Marshall JCM 900 4502 Dual Reverb

I won't cover the specs as this has been covered below. Perfect as a gigging amp. Nice and simple.

Not sure when this was made. I think that this is a versatile amp and would cover most modern music styles.

Loud enough for pretty much anything. I mainly use it as a practice amp.

I really like the sound of this thing.

The clean channel is actually really good and usable. Its not gonna suit country pickers but I can't recall a country dude with a marshall. The main thing is to fiddle with the settings and you will find some really nice tones. I love that "just breaking up" marshall sound and this does it nicely...very hendrixy indeed. Also its not to clean if that makes sense.

The dirty channel is cool. Its not JCM800 land, and that's fine cause its not a JCM800. It has higher gain. You can get some great 90s metal tones from it. Crank it up loud and it sounds great, feedback if you want it and artificial harmonics are a breeze. But you can get some nice classic rock tones as well.

If you get the chance try plugging this into a 4 x12 Cab. It really lights up. I have a cab with some greenbacks in it and it really sounds awesome.

I also think that this amp is very musical. Very responsive to pick attack and volume knob fiddling.

I think that the 900's are underrated. The people that rate them badly are probably non gigging dorks who are tone snobs and who are probably lousy players.

If one comes up cheap I would grab another one.

Had it for years now, never a problem.It even has the same tubes,.... I really should change them.

No Idea. I heard they suck in Australia.

Been playing since I was a kid. that's about 30 years. I am 41 now.

I have a JCM800, JCM Slash, a 30th Anniversary Marsall, Fenders and Laneys.

If it was lost or stolen I would not specifically look for one, but would probably get another 900 of some sort maybe a head.

As long as you take it for what it is, and not compare it to other amps you will like this.

I would recommend this amp.

Made in 1996, I play mostly classic rock and this combo is perfect, 2 channels, footswitchable, seperate reverb and volume for each. All tube 2x12 all tube combo. 2 EL 34's and 3 12AX7's

My main axe is a Gibson les paul studio(left handed) all origional. The tone is just what every classic rocker is searching for, I was using a JCM 2000 DSL 50 watt half stack with a bunch of distortion pedals and a power brake, mostly Ibanez 9 series distortion, sounded good but with this JCM 900 2x12 combo I am only using a boss CS-2 and a boss EQ-7 no distortion needed and wow! I also use the power brake so I dont awake the dead, yes its that loud. I have allot of amps all marshall and this is the one I have been searching for.

20 year old amp and all origional, so far so good.

Every time I email marshall some guy who cant spell replys with broken english answers

I own all Marshall amps, MG 15MS2 mini stack, lead 12 mini stack, DSL 50 head and JCM 900 4x12 cab, JCM 900 1936 2x12 cab, G80RCD 80 watt combo, and now the 4502 JCM 900 2x12 combo. the JCM 900 combo can also run my 4x12 or my 2x12 cabs, Can you say DSL 50 for sale, I can. Been playing for 20 plus years now off and on, been through a ton of amps, the ones mentioned are the ones I still own, and this 4502 combo is the one I have been searching for. I might change the speakers out for a pair of vintage 30's just to see what happens. If I come accross another I will buy it up for sure, oh yea, this one has the EL 34's in it and its awsome, get 1 or 2...

This amp is not a SS, but all tube.
I play only rock, and it's cool, but clean is not so good.

With Gibson sound like a AC/DC.
For metal you need another overdrive pedal (harder then SD-1 (Boss))

This amp have 2 channel. The first is clean, but if you can put them on full (10) you have a blues distortion.

The second isn't the best dist i can ever hear, but it is great.

The amp (50w) isn't noisy.

I play with Yamaha RJ420 with Seymour duncan pickup (SH-4, APH-1)

NO problem!

???

I think is not the best amp in the range of 1000???, but if you pick him for 400-550???, it's great and loud.

1999 JCM900 50w Combo. 2 gain controls, 2 volume controls, 2 reverb controls, shared EQ fet. treb, mid, bass, pres. EL34's power section, broken top mounted handle...

This amp is a pure classic, sure there are stuff I wish it had (how about a closed back?) but you can't change something that is as solid a performer as this!

