Compared a JVM to my '69 Plexi today

[LPman]

One of my friends purchased a JVM205 head a week ago because he needed the versatility for the gigs he's playing with his band these days. Today we compared it with my 69 JMP 50 (currently wired with MV a'la 2204).

I have to tell you I was absolutely floored by the tone of the JVM... I'm not familiar with its channels, but on the orange lit one with the master at 7 and gain down at around 3 it sounded just like my '69 (mine had the master at 7 as well and gain at 6.5). We set the tone controls exactly the same on both amps. Really, what I was hearing had exactly the same sound structure, tonal DNA, response, attack, percussivity, etc. When we turned up the gain on the JVM it became unleashed, it transformed into a "super-Plexi". The mentioned tonal qualities stayed the same and there was not a single hint of muddyness in its tone. Crisp, tight, punchy low-end with absolutely no mush.

And it turns out these amps are not even that expensive. How come this phenomenal amp is not talked about more? It's a super-charged old Plexi with an added incredible versatility (super clean channel, crunch, overdrive, extra overdrive from what I could understand).

What's the deal with these? Any well-known problem with them? Because I'm sure as hell my next purchase will be a JVM after what I've heard today. Please enlighten me what should I know about these amps.

 

[Goober23]

I have that same head. Yes, they are very nice and sound truly wonderful. Almost never plug into it and
can't seem to be able to GIVE it away when I try to sell it. Shame as it really is a very good amp.

 

[saxon68]

410 is awesome also! 4 channels, 3 modes each

OD1 orange is incredible!

 

[MonstersOfTheMidway]

And it turns out these amps are not even that expensive.

A new JVM205H will cost you on average about $2349 brand new (maybe less if you have a coupon or something, and probably less if you buy it used). I tend to believe the current average price brand new is more a reflection of inflation than anything else.

How come this phenomenal amp is not talked about more?

It's been on the market for more than 10 years now; since that time, it could be that people just talk about newer stuff.

What's the deal with these?

They've been around for at least 10 years now. No disrespect intended, but most people seem to go for the 100 version of the JVM2 (JVM210H) than the 50 version. I've tried both and like both, so to me it's just a matter of price and preference.

Any well-known problem with them?

JVM2 series has been available for more than 10 years now. In those 10 years, I've not heard any major issues common issues in the JVM2. The reputation of the JVM2 series is imo very good.

Please enlighten me what should I know about these amps.

-All JVM amps come with a footswitch from the factory. If you buy any used JVM without the footswitch, you can, imo, ask for a discount. The footswitch is expensive and is a big part behind the versatility of all JVM amps. The footswitch can be used three modes: preset mode, switch store mode, and mix of both.
-All JVM amps have MIDI connectivity, which further enhances the versatility of the amp though you can use the amp without MIDI.
-All JVM amps have a good effects loop for running most floor pedals, multi-effects, and rack systems.
-Each channel has three modes (green, orange, red).
-Sounds great with different speakers.
-Try before you buy. Take you guitar and demo it in store.

 

[LPman]

A new JVM205H will cost you on average about $2349 brand new (maybe less if you have a coupon or something, and probably less if you buy it used). I tend to believe the current average price brand new is more a reflection of inflation than anything else.


It's been on the market for more than 10 years now; since that time, it could be that people just talk about newer stuff.


They've been around for at least 10 years now. No disrespect intended, but most people seem to go for the 100 version of the JVM2 (JVM210H) than the 50 version. I've tried both and like both, so to me it's just a matter of price and preference.


JVM2 series has been available for more than 10 years now. In those 10 years, I've not heard any major issues common issues in the JVM2. The reputation of the JVM2 series is imo very good.


-All JVM amps come with a footswitch from the factory. If you buy any used JVM without the footswitch, you can, imo, ask for a discount. The footswitch is expensive and is a big part behind the versatility of all JVM amps. The footswitch can be used three modes: preset mode, switch store mode, and mix of both.
-All JVM amps have MIDI connectivity, which further enhances the versatility of the amp though you can use the amp without MIDI.
-All JVM amps have a good effects loop for running most floor pedals, multi-effects, and rack systems.
-Each channel has three modes (green, orange, red).
-Sounds great with different speakers.
-Try before you buy. Take you guitar and demo it in store.

Thank you for the detailed review, that was really helpful! No diodes or transistors in this amp right (like in the Jubilee / 2205 / JCM 900 series)?

