I saw and heard this amp many years ago when I saw them live right when In The Meantime had just come out. It's was brutal. One of the top 5 best rock/metal shows I've ever seen.
This made my day, WOW! The original Marshall JCM800 from one and only Peter Mengede, so much history right there! Hell, I thought is sounded great even before the work was done. The red tolex is interesting, you don't see too many like that. Respect from the USA! Thank you for sharing!
Fantastic, mate. Saw Helmet in Meantime heyday, opened for Ministry on their Psalm 69 tour.. Mengede was most memorable, outstanding!! anchored the whole set. Blessings from Ireland
I LOVE Helmet. One of my favorite bands. Saw them live at the Fillmore in SF in '94. I have an '85 2204. I love it, but it does sound a bit "brittle." I prefer my '79 JMP 2204. Mine has two extra holes as well but on the front panel, P.O. said it was modded but then returned to stock.
It's a 2204. The two extra holes are from a modification that has since been reversed. Might have been an EFX loop. The holes are between the JCM800 logo and the Presence knob. It's still a ripping amp though.
Hi, I just read these comments last night....For most of Meantime tour I used my brunswick green 1986 Anniversary 2204 50 watt head (bought stock from the sale section at Sam Ash for $400) with two vintage greenback loaded marshall cabs.We never went straight into our heads, either early on using Yamaha GEP50s set to Heavy metal (with a mid scoop), or later with Interscope dough through Harry Kolbe preamps into the front end of the amps. For me, the head was an overdriven poweramp with eq that I could push to until my cabs punched me in the back. Kolbe cabs were good but too clean. Page's idea at the time was to set us up with Kolbe pre's into solid state power amps (which clipped) into a pair of Kolbe 800 watt (?) cabinets, again too sterile. I liked my 800 with an 80s TC boost into whatever preamp we were using into the high input of my JCM and greenback cabinets better.
I thought it sounded pretty good initially. Although i do like the extra filter. I have a 330-0 330 PT with 100, 100, 40, 20, 20. Ive tried the 20k dropper, but always went back to the 10k. The heater to cathode voltage is 180 volts and that's high without elevation, but i am waiting on a 12az7 in the mail. We'll see what she sounds like in a few days . I do like your mods and i think they sound great thanks for the video ☺️
Re: Chris McComb's comment about cabinets..... I just read these comments last night....For most of Meantime recordings and tours I used my brunswick green 1986 Anniversary 2204 50 watt head (bought stock from the sale section at Sam Ash for $400) with two vintage greenback loaded marshall cabs.We never went straight into our heads, either early on using Yamaha GEP50s set to Heavy metal (with a mid scoop), or later with Interscope dough through Harry Kolbe preamps into the front end hi input of the amps. For me, the head was an overdriven poweramp with eq that I could push until my cabs punched me in the back.Push too far it it all fell apart. Kolbe cabs were good but too clean. Page's idea at the time was to set us up with Kolbe pre's into solid state power amps (which clipped) into a pair of Kolbe 800 watt (?) cabinets, again too sterile. I liked my 800 with an 80s TC boost into whatever preamp we were using into the high input of my JCM and two greenback cabinets better.
@@HeadfirstAmps It’s just awesome. I remember buying it on vinyl as a 15 year old kid. I still listen to that exact same record regularly 30 years later. It would be great if you could persuade Pete to do a play though vid on your modded amp. I’d love to hear him bust out some Handsome riffs on it
Great work as always! Sounds much better! The Helmet connection is super cool. Nice bonus was the opening clip from Tulsa, which is where I’m from…that looks like Cain’s Ballroom stage…I’ve seen a ton of great concerts there and played on that stage as well; a great sounding room.
Cain's ballroom... We played with L7 that night. They baited a bunch of skinheads who slashed our tyres after the show. Stuck in Tulsa at 1 am with four flats. That's an easy show to remember.
@@HeadfirstAmps Awesome! Ide be very keen to see how the 2203x stacks up considering visually it matches a vertical... caps etc... reverese wired V2 ive read somewhere too?
It didn't sound like Soundgarden though when it came backfrom Mr Science. Terry Date passed on using it on the Handsome album as it sounded like sponge cake.
That post FX loop MV. Would it not be better the other way around? The added pot on the back controls send to the loop volume, so it can be set and forget. Then the MV can continue to be one and be easily adjusted from the front. I dunno. I can not even make my mind what kind of MV I want on my 1987 build.
There are limitations to how to set it up with a vertical input 2204. I'm not into cutting PCB tracks on a mid 80's amp. Besides post loop level controls on the rear are common place, look at the flagship Friedman line up to name just one.
