It Starts With Marshall and Ends With Marshall

In January 2025, my favorite guitarist passed away.

John Sykes
He was 65 years old.

He stuck with the Marshall sound ‘til the very end.
Of course, he used Mesa/Boogie and 5150 III during his career, but it goes without saying that most of the sounds delivered to listeners were from the Marshall JCM800.

Actually, I just got the JCM800 and have used it in the studio.
But I can't get that sound. No, it's not a question of the amp not playing out the sound. It's a matter of “I can't.” I just can't get that sound.
I tend to add a booster or overdrive because I feel like there is not enough distortion. This is not to say that this is wrong, but it only produces this miserable sound that is no match for the smooth and lustrous sound of the guitarist.
It seems to me that a captivating guitarist can draw in people with a mesmerizing sound.

I've been suffering from Marshall fever for a while now, and I'm planning to do something rather naughty.
I want to get a Marshall JCM900 series 4500 (50W) and build a modified Marshall.
Why not a JCM800? The JCM800 from the 1980s unfortunately does not have a send and return.
Since modified Marshalls are designed to be distorted by the amp itself, delays and such should naturally be connected to the send return.
Even the JCM800 can do a send and return if you add circuitry, but it is just too much trouble.
It would be easier to have a send and return from the beginning.

I am thinking of making it a de-strengthened Marshall with some circuit and parts modifications to get that clean and screamy sound, and also to strengthen the power supply section.
The distortion of the JCM900 is actually distortion clipped by the LED, so it is more like a distortion pedal.
I'm thinking of changing it to a multi-stage tube circuit and possibly even adding a pre-tube.
Well, there may come a time when I will disclose this to the public, so if you are interested, please keep this in mind.

I am still wondering why I end up with a Marshall sound even though I have a Mesa/Boogie or 5150.

Just the other day, I had the opportunity to repair a Marshall JCM800 2205.
I am ashamed to admit that I did not even know such a part number existed, and I hummed and hawed over it, but later I learned that it is actually a very rare item.
I heard that Michael Schenker die-hard fans are looking for this amp with their eyes.

Indeed, the strong distortion and straight sound, not unlike a JCM800, made me think, “It sounds so damn good~.......”
My desire to buy a Marshall amp is getting stronger and stronger.
I guess I'll end up with a Marshall, from beginning to end.

Please look forward to my next blog.