Off Topic Marshall JVM Amp Advice!

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Good people of this forum,

I just wondered if anyone could give me some advice about the new 2 channel Marshall JVM amps. My beloved #1 Line 6 Duoverb died at a gig 2 weeks ago, so I am in the market for another amp rig.

I have looked at all kinds of stuff, and tried a few Boogie amps (not in my price range sadly) and I also tried the Line 6 Spider Valve (not my cup of tea) and came to the conclusion that the 2 channel 100w JVM is probably the likely candidate for my hard earned.

What I need in an amp is a really nice responsive clean, a hot rodded classic Marshall drive sound, a switchable FX Loop, and the ability to have 2 switchable master volumes. The JVM ticks all the boxes.

Because of my bad back, I was thinking of getting the 100w head and the 1936 2x12 with V30's - this way I can break up the weight a bit.

I did look at the 4 channel JVM, but it seems a bit over the top for my needs.

Has anyone here has any experience of these amps?

 

[fbecir]

Can you go wrong with a Marshall ???

The new JVM seem really great. I own a DSL 401 and I am very happy with it. If I have to buy a new amp, I will surely buy a JVM.
For the weight problem, do you really need a 100 W ? My experience is that 40 W or 50 W is enough. If you need more sound level, you need a PA.
For instance, the big Mesa cabs you see in the Dream Theater concert are just there for the visual aspect... A small combo is miced backstage.
My 2 cents ...

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

To be honest, I would rather have the 2x12 combo, but the head and 2x12 are two lighter pieces.

 

[azazael]

I believe JonnyDubai has one of these.
Maybe he can give you a good idea of how it performs.

 

[greenwizard]

For instance, the big Mesa cabs you see in the Dream Theater concert are just there for the visual aspect... A small combo is miced backstage.
My 2 cents ...

Is this really true???

 

[fbecir]

Is this really true???

Yes !
I have a video from a French mag where John shows his rig (it was filmed in October in Paris. Great show !). I will try to upload it on Youtube.

 

[petruccirocks02]

Is this really true???

NO. If you go to the mesa boogie site, JP does a demo of his rig in a video and he's clearly using his 4x12's. No way thats a combo. I doubt JP would take a monster rig everywhere just for show. My .02 cents.

-Phil

 

[greenwizard]

NO. If you go to the mesa boogie site, JP does a demo of his rig in a video and he's clearly using his 4x12's. No way thats a combo. I doubt JP would take a monster rig everywhere just for show. My .02 cents.

-Phil

Yup. I've watched that video. He actually says that he's running his heads into the cabs. I doubt JP is lying.

 

[azazael]

He'll be using a massive switching system.
There will be multiple various amps in use.

 

[TNT]

Tim,

Great choice!! If you like the JCM 2000 series, then you'll like the JVM. Get the 100w. head, this way you'll have "overhead" if you need it.

Regarding the 1936 cab, I believe that is a 150w bottom, not 140w. Mesa boogie makes a 2x12 cab with V30's.



Fbecir,

I use a DSL 401 all the time too, for full blown gigs. Although, it's a first year model, (yes, different sound than later years), I "re-direct" the speaker (too edgy) and it comes off perfect. The only drawback is that there is "NO" overhead for volume at all, put that baby on "10" and Rrrrrrrrrrrip!!

 

[MingusBASS]

I have the JVM215 combo and it's amazing. It just flat our sounds great. The best cleans I've heard from a Marshall and of course the classic Marshall snarl/vibe in the overdrive. I actually prefer the 1x12 over the 2x12 combo. I had both set up side by side to A/B them and the 1x12 simply sounded better to me. I'm running an all rosewood Axis SS and a PRS Mira through it, FYI.

 

[fbecir]

Yup. I've watched that video. He actually says that he's running his heads into the cabs. I doubt JP is lying.

The video I am talking about is not the video that you can see on the Mesa Boogie site.
In "my" video, JP shows that the miced amp is under a blanket in order to avoid the reverberations.
JP does not need his cab, he uses in-ear monitors. In an arena, 4 cabs will not be heard by the public. The PA does the job.

 

[greenwizard]

The video I am talking about is not the video that you can see on the Mesa Boogie site.
In "my" video, JP shows that the miced amp is under a blanket in order to avoid the reverberations.
JP does not need his cab, he uses in-ear monitors. In an arena, 4 cabs will not be heard by the public. The PA does the job.

You get a different sound when using different sized cabinets. 4x12 cabs give a desirable sound, which is one reason people use them. In a large venue, few people would dare to not mic their cabs, but they stick with the sound they like from 4x12s.
I'm just speaking in general though, I haven't seen the movie you're referring to so you're still the expert on it. Trucking around 4 huge cabs on world tours is an expensive and tricky venture, which is why I would doubt JP would do it just for show.
Maybe the blanketed cab is used for a specific sound, and he uses the regular ones most of the time?
I guess I should stop speculating.

 

[fbecir]

You get a different sound when using different sized cabinets. 4x12 cabs give a desirable sound, which is one reason people use them. In a large venue, few people would dare to not mic their cabs, but they stick with the sound they like from 4x12s.
I

When you mic a 4x12s, you just mic one speaker ... so in fact the PA gets the sound of a 1x12s.
A Marshall wall of cab is the dream of all guitarist (me included of course). But now bands like Iron Maiden do not use them anymore. You have a few amps miced backstage.
I will try to upload the DT video on Youtube but give me time (I have to rip the video on the DVD first. I am not a specialist ).

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Tim,

Great choice!! If you like the JCM 2000 series, then you'll like the JVM. Get the 100w. head, this way you'll have "overhead" if you need it.

Regarding the 1936 cab, I believe that is a 150w bottom, not 140w. Mesa boogie makes a 2x12 cab with V30's.



Fbecir,

I use a DSL 401 all the time too, for full blown gigs. Although, it's a first year model, (yes, different sound than later years), I "re-direct" the speaker (too edgy) and it comes off perfect. The only drawback is that there is "NO" overhead for volume at all, put that baby on "10" and Rrrrrrrrrrrip!!

From what I understand, you can order the 1936 with Vintage 30's (I believe its called a 1936V)

Marshall 1936-V (GAK)

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have the JVM215 combo and it's amazing. It just flat our sounds great. The best cleans I've heard from a Marshall and of course the classic Marshall snarl/vibe in the overdrive. I actually prefer the 1x12 over the 2x12 combo. I had both set up side by side to A/B them and the 1x12 simply sounded better to me. I'm running an all rosewood Axis SS and a PRS Mira through it, FYI.

Thanks for the heads up! Its good to hear that the cleans are good - this is quite important. The last Marshall I had, the cleans were less than great. Are we on Fender style voicing here?

 

[MingusBASS]

Thanks for the heads up! Its good to hear that the cleans are good - this is quite important. The last Marshall I had, the cleans were less than great. Are we on Fender style voicing here?

We had a guy from Marshall come in to demo the JVM series and he was using a Strat. He would switch from SRV to Slayer in a button push. It can certainly get you a Fenderish vibe on the clean channel.

 

[Spudmurphy]

A Marshall wall of cab is the dream of all guitarist

+1

 

[Spudmurphy]

or my secondary back line

Tim - I'm sure one of these has your name on it (Tim Marshall !!)

or you could make Jim an offer for Marshall #1.

 

[beej]

Sorry to hear about the amp Tim ... I know you were quite fond of it.

I've been pretty impressed with the JVM. Haven't heard the 2 channel version, but the reviews have been better on it than it's bigger brother

Also a fan of a head + 2x12 cab. That's what I generally use. Much more portable that way.