Members Slar211 Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 I have a Marshall JCM800, model 4104 (50 watt 2x12 single channel combo). Around this board I've heard of the Randall RG100ES as sounding very similar to a JCM800. My question is, how do these two amps stack up? I play mostly rock/metal, is one more suited than the other for that? Reason I am asking is because for the price of the Marshall by itself I could get a Randall and a nice 4x12 cab. Throw in a potential Marshall mod and there's a big difference in the cost. Both seem to be pretty sought after, just looking for opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MitchSchaft Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Totally different animals. They're not the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members anomaly Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Why don't you buy em both? You can get a randall rg100es off ebay for around $200, they're the best Solid State amps around IMO, and way louder than most SS amps of the same power rating. It won't be the same as a JCM800, but it's as close as you'll get with any SS amp. http://cgi.ebay.com/RANDALL-RG-100-RG-100-Dimebag-George-Lynch_W0QQitemZ7392080846QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Randall-RG-100-es-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ7392089951QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/RANDALL-RG100ES-AMP-RG-100-ES-150W-HEAD-NR_W0QQitemZ7392481227QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Randall-Amp-Amplifier-RG80ES-RG-80-ES-150-watt-Head_W0QQitemZ7393372965QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Slar211 Posted February 26, 2006 Author Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Why don't you buy em both? Now that, my friend, is a great idea! Is a Randall cab the best bet for matching up with the head? Is the JCM800 really that highly-regarded? I've always found it to be a little muddy and not having enough highs but that's just my preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members anomaly Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by Slar211 Now that, my friend, is a great idea! Is a Randall cab the best bet for matching up with the head?Is the JCM800 really that highly-regarded? I've always found it to be a little muddy and not having enough highs but that's just my preference. Yeah, a Randall cab would be good. Anything with V30's would sound good IMO. I hear those old Jaguar speakers that came stock with the randall cabs sound really good too. The Randall is worth a shot IMO. It's only a couple hundred out of your pocket. I've actually got a RG100HT (rackmount version of the ES) on the way, and I used to have a RG100ES. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChS Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Hey anomaly, I have a stupid question about the RG100ES, does it make any diffference which position the Power switch is set to - Up ON or down ON? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members highgainlover Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by Slar211 Is the JCM800 really that highly-regarded? I've always found it to be a little muddy and not having enough highs but that's just my preference. "Muddy" and "lacking high end" are terms unfamiliar to JCM 800s. Maybe you tried an amp with dying tubes. They are some of the most unforgiving amps in terms of clarity and the high end can take your head off (too much IMO). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members anomaly Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by ChS Hey anomaly, I have a stupid question about the RG100ES, does it make any diffference which position the Power switch is set to - Up ON or down ON? I don't think so... Up was ON on my RG100ES. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChS Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by anomaly I don't think so... Up was ON on my RG100ES. Heh, mine has Off in center position and Up labeled ON, and down labeled ON. Never could figure out why they did that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members anomaly Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by ChS Heh, mine has Off in center position and Up labeled ON, and down labeled ON. Never could figure out why they did that. Really? Mine's just a simple Up: On, Down: Off switch. Maybe it got replaced or something? It probably doesn't make any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChS Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by anomaly Really? Mine's just a simple Up: On, Down: Off switch. Maybe it got replaced or something? It probably doesn't make any difference. Looks like it's the way it was made, has the proper labeling: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Skybone Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 4104's are versatile beasts, offering 50w of pure Marshall valve power. Nothing added, nothing taken away, no bells, no whistles, no gimmicks, just a straight ahead, toneful, rock machine... I am biased though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members anomaly Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by ChS Looks like it's the way it was made, has the proper labeling: Mine didn't have any On- Off labeling on the panel. I guess they must of changed it sometime along the way when they were manufactured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rich4Once Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 I love my 4104 and I'll never sell it. It's heavy as HELL, but it's 50 watts of pure Marshall heaven, and it's certainly better than anything that says Randall on it! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members anomaly Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by Rich4Once I love my 4104 and I'll never sell it. It's heavy as HELL, but it's 50 watts of pure Marshall heaven, and it's certainly better than anything that says Randall on it! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Metalman X Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by ChS Heh, mine has Off in center position and Up labeled ON, and down labeled ON. Never could figure out why they did that. My old ES was the same way. I never noticed a difference either way. Maybe its a polarity thing, for reducing ground hum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Idiot Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by Rich4Once I love my 4104 and I'll never sell it. It's heavy as HELL, but it's 50 watts of pure Marshall heaven, and it's certainly better than anything that says Randall on it! LOL No offence but, Marshall JCM 800s and 900s combos are just plain ol' gheyness; I would much rather have a Randall RG100ES anyday of the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rich4Once Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by The Idiot No offence but, Marshall JCM 800s and 900s combos are just plain ol' gheyness; I would much rather have a Randall RG100ES anyday of the week. Well, don't let me stop you...go buy 'em up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Slar211 Posted February 26, 2006 Author Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 highgainlover: I've got some new tubes on the way so hopefully "muddy" and "lacking high end" will be things of the past. Rich4Once: I think the 4104 might be the heaviest 2x12 amp I've ever lifted. You would think it's filled with lead, or gold bricks. I think I'm going to hold onto the Marshall for now, but at less than $200 I think the RG100ES is worth a look... no matter how it turns on or off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members diocide Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Hey guys, I could get a Randall RG80es for real cheap locally. Are these things as good as the 100es? I can seee some differences, like reverb and such, but how bout tone wise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChS Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by Slar211 I think I'm going to hold onto the Marshall for now, but at less than $200 I think the RG100ES is worth a look... no matter how it turns on or off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChS Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by diocide Hey guys, I could get a Randall RG80es for real cheap locally. Are these things as good as the 100es? I can seee some differences, like reverb and such, but how bout tone wise? It's probably along the same lines as the RG100ES, give it a try if possible. One thing to remember is the channel footswitch is aggrevating with these line of amps as it uses a strange plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Slar211 Posted February 26, 2006 Author Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 One thing to remember is the channel footswitch is aggrevating with these line of amps as it uses a strange plug. Is that going to be a problem if the head doesn't come with the footswitch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shask Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by Slar211 Is that going to be a problem if the head doesn't come with the footswitch? Just run it on 1 channel. or find one of the dudes on the Intenet that makes compatable ones from home... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nrrrk Posted February 26, 2006 Members Share Posted February 26, 2006 Originally posted by Rich4Once I love my 4104 and I'll never sell it. It's heavy as HELL, but it's 50 watts of pure Marshall heaven, and it's certainly better than anything that says Randall on it! LOL I am 100% sure that a {censored}ing Randall MTS amp will kick that Marshall's ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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