I chose the JTM ST20H. It's a really hard call, because I do like them all. But, having the JTM, I think I'd probably get a JCM800, if I was buying a second. I prefer the heavier slightly more modern sounding drive tones. And have Fender, Vox & the JTM to do different levels of clean, breakup, crunch and low-mid drive. So, the JCM is the most different to what I have. I guess also I grew up listening to Smashing Pumpkins, My Bloody Valentine, Fugazi, Pixies, Slayer etc, and it really reminds me of those bands. Other thing is, I think I prefer the slightly creamier sounding Sovtek / EHX Mig 50 to the brighter Plexi, for Bassman based loud amps. Plexi sounds a bit edgier to me; great if you are more into 70s classic rock. But less so for heavier 90s indie/grunge/psych/garage/stoner/doom styles. And for older sounding vintage 60's tones, I prefer the JTM. The Plexi more brings to mind the tones of bands like AC/DC, Van Halen, Allman Brothers or maybe even Led Zeppelin. It brings to mind stadium rock, in a way that while I appreciate it, it's not my kind of guitar tone. An Orange OR30 would be more my style.
Thank you so much!!!!!! I’m still pretty new but I’m trying to make an impact. I’ve got a lotta great video ideas so I hope you will stay tuned!!!!! Thanks for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow Your videos are great. One suggestion is getting a decibel reader so people know how loud the output spl is needed to be to get your tones from the amps. It can be make or break for some people, for example 90dB max etc
I've been an admirer of Marshall amps for decades but stuck with Fender as that's what I grew up with, gigged with forever, and I still love them (I'm 73). The Fender amps were perfect for the blues gigs I did for so very long. In fact I recently bought a RI Super Reverb just for giggles and it's glorious.... BUT.... I've always felt I was missing the real-deal rock sounds of Marshalls. I've been looking at these two heads and I want one of them, just not sure which way to go. Your video REALLY helped show the differences between them. Oh, BTW, I can make all the noise I care to in my house as I own it. The only concern is ear damage from hi-volume levels. Always need to be aware and cautious of that!! Glad I came across your channel. Thanks again!! 🙂👍👍
Thank you! Since you've subbed I hope you'll find lots of stuff on my channel that you'll like. I try to do new videos every Saturday. Thanks for your kind words and thank you for watching!
I decided to go with the JCM800 and couldn't be happier, all the sounds I was looking for are there. Note, you need to crank both the gain and master past 4 to get the classic tone and even switched to 5W it's too loud for home use if you have neighbours around. Please bear in mind if you're thinking this is a bedroom JCM800.
Tried so many overdrives and boosts and I always come back to the SD-1. If you look at the schematics for different overdrive pedals the SD-1 is really the only one with a super simple asymmetrical clipping circuit combined with boosting a little more of the high end frequencies and shaving of a little more bass at the input. I hold fast that even though it's the cheapest OD pedal, it's still my favorite. Great job, man!
This clears up a lot of things! Very informative and accessible explanation of the gain structure of those two amps. Also loved the reference to classic rock riffs with boost pedals! By the way how to you think the SV20 compares to the Bugera 1960 infinium?
Thanks for your kind words! The Bugera sounds great, but there’s just something about a Marshall-made Plexi. I’d love to try the Suhr SL68 and the Friedman Plex as well. Thanks for watching!
A big thumbs-up for the Plexi. I've had mine Studio with a matching 2x12 cab for nearly 4 years. Loud enough to totally terrorize the neighbors and still yummy for studio practice. Marshall got this one exactly right.
Thanks for the Demo both great amps. I have the Plexi SV20H with an EVH Frankie Striped Relic and they sound amazing together. I chose the Plexi as it can do whatever sound you want, 80's Metal, Blues etc... versatile amp. Keep up the great work, thankyou!
Thank you for such kind words, I’m happy you enjoyed the video. There’s a bunch more good stuff on my channel and more always on the way so I hope you’ll come back! Thank you for watching!
I agree! And I gotta say, as someone who'd never played a Plexi style amp until fairly recently - when you finally play on one it's a huge 'ahhhhh, now I get it' moment. Yeah, they're loud, no way around that. But for the tone and feel, it's well worth it! Thanks for your kind words and Thanks for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow I bought the Xotic sl drive one week ago and use it on the clean channel of my fireball 100 stacked with boss sd 1 and that gives a really good sound. It's close enough to the real thing. It funny how it changed how I play just to fit the sound.
My SV20h is just to freaking loud, even in 5 watt mode. Is the JCM800 better getting good tones at lower volumes? I heard some of these "master volumes" is still not so effective but maybe this one works..? I want a compact head for smaller gigs (ac/dc tone territory) and don't want to lug around with attenuators. Thanks for great video!! cheers
I was just looking for this comparison! I am joining a blues band and have a jtm studio. I am thinking of getting the studio vintage as well but wondered about the classic. We will play breweries etc and I think that would be all I would need. Suggestions?
In addition to what you said in your other comment, I'd strongly recommend you check out the Vintage Modern. They doin't make 'em anymore but you can find them on the used market for fairly little $$$. It was designed to be a hot rodded JTM45 and really sounds great! ua-cam.com/video/qgLmTIgS5e4/v-deo.html
I can also recommend the Jubilee, especially if you need great tone at lower volume. Don't let the title of this video fool you, this can be used for lower volume great tone. ua-cam.com/video/ig3TqgskZQg/v-deo.html
They both sound great. I had an old JMP 100w Super Lead that I loved, but sold it when it broke down I wasn't playing any more. Now I wish I had it. I may have to pick one of these up for a lower watt approximation of the sound. Great playing as always.
I thought I had said it in the video but when I went back to check it ain’t there. I’m pretty certain I used a 4x12 loaded with Celestion G12EVH speakers. Thanks for watching!
@TheGuitarNerdShow yes I hear that. I'm still a beginner, so I can't quite play by ear yet. But it sounds a lot like part of "I say Yeah" - by ten years after also.