Versatile, fuck yea, but my rig really helps out (even if I go straight in I can do a lot more than I could with my 3ch Dual Rec)

50w is all you need in an indie band, and combo's are where it's at. I laugh at these people using tons of big amps and then need to spend a fortune on transportation for it. I can fit my whole rig in my lil sports coupe!

I own tons of amps, 1973 VOX AC30, 2005 AC30, Ampeg GI22, 1999 Fender Bassman, Ampeg V4, Vox Cambridge 30, Fender 1985 Twin, and I got access to a Fender Tone Master... this whole time I've got my ultimate clean tone, but I've been needing both a lightly overdriven tone, and a mash your face into the wall heavy overdrive tone.

I got pedals out the wazzo I've put through my AC30's, including Hot Cakes, the new CAE/MXR Overdrive, Diamond Drives, MXR Double Drive, etc, and the best was the CAE and Hot Cake, but they were muddy with my Gibson ES-335... This 900 gives me that same overall tone, but with definition, you can hear every single fucking note!!!

I've been using this amp soely for dirt, the first channel for my lightly overdriven (think ZZtop) style tone, and my lead channel for that more in your face drive (think Thrice).

no problems so far. but I'm very hard on my amps, and have blown up the best of them (hence why I got two AC30s)

n.a

This is a very cool amp, and I can't believe I've shunned Marshall for so long (aside from the JCM800 heads). My new rig as of this purchase is:

Gibson ES335 (with piezo) or Godin LG SP90

Errnie Ball Volume JR, Vox wah, Seymour Duncan Booster, MXR Phase90, VoodooLab Tremolo, Maxon AD999, Boss TU2.

AC30 & JCM900

The AC30 is always on, and driven hard, I put run it on the bypass jack of the TU2, the JCM900 is on the standard out (so that when I turn off the tuner it turns on) I use the volume for my clean tone, or switch on the peizeo of my Gibson 335.

This setup gives me unbelievable ammounts of versatility and tonal options!

I think it was built in the mid 90's and and is working fine, however in terms of features it sucks, not having an EQ for each channel isn't helpful however i never use it n the clean channel

i use a Gison Les Paul on it, This amp is an absolte beauty

Alot of peoople complain about the 900 series however i think that it is mainly because the 900 series isn't a typical Marshall.
I've heard sooooo many people complain about buying it and it not sounding like Slash. Well the amp wasn't meant to sound like a classic marshall. It was designed for much higher gain purposes. I use my 900 for all out drop d metal, i turn everything to full volume and then turn the master volume down a bit and i have never heard such balls out gain.

If you love drop d, this is for you

The Clean is Shite however you wouldn't ever want to use this for clean

It is old, however i have never had any problems, however i gig it more on a monthly basis than a weekly basis.

Never had a problem

I love this amp however you NEED another amp for clean, it's no fender

-Made in 94
-Got mine for $456 CND after taxes...What a steal!
-Sounds awesome. Clean is spanking clean. Dirty channel is all marshall. Initially I hated both of the sounds until I opened my ears and ahhhhhhhhh... Rock and Roll! Slash and Satana is all there. There is only one Marshall.

-I use OLP axis with Floyd Rose. I have A Gibson ES-135 Semi Hollowbut haven't used with the amp.
-It's not noisy at all. I have the bass all the way up and treble and mid at four.
-It makes Marshall sound like Slash, Lynard Shynard, Zakk Wylde, but I can sure hear Satana and SRV in there as well.

-Sounds like new
-I am sure it will be fine.

Who cares! I got mine for $456 CND. The sound satisfies me. It's a Marshall.

-Me been playing for 15 years...Still trying and wanna be.
-If it were lost I would be wery wery mad then get another Marshall.
-Bought it initially for slave amp until I heard the sound coming out of the amp and low and behold, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
-Sounds good enough. It is what it is. Ever heard of 'Keep it simple stupid?'
-I will always have a Marshall.

