I don’t know where to comment this, but here seems an appropriate place. I`ve been struggling with this decision for some time now, and the question is, 2203 or 1959?
See, I don`t the money (now) to buy both and probably this is going to be my main gigging head for some time. With were you what would you get, 2203 or 1959?
Please help me
I don’t know exactly where to comment this, but here seems an appropriate place. I`ve been struggling with this decision for some time now, and the question is, 2203 or 1959?
See, I don`t have the money (now) to buy both and probably this is going to be my main gigging head for some time. If were you what would you get, 2203 or 1959?
Please help me
1959 is brighter than a 2203. 2203 has a bit more growl in my mind. I don’t have an original vintage 1959 but I have the reissue 1959SLP and a vintage ’79 Marshall 2203 and the 2203 has more growl to it. Really depends on taste. You want a more heavier sound, 2203 but if you want a brighter and crisper sound, 1959
i have actually never had the opportunity to play a 1959… vintage or reissue so i can’t say from experience, BUT i’ve heard both amps extensively and i completely agree here^^^^ just a matter of taste
that really helps, thanx. My main struggle is that I tend to like more the 2203 (because of its growl). But whenever I hear a good solo throw a 1959, I go down, especially in live situations. But thanx, peoples opinion helps me clarify my thinking
Well 1959 or 2203 well I have a 79/2203 and haven’t played a 59 but only a 1987 but pretty much the same amp as ones 50watts and one 100watts and Personally I would always pick my 2203 or a 2204 and the main reason is because they are master volumes and even though I do have an attenuator you can still play the amp in a bedroom size room with one with it and with the 59/87 not having the master volume you need for sure an attenuator or a huge place to play it and if you play in a band the 1959 is way to loud for the average bar scene. I personally think the 2203/2204 is much more versatile as you can get cleans easy or crunch for hard rock and metal both at low volumes if you want but a 1959/87 you have to really crank to get them to crunch and then it can be ear blowing if not in the right place lol.
All of these videos with JMP 2203s made me jealous, so I spent the afternoon to convert my ’68-69 spec 1987 into a 2204. VERY different sounding from the 1987 – I mean the basic Marshall sound is there underneath, yes, but the upper-midrange is much more prominent. It is also much more pick sensitive, especially in the upper registers. Instant Powerage tone! I will have to play around with it more this weekend before deciding whether I like it better than he 1987.
Thats awesome man, how did everything turn out? was it difficult? – this amp covers most of those “prime” AC/DC years, and is incredibly versatile in its own right. also by far the LOUDEST amp i’ve ever played LOL
Not a difficult mod. Minor changes in wiring and a couple of components in the first stage of the amp, and you’re done. There is a layout out there to make a 2 in 1 amp, where you can switch between a 1987 / 2204. Completely reversible mod. I just might do that but need some more parts.
Thanks man! unfortunately it doesn’t sound as good as it could. Just cracked her open with my tech and we noticed a brightness capacitor has been literally clipped out for some reason, and the 5W resistor for one of the power tubes is completely fried, meaning it is not resisting anything and is affecting the sound. Not an expensive fix, but it is something that needs to be fixed!
The 5W screen resistors on top of the power tube sockets are not there for ‘sound’. Their main function is to limit the voltage on the screens, which protects the tubes. The resistor ensures that the screen voltage stays below the plate voltage. Without it, the screen voltage may rise above the plate, causing the the screen to draw a lot current. It may shorten the tubes life. Amps even sound better without them, but on current production tubes, they are necessary.
Yes this is very true, and seeing as how expensive tubes are, i want to get the most life out of them as i can 😛 i just wanna get this old beast back up to snuff. The guy whom i got the amp from fried a tube bc he put it in wrong basically, and this is what i believe fried that resistor. thanks for the input man, much appreciated!
I actually do have a question man, it has to do with the impedance selector on the amp. Mine came without the selector cap. So i ordered a replacement one, and it fits perfectly but the selector WILL NOT TURN. I have no idea what impedance it’s stuck on…
What cap? Yours is one that turns eh my 79 jmp has the pull out 2 prong one you stick in and take out and rotate to different holes for selection but my brothers 81 jmp canadian model has one that just turns by hand with say a flat screw driver which is handy as nothing comes apart so you don’t lose the piece that comes out.
