I just got an exchange proposition : my Ampeg VL-1002 for a Marshall JCM800 (reissue). I know the Marshall would be better for me, but I love the Ampeg's gain, so I'm not a 100% sure it's gonna be a good thing to do...BUT!!!

My idea is that I could always throw out the JCM's preamp and put my VTM's pre in it, since I love pretty much everything about it's tone. The big question is : is it something you could do and since the JCM is runing under 220v and the VTM 110v, will I have any major modifications to do?

Cheers

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Ibanez Xiphos
Flame EXG 7
Epiphone SG G-400
Boss Tu-2/Planet Waves chromatic pedal tuner
Dunlop CryBaby wah
Roland GFC-50
Boss SE-70
Alesis Midiverb III
Radial Twin City ABY switcher
Ampeg VL-1002
Peavey VTM 60
Marshall 1960A 4x12 (Sheffield 1200)
Marshall 1960B 4x12 (V30)

Both amps have different transformers, and I have no ideas what the boards are running.... Honestly, I wouldn't do it, the Ampeg is better then a Marshall JCM unless it's a 2205, then, you're golden, 50 watts with 2 channels.

The problem with JCM 800s is they need to get stupidly loud before sounding good.

You can always slave out the VTM to the Marshall, but seriously, unless you want to damage your hearing, I think you've got what you need. My Laney eats JCMs for breakfast, I don't think you'll be happy with it, a DSL is more usable unless you're looking for a loud amp like a Twin reverb but brighter. Then, thats a JCM 800, the reissues, I had better luck getting a nice gain tone with a Mesa Lonestar, and that my friend, is a nice modded Plexi sound

To each their own though, the JCM is worth a little more then your Ampeg, but I wish you the best of luck in which ever you decide

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ESP Eclipse Limited (3/100) or Gibson Les Paul Standard (97) - Fulltone OCD - H.B.E. Detox EQ - Laney GH50L - 80's Ibanez AD-9 (in loop) - Randall XL 4x12
Tortex "The wedge" picks, Blue Steel strings, Line 6 Moble In, Charvel Model 6 modded to a Model 5FX.... Probly other stuff as well

I've been trying the slaving thing last night, and honestly the JCM alone is good, with the pre of the VTM it's getting better but my Ampeg and the VTM are just pure awesomeness. I realise there's a reason I've been looking for rare amps, other than those popular stuff on the market, there's a reason why people say VTM's are underestimated, that the VL-1002 is so hard to find. Those two amps were modeled after the JCM's preamp section (the VL is basically a heavilly modded 800) and that those mods are actually what I've been looking for as it goes for tone.

This is kind of OT but I wanted to say it somewhere : I can't probably be happier with my gear

__________________
Ibanez Xiphos
Flame EXG 7
Epiphone SG G-400
Boss Tu-2/Planet Waves chromatic pedal tuner
Dunlop CryBaby wah
Roland GFC-50
Boss SE-70
Alesis Midiverb III
Radial Twin City ABY switcher
Ampeg VL-1002
Peavey VTM 60
Marshall 1960A 4x12 (Sheffield 1200)
Marshall 1960B 4x12 (V30)