Marshall JCM900 4502 2x12 combo. Mine is an early 90's model with EL34 power tubes. I have only had this amp a short time, but I find it to be perfect for my style of music... classic rock/metal. I have read a lot of posts on this site saying that the clean channel is lacking, what the hell kind of "clean" sound are you looking for? Besides, who the hell buys a Marshall and then bitches that it doesn't sound "clean". Marshalls are bred for BTTW Rock&Roll! In My and just about every other great "Rock&Roll" guitarists opinion! This amp has everything any "competent" guitarist should ever need.

My main axe is a 2002 Gibson Les Paul Standard with stock BurstBucker
pups. Kick-Ass guitar BTW, but that is another review! This Guitar/Amp combination is fargin' amazing! You want to Rock? It's in there! As far as being noisey, I can almost peg the gain before I hear any noise, and that's to be expected. This amp can also produce some of the best distorted tones that I have ever heard; and I've heard plenty. I have performed in many different bands, playing a wide variety of different styles of music.

I do have a small backup amp. If you can afford a backup, get one. Electronic equipment goes south occasionally, regardless of the name on the front. I have had the pleasure of standing in front of many different brands of amps over the years, Marshalls are just as dependable as the rest of them.

Haven't used them.

I have been learning to play guitar for about 32 of my 46 years. I have owned a few different brands of amps over the years. although most of my Semi-professional musical escapades have been spent behind a Mic as a lead singer, I have heard many different brands of amplifiers. I have wanted a Marshall JCM900 for quite a few years, and now I own one. Just try to get the Dog-sly smile off my face! These will one day be highly sought after amps!

2 channel (clean/lead) with effects loop. 1 set of eq knobs work for both channels. Separate reverb setting for both channels though. 50 watts with a 1/2 power switch. Came with 5881 power tubes. This was a big mistake. It isn't a Marshall without EL34s!!

I use a Strat and a Les Paul. Amp sounds better with humbuckers. I play classic rock, Led Zeppelin styles, and blues. The clean channel is very good. Just turn down the preamp knob and push the volume. The preamp knob sucks the tone out of this amp - giving a compressed and grainy sound. That said, put the preamp knob on 10 and you get some nice metal, thrash sounds. This amp can do it all.

Here's what you do to make this amp into a 10!! Do these things and you will have an amp that kicks serious booty.

1. Swap the first preamp tube. Change from AX7 to AT7. This opens up the amp with more headroom. Takes some of the fizz out of the overdrive.
2. Swap the 5881 power tubes. Take it to a tech guy have him put in EL34s and rebias it.
3. Change the "stock" speakers. These things are horrible. Put in some Celestion Vintage 30s.

Do these three things and you'll have one of the best amps in the world!!

The volume knobs required servicing after 10 years. Other than that, haven't had a problem with it.

Big company - length response times.

I bought this amp from a friend about 4 months ago. With the modifications, I really enjoy this thing. The EL34s provide the classic Marshall sound. Now... Marshall did a horrible thing by releasing this amp with the tubes and speakers. Change things, and this amp is unbelievable. Though people criticize the 900 series, the modifications make this amp a "classic" Marshall, as good as the 800s or the newer ones. Frankly, I'd find another JCM 900 before I bought one of the newer models.

50 watt, 2x12 combo. Two channels w/ shared eq and presence. Separate volume,gain and reverb controls for each channel. Half-power switch on the back panel as well as a series effects loop with level control. Also has a direct out and recording compensated out which I have no current use for. Original speakers were the g12t-75 celestions which are not a good match for these amps-they make the abundant high end of this amp even more obvious and the lo-end sounded kinda fuzzy, not solid and deep. I replaced these with a pair of 16 ohm celestion vintage 30's and changed the whole character of the amp.