Dries
Posted at 07:57h, 28 February
Yes indeed, the original plug system doesn’t rotate. The holes nicely align for each impedance if you pull out the plug and insert it differently. But they are a bit dangerous imo.. Maybe hardwire them on 16omhs in the amp if you’re going halfstack.
Ryley
Posted at 17:27h, 28 February
AH! see that makes so much more sense… but because the amp has been SLIGHTLY altered already, and i didn’t have the impedance selector piece, i’m thinking someone already hardwired it, but i have no idea what they hardwired it to. definitely 8 or 16 ohms, but i really have no idea. if it is hardwired already, i don’t exactly want to go plugging and unplugging the pronged selector incase something happens lol
Finally joined the rest of this community and picked up this ’79 jmp 2203 and man… as Fil said a couple years ago, this is THE AMP. Will never get rid of this thing!
lapata19
Posted at 00:16h, 19 MayI don’t know where to comment this, but here seems an appropriate place. I`ve been struggling with this decision for some time now, and the question is, 2203 or 1959?
See, I don`t the money (now) to buy both and probably this is going to be my main gigging head for some time. With were you what would you get, 2203 or 1959?
Please help me
lapata19
Posted at 01:28h, 19 MayI don’t know exactly where to comment this, but here seems an appropriate place. I`ve been struggling with this decision for some time now, and the question is, 2203 or 1959?
See, I don`t have the money (now) to buy both and probably this is going to be my main gigging head for some time. If were you what would you get, 2203 or 1959?
Please help me
Sorry still some trouble with English
AngusRudd1019
Posted at 07:06h, 19 May1959 is brighter than a 2203. 2203 has a bit more growl in my mind. I don’t have an original vintage 1959 but I have the reissue 1959SLP and a vintage ’79 Marshall 2203 and the 2203 has more growl to it. Really depends on taste. You want a more heavier sound, 2203 but if you want a brighter and crisper sound, 1959
Ryley
Posted at 07:27h, 19 Mayi have actually never had the opportunity to play a 1959… vintage or reissue so i can’t say from experience, BUT i’ve heard both amps extensively and i completely agree here^^^^ just a matter of taste
lapata19
Posted at 23:16h, 19 Maythat really helps, thanx. My main struggle is that I tend to like more the 2203 (because of its growl). But whenever I hear a good solo throw a 1959, I go down, especially in live situations. But thanx, peoples opinion helps me clarify my thinking
KyleSG
Posted at 07:55h, 19 MayWell 1959 or 2203 well I have a 79/2203 and haven’t played a 59 but only a 1987 but pretty much the same amp as ones 50watts and one 100watts and Personally I would always pick my 2203 or a 2204 and the main reason is because they are master volumes and even though I do have an attenuator you can still play the amp in a bedroom size room with one with it and with the 59/87 not having the master volume you need for sure an attenuator or a huge place to play it and if you play in a band the 1959 is way to loud for the average bar scene. I personally think the 2203/2204 is much more versatile as you can get cleans easy or crunch for hard rock and metal both at low volumes if you want but a 1959/87 you have to really crank to get them to crunch and then it can be ear blowing if not in the right place lol.
lapata19
Posted at 23:21h, 19 MayThat’s actually very helpful.
One question, my cabinet is loaded with g12-65
Do you think that a 2203 is going to sound as it should throw that?
KyleSG
Posted at 23:43h, 19 MayAny good marshall amp will sound good through a good 65 speaker cab even a 2203 🙂
lautmaschine
Posted at 03:56h, 16 MarchNice video – great sound.
All of these videos with JMP 2203s made me jealous, so I spent the afternoon to convert my ’68-69 spec 1987 into a 2204. VERY different sounding from the 1987 – I mean the basic Marshall sound is there underneath, yes, but the upper-midrange is much more prominent. It is also much more pick sensitive, especially in the upper registers. Instant Powerage tone! I will have to play around with it more this weekend before deciding whether I like it better than he 1987.
Ryley
Posted at 05:31h, 16 MarchThats awesome man, how did everything turn out? was it difficult? – this amp covers most of those “prime” AC/DC years, and is incredibly versatile in its own right. also by far the LOUDEST amp i’ve ever played LOL
Thanks for your feedback dude 🙂
lautmaschine
Posted at 18:33h, 16 MarchNot a difficult mod. Minor changes in wiring and a couple of components in the first stage of the amp, and you’re done. There is a layout out there to make a 2 in 1 amp, where you can switch between a 1987 / 2204. Completely reversible mod. I just might do that but need some more parts.