I like using my jcm800 and Marshall origin that I’ve modded to be a full blown plexi together through a stereo Marshall cab. Each amp fills out what the other one is missing.
LOL - I just played it on a whim, haven't tried to practice that in quite a while, so I won't lie and say I nailed it in one take LOL!!!! Thanks for watching!
Awesome 👍👍 Aways wanted to know the difference. If you have the : JCM 800 Run the distortion pedal through the low impedance and mess with the EQ I think you will be amazed at how this Amp sounds .
I dunno, man. I like 'em both! I've never owned either, although I've played through an 800. I'd probably buy a plexi first, though. Great video, man. Thanks for the info!
Hey man, great clip and fantastic playing. Even though I have a Jube I prefer the Plexi. It just sounds right to me. But what I really want to know, is what humbucker you have in that Strat? It sounds unreal! I love HSS Strats and have a couple, but I'm not quite happy with the humbucker on either of them. I dig your sound man so I'd be keen to know what you use. Cheers!
Hey Jeremy, thank you for your kind words! I gotta say, I do love that Plexi sound! Like you said, something about it just sounds and feels right! That said, I do love my Jubilee as well! The Strats I use all have a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge, Classic Hot Stack in the middle and Vintage Hot Stack in the neck. It’s the most versatile and great sounding combination I’ve found! I did a video a few months ago with all the details of my custom Strats - I think you’ll enjoy it! ua-cam.com/video/EKaUo93I9L0/v-deo.htmlsi=-y52-LZN-3GPJivb Thanks again for your kind words and thank you for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow Thanks heaps for the reply man! I definitely will check out that clip on your guitars. I've subscribed too. Great channel man. Cheers
Both of these amps are fairly loud, too loud for a lot of people to use at home. I haven’t tried the mini Jubilee but O do have the 100 watt version and can get some decent sounds at a comfortable volume. Thanks for watching!
Excellent choice the mini jubilee. I've got it. You can play at low volume. I play with 2 amps in stereo : min jubilee and Marshall origin 20h. I use a attenuator only with the origin
Great comparison! I had jcm800 combo but I sold it and buy Plexi head with its 2x12 cabinet and it sounds awesome! But it’s so loud that you need attenuator. Both amps are great!🤘
I personally solved the problem with a custom made, switchable JTM/JMP/JCM preamp pedal plus a stepless power scalable (1W - 40W) long tail pair phase inverter driven power amp, which works with (almost) all octal tubes. So I can run the JTM with a pair of 6V6 (KT66's are too thick to match) and the JMP and JCM with a pair of EL34's or KT77's. 5881 and 6L6GC sound too bassy for my taste in this combination, if I do not use the High Treble channel alone. Then they also sound nice. Also interesting, how much the amps really differ. The JTM sounds a little more fenderish, more (even too much) bass and treble, the JMP fuller bodied, but also more aggressive and the JCM hotter, but - at least my pedal version - with beautiful, not too scratchy treble, which I have not experienced so often from regular JCM800 amps, but also with wonderful harmonics. So I can either have a JTM or JMP basic sound and then beef it up to a foot-switchable JCM sound. If this is not enough, I have a nice SD-1 with a rare custom mode and 3 voicings (some sort of KC - SD-1 hybrid, but with the typical SD-1 character dominating, but a more transparent, more natural, less bass-cut sound, therefore top-notch) or a Taurus Multi-Drive or Kaluna II. (The SD-1 with JCM mode and EVM-12L or Sidewinder 212/412 cabinets ist perfect for Zakk Wylde tones, in front of an AC30 you get great 1980's Terje Rypdal tones too. But also a lot more with other combinations.) Usually runs through my Fryette PowerLoad IR (wonderful, but expensive) and through some Super Cabinet customized and eq-ed matching IR's (212 or 412 G12M Pulsonic or Blackback, V30, Celestion 100, Black & Blue, Sidewinder, ET90,...) Also nice, as I just have discovered, to replace the V1 12AX7 tube with a 12AY7. Wonderful, sweeter singing breakup tones, still more than enough gain and even sounds great in JCM mode. Perfect Marshall goes (a little) Bassman/Dumble tones for me, but also more similar to the typical Gary Moore "Still got the Blues" Marshall 18 (1974/2061) tones. What more can I wish? The main thing is, that it sounds and rocks like a (good) Marshall! My real 1987's Silver Jubilee (which sound I never liked, but most probably, because I only had the 112 combo open back version and a Silver Jubilee at least needs a 212 or better 412 closed back cabinet to really sound great in my opinion) stopped me from playing Marshalls for a long time, but meanwhile I returned and this is really good so. Already had the Origin 20 (not so good) and the SV-20 (good), but my combination is even more flexible for my taste. But I also find the DSL-20 very nice, good and even heavier sounding for the money. In Europe anyway. Even a JVM is comparably cheap, if you consider, how much you get for the money and if you only look for certain sounds, the handwired resissues also are a (more expensive) but very authentic option. So, If I had to decide for a Studio meanhwile, I most probably bought the SC-20 or the Jubilee, while the ST-20 does not convince me so much, the JTM45 Reissue with rectifier tube sounds much better to me in comparison.
Thank you for your kind words! Yeah I get it. I don't think I could ever use these live without an attenuator. Heck, I play a Kemper live to get around volume concerns LOL! Thank you for watching!
That’s an issue people have long had with these amps - because all of the overdrive happens at the phase inverter and power tubes, the EQ is largely non responsive. Turning up the controls mostly just adds to the overdrive. At lower volume levels it’s way more responsive but then you don’t have that Plexi roar! Thank you for watching!
If you get the little Plexi you'll love it. I love mine. Word of caution though, it's 20 watts but those are some extra special loud watts. I did a video on the volume of the Baby Plexi relative to three cranked Marshall 100 watt heads. ua-cam.com/video/lmIotOzVNyU/v-deo.html Thank you for watching!