80's 2204... easy. 33k B+ droppers, Sozo caps, UF4007's in the rectifier, move the NFB wire to the 16ohm tap. I'm also not a fan of the Drake transformers of that era. Also that empty link to the Treble wiper is fun to play with. 120k is interesting. Biggest improvement for 2203/2204 is using the correct speakers. T75's don't play all that nice with them. G12-65 or GB's for me!
what if I add a 100k in parallel to the 100k Cathode Follower (R13) instead of the 470pF for the "dark mod"? I've heard it increases the harmonics and the gain...is it true?
I saw and heard this amp many years ago when I saw them live right when In The Meantime had just come out. It's was brutal. One of the top 5 best rock/metal shows I've ever seen.
This made my day, WOW! The original Marshall JCM800 from one and only Peter Mengede, so much history right there! Hell, I thought is sounded great even before the work was done. The red tolex is interesting, you don't see too many like that. Respect from the USA! Thank you for sharing!
these amps sound killer un-modded. It's just a matter of taste I guess.
It is, and Peter never liked this particular amp un-modded.
This is the best tech channel! Love the Australian rock. Helmet bad ass.💪🎸
Thanks!
@@HeadfirstAmps been watching for a while I figured it's time to say something. Good stuff Man!
That’s great to hear, hope you’re doing great man.
Fantastic, mate.
Saw Helmet in Meantime heyday, opened for Ministry on their Psalm 69 tour..
Mengede was most memorable, outstanding!! anchored the whole set.
Blessings from Ireland
Same …in Chicago…With sepultura too during the arise album….it was incredible…
@@Hardvolume007 that's the show i saw man... big homecoming show for Al n Co.
I LOVE Helmet. One of my favorite bands. Saw them live at the Fillmore in SF in '94. I have an '85 2204. I love it, but it does sound a bit "brittle." I prefer my '79 JMP 2204. Mine has two extra holes as well but on the front panel, P.O. said it was modded but then returned to stock.
If you had a 4 holer then it would have likely been a 1987 circuit. Changing the voltages in the preamp on your 85 will make a world of difference.
It's a 2204. The two extra holes are from a modification that has since been reversed. Might have been an EFX loop. The holes are between the JCM800 logo and the Presence knob. It's still a ripping amp though.
Killer tone! And thanks again for those explanations.
Saw that amp in the summer of 1993 at the Warfield in San Francisco :) Killer show
Man you give me gas.
In the good sense of the term :)
Sounding amazing as always. Thanks for the guided tour.
Oh crap that 800 kicks ass! wow nice!
stellar work and tones as always
Another good one Jason! Anyone else notice that when he's checking voltages, his left hand goes in his pocket?
Great vid from front to back. Came out sounding great I’m sure he’s going to be pleased.
Awesome video mate! Really cool to see this come together!
Sounds great as usual, nice job Jason.
Another winner Jason, the modded amp sounds sick af.
Awesome playing. Amp sounds incredible!
Thanks a lot!
ASK HIM ABOUT HIS CABINETS. YEAH, THE HEAD IS GREAT BUT THOSE HARRY KOLBE CABINETS MADE HIS TONE!!!
Hi, I just read these comments last night....For most of Meantime tour I used my brunswick green 1986 Anniversary 2204 50 watt head (bought stock from the sale section at Sam Ash for $400) with two vintage greenback loaded marshall cabs.We never went straight into our heads, either early on using Yamaha GEP50s set to Heavy metal (with a mid scoop), or later with Interscope dough through Harry Kolbe preamps into the front end of the amps. For me, the head was an overdriven poweramp with eq that I could push to until my cabs punched me in the back. Kolbe cabs were good but too clean. Page's idea at the time was to set us up with Kolbe pre's into solid state power amps (which clipped) into a pair of Kolbe 800 watt (?) cabinets, again too sterile.
I liked my 800 with an 80s TC boost into whatever preamp we were using into the high input of my JCM and greenback cabinets better.
Phenomenal work
Sounds bloody great too. Really Great.
Thanks Rick.
Very cool moment for you. Well Done.
I thought it sounded pretty good initially.
Although i do like the extra filter.
I have a 330-0 330 PT with 100, 100, 40, 20, 20. Ive tried the 20k dropper, but always went back to the 10k.
The heater to cathode voltage is 180 volts and that's high without elevation, but i am waiting on a 12az7 in the mail.
We'll see what she sounds like in a few days .
