Helix JCM800 2203 Request Thread (FW 3.70 new Brit 2203)!

[EOengineer]

If you think about it, this will be the first stock JCM800 Line 6 has EVER modeled.
Line 6 was founded in 1996 being one of the first digital amp modeling companies on the market... It only took them 27-28 years.

Better late than never?

The PODxt firmware had a stock 800 up until v2.0, at which point they replaced it with a modded one that sounded like butt. Maybe even the same one in the Helix now. Who knows.

I made a big stink on the old L6 forums because their original 800 then was the best model in the thing. It sounded and felt awesome.

L6 - I believe in you. You can do this.

 

[SwirlyMaple]

The PODxt firmware had a stock 800 up until v2.0, at which point they replaced it with a modded one that sounded like butt.

 

[luckymethod]

So the FAS Marshal models are the benchmark now?

I truly believe they are and I say that as someone that doesn't particularly like Marshall amps. But hey, if the Marshall Sims in Axe 3 are good enough for Dave Murray then they are good enough for me.

 

[Deadpan]

sounded like butt.

Well then.

 

[dk_ace]

It has already been strongly hinted at that a revised or different 2204/JCM model is in the works by a certain someone from Line 6.

 

[James Freeman]

they replaced it with a modded one

It didn't sound good with fender jaguars, fuzzes, fedoras, suspenders and well groomed facial hair.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I truly believe they are and I say that as someone that doesn't particularly like Marshall amps. But hey, if the Marshall Sims in Axe 3 are good enough for Dave Murray then they are good enough for me.

Please complete the circle by saying you don't particularly like them NOR have you ever played them

 

[holoholo]

I think you’re incorrect. We’ll see what the next firmware update has.

Also, it’s probably not clear to those who just drop in this thread from time to time, but this thread is basically James intentionally making a whole lot of noise to make sure Line 6 doesn’t forget about the importance of this amp. It has already been strongly hinted at that a revised or different 2204/JCM model is in the works by a certain someone from Line 6.

I’m confused. Are you referring to this post?

Helix JCM800 2203 Request Thread (FW 3.70 new Brit 2203)!

The tone was always a struggle for me, but it was awesome for gigging. I'm actually considering an HX Stomp (just for effects) + ES5 at this very moment to replace my M9 and add presets to the rig. @dk_ace actually there was quite a bit of back and forth way back on TGP. I remember a ton of...

thegearforum.com

I thought DI was making a joke

 

[SwirlyMaple]

I’m confused. Are you referring to this post?

Helix JCM800 2203 Request Thread (FW 3.70 new Brit 2203)!

The tone was always a struggle for me, but it was awesome for gigging. I'm actually considering an HX Stomp (just for effects) + ES5 at this very moment to replace my M9 and add presets to the rig. @dk_ace actually there was quite a bit of back and forth way back on TGP. I remember a ton of...

thegearforum.com

I thought DI was making a joke

The first clue was this:

I do know our 2204's missing the bright cap and there's another mod on the input; it sounds identical to the amp we have in house so there's nothing "broken" about it other than perhaps the name—we're considering renaming it something like "Brit 2204 No Cap" or something, if only because "Brit 2204 Mod" is already taken.

It would be *very* uncharacteristic of Line 6 to rename a model without a reason to do so (…like, to make room for another).

The other clue was this post:
https://thegearforum.com/threads/helix-jcm800-2203-request-thread.2448/post-88025
The comment was a bit of a joke, but take a look at who “liked” it.

DI might just be messing with us, but after seeing his posting style and the careful way he interacts, my spidey sense is leaning strongly on the side of a new or “fixed” 2204.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

 

[James Freeman]

DI might just be messing with us

 

[pipelineaudio]

It didn't sound good with fender jaguars, fuzzes, fedoras, suspenders and well groomed facial hair.

theyre not going to get this one, you forgot to ad Vespa

 

[luckymethod]

Please complete the circle by saying you don't particularly like them NOR have you ever played them

I have, just couldn't ever make them work for me. I'm more of a Mesa guy myself but I recently figured out how to get some nice AC/DC sounds out of the superlead 59 and the 1987x combined for a band I played with last year. I'm also developing a taste for mixing Marshalls with the Mesa when I want something a little more clanky that doesn't sound as "polite". I still hate them by themselves but in the mix they work.

 

[SwirlyMaple]

 

[BahamaDada]

Whoever of you little elves whsipered in my ear "Try the P75, it's nice": Thank you. It's indeed nice. A TS in front and I could almost overlook the stock JCM800 lack. Almost.

 

[the-trooper]

But hey, if the Marshall Sims in Axe 3 are good enough for Dave Murray then they are good enough for me.

Marshall in Behringer V amp 1 would be good enough for Dave.

 

[Lysander]

Whoever of you little elves whsipered in my ear "Try the P75, it's nice": Thank you.

 

[kartikg3]

Whoever of you little elves whsipered in my ear "Try the P75, it's nice": Thank you. It's indeed nice. A TS in front and I could almost overlook the stock JCM800 lack. Almost.

P75 is lovely

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I love the fact they’ve modelled a Park 75 (150 is rad too). Exactly the sort of rare/unobtainable amp that’s perfect for modelling platforms. Sounds great too.

But JCM800, it ain’t.

 

[Byrdman]

Whoever of you little elves whsipered in my ear "Try the P75, it's nice": Thank you. It's indeed nice. A TS in front and I could almost overlook the stock JCM800 lack. Almost.

P75 is lovely

I love the fact they’ve modelled a Park 75 (150 is rad too). Exactly the sort of rare/unobtainable amp that’s perfect for modelling platforms. Sounds great too.

But JCM800, it ain’t.

Since the suggestion, I have been experimenting with the P75 running into the back of my amp using the preamp setting with my Stomp XL. In one preset, I have the gain down, treble up, mid & low under 5, and put a 808 AND Minotaur in front of it. Tweak the gains and tones to your personal flavor. The second I am running the P75 amp with Placater Dirty Preamp in front of it for distortion instead of the 808 & Min. Add just a touch of reverb on both and they sounds awesome to me.

I have never played a JCM800, but I am getting some pretty sweet old school rock tones with these! YMMV, but try putting different preamps in front of it and let me know what you think.