Ryley
Posted at 19:44h, 16 Marchsounds really cool man 🙂
Soloepi
Posted at 14:03h, 15 MarchInstant Ang! Great rig, and great playing, Ryley!
Ryley
Posted at 05:32h, 16 MarchThank you! will never get rid of this thing haha!
Stevier
Posted at 18:38h, 02 MarchSounds great man!
Ryley
Posted at 21:20h, 02 MarchThanks bro 🙂 RnR!
KyleSG
Posted at 17:58h, 24 FebruaryGreat Job just curious what brand you have for tubes in there?
Ryley
Posted at 21:44h, 25 FebruaryThanks, they’re JJ’s 🙂
KyleSG
Posted at 21:13h, 26 FebruaryOk awesome I have the same amp with tung-sol tubes in it but yeah yours sounds great as well!
Ryley
Posted at 01:15h, 27 FebruaryThanks man! unfortunately it doesn’t sound as good as it could. Just cracked her open with my tech and we noticed a brightness capacitor has been literally clipped out for some reason, and the 5W resistor for one of the power tubes is completely fried, meaning it is not resisting anything and is affecting the sound. Not an expensive fix, but it is something that needs to be fixed!
Dries
Posted at 07:58h, 27 FebruaryThe 5W screen resistors on top of the power tube sockets are not there for ‘sound’. Their main function is to limit the voltage on the screens, which protects the tubes. The resistor ensures that the screen voltage stays below the plate voltage. Without it, the screen voltage may rise above the plate, causing the the screen to draw a lot current. It may shorten the tubes life. Amps even sound better without them, but on current production tubes, they are necessary.
Ryley
Posted at 10:05h, 27 FebruaryYes this is very true, and seeing as how expensive tubes are, i want to get the most life out of them as i can 😛 i just wanna get this old beast back up to snuff. The guy whom i got the amp from fried a tube bc he put it in wrong basically, and this is what i believe fried that resistor. thanks for the input man, much appreciated!
Dries
Posted at 14:22h, 27 FebruaryNo problem ! If you have any other question, ask !
Ryley
Posted at 03:38h, 28 FebruaryI actually do have a question man, it has to do with the impedance selector on the amp. Mine came without the selector cap. So i ordered a replacement one, and it fits perfectly but the selector WILL NOT TURN. I have no idea what impedance it’s stuck on…
KyleSG
Posted at 06:39h, 28 FebruaryWhat cap? Yours is one that turns eh my 79 jmp has the pull out 2 prong one you stick in and take out and rotate to different holes for selection but my brothers 81 jmp canadian model has one that just turns by hand with say a flat screw driver which is handy as nothing comes apart so you don’t lose the piece that comes out.
Dries
Posted at 07:57h, 28 FebruaryYes indeed, the original plug system doesn’t rotate. The holes nicely align for each impedance if you pull out the plug and insert it differently. But they are a bit dangerous imo.. Maybe hardwire them on 16omhs in the amp if you’re going halfstack.
Ryley
Posted at 17:27h, 28 FebruaryAH! see that makes so much more sense… but because the amp has been SLIGHTLY altered already, and i didn’t have the impedance selector piece, i’m thinking someone already hardwired it, but i have no idea what they hardwired it to. definitely 8 or 16 ohms, but i really have no idea. if it is hardwired already, i don’t exactly want to go plugging and unplugging the pronged selector incase something happens lol
Johnny
Posted at 14:57h, 24 Februarysettings??
Ryley
Posted at 21:45h, 25 Februarysettings were P-0 B-6 M-4 T-6, the master was on 5 and preamp was at 7
Ant
Posted at 23:03h, 25 FebruaryMaster on 5! Was it loud? Lol
Groovy tone Ryley!
Ryley
Posted at 16:50h, 26 FebruaryLOL it was ridiculously loud, Ant xD Thank God I had headphones on…
Ant
Posted at 10:05h, 27 Februarywhat mic did you use to capture the sound?
Ryley
Posted at 16:56h, 27 FebruaryThis was with 1 Shure SM57!
Ryley
Posted at 14:49h, 24 FebruaryFinally joined the rest of this community and picked up this ’79 jmp 2203 and man… as Fil said a couple years ago, this is THE AMP. Will never get rid of this thing!