Yeah, I somehow missed the JVM through all these years, probably because I have an aversion for amps that have too many knobs. I always went for the simplicity of JCM and JMP style amps and I always gravitated towards vintage gear. But I realized in person that the JVM's knobs are logical, clever and a necessity for the amp to be able to do what it does.

In the EU I can buy a JVM205H brand-new for around 1000 EUR, it's about the same price as the small 20W JCM and JMP series. That's a great deal for such a versatile 50W head that is absolutely capable of producing the real deal JMP sound.

It was so shocking to me that the JVM sounded that close to my old '69 after just about 10 minutes of calibration. I think Marshall made the perfect amp for the touring musician with this series who wants versatility but don't want to make any compromises on tone.

 

[marshallmellowed]

One of my friends purchased a JVM205 head a week ago because he needed the versatility for the gigs he's playing with his band these days. Today we compared it with my 69 JMP 50 (currently wired with MV a'la 2204).

I have to tell you I was absolutely floored by the tone of the JVM... I'm not familiar with its channels, but on the orange lit one with the master at 7 and gain down at around 3 it sounded just like my '69 (mine had the master at 7 as well and gain at 6.5). We set the tone controls exactly the same on both amps. Really, what I was hearing had exactly the same sound structure, tonal DNA, response, attack, percussivity, etc. When we turned up the gain on the JVM it became unleashed, it transformed into a "super-Plexi". The mentioned tonal qualities stayed the same and there was not a single hint of muddyness in its tone. Crisp, tight, punchy low-end with absolutely no mush.

And it turns out these amps are not even that expensive. How come this phenomenal amp is not talked about more? It's a super-charged old Plexi with an added incredible versatility (super clean channel, crunch, overdrive, extra overdrive from what I could understand).

What's the deal with these? Any well-known problem with them? Because I'm sure as hell my next purchase will be a JVM after what I've heard today. Please enlighten me what should I know about these amps.

Glad you've found an amp that you can bond with. To be honest, when the JVM was first released, the majority of the focus was on how to mod them. I don't know of a newer Marshall that's been more modded than the JVM. There was a forum (JVM Forum) dedicated to the amp with tons of mods people were doing. The general consensus in those early days was that the amp was too stiff, too thin, too compressed, and on and on. So many mods were posted and done to the JVM, that I lost track. I made several of the mods to my 410H (somewhere around 5 or 6), and never was completely happy with it, so I sold it. Next was the 410HJS, and a few mods to that one. So, like with most gear, it's totally subjective. The 2 amps I finally bonded with were the 2203x and 1959 SLP. Just one guys JVM journey. Two things the JVM does have going for it, it's all tube (except for the digital reverb), and it's a very versatile amp. IMO, the only decent sounding Marshall more versatile than the JVM is the JMD:1, although it uses a digital preamp section.

 

[Karl Brake]

A new JVM205H will cost you on average about $2349 brand new (maybe less if you have a coupon or something, and probably less if you buy it used). I tend to believe the current average price brand new is more a reflection of inflation than anything else.


It's been on the market for more than 10 years now; since that time, it could be that people just talk about newer stuff.


They've been around for at least 10 years now. No disrespect intended, but most people seem to go for the 100 version of the JVM2 (JVM210H) than the 50 version. I've tried both and like both, so to me it's just a matter of price and preference.


JVM2 series has been available for more than 10 years now. In those 10 years, I've not heard any major issues common issues in the JVM2. The reputation of the JVM2 series is imo very good.


-All JVM amps come with a footswitch from the factory. If you buy any used JVM without the footswitch, you can, imo, ask for a discount. The footswitch is expensive and is a big part behind the versatility of all JVM amps. The footswitch can be used three modes: preset mode, switch store mode, and mix of both.
-All JVM amps have MIDI connectivity, which further enhances the versatility of the amp though you can use the amp without MIDI.
-All JVM amps have a good effects loop for running most floor pedals, multi-effects, and rack systems.
-Each channel has three modes (green, orange, red).
-Sounds great with different speakers.
-Try before you buy. Take you guitar and demo it in store.

The footswitch is a hundred bucks. Cheap for what it is. Try buying a factory FS for any other brand amp...they all rip you off except Marshall.

 

[SkyMonkey]

2nd hand JVM205H with footswitch at my LGS: £499.

