JCM800 2203
Owners Manual
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WARNING! - Important safety instructions
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WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED!
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PLEASE read this instruction manual carefully before switching on.
ALWAYS use the supplied mains lead, if a replacement is required please contact your authorised
Marshall Dealer.
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NEVER attempt to bypass the fuses or fit ones of the incorrect value.
DO NOT attempt to remove the amplifier chassis, there are no user serviceable parts.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel including replacement of fuses and valves.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when the power supply cord
or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally or has been dropped.
Fro m t h e Ch a irm a n
I would like to personally thank you for selecting this
re-issue of my all-valve, JCM800 2203, 100 Watt, Master
Volume head. My company’s reputation and longevity
have been built on a great many things – groundbreaking
designs, skilled workmanship, reliability, flexibility, stylish
looks and, above all else, great tone and feel. The
continual fascination and love that many current guitarists
show for our vintage amplification products is a testament
to just how relevant and important such models are to this
very day.
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NEVER use an amplifier in damp or wet conditions. No objects filled with liquids should be placed on the
apparatus.
G ALWAYS unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or if unused for long periods of time.
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PROTECT the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles and
at the point where they exit from the apparatus.
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DO NOT switch the amplifier on without a loudspeaker connected.
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ENSURE that any extension cabinets used are of the correct impedance.
The amplifier you have just acquired is a re-issue of the
JCM800 2203, 100 Watt head that was originally
launched in March of 1981 and proved incredibly popular
with rock guitarists throughout the ‘80s. Although my
JCM900 Series replaced the entire JCM800 range in
1991, the 2203 has remained a firm favourite with
countless players – hence my decision to start making it
again.
➲ Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the requirements of the EMC directive
(Environments E1, E2 and E3 EN 55103-1/2) and the Low Voltage directive in the E.U.
➲ EUROPE ONLY - Note: The Peak Inrush current for the 2203 is 38 amps.
➲ CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance may
void the users authority to operate the equipment.
Our re-issue of the JCM800 2203 is totally faithful to
the original in terms of looks, tone and feel. At the request
of many 2203 fanatics it also boasts the addition of a
Series Effects Loop – a feature which makes it totally at
home in the modern performance arena.
➲ Note: It is recommended that all audio cables, with the exception of the speaker lead, used to connect to the
2203 are of a high quality screened type. These should not exceed 10 metres in length.
Always use a non-screened Marshall approved speaker lead with the 2203 Head and extension cabinets.
➲ WARNING: Do not obstruct ventilation grilles and always ensure free movement of air around the amplifier!
I would like to wish you every success with your new
amplifier and welcome you to the large and ever
increasing family of players who plug into Marshall
products.
USA ONLY - DO NOT defeat the purpose of the polarised or grounding type plug. A polarised plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit into your
outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND HEED ALL WARNINGS
KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS !
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Introduction
The all-valve 2203 is one of the most highly respected and revered 100 Watt Marshall heads in the company’s
long and illustrious history. Evolving from the legendary 100 Watt ‘Plexi’ head, it was also our first amplifier to
house a Master Volume (MV) control. This simple but groundbreaking feature allowed the user to overdrive the
preamp valves into desirable distortion without having to turn the amp full up. This proved to be incredibly popular
and practical because, as you probably know, a 100 Watt Marshall is extremely loud when on full volume!
Furthermore, thanks to its cascaded preamp design, the 2203 was capable of producing a level of distortion never
heard from a guitar amp before.
The unparalleled new tones the 2203 generated immediately became the sonic impetus that helped drive forward
the veritable explosion of hard rock acts in the late seventies and early eighties. The JCM 800 incarnation of the amp
(along with the other models in the JCM800 range, most of which were derivatives of the 2203) quickly became the
mainstay of the burgeoning heavy metal scene that dominated the ‘80s and was the amp responsible for many of the
seminal thrash metal recordings of this period. In fact, Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman of Slayer, a hugely influential
band that helped pioneer the thrash genre, still use their Marshall 2203s to this very day.