Ya know, I’m a rock/metal player at my heart but I get more use from the Plexi. Then again, I also like the shreddy stuff & what’s better for that than a Plexi? Thanks again for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow Yeah, I know the early Fender Stratocasters had these big headstocks like Hendrix, Yngwie and Blackmore but this one appears to be even bigger, haha. Or maybe it is the camera angle or lens. And according to Yngwie a big headstock gives a differerent sound. I think that's true especially if you compare it to headless guitars (the horror, haha).
I get where you'e coming from but, TBH, the majority of people don't look to these amps for the cleans. That said, that might be an interesting video - Marshall - The Cleans... Thanks for the heads up and thank you for watching!
Hey Steve - first time watcher and you kept me to the end - loved your playing. Solid rhythm playing - very hard to do on camera! - and then you pull out some Trilogy (Yngwie) solo'ing - well, colour-me-impressed. Well done. To answer your question - I have the JCM900 Mark III Master Volume, which followed in the foot-steps of the JCM800, so I guess my feet are planted in that camp. I love the open sound of the Plexy - however I just think AC/DC have cornered the market on that sound. Every time I hear an A open chord, I think Malcomb and Angus. I started my guitar playing journey with amp modelling in the early 2000's (Ensoniq DP4 anyone?) , so I've migrated to tube amps since then - however the saturated sound palette preferences have stayed with me. The Ensoniq still has a huge place in my heart.
Hey Jules, thanks for your kind words! Now see, while the AC/DC thing is a prominent Plexi sound, so was classic EVH, Jake E Lee, Randy Roads, some of George Lynch’s Dokken stuff, Scorpions, Ace Frehley and, of course, Yngwie. I’ve never played an actual Plexi, the SV20 is the only actual Marshall Plexi type circuit I’ve played (I did used to own a Bugera 1960 - it’s a Plexi clone but, as I’ve since learned, a real Plexi is a different beast) but what strikes me about them is that all these cats were playing some kind of Plexi but they all managed to stand apart from each other. So my hypothesis is that such an open, organic type amp is somewhat of a neutral platform that lets a players individuality shine through. Or not. It’s more of a theory TBH. Now, that said, my ‘signature’ sound is my Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 with Voodoo Amps’ Senes mod. I like a lot of gain, crunch and balls. I’m shooting another video tomorrow, that amp will feature heavily in it. Thanks for watching and, again, for your kind words!!!
I happen to currently have these two plus the mini Jube… you can EQ all to be similar… Jube is the best bang for the buck and can cover the most ground if you want one. Jube can also be played at a fairly low volume.. The Plexi needs volume so it’s not a home amp for most people unless it’s a pedal platform, All 3 are excellent.
I prefer the JCM 800 over the Plexi. I have the DSL40 amp and with an SD-1, I can get the crunch channel fairly close to the studio JCM 800 sound without too much effort. With an EQ and a Chorus Ensemble in the loop, that early Zakk Wylde sound is there. The sound from OD1 channel can get it too, but the crunch channel just has more bite to it as it is supposed to emulate the 800. The SD-1 takes care of adding the gain. There is no substitute for a real JCM 800, but it's close enough for me and I don't have to go broke, or deaf, this way. I like the studio series, but it's just a bit out of my price range. After one gets the head and cab, you're looking at close to $2,000. I agree with you, both amps have their place. Thanks for making this video.
I have a modified DSL100 (JCM2000 series) & I definitely agree about the green channel. I had it modified by Trace at Voodoo Amps & one of the things I asked him to do was to even out the low end response between the green and red channels - one eq setting just didn't work for both channels - now it's way more even. I think the green channel gets close to the JCM800 & at times I even prefer it. That said, there's just something gnarly about a real 800 (and the SC20 as well) that the DSL doesn't get. I bought the SC and SV20's from a shop in Europe so I was able to get them for a fair bit less than shops here in the States charge. I didn't bother with the dedicated speaker cabs. I've got enough 4x12's, I don't need any more cluttering up the room LOL!!!!! Thank you for watching!
Do you still have the bugera 1960 you had years ago? I reall crave one, but during the pandemic they sold out in Poland, and nobody is selling them used in Europe :) i would like to get it rathee than studio vintage.
I don't. Being a 150 watt amp that needs to be seriously cranked to breathe, I just couldn't get away with it here at home. The MV is nice and well executed, but it does affect tone. So I ended up selling to a friend who loves it! Thank you for watching!
Hahahahahaha - you think those sound great? Check out my new video of the Vintage Modern - the tones will surprise ya, guaranteed! Thank you for watching!
They do! That's what I meant when I said they both have that 'Marshall thing' going. But they changed just enough to make the JCM800 a different beast. Thanks for watching!!!
I don’t, I sold it to a friend. While the PPIMV is very good, it’s not 100% transparent & cranking a 100 watt Plexi at home was just too loud. Thank you for watching!
Thanks for subscribing! I think it depends on what kind of tone and feel you're going for. For heavy chunky stuff, the Plexi probably wouldn't be my first choice, at least as the main sound. But for shreddy stuff I love it, and for that old school Marshall raunch, I love it! Thanks for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow exactly! I have a couple high gain amps, so knee jerk reaction I think Plexi - that organic distortion buddy POPS when running 2 amps
you never show them cranked all the way. the plexis, almost everyone i jammed with would rake their hand across the knobs to 10 on everything. 50w 100w everything all the way
@@cembobiohazard7779thank you! The guitar runs into my Voodoo Labs Hex loop switcher which allows me to switch various pedals into and out of the chain. From there to my KHE ACS8x4 Amp Cab Switcher. This allows me to switch amps and cabs. For this video I used a no name cab loaded with Celestion G12 EVH Speakers. The cab is mic’d as follows: SM57 and Sennheiser 421 (U5 revision) at the edges of the dust cap. SE Electronics VR1 Ribbon Mic slightly off center of cone. JZ Microphones Vintage 67 Condenser Mic dead center of cone. Mics are blended in UAD Console & sent through an Aux to 1 channel in Logic Pro. When I’m recording I generally use 1 channel per mic but for videos, especially those using more than one amp, I use one channel in Logic to avoid confusion and keep things consistent. I’m glad you like it! Thanks again!