I do like your mods and i think they sound great thanks for the video ☺️
Re: Chris McComb's comment about cabinets..... I just read these comments last night....For most of Meantime recordings and tours I used my brunswick green 1986 Anniversary 2204 50 watt head (bought stock from the sale section at Sam Ash for $400) with two vintage greenback loaded marshall cabs.We never went straight into our heads, either early on using Yamaha GEP50s set to Heavy metal (with a mid scoop), or later with Interscope dough through Harry Kolbe preamps into the front end hi input of the amps. For me, the head was an overdriven poweramp with eq that I could push until my cabs punched me in the back.Push too far it it all fell apart. Kolbe cabs were good but too clean. Page's idea at the time was to set us up with Kolbe pre's into solid state power amps (which clipped) into a pair of Kolbe 800 watt (?) cabinets, again too sterile.
I liked my 800 with an 80s TC boost into whatever preamp we were using into the high input of my JCM and two greenback cabinets better.
I love this channel and I love Meantime era Helmet. Killer combo 🤘
Thanks man, I appreciate the support. How good is Meantime!!
@@HeadfirstAmps It’s just awesome. I remember buying it on vinyl as a 15 year old kid. I still listen to that exact same record regularly 30 years later. It would be great if you could persuade Pete to do a play though vid on your modded amp. I’d love to hear him bust out some Handsome riffs on it
That is a killer idea!
Cool, hope you capture the amp on the cloud. Love your work
Thanks, there is a capture up for it now!
Great work as always! Sounds much better! The Helmet connection is super cool. Nice bonus was the opening clip from Tulsa, which is where I’m from…that looks like Cain’s Ballroom stage…I’ve seen a ton of great concerts there and played on that stage as well; a great sounding room.
Hey Don, that's a great connection. Thanks for the post, very interesting.
Cain's ballroom... We played with L7 that night. They baited a bunch of skinheads who slashed our tyres after the show. Stuck in Tulsa at 1 am with four flats. That's an easy show to remember.
You have taught me so much, thank you!
awesome! I'll save this for later in the evening! thanks!
That's awesome mate!!
Great job as usual!! Please consider adding some backing tracks to your great guitar riffs it would be great to hear your guitar work leading a band!!
I actually preferred the harder, higher voltage sound, the attack seems more solid.
fantastic. nice bio too!
outstanding work jason
Thanks man!
That’s amazing sounding man
Great video Jason!
Looks like you implemented a fixed detph here as well. All sounds killer, as usual.
Correct Steve 220k//4n7. Thanks!
Probably the best amp tech vid ive seen... Jason any chance of a preamp voltage comparison 2203x vs 2203 vertical?
Thanks Michael, that is high praise 🙏 I do have both those amps here, so could do such a compare.
@@HeadfirstAmps Awesome! Ide be very keen to see how the 2203x stacks up considering visually it matches a vertical... caps etc... reverese wired V2 ive read somewhere too?
Nice work as always mate. Man you get the good oil. Lol. I’m In Melbourne this weekend for work if you’re up for a coffee! 🤘🏽🎸
Hey mate, thanks! Msg me on FB, see if we can make this weekend work.
Mr Science is Kevin of Soft Science he modded and serviced amps in Seattle for the likes of Kim thayil and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden.
Great info! Tnx
Yes, that's the guy!
It didn't sound like Soundgarden though when it came backfrom Mr Science. Terry Date passed on using it on the Handsome album as it sounded like sponge cake.
@Kunstx1 hey Pete, hope you’re well mate!
That post FX loop MV. Would it not be better the other way around? The added pot on the back controls send to the loop volume, so it can be set and forget. Then the MV can continue to be one and be easily adjusted from the front. I dunno. I can not even make my mind what kind of MV I want on my 1987 build.
There are limitations to how to set it up with a vertical input 2204. I'm not into cutting PCB tracks on a mid 80's amp. Besides post loop level controls on the rear are common place, look at the flagship Friedman line up to name just one.
80's 2204... easy. 33k B+ droppers, Sozo caps, UF4007's in the rectifier, move the NFB wire to the 16ohm tap.
I'm also not a fan of the Drake transformers of that era.
Also that empty link to the Treble wiper is fun to play with. 120k is interesting.
Biggest improvement for 2203/2204 is using the correct speakers. T75's don't play all that nice with them. G12-65 or GB's for me!
what if I add a 100k in parallel to the 100k Cathode Follower (R13) instead of the 470pF for the "dark mod"? I've heard it increases the harmonics and the gain...is it true?
I want a 2204 now. 😂
Why does it still not sound proper at the end of the mods?
What else is different from a vertical input 2204?
Thanks
“Not sounding proper” is a subjective comment. FWIW Pete Mengede f’ing loved the amp once he got it back.
if u want REALLY hi gain, try 2 reversed diodes over the 10K cath lolololol