Simon Says
Paramedics > Fire Fighters
I've been thinking about getting another amp for a while, even though I still love my Fillmore head.; every time I plug into it, it feels like home; this amp can't handle it all. It's a decent rock amp with some of the attitude I'm looking for; it's quick and solid in the lows, very rich in harmonics, but let's face it: it's not a fire-breathing monster.
So, my main criterion was to find a dedicated high-gain amplifier covering the more saturated tones. At first, I looked at a few Mesa/Boogies; the Mark V and IV have always been high on my list. However, I couldn't bring myself to spend over £2k for something I may only use occasionally. I briefly considered getting a modeller but quickly dismissed the idea. For instance, a Helix plus a PA and a dedicated cab would cost me as much as a halfway decent tube amplifier. I'm not someone who constantly changes their tone preferences, so owning a modeller wouldn't make much sense for me anyway.
A few days ago, I started considering the Marshall JVM410H. The price of a used one in the UK is reasonable. The amp has a decent clean channel, very well-received crunch and OD1 channels, and more drive with the OD2 than I will ever need. It's MIDI-enabled, so I can easily incorporate it into my existing rig.
My feeling about the JVM is that it may very well be the last decent amplifier that Marshall has produced. Let's face it: since Jim died, the brand has been pushing fridges, Bluetooth speakers, and headphones more than amplifiers. Brands like Metropoulus of Friedman are milking the Marshall cool-aid better than Marshall did in the past 20 years.
The purchase was made on impulse and wasn't preplanned in any way. I might end up hating it when I receive it on Monday, and to be fair, I don't expect much from it. But for the price I got it (used), I honestly have no regrets. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised, but in the worst-case scenario, I'm planning to have it modified by Dan Gower. I will give it a good, loving home.
Photo sesh, and tone report tomorrow.
So, my main criterion was to find a dedicated high-gain amplifier covering the more saturated tones. At first, I looked at a few Mesa/Boogies; the Mark V and IV have always been high on my list. However, I couldn't bring myself to spend over £2k for something I may only use occasionally. I briefly considered getting a modeller but quickly dismissed the idea. For instance, a Helix plus a PA and a dedicated cab would cost me as much as a halfway decent tube amplifier. I'm not someone who constantly changes their tone preferences, so owning a modeller wouldn't make much sense for me anyway.
A few days ago, I started considering the Marshall JVM410H. The price of a used one in the UK is reasonable. The amp has a decent clean channel, very well-received crunch and OD1 channels, and more drive with the OD2 than I will ever need. It's MIDI-enabled, so I can easily incorporate it into my existing rig.
My feeling about the JVM is that it may very well be the last decent amplifier that Marshall has produced. Let's face it: since Jim died, the brand has been pushing fridges, Bluetooth speakers, and headphones more than amplifiers. Brands like Metropoulus of Friedman are milking the Marshall cool-aid better than Marshall did in the past 20 years.
The purchase was made on impulse and wasn't preplanned in any way. I might end up hating it when I receive it on Monday, and to be fair, I don't expect much from it. But for the price I got it (used), I honestly have no regrets. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised, but in the worst-case scenario, I'm planning to have it modified by Dan Gower. I will give it a good, loving home.
Photo sesh, and tone report tomorrow.