@@rarito1976 I know, it is close, but I can still hear that 800 compressions, especially that hi-end 'sand'. I have 2203 1983. With preamp-gain low and master turned up to get that great power-amp saturation I get close to plexi. I'm not able to tell the difference in the mix on the stage but from a record nicely done like this one I can hear a massive difference.
The JCM is capable of emulating a convincing "Plexi" tone. The Plexi can't emulate a JCM tone....Obviously, they have some similarities anyway. My favorite is still a Plexi. I put a Friedman small-box OD pedal in front of mine to increase its range when I need to,. But half the time, the pedal is off.
Good thing you do not have a BS degree in EE, you would have never been able to put it into layman’s terms. you answered what i been wondering about these two amps. plexi = ACDC. 800 = Alice n chains. If you want the real deal “Bloom” get at JMD Wreck
No sir, no degree. Well, perhaps a BS in BS LOL!!!!! The two are pretty damn close as far as how they're built, but the added gain stage makes all the difference in the world. Thank you for watching!
I know all the Marshall cry cries are gonna cry, but really, there is about 5 parts separating the two. I mean, a cascade modded Plexi is nearly 1:1 to a 2203/2204 with a more snarky eq and that is just 1 wire. Side bar: I never got the jumper thing, Plexis are notoriously flubby in the low end already and channel 1 has a bunch of gain already.
That’s exactly what I was trying to show. On both amps, once they’re cranked, the EQ’s aren’t very responsive. In retrospect, I should’ve shown the EQ on both with the volumes lower - they’re more responsive when not cranked. But with the Plexi, to get good distortion you have to crank it. With the JCM800 Marshall was trying to alleviate that by adding the master volume - the theory being you could crank the preamp gain without cranking the Master - hence more drive and EQ responsiveness at a lower volume. But it just sounds so much better when it’s cranked LOL! Thanks for your kind words and thanks for watching!
Which Marshall Studio Series Amp(s) do you like best?
Did you use a real speaker or an IR?
I chose the JTM ST20H. It's a really hard call, because I do like them all. But, having the JTM, I think I'd probably get a JCM800, if I was buying a second. I prefer the heavier slightly more modern sounding drive tones. And have Fender, Vox & the JTM to do different levels of clean, breakup, crunch and low-mid drive. So, the JCM is the most different to what I have. I guess also I grew up listening to Smashing Pumpkins, My Bloody Valentine, Fugazi, Pixies, Slayer etc, and it really reminds me of those bands. Other thing is, I think I prefer the slightly creamier sounding Sovtek / EHX Mig 50 to the brighter Plexi, for Bassman based loud amps. Plexi sounds a bit edgier to me; great if you are more into 70s classic rock. But less so for heavier 90s indie/grunge/psych/garage/stoner/doom styles. And for older sounding vintage 60's tones, I prefer the JTM. The Plexi more brings to mind the tones of bands like AC/DC, Van Halen, Allman Brothers or maybe even Led Zeppelin. It brings to mind stadium rock, in a way that while I appreciate it, it's not my kind of guitar tone. An Orange OR30 would be more my style.
sv-20
I'm still yearning for the vintage modern in Studio format, if they can keep the tone
I'm a plexi guy so the SV20 did it for me 😃
Massive props for pullin out the Crossroads duel. Love this channel just discovered!
Thank you so much!!!!!! I’m still pretty new but I’m trying to make an impact. I’ve got a lotta great video ideas so I hope you will stay tuned!!!!!
Thanks for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow Your videos are great. One suggestion is getting a decibel reader so people know how loud the output spl is needed to be to get your tones from the amps. It can be make or break for some people, for example 90dB max etc
I've been an admirer of Marshall amps for decades but stuck with Fender as that's what I grew up with, gigged with forever, and I still love them (I'm 73). The Fender amps were perfect for the blues gigs I did for so very long. In fact I recently bought a RI Super Reverb just for giggles and it's glorious.... BUT.... I've always felt I was missing the real-deal rock sounds of Marshalls. I've been looking at these two heads and I want one of them, just not sure which way to go. Your video REALLY helped show the differences between them. Oh, BTW, I can make all the noise I care to in my house as I own it. The only concern is ear damage from hi-volume levels. Always need to be aware and cautious of that!! Glad I came across your channel. Thanks again!! 🙂👍👍
Really cool comment, thank you! And thanks for watching!
The Jubilee 20 watt is a beast. Have both the 20 and the 100 watt. Great amps.
I haven't checked out the 20 watt, but I've been impressed with the JCM800 and Plexi 20w's so I'll bet the Jubilee is great!
Thank you for watching!
This is a great demo of both amps. Really good information and well explained. Worth my sub 👍🏻
Thank you! Since you've subbed I hope you'll find lots of stuff on my channel that you'll like. I try to do new videos every Saturday.
Thanks for your kind words and thank you for watching!
I would use both amps in stereo with the boost pedals also. Thankyou for a in depth demo!
I’m gonna have to give that a try! I bet it’ll be ridiculously cool!
Thanks for watching!
This is a great, wonderful vid, thx so much 🙏
I decided to go with the JCM800 and couldn't be happier, all the sounds I was looking for are there. Note, you need to crank both the gain and master past 4 to get the classic tone and even switched to 5W it's too loud for home use if you have neighbours around. Please bear in mind if you're thinking this is a bedroom JCM800.
I couldn’t agree more! Thanks for watching!
