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

I think I can get behind that. Given many modern amps are just modded versions of it.

Yep, it's the grandfather of cascaded preamp gain stages, cold clipping and master volume; I would even say that it was the most significant evolution in amp design since dedicated electric guitar amps of the 1930s; multi-channel relay switching and midi has nothing on it.
 
I’m really surprised we haven’t seen a Marshall pedal yet.
preview.jpg
 


Let's do some classic rock riffs with "moderate" amount of gain.
... proceeds to play with unearthly amount of boosted gain and mud.... complains about having to fight the amp and not having enough gain.
I like wrestlemanias content btw, good guy, he's really serious about his ultra tight "controlled" gain. :LOL:

First few riffs are unboosted, it's a good reference of how much gain the amp really has, which is not a lot.
 
Before my time but it’s hard to appreciate what choice of amps were available when the 2203 was released, let alone how marketing and access to information has changed.

So many 800 tones were either boosted, or modded because you simply couldn’t go out and buy a high gain amp. There wasn’t the choice or availability that exists today. People are often surprised that the 800 isn’t a high gain amp when it’s stock. They’re a perfect base to take in any direction, be it with boosts, or modding the circuit. They’re right in a sweet spot.

Either that amp is slightly less gainy (could be weak preamp tubes), or our friend there isn’t picking hard. 2203’s are really rewarding to players who pick hard and consistent and they’ll reveal weak+inconsistent players. Nowhere to hide when there’s less gain and more dynamics
 
See also Fluff and his "let me show you some clean tones" demos.
Reminds me of a buddy I have back east. He sent me a version of run run Rudolph that he made and it sounds good but when I told him it sounds good with high gain guitars he quipped that he used very little gain or distortion. I mean...it's soaked with distortion. Sounds good though but it's "low gain" to him.
 
First few riffs are unboosted, it's a good reference of how much gain the amp really has, which is not a lot.

Yep. I had a 2203 for a long time and I always ran a Tubescreamer and a variation of different distortion pedals in the front. Usually a Turbo Rat or a Korg Distortion. Think I used a Japanese DS-1 for a spell too.
 
Reminds me of a buddy I have back east. He sent me a version of run run Rudolph that he made and it sounds good but when I told him it sounds good with high gain guitars he quipped that he used very little gain or distortion. I mean...it's soaked with distortion. Sounds good though but it's "low gain" to him.

"I like my cleans with a little bit of hair on them"

** plugs into Dual Rec on the red channel and rolls volume knob to 8 **
 


Let's do some classic rock riffs with "moderate" amount of gain.
... proceeds to play with unearthly amount of boosted gain and mud.... complains about having to fight the amp and not having enough gain.
I like wrestlemanias content btw, good guy, he's really serious about his ultra tight "controlled" gain. :LOL:

First few riffs are unboosted, it's a good reference of how much gain the amp really has, which is not a lot.

An amp so amazing it blew his sleeves off…
 


Let's do some classic rock riffs with "moderate" amount of gain.
... proceeds to play with unearthly amount of boosted gain and mud.... complains about having to fight the amp and not having enough gain.
I like wrestlemanias content btw, good guy, he's really serious about his ultra tight "controlled" gain. :LOL:

First few riffs are unboosted, it's a good reference of how much gain the amp really has, which is not a lot.

Analog AliasingTM
 
not sure if it’s just me, but I don’t think that’s a great example of an 800. Could just be the way it was recorded, but the majority of the 800s I’ve played have had a little more gain and push than that.

I have played 800s that sound like his, but IMO they needed some work. Maybe that amp needs service or tubes. Or my ears are shot.
 
This may have been posted already, but I love the sound of even the stock 800 in this Pete Thorn video.
He casually mentions it's a "totally regular, bog-standard 800" and it just so happens to be one of the best sounding 800s I've ever heard. :rofl



Yep, already posted.
I said exactly that two posts below.


We have to remember that Pete is an advertiser, it's his job is to sell you the latest gizmo, he gets paid to do that.
 
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