The late eighties and early nineties saw a shift towards the ‘alternative/Brit pop’ movement in the UK, while the US
was dominated by the ‘grunge’ scene. The wide-ranging use of 2203s in these extremely varied musical genres is a
true reflection of this amplifier’s extremely versatile tonal range.
The very first 2203 was actually introduced to the world in 1975. The JCM800 version that surfaced some six
years later, in 1981, was merely a cosmetic redesign of the original. The circuitry remained exactly the same (as
the saying goes, "if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!"), but the amp’s appearance got much bolder with a full-width
control panel (the 2203 of 1975-1981 had a shorter front panel like a 1959SLP), grille cloth over the front baffle
(the original 2203’s baffle was covered with vinyl), white piping, and ‘JCM800’ written in bold letters on the front
panel, together with Jim’s signature. If you’re wondering about the origin of the JCM800 name, it’s an interesting
tale – it came from the registration/license plate of Mr. Marshall’s car which was, wait for it, JCM800! The ‘JCM’
part of it referred to Jim’s initials (James Charles Marshall), the ‘800’ was merely the number on the plate – no
more, no less!
With the launch of Marshall’s hugely popular JCM 900 Series in 1991, the JCM800 2203 was deservedly, but
somewhat reluctantly, put out to pasture after 16 years of sonic supremacy. Despite its retirement though, the 2203
continued to be a much sought after amp and scores of players, including that brilliant fretburner Zakk Wylde (of
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society fame), would relentlessly hunt down old 2203s for use in the studio and on
stage.
Owing to the seemingly never-ending barrage of requests we receive on a daily basis for the 2203, we’ve decided
that it is time for us to relaunch this great amp in its most popular guise – the JCM 800. Furthermore, by popular
demand, we’ve also given it a Series Effects Loop that features a true Bypass switch that takes the loop completely
out of the circuit, thus ensuring the original tone isn’t compromised in any shape or form.
As guitar amplifiers go, the 2203 is the very essence of simplicity – it’s a one channel amp with no reverb or
built-in effects and its all-valve design produces a sound that, as Mike Doyle so aptly describes in his excellent ‘The
History of Marshall’ book, is "crunchier than a lorry running over a hedgehog!" As a result of its idiot-proof
interface, distinctive roar and larger-than-life ‘edge’, the 2203 immediately set the standard by which all other rock
amps were judged and it remained the ‘industry benchmark’ throughout the entire 16 years of its production life.
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Front Panel
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Rear Panel
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Front Panel Features
Rear Panel Features
(anticlockwise) will reduce the mids in your sound, giving
you that aggressive ‘scooped’ tone that is a staple of
thrash and nu-metal guitar playing.
impedance selected on the amp matches the total
impedance of the speaker cabinet(s) being used. For
example, if the amp is running into a single 16 Ohm cab,
the amp should accordingly be set to 16 Ohms. If running
into two 16 Ohm cabs, the amp should be set to 8 Ohms. If
running into two 8 Ohm cabs, the amp should be set to 4
Ohms. Failure to comply with these points will result in
damage to the amplifier.
1. Power Switch
Effects Loop Send & Return Jacks
This is the On/Off switch for the mains power to the
amplifier. Whenever it is switched ‘On’, the switch will
light. Please ensure the amplifier is switched off and
unplugged from the mains electricity supply before being
moved.
To increase the flexibility of your 2203 even further, you
may choose to add external effects in its Series Effects
Loop, which allows direct connection of either floor pedals
or rack processors, with the Level switch (1) providing the
correct operating level.
6. Treble Control
This control determines the amount of treble and makes
your guitar’s tone brighter as it is turned up.
2. Standby Switch
1. Effects Loop Level Switch
IMPORTANT NOTE: The 2203’s tone network is highly
interactive and, because of this, altering the setting of one
control can change the way the other controls behave.
So, don’t be afraid to experiment!
The Standby Switch is used in conjunction with the
Power Switch (item 1) to ‘warm up’ the amplifier
before use and to prolong the life of the output valves.
This switch offers two different loop levels to enable you
to match the type of effect(s) connected to the Series
Effects Loop. The higher level (+4dBV: switch ‘out’) suits
rack processors and the lower level (-10dBV: switch ‘in’)
suits floor pedals (stomp boxes).