Tried so many overdrives and boosts and I always come back to the SD-1. If you look at the schematics for different overdrive pedals the SD-1 is really the only one with a super simple asymmetrical clipping circuit combined with boosting a little more of the high end frequencies and shaving of a little more bass at the input. I hold fast that even though it's the cheapest OD pedal, it's still my favorite. Great job, man!
I really like the SD-1 as well. But I do love the Tube Screamer type circuit as well.
Thanks for your kind words and thanks for watching!
Wow great demo of both amps...both sound fantastic along with your playing...makes me want both now..
Thank you! Yeah, I could t choose either LOL!
Thanks for watching!
I have just discovered this channel and all I can say is, great job! Your presentation is informative and entertaining.
Thank you, that’s very kind of you. I hope you’ll keep coming back. Thank you for watching!
Same!!!
This clears up a lot of things! Very informative and accessible explanation of the gain structure of those two amps. Also loved the reference to classic rock riffs with boost pedals!
By the way how to you think the SV20 compares to the Bugera 1960 infinium?
Thanks for your kind words!
The Bugera sounds great, but there’s just something about a Marshall-made Plexi. I’d love to try the Suhr SL68 and the Friedman Plex as well.
Thanks for watching!
A big thumbs-up for the Plexi. I've had mine Studio with a matching 2x12 cab for nearly 4 years. Loud enough to totally terrorize the neighbors and still yummy for studio practice. Marshall got this one exactly right.
Both amps sound great! Maybe I need the SV20h now...
Thanks for the Demo both great amps. I have the Plexi SV20H with an EVH Frankie Striped Relic and they sound amazing together.
I chose the Plexi as it can do whatever sound you want, 80's Metal, Blues etc... versatile amp.
Keep up the great work, thankyou!
Thank you for such kind words, I’m happy you enjoyed the video. There’s a bunch more good stuff on my channel and more always on the way so I hope you’ll come back!
Thank you for watching!
My two favourite guitarists are known for using Plexi. Got to love the tone of George Lynch and Eddie Van Halen. Awesome playing!
I agree! And I gotta say, as someone who'd never played a Plexi style amp until fairly recently - when you finally play on one it's a huge 'ahhhhh, now I get it' moment. Yeah, they're loud, no way around that. But for the tone and feel, it's well worth it!
Thanks for your kind words and Thanks for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow I bought the Xotic sl drive one week ago and use it on the clean channel of my fireball 100 stacked with boss sd 1 and that gives a really good sound. It's close enough to the real thing. It funny how it changed how I play just to fit the sound.
My SV20h is just to freaking loud, even in 5 watt mode. Is the JCM800 better getting good tones at lower volumes? I heard some of these "master volumes" is still not so effective but maybe this one works..? I want a compact head for smaller gigs (ac/dc tone territory) and don't want to lug around with attenuators. Thanks for great video!! cheers
I was just looking for this comparison! I am joining a blues band and have a jtm studio. I am thinking of getting the studio vintage as well but wondered about the classic. We will play breweries etc and I think that would be all I would need. Suggestions?
In addition to what you said in your other comment, I'd strongly recommend you check out the Vintage Modern. They doin't make 'em anymore but you can find them on the used market for fairly little $$$. It was designed to be a hot rodded JTM45 and really sounds great!
ua-cam.com/video/qgLmTIgS5e4/v-deo.html
I can also recommend the Jubilee, especially if you need great tone at lower volume. Don't let the title of this video fool you, this can be used for lower volume great tone.
ua-cam.com/video/ig3TqgskZQg/v-deo.html
Loved this
Thank you! And thank you for watching!
Doesn't the SV Plexi sound more lush less grainy and more tubular?
They both sound great. I had an old JMP 100w Super Lead that I loved, but sold it when it broke down I wasn't playing any more. Now I wish I had it. I may have to pick one of these up for a lower watt approximation of the sound. Great playing as always.
Thank you Bro! Thanks for watching!
Did you put the chorus in the loop or out front?
The chorus is in front.
Thanks for watching!
Great! What cabinet are you using in this video?
I thought I had said it in the video but when I went back to check it ain’t there.
I’m pretty certain I used a 4x12 loaded with Celestion G12EVH speakers.
Thanks for watching!
Did I hear some TYA riffs @04:10 ?
That’s an AC/DC riff. Beatin Around the Bush from Highway to Hell.
Thanks for watching!
@TheGuitarNerdShow yes I hear that. I'm still a beginner, so I can't quite play by ear yet. But it sounds a lot like part of "I say Yeah" - by ten years after also.
I like using my jcm800 and Marshall origin that I’ve modded to be a full blown plexi together through a stereo Marshall cab. Each amp fills out what the other one is missing.
Oooooh I bet that sounds amazing!
Thanks for the tip, and thank you for watching!
Great video man! I like them both. I have the Plexi, but I might get the 800 soon.
I’m glad I got them both. The differences aren’t Earth shattering but they’re clear enough that it’s worth having both.
Thank you for watching!
Nailed that pitch and didn’t broke the strings:)) (like in Crossroads movie) Bravo!
LOL - I just played it on a whim, haven't tried to practice that in quite a while, so I won't lie and say I nailed it in one take LOL!!!!
Thanks for watching!
Great demo
I play with 2 others Marshall amps in stereo : mini jubilee and origin 20h. It's awesome.
Sweet! I bet that sounds killer!
Thank you for watching!
Both sounds great and awesome... However, your play shines more...Thank you for your endeavor.
Wow, thank you!
Great demo of both amps, especially with the boost pedals in front, awesome playing too. Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words and thanks for watching!!!!
Awesome 👍👍
Aways wanted to know the difference.
If you have the :
JCM 800
Run the distortion pedal through the low impedance and mess with the EQ
I think you will be amazed at how this Amp sounds .
Thank you for your kind words! I need to give that a try!
Thanks for watching!
you made both sound great! kudos!
Thank you - and thanks for watching!
Great video!
Thank you! And thanks for watching!
