Would you part with an original Marshall JCM 800 for a Kemper

[RhoadsScholar]

I am torn between parting with my original JCM 800 100 watt (specs out to 135 watts) full marshall stack in original white tolex in exchange for a Kemper profiler amp. Every year (and 3 or 3 summer shows) I absolutley love playing a full stack outdoors for a big crowd. For most gigs though, I could mike my Fender Pro Reverb even my Princeton Reverb and be content with the sound I achieve.

 

I was recently diagnosed with a Hernia and the success rate based on the hernia if I were to get it operated on is about 50 %. I have had it repaired before. As much as I like the sound of 2 4 12 cabinets, I am totally blown away by the technology of the Kemper.

 

I can sