Thanks for doing this. I have the Lynch Mod version in my JCM 800. I still like using a Boss SD1 I’m front of the amp, it tightens up the amp considerably.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Rich! And yes, I totally agree. I've still got my SD-1 from the 80s - one of the first pedals I ever bought. I used it with a JCM800 back then but sold that amp. A big mistake that I still regret!
Great demo of Hot mod V2, I really enjoyed the way you did comparison..and also the demo song, it has great groove to it. Yeah...to me Hot mod V2 with ECC83/12AX7 is the way to go! 🤘
This is an excellent presentation. Well done! I personally prefer the stock amp boosted, not so much because I think it's superior but more likely it's familiarity. I played boosted 800's throughout the 80's and early 90's then eventually ditched them for other things. When I went back to Marshall years later I decided the 800 wasn't the firebreather I remembered or worthy of the praise everyone was bestowing on it. Your great video shows how dependent the 800 is on other things to achieve that distinction. I ultimately picked up a JVM and never looked back. I think some are afraid to not love the 800. Don't get me wrong... if we weren't spoiled with the endless options we have today. I'd be right back where I was in the 80's/'90's playing one. IMO, the JVM is what a the 800 with mods is trying to be.
Thanks so much for the great comment! Actually, I returned the amp to stock for much the same reason. However, I recently modded it using the suggestions from Modulus - the original kit supplier - that are now on their 800 page. It adds mini-toggles to switch between stock and a more high gain sound. I'm surprised how well that works given how on the edge the 800 is to start with. When I get time I'll post a video. All the best!
The high gain + 12ax7 was best for me, I think the brightness of the 12ax7 tube you used made the difference, if you had stuck in a mid heavy JJ it may have been too compressed. The TS sounded good in the mix but on its own track it added a high end fizz that was not part of the original tone. You might find you hear a bigger difference by backing down the master a little so the power section is compressing and not distorting as much. A distorting power section will mask some of pre-amps / boosts tonality
Great comment! I must admit I’m with you all the way. I do kind of like it when the power section kicks in though - I like the way the sound gets more girth - but you make a fair point. So many variables and only so much time to experiment. Thanks for the comment!
@@AndyFrenchMusic I am all for cranking the master and its easy to do with good load boxes now, but it does mask the subtleties of whats happening in the pre amp, which sometimes is a good thing.
Yeah, super easy. I've tried backing off the master as suggested by Modulus Amplification in his comment and it's working great too - a bit clearer actually. Thanks for the comment!
I think you'll enjoy it. It's a permanent fixture in my amp now. Having lived with it for a while I think it sounds a lot better than putting a pedal in front. Thanks for the comment!
Be nice if they made one to fit JCM 800 models after 83'. These don't fit anything past 1983 when Marshall changed the filter capacitor location and moved it to infront of v2. I was going to buy one till I realized it wouldn't fit my 1986 2204.
Argh! I didn't know that. Luckily the Modulus kit I used had no such issue. The Hot Mod still needs some vertical space though. Great information. Many thanks!
Great video. However single guitar would have been nice to hear instead of double tracked guitars in order to truly hear the sound of the device installed.
Fair comment, although for me this is the most common scenario. You could pan hard left or right in the second part of the isolated guitars section to hear guitars on their own, maybe. Still, something for me to consider next time.
Hmmm, good question. Not sure I tried that in the 800, and the amp is currently back to stock so I can't try for you. The Hot Mod is now installed in a Plexi where I do combine it drive pedals to tighten the low end. It works well.
Good question. I have no idea but maybe you could drop David at Legendary Tones an email. His address in on the will-my-hot-mod-v2-work-in-x-amp page on the legendary tones web site.
It definitely sounds different. I've got dozens of overdrive pedals and none make the 800 sound like the HotMod does. Not better or worse, just different. So it's personal preference. Probably why high gain amps like the Soldano or 5150 ended up with 5 preamp tubes.
I think that's it. It's down to preference. I have a 5150 with EL34s that has more "gain" than anyone could ever want - and love it to bits - but it doesn't sound like this. What you describe as "trying too hard" might be preferable to some. Cranked Marshall circuits just sound loud, like the amp is flying apart. And Soldano produced a similar device also called the Hot Mod.
The double 12AX7 combo gave me total Mastodon vibes and sounded the best for that song without a doubt 😎 Great demo, thanks!
Thanks Anders! Yeah, 12AX7 all the way for me too.
Love the 12at7. Whooo killer dark gain!!
Thanks for sharing and what a really well done video! I will share as well.
All the best,
David
Thanks David. It's a cool product. I'm really enjoying it!
What a great presentation and 12at7 is THE SOUND❤
Good to see another French floating around UA-cam, there aren't too many of us 👊. I'm Charles French out of Texas 😀
Hey Charles. Great to hear from you! There aren't too many of us in general, let alone on UA-cam. All the best to you!
Thanks for doing this. I have the Lynch Mod version in my JCM 800. I still like using a Boss SD1 I’m front of the amp, it tightens up the amp considerably.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Rich! And yes, I totally agree. I've still got my SD-1 from the 80s - one of the first pedals I ever bought. I used it with a JCM800 back then but sold that amp. A big mistake that I still regret!
Great demo of Hot mod V2, I really enjoyed the way you did comparison..and also the demo song, it has great groove to it.
Yeah...to me Hot mod V2 with ECC83/12AX7 is the way to go!
🤘
Thanks so much for the comment. I really appreciate it. 12AX7 all the way for me too.
This is an excellent presentation. Well done! I personally prefer the stock amp boosted, not so much because I think it's superior but more likely it's familiarity. I played boosted 800's throughout the 80's and early 90's then eventually ditched them for other things. When I went back to Marshall years later I decided the 800 wasn't the firebreather I remembered or worthy of the praise everyone was bestowing on it. Your great video shows how dependent the 800 is on other things to achieve that distinction. I ultimately picked up a JVM and never looked back. I think some are afraid to not love the 800. Don't get me wrong... if we weren't spoiled with the endless options we have today. I'd be right back where I was in the 80's/'90's playing one. IMO, the JVM is what a the 800 with mods is trying to be.
Thanks so much for the great comment! Actually, I returned the amp to stock for much the same reason. However, I recently modded it using the suggestions from Modulus - the original kit supplier - that are now on their 800 page. It adds mini-toggles to switch between stock and a more high gain sound. I'm surprised how well that works given how on the edge the 800 is to start with. When I get time I'll post a video. All the best!
The high gain + 12ax7 was best for me, I think the brightness of the 12ax7 tube you used made the difference, if you had stuck in a mid heavy JJ it may have been too compressed. The TS sounded good in the mix but on its own track it added a high end fizz that was not part of the original tone. You might find you hear a bigger difference by backing down the master a little so the power section is compressing and not distorting as much. A distorting power section will mask some of pre-amps / boosts tonality
Great comment! I must admit I’m with you all the way. I do kind of like it when the power section kicks in though - I like the way the sound gets more girth - but you make a fair point. So many variables and only so much time to experiment. Thanks for the comment!
@@AndyFrenchMusic I am all for cranking the master and its easy to do with good load boxes now, but it does mask the subtleties of whats happening in the pre amp, which sometimes is a good thing.
Good demo - I'm leaning towards just boosting for the $$$ anyway... got like 12 or more ODs \m/
I’ve ran mine with numerous different tubes….most recently a 12AU7 and a 12AY7…..very cool “easy” add on for these amps 🤘🏼
Yeah, super easy. I've tried backing off the master as suggested by Modulus Amplification in his comment and it's working great too - a bit clearer actually. Thanks for the comment!
I'ld go for 12AT7, And then go loud!! :) Sounded all good to me. Great riffs there!!
For those of us with amps with an effects loop: try the other option: the TS in the loop - a great way of really pushing the power tubes
I did not actually. Thanks for the suggestion!
And then I remembered that I haven't fitted the effect loop to this amp yet!
@@AndyFrenchMusic time to get your soldering iron out !
Get a hold of 2 of the GT-7025 pre amp tubes to use in this Hot Mod.
just got one coming, for my 2019 JCM 800 amp head. hope it comes alive!!!!!! peace
I think you'll enjoy it. It's a permanent fixture in my amp now. Having lived with it for a while I think it sounds a lot better than putting a pedal in front. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for an objective comparison. What is that song?
My pleasure! The music is just a short demo track I put together for the video.
@@AndyFrenchMusic bravo
I want to try one of these out in a classic Fender amp.
Tweed Bassman is the only one you can- has to be an amp that uses v2 as a cathode follower
Nice demo. Would have liked to have heard the amp without the HotMod for comparison. If you could edit it in it'll be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.
Hi. Thanks for the comment. Try the "Comparisons and isolated guitars" section. 06:44 and 07:36 feature the stock amp for comparison.
@@AndyFrenchMusic Thanks. I'm sold.
Stock Boosted
That's Sound of The 80's
And Early 90's 🎸🎸👍👍
Yeah! Still got my 80s Boss SD-1 from those days.
Be nice if they made one to fit JCM 800 models after 83'.
These don't fit anything past 1983 when Marshall changed the filter capacitor location and moved it to infront of v2. I was going to buy one till I realized it wouldn't fit my 1986 2204.
Argh! I didn't know that. Luckily the Modulus kit I used had no such issue. The Hot Mod still needs some vertical space though. Great information. Many thanks!
@@AndyFrenchMusic I wanted to contact legendary tones and inquire about this but there's no way to do so.
II have one in both my JCM800 reissue and the 20w version. They do exactly what they say they do.
Excellent
Great video. However single guitar would have been nice to hear instead of double tracked guitars in order to truly hear the sound of the device installed.
Fair comment, although for me this is the most common scenario. You could pan hard left or right in the second part of the isolated guitars section to hear guitars on their own, maybe. Still, something for me to consider next time.
Good video.
Might as well use a TS9
How did it sound with the hot mod boosted with a pedal also
Hmmm, good question. Not sure I tried that in the 800, and the amp is currently back to stock so I can't try for you. The Hot Mod is now installed in a Plexi where I do combine it drive pedals to tighten the low end. It works well.
Wonder if I could do this to a laney GH100 L too...?
Good question. I have no idea but maybe you could drop David at Legendary Tones an email. His address in on the will-my-hot-mod-v2-work-in-x-amp page on the legendary tones web site.
I feel like the TS was trying to copy the Mod. It sounded un natural. The Mod sounded good all around
Orale!
Stock amp boosted sounded best to me, and Im a heavy metal guy
double AX7👋
Mass*Toe*Dawn
Didn't like the clip-on.
Why bother? Everyone owns an overdrive or two.
It definitely sounds different. I've got dozens of overdrive pedals and none make the 800 sound like the HotMod does. Not better or worse, just different. So it's personal preference. Probably why high gain amps like the Soldano or 5150 ended up with 5 preamp tubes.
No difference.
My favourite was none, I’ve got a original SLO which makes the 800 sound like it’s trying to hard…. Each to their own.
I think that's it. It's down to preference. I have a 5150 with EL34s that has more "gain" than anyone could ever want - and love it to bits - but it doesn't sound like this. What you describe as "trying too hard" might be preferable to some. Cranked Marshall circuits just sound loud, like the amp is flying apart. And Soldano produced a similar device also called the Hot Mod.
@@AndyFrenchMusic
Agreed…
Stock amp boosted sounded best to me, and Im a heavy metal guy