I dunno, man. I like 'em both!
I've never owned either, although I've played through an 800. I'd probably buy a plexi first, though.
Great video, man. Thanks for the info!
Thank you for the kind words. To my ears they BOTH sound and feel fantastic!
Hey man, great clip and fantastic playing. Even though I have a Jube I prefer the Plexi. It just sounds right to me. But what I really want to know, is what humbucker you have in that Strat? It sounds unreal! I love HSS Strats and have a couple, but I'm not quite happy with the humbucker on either of them. I dig your sound man so I'd be keen to know what you use. Cheers!
Hey Jeremy, thank you for your kind words! I gotta say, I do love that Plexi sound! Like you said, something about it just sounds and feels right! That said, I do love my Jubilee as well!
The Strats I use all have a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge, Classic Hot Stack in the middle and Vintage Hot Stack in the neck. It’s the most versatile and great sounding combination I’ve found! I did a video a few months ago with all the details of my custom Strats - I think you’ll enjoy it!
ua-cam.com/video/EKaUo93I9L0/v-deo.htmlsi=-y52-LZN-3GPJivb
Thanks again for your kind words and thank you for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow Thanks heaps for the reply man! I definitely will check out that clip on your guitars. I've subscribed too. Great channel man. Cheers
Would love the mini Plexi, but most of the reviews suggest it is way too loud for home use. I’m considering the mini Jubilee.
Both of these amps are fairly loud, too loud for a lot of people to use at home. I haven’t tried the mini Jubilee but O do have the 100 watt version and can get some decent sounds at a comfortable volume.
Thanks for watching!
Excellent choice the mini jubilee. I've got it. You can play at low volume. I play with 2 amps in stereo : min jubilee and Marshall origin 20h. I use a attenuator only with the origin
Just get an attenuator.
Love the zakk tone ya got ..not so much the sweetwater tshirt though haha LOL great stuff as always bro
LMAO - Man, you gotta gimme some swag Bro, I'll wear it!
Thanks for watching!
The winner is the patchcable for me! 🥳
It’s a monster!
Thank you for watching!!!!!!
Great comparison! I had jcm800 combo but I sold it and buy Plexi head with its 2x12 cabinet and it sounds awesome! But it’s so loud that you need attenuator. Both amps are great!🤘
I’ll be honest, I was shocked when I first heard these amps at how loud they are!
Thanks for your kind words and thanks for watching!
They both need an attenuator.
I personally solved the problem with a custom made, switchable JTM/JMP/JCM preamp pedal plus a stepless power scalable (1W - 40W) long tail pair phase inverter driven power amp, which works with (almost) all octal tubes. So I can run the JTM with a pair of 6V6 (KT66's are too thick to match) and the JMP and JCM with a pair of EL34's or KT77's. 5881 and 6L6GC sound too bassy for my taste in this combination, if I do not use the High Treble channel alone. Then they also sound nice.
Also interesting, how much the amps really differ. The JTM sounds a little more fenderish, more (even too much) bass and treble, the JMP fuller bodied, but also more aggressive and the JCM hotter, but - at least my pedal version - with beautiful, not too scratchy treble, which I have not experienced so often from regular JCM800 amps, but also with wonderful harmonics.
So I can either have a JTM or JMP basic sound and then beef it up to a foot-switchable JCM sound. If this is not enough, I have a nice SD-1 with a rare custom mode and 3 voicings (some sort of KC - SD-1 hybrid, but with the typical SD-1 character dominating, but a more transparent, more natural, less bass-cut sound, therefore top-notch) or a Taurus Multi-Drive or Kaluna II. (The SD-1 with JCM mode and EVM-12L or Sidewinder 212/412 cabinets ist perfect for Zakk Wylde tones, in front of an AC30 you get great 1980's Terje Rypdal tones too. But also a lot more with other combinations.)
Usually runs through my Fryette PowerLoad IR (wonderful, but expensive) and through some Super Cabinet customized and eq-ed matching IR's (212 or 412 G12M Pulsonic or Blackback, V30, Celestion 100, Black & Blue, Sidewinder, ET90,...)
Also nice, as I just have discovered, to replace the V1 12AX7 tube with a 12AY7. Wonderful, sweeter singing breakup tones, still more than enough gain and even sounds great in JCM mode. Perfect Marshall goes (a little) Bassman/Dumble tones for me, but also more similar to the typical Gary Moore "Still got the Blues" Marshall 18 (1974/2061) tones.
What more can I wish? The main thing is, that it sounds and rocks like a (good) Marshall!
My real 1987's Silver Jubilee (which sound I never liked, but most probably, because I only had the 112 combo open back version and a Silver Jubilee at least needs a 212 or better 412 closed back cabinet to really sound great in my opinion) stopped me from playing Marshalls for a long time, but meanwhile I returned and this is really good so.
Already had the Origin 20 (not so good) and the SV-20 (good), but my combination is even more flexible for my taste. But I also find the DSL-20 very nice, good and even heavier sounding for the money. In Europe anyway. Even a JVM is comparably cheap, if you consider, how much you get for the money and if you only look for certain sounds, the handwired resissues also are a (more expensive) but very authentic option.
So, If I had to decide for a Studio meanhwile, I most probably bought the SC-20 or the Jubilee, while the ST-20 does not convince me so much, the JTM45 Reissue with rectifier tube sounds much better to me in comparison.
Too deep for me LOL! Sounds really badass though, I'd love to plug into that setup!
Thank you for watching!
Very good job of comparison! I prefer the 800 model! But l settled for a British made TSL 60, because of the versatility and master volume!
Thank you for your kind words!
Yeah I get it. I don't think I could ever use these live without an attenuator. Heck, I play a Kemper live to get around volume concerns LOL!
Thank you for watching!
I own both amps and love them. Plexi get a little more play time. Great Vid thanx.
Yeah I’m partial to the Plexi as well. Thanks for your kind words! And thanks for watching!