Your amp should be completely powered down before
the selector is turned.
8. Mains Selector
When powering up the amplifier always engage the
Power Switch (item 1) first. This allows the
7. Master Volume
Matches the amplifier mains transformer voltage to the
incoming mains voltage. Ensure that the rotary Mains
Selector is set to the correct mains voltage applicable to the
country where used. If you do not know the mains input
voltage contact your authorised Marshall dealer.
Controls the output volume of the amplifier. This allows
the user to turn up the Pre-Amp Volume control (8) for
maximum gain whilst keeping the amp’s overall loudness
at a desired level.
application of the voltage required to heat the valves
to their correct operating temperature. After about 2
minutes, when the valves are up to the correct
temperature, the Standby Switch can be engaged.
Upon doing this the H.T. (High Tension) which is the
high voltage required by the output valves to pass
signal (and hence produce sound) is applied.
2. Effects Loop Bypass
When ‘out’ this switch completely bypasses the circuitry
involved in the effects loop to maintain the amp’s absolute
tonal integrity.
Your amp should be completely powered down before
the selector is turned. Adjustment from 230/220V to
110V or vice versa will require the mains fuse to be
changed to the corresponding value as detailed on the
rear panel.
8. Pre-Amp Volume
3. Effects Loop Return Jack
Connect the (mono) output of an external effects
processor here.
This controls how hard you drive the pre-amp valves.
Turning this control up overdrives the pre-amp and
creates a desirable, harmonically rich distortion.
To prolong valve life, the Standby Switch alone
should be used to turn the amplifier on and off during
breaks in a performance. Also, upon full power down,
always disengage the Standby Switch prior to the
main Power Switch (item 1).
4. Effects Loop Send Jack
Connect the (mono) input of an external effects
processor here.
9. High Sensitivity Input
9. Mains Input
This is the High Sensitivity input of the amp – in theory,
such an input is supposed to be used for low-output
pickups. This said, 99.9% of all 2203 users ignore this
and plug guitars loaded with high-output pickups into this
input, because it enables them to drive the pre-amp even
harder.
Your amp is provided with a detachable mains (power)
lead which is connected here. The specific mains input
voltage rating that your amplifier has been built for is
shown on the back panel. Before connecting for the first
time, please ensure that your amplifier is compatible with
your electricity supply. If you have any doubt, please get
advice from a qualified person. Your Marshall dealer will
help in this respect.
NOTE: As a rule, time based effects such as Chorus, Delay
and Reverb are best suited for use in an effects loop. Effects
involving distortion or Wah Wah aren’t usually put in an
effects loop because they sound best when they’re ‘before’
the amp (i.e. placed between the guitar and the amp’s
input). This said, when it comes to tone there are no rules!
3. Presence Control
This control operates in the power amp section of your
amp and adds high frequencies to your tone, creating
crispness and bite. As you turn this control up
(clockwise), your sound will become more cutting.
10. Low Sensitivity Input
This is the Low Sensitivity input of the amp, which was
designed for hot (high-output) pickups; we would
suggest you try both inputs and then decide which one is
best for you.
4. Bass Control
This controls the amount of low frequencies (bottom
end) in your tone.
5/6. Loudspeaker Output Jacks
10. Mains Fuse
These are for connection to an external load, i.e. speaker
cabinet(s). (See item 7). Please refer to Important Safety
Instructions, page 2.
The correct value of mains fuse is specified on the rear
panel of the amplifier. Please refer to Important Safety
Instructions, page 2.
5. Middle Control
This controls the all-important mid-range of your
sound. Turning this up (clockwise) will make your guitar
sound fatter and fuller. Conversely, turning it down
7. Output Selector
11. H.T. Fuse
Matches the amplifier’s output to the load impedance.
The correct value of H.T. fuse is specified on the rear
panel of the amplifier. Please refer to Important Safety
Instructions, page 2.
With all-valve amplifiers it is imperative that the amp is
connected to a load whilst in operation and that the
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