I use mainly a '96 les paul standard with some sort of PAF replacement pickup in the bridge and the stock humbucker in the neck. I also use an american tele with noiseless pickups. Before I made the speaker swap, the amp was ok, the cleans sounded alright and the gain sounds were alright as well. It sounded like a marshall but just not quite there. After the speaker change, the amp sounds awesome. I just had the tubes replaced (JJ el-34's) and everything serviced after I picked the amp up used off ebay but was wondering why it still didn't as a marshall should but the vintage 30's really put this thing on another level. It also seems to be another 30-40 percent louder than with the 75's. If you look at the speaker specifications on celestions webpage, the 75's are rated at 97 db sensitivity and the vintage 30's are rated at 100 db sensitivity. This is a big step up in terms of how much juice you have to feed the speakers in order to get a louder sound. Very cool. If these amps had been sold with these speakers, nobody would have had a bad thing to say about the 900 series. All the sounds are much improved over the stock amp sounds and the bass is much more present and solid. Also, the midrange is very powerful and snarly. With the stock speakers, I'd say the amp is about a 6 or 7 but with the vintage 30's I give it a 9. If you own one of these, I suggest trying out these speakers with your amp. BIG difference.

Its been solid so far...

This is a 50-watt, 2X12 tube combo with Celestion GT-75s. Mine was made in 1995, I think. It has two footswitchable gain/volume channels, but EQ is shared between both channels. There are separate reverb controls for each channel, which is nice for solos. Overall, it's about what you'd expect from a later Marshall: the basic controls and what you could call channel switching (although I guess that would be more accurate with independent EQs) but not too many bells and whistles beyond that. That suits my taste, which is toward simple and clear, but if you're looking for loads of dials to tweak all day, you should probably find something else.

I'd like to suggest a tube change that made a huge difference, at least in my amp. It came with 5881 power tubes, which in my opinion are a crime to put in a Marshall (except for the old bluesbreakers, which were desigened for them). The overdrive was harsh and not the harmonic kind of breakup you'd like to hear in a British amp. So I put in Electroharmonix 6CA7 tubes, which as I understand it are an American/military version of the EL34. Now you really get the best of both worlds, with more bass response and headroom like the 6L6s, a nice chimey clean channel, and a great "Marshally" crunch when you crank it up. I'm using Tesla/JJ 12AX7s in the preamp, but I think the power tube swap is what made the difference. I hope that's helpful to some of you.

I play a Gibson Les Paul studio and a Fender Mexican strat with a Seymour Duncan humbucker at the bridge. I love the sound of a nice guitar cranked through a good tube amp, so I plug strait into the amp and don't use any effects except for reverb. My band plays a mix of punk rock (Ramones, Social Distortion, etc.) and old stadium rock like the Who and Cheap Trick.

With the above tube change, this amp absolutely nails the big Marshall arena rock sound I was looking for. The "clean" gain ranges from true clean to something approximating a cranked plexi around 10 on the dial. It's not as clean as Fender (and even if it was, the reverb isn't nearly drippy enough for surf), but you get a nice, warm breakup above 12 o'clock on the gain dial. The drive channel is not the kind of hi-gain preamp overdrive you'd hear in a Mesa but something more like a mid-gain that gets crunchier as you turn up the power amp. With the master at about 6, you begin to hear the 6CA7s overdrive, and it's a beautiful thing. It's a 50-watter with open-back speakers, so you don't get the kind of chest thump that you would with a 100-watt stack. But it really does those glorious ringing open chords well, and palm mutes are pretty chunky for a combo amp. Overall, it nails the sound I was looking for, but there are more versitile amps out there if you need a really clean sound or a heavy overdrive at low volumes.

I bought this used and had an amp tech check it out, change the tubes, and set the bias. I plan to take care of it and haven't had any trouble so far, but I'll continue to carry a backup head to gigs. Tube amps are pretty touchy, and I don't want the first time it craps out to be at a show. I'm going to say "no opinion" just because I haven't had it long enough to judge compared to other amps.

I've never dealt with Marshall personally, although they have a good Web site where I could download a PDF of the manual for free.

I've been playing for about 10 years in a couple of punk and rock bands. I also play through a Marshall JCM 600 head and 1960 cabinet (which also sounds great but is a pain in the ass to carry) a Carvin master tube head (a poor man's Mesa Boogie, in my opinion). I've also had some Fenders and a couple other Marshalls through the years. This amp is definitely my favorite right now because it sounds spectacular for the music I'm playing and I can fit it in my trunk and carry it around much easier than a 4X12. I'd recommend the hell out of it if you're looking for a big rock sound and you're willing to spend about $100 on the 6CA7 conversion. Crank it up and rock and roll.