6:33 How could that be you're turning treble from 10 to 0 and there's no any difference?!
That’s an issue people have long had with these amps - because all of the overdrive happens at the phase inverter and power tubes, the EQ is largely non responsive. Turning up the controls mostly just adds to the overdrive. At lower volume levels it’s way more responsive but then you don’t have that Plexi roar!
Thank you for watching!
Love my JCM800
What a great amp!
Thank you for watching!
Great tone !!
Thank you!! And thanks for watching!
I wonder if the plexi's they made in these mini cabinets have actual plastic/plexi face-plate covers?
Yes!
Thank you for watching!
An i Like the plexi. I think I ma going ot have to get one.
If you get the little Plexi you'll love it. I love mine. Word of caution though, it's 20 watts but those are some extra special loud watts. I did a video on the volume of the Baby Plexi relative to three cranked Marshall 100 watt heads.
ua-cam.com/video/lmIotOzVNyU/v-deo.html
Thank you for watching!
I could be happy with either one. I would most likely enjoy the 800 more though.
Ya know, I’m a rock/metal player at my heart but I get more use from the Plexi. Then again, I also like the shreddy stuff & what’s better for that than a Plexi?
Thanks again for watching!
Sweet sounds, and I like the playing.
I should probably get something like the Friedman dirty Shirley because Id never know the difference.
I’d love to have any Friedman!!!!
Thanks for your kind words and for watching!
Try a valve drive pedal like the tube driver bloody hell, your tone is to die for
That Fender headstock is HUGE. I've never seen such big example before.
It’s modeled after Strats from the late 60’s into the 70’s. I always loved that big honkin headstock!
Thanks again for watching my videos!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow Yeah, I know the early Fender Stratocasters had these big headstocks like Hendrix, Yngwie and Blackmore but this one appears to be even bigger, haha. Or maybe it is the camera angle or lens.
And according to Yngwie a big headstock gives a differerent sound. I think that's true especially if you compare it to headless guitars (the horror, haha).
are you putting the pedals in front or the fx loop?
The pedals are in front of the
Thanks for watching!
Great video ..but we need a second video in a clean situation !!
I get where you'e coming from but, TBH, the majority of people don't look to these amps for the cleans.
That said, that might be an interesting video - Marshall - The Cleans...
Thanks for the heads up and thank you for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow thanks bro
Hey Steve - first time watcher and you kept me to the end - loved your playing. Solid rhythm playing - very hard to do on camera! - and then you pull out some Trilogy (Yngwie) solo'ing - well, colour-me-impressed. Well done. To answer your question - I have the JCM900 Mark III Master Volume, which followed in the foot-steps of the JCM800, so I guess my feet are planted in that camp. I love the open sound of the Plexy - however I just think AC/DC have cornered the market on that sound. Every time I hear an A open chord, I think Malcomb and Angus. I started my guitar playing journey with amp modelling in the early 2000's (Ensoniq DP4 anyone?) , so I've migrated to tube amps since then - however the saturated sound palette preferences have stayed with me. The Ensoniq still has a huge place in my heart.
Hey Jules, thanks for your kind words!
Now see, while the AC/DC thing is a prominent Plexi sound, so was classic EVH, Jake E Lee, Randy Roads, some of George Lynch’s Dokken stuff, Scorpions, Ace Frehley and, of course, Yngwie. I’ve never played an actual Plexi, the SV20 is the only actual Marshall Plexi type circuit I’ve played (I did used to own a Bugera 1960 - it’s a Plexi clone but, as I’ve since learned, a real Plexi is a different beast) but what strikes me about them is that all these cats were playing some kind of Plexi but they all managed to stand apart from each other. So my hypothesis is that such an open, organic type amp is somewhat of a neutral platform that lets a players individuality shine through. Or not. It’s more of a theory TBH.
Now, that said, my ‘signature’ sound is my Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 with Voodoo Amps’ Senes mod. I like a lot of gain, crunch and balls. I’m shooting another video tomorrow, that amp will feature heavily in it.
Thanks for watching and, again, for your kind words!!!
I happen to currently have these two plus the mini Jube… you can EQ all to be similar… Jube is the best bang for the buck and can cover the most ground if you want one.
Jube can also be played at a fairly low volume..
The Plexi needs volume so it’s not a home amp for most people unless it’s a pedal platform,
All 3 are excellent.
Dude I’m right with you!
Thank you for watching!
Plexi all the way
Yeah? I’m kinda partial to the Plexi as well!
Thanks for watching!
Why pick when you can run both in stereo 😉
I prefer the JCM 800 over the Plexi.
I have the DSL40 amp and with an SD-1, I can get the crunch channel fairly close to the studio JCM 800 sound without too much effort. With an EQ and a Chorus Ensemble in the loop, that early Zakk Wylde sound is there. The sound from OD1 channel can get it too, but the crunch channel just has more bite to it as it is supposed to emulate the 800. The SD-1 takes care of adding the gain.
There is no substitute for a real JCM 800, but it's close enough for me and I don't have to go broke, or deaf, this way. I like the studio series, but it's just a bit out of my price range. After one gets the head and cab, you're looking at close to $2,000.
I agree with you, both amps have their place. Thanks for making this video.
I have a modified DSL100 (JCM2000 series) & I definitely agree about the green channel. I had it modified by Trace at Voodoo Amps & one of the things I asked him to do was to even out the low end response between the green and red channels - one eq setting just didn't work for both channels - now it's way more even.
I think the green channel gets close to the JCM800 & at times I even prefer it. That said, there's just something gnarly about a real 800 (and the SC20 as well) that the DSL doesn't get.
I bought the SC and SV20's from a shop in Europe so I was able to get them for a fair bit less than shops here in the States charge. I didn't bother with the dedicated speaker cabs. I've got enough 4x12's, I don't need any more cluttering up the room LOL!!!!!
