a head-to-head with any of the actual vintage Marshalls it’s imitating. 95% of the way there is good enough for me. The crunch channel is really REALLY good, way better than a regular stock 410h. Plus FX loop, fully programmable 6-button footswitch, and MIDI.
Still rocking my JCM900 from 1991´ish i even bought a second one a few years back, love them both :-D
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!
The clipping diodes are after the first two tube stages. The op amps and solid state stuff is the effects loop.
No the op amps are all over the pre-amp. Essentially the pre-amp is all solid state to get it's distortion.
@@guitarexpert2245 look up the schematic.
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.
I played a JCM900 in my band for over 15 years in the 2000s. Great tone, cut through a live mix great, and recorded OUTSTANDING. Recorded better than my friends Mesa Triple Rex. Terrific amp, big recommend from a long time user. NOTE: Bugera 1990 Infinium is modelled on the JCM900, and sounds exactly the same for even cheaper.
The MKIII 2100 Master Volume is a really great version too 👍🏻
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
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.
Basically the sound of classic pop punk. Love it!
I had the Marshall JCM900 50w for years, served me well!
JCM 900 and Valvestate. Maybe the most underrated metal amps ever.
I love the Valvstates, I still use a 50watt as my practice amp and recording amp, sounds very much like
an 800 when its cranked
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.
Easily the most underrated Marshall amp of all time. I wish I hadn't sold my 4100 but it needed so much work doing to make it more reliable and robust.
Clean? Chimey as hell.
Dirty? Filthy as fck.
I beg them to do a JCM900 Studio classic reissue. Sounds incredible through Vintage 30s especially when being pushed by a JB.
I like that fluff is finding his love for les Paul’s the same time as I am
I love your musical interludes.They should be longer !
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!
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.
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.
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
I did hear some bush tone and even green day while you were messing with dials. Thanks for the vid!
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.
SL-X is the only true tube 900, and they sound great!
Totally disagree, I REALLY loved the Mark III, I thought they sounded better than the SL-X and Dual Reverb.
@@chuckelator Didn't say it was better or worse, just that it's the only all tube 900
1 Amp I wish I had kept 😢
Can you please point out where the rectifier tube is, I must have missed it.
...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!
Mass of the Fermenting Dregs does play the JCM900 100w with a Strat.
I never managed to get a satisfactory anything from my early nineties costly mistake, and never spent so much time twisting knobs in frustration. It made my old pawnshop amps seem like problem free miracles.
I still wish I had picked up a 900 SL-X when I had the chance
It's not the one amp to rule them all, but in certain contexts it's perfect. I like it for a compressed, ambient post-metal sounds.
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!
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.
One more thing about the JCM 900 Dual Reverb models. When they came out in 1990, they actually came with EL34's from the factory, and they do sound a lot different from the 5881 versions that they eventually switched to after about a year and a half of them being in production. Reach out to me if you'd like to try it, I'll be happy to loan you mine.
Generous offer. I may take you up on that Robert. 😉
@@castleanthrax1833 🤣🤣🤣
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.
That's correct. SL- X is full tube. The other two versions (Dual Reverb and MK III) do have diodes, indeed.
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
@@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.
@@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.
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.
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.
I have a 4500 90s 50 watts. And I really love it
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.
My main amp since 96 has been the JCM900 SL-X. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
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
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.