Marshall JVM205H 50w Valve Amp Head - Footswitch **COLLECTION ONLY** - 2nd Hand

Marshall JVM205H 50w Valve Amp Head - Footswitch **COLLECTION ONLY** - 2nd Hand. Available to buy in store or online from Rich Tone Music Ltd.

richtonemusic.co.uk

 

[ElKabong]

I don't know much about the JVM210's, but I can tell you my first piece of furniture after my 2009 divorce was a 410 half-stack. I kept the bed because underneath it was a '75 LPC ,a Korg A4, and a Crate amp (i forget the late 70's tolex model). I think the 210 and 410 are basically the same. I don't gig anymore, but I think the 210 is probably lighter, and more gig friendly.

The 410 took some getting used to at first, but the A4 on the back-side really tamed the OD2-Red mode. Over time, I stereoed up the front end, bought a second 410, and stereoed up the back-side through an eclipse. Sadly, the Korg is back underneath my new bed 😀

From my experience, I can tell you that JIM'S are phenomenal amps with an incredible tonal array. Ironically, I sold my 70's JCM800 many years ago to buy a wedding ring... The End

 

[chronos1701]

I've had my JVM HJS for almost 9 years already. Everytime I have GAS for a JCM800, the crunch mode cures it instantly!

 

[Trumpet Rider]

I love my 205H.

 

[stickyfinger]

While I thought it could do a great impersonation of the classic plexi and JCM800 (especially after a few mods) I found that I preferred to play my vintage amps instead. I bought it as a jack of all trades marshall and I needed a loop. Sold it and keped the vintage amps.

I also found the JVM 205 to be veeerrryy forgiving and it would hide your mistakes. I'm actually a better guitar player now that I dont have a JVM.

 

[marshallmellowed]

While I thought it could do a great impersonation of the classic plexi and JCM800 (especially after a few mods) I found that I preferred to play my vintage amps instead. I bought it as a jack of all trades marshall and I needed a loop. Sold it and keped the vintage amps.

I also found the JVM 205 to be veeerrryy forgiving and it would hide your mistakes. I'm actually a better guitar player now that I dont have a JVM.

Same here, much prefer my single channel amps to anything I was getting from the 410H or 410HJS. I'm sure t that, with enough modding, the JVM could get close, but didn't see the point since I didn't need all the channels and modes. I did like the Crunch channel of the HJS, but there were other things about the amp I did not like (voicing, soft pick attack, noisy loop...).

 

[jeffp]

Same here, much prefer my single channel amps to anything I was getting from the 410H or 410HJS. I'm sure t that, with enough modding, the JVM could get close, but didn't see the point since I didn't need all the channels and modes. I did like the Crunch channel of the HJS, but there were other things about the amp I did not like (voicing, soft pick attack, noisy loop...).

I had a 210H . I regretted not getting the 410 because the 210 didn’t have the crunch channel. To me that’s where classic rock lives! Anyway sold it and years later i’m a lucky happy camper with aHW59SL and a 2203 jcm 800 !

 

[Hiwhat]

I once had the JVM410H and eventually got tired of it. I was constantly tweaking rather than playing, and the raw basic sound of my other Marshalls were still better.

But it's a cool amp for sure, ingenious design IMO! Maybe too gainy but that can easily be modded.

 

[HFloyd]

JVM? Sounds killer?

Clean Green:


Crunch Orange:


OD1 Green:


OD2 Orange:


Yeah it's pretty awesome. I think they're awful underrated and unfairly assumed to just be a high-gain monster.

...I mean it IS a high-gain monster but it does everything else just as well.

 

[giblesp]

I have the same head. It's just a great amp, end of story. Used by many top players, and for good reason.

Incredibly versatile, great at all volumes. An absolute winner.

The ultimate partner for my Les Paul.

 

[Slogfest]

I've never owned a Marshall before, had no idea which Marshalls my favorite guitarists used and really no preconceived notion of how my guitars would sound through one. I tried everything Marshall that they had, among a few other brands, and walked out with the JVM410C. It's just sounds so damn good no matter where I put the dials. It also bested, to me, all of the others in useful versatility. My first Marshall and now I'm kicking myself for not getting one sooner!

 

[Casey_Butt]

The JVM had to get old enough for people to appreciate it.

 

[TheKman76]

I was constantly tweaking rather than playing

This is the part that would put me off a JVM, option paralysis.
I have it bad enough with a DSL, I'd never actually play anything with the JVM.