Thank you for watching!
Do you still have the bugera 1960 you had years ago? I reall crave one, but during the pandemic they sold out in Poland, and nobody is selling them used in Europe :) i would like to get it rathee than studio vintage.
I don't. Being a 150 watt amp that needs to be seriously cranked to breathe, I just couldn't get away with it here at home. The MV is nice and well executed, but it does affect tone. So I ended up selling to a friend who loves it!
Thank you for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow amazing. Did you consider a load box?
Love my Plexi 👌
Me too, well, my Baby Plexi.
Thank you for watching!
Studio Vintage. You can do classic heavy metal, and it also has that "first chord of night prowler" sound
Yes! What a killer tone reference!
Thank you for watching!
God damn it now I want both.
Hahahahahaha - you think those sound great? Check out my new video of the Vintage Modern - the tones will surprise ya, guaranteed!
Thank you for watching!
They seem to both have the same basic sound signature. Its a great sound.
They do! That's what I meant when I said they both have that 'Marshall thing' going. But they changed just enough to make the JCM800 a different beast.
Thanks for watching!!!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow I dont own a Marshall at the moment, my main amp is a Mark V 25. My next will be a Marshall, love the glassy cleans and dynamics.
JCM800!!!!
\,,/
Thank you for watching!
Do you still have your Bugera 1960 Marshall clone?
I don’t, I sold it to a friend. While the PPIMV is very good, it’s not 100% transparent & cranking a 100 watt Plexi at home was just too loud.
Thank you for watching!
i like them in my modeller :)
Me too LOL!
Thank you for watching!
Damn... always thought I wanted the plexi - but after that video idk.... anyway, I subscribed lol
Thanks for subscribing!
I think it depends on what kind of tone and feel you're going for. For heavy chunky stuff, the Plexi probably wouldn't be my first choice, at least as the main sound. But for shreddy stuff I love it, and for that old school Marshall raunch, I love it!
Thanks for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow exactly! I have a couple high gain amps, so knee jerk reaction I think Plexi - that organic distortion buddy POPS when running 2 amps
you never show them cranked all the way. the plexis, almost everyone i jammed with would rake their hand across the knobs to 10 on everything. 50w 100w everything all the way
I’ve played it that way and it does sound good, but I get the amount of breakup I like at around 6 on the volumes.
Thanks for watching!
Accept, Loudness, ou yee. Both are great amps. I think plexi can sound like 800 with some good pedals but you can't make 800 sound like plexi
Agreed! Thanks for watching!
@@TheGuitarNerdShow you have great sound here. I like it. What's the signal chain?
@@cembobiohazard7779thank you!
The guitar runs into my Voodoo Labs Hex loop switcher which allows me to switch various pedals into and out of the chain. From there to my KHE ACS8x4 Amp Cab Switcher. This allows me to switch amps and cabs.
For this video I used a no name cab loaded with Celestion G12 EVH Speakers. The cab is mic’d as follows:
SM57 and Sennheiser 421 (U5 revision) at the edges of the dust cap.
SE Electronics VR1 Ribbon Mic slightly off center of cone.
JZ Microphones Vintage 67 Condenser Mic dead center of cone.
Mics are blended in UAD Console & sent through an Aux to 1 channel in Logic Pro. When I’m recording I generally use 1 channel per mic but for videos, especially those using more than one amp, I use one channel in Logic to avoid confusion and keep things consistent.
I’m glad you like it! Thanks again!
I don’t agree .. try the low input with the master volume full …not a plexi but..very very close
@@rarito1976 I know, it is close, but I can still hear that 800 compressions, especially that hi-end 'sand'. I have 2203 1983. With preamp-gain low and master turned up to get that great power-amp saturation I get close to plexi. I'm not able to tell the difference in the mix on the stage but from a record nicely done like this one I can hear a massive difference.
The JCM is capable of emulating a convincing "Plexi" tone. The Plexi can't emulate a JCM tone....Obviously, they have some similarities anyway.
My favorite is still a Plexi. I put a Friedman small-box OD pedal in front of mine to increase its range when I need to,. But half the time, the pedal is off.
I agree - I prefer the Plexi as well but sometimes I need that JCM800 Grunt so it's nice to have both options!
Thank you for watching!
Pink donut for YJM 🍩
LOL! Nice catch! Thank you for watching!
Good thing you do not have a BS degree in EE, you would have never been able to put it into layman’s terms. you answered what i been wondering about these two amps. plexi = ACDC. 800 = Alice n chains. If you want the real deal “Bloom” get at JMD Wreck
No sir, no degree. Well, perhaps a BS in BS LOL!!!!!
The two are pretty damn close as far as how they're built, but the added gain stage makes all the difference in the world.
Thank you for watching!
Plexi for me.
Yeah, the more I play it the more fond I get of the Plexi as well.
Thank you for watching!
I know all the Marshall cry cries are gonna cry, but really, there is about 5 parts separating the two. I mean, a cascade modded Plexi is nearly 1:1 to a 2203/2204 with a more snarky eq and that is just 1 wire.
Side bar: I never got the jumper thing, Plexis are notoriously flubby in the low end already and channel 1 has a bunch of gain already.
Turning those knobs doesn't do much of a difference. Great playing, tho.
That’s exactly what I was trying to show. On both amps, once they’re cranked, the EQ’s aren’t very responsive.
In retrospect, I should’ve shown the EQ on both with the volumes lower - they’re more responsive when not cranked. But with the Plexi, to get good distortion you have to crank it. With the JCM800 Marshall was trying to alleviate that by adding the master volume - the theory being you could crank the preamp gain without cranking the Master - hence more drive and EQ responsiveness at a lower volume.
But it just sounds so much better when it’s cranked LOL!
Thanks for your kind words and thanks for watching!
Not bad, considering one take without practice. Eugene’s trick bag is a mfer
“M Z A!”
Right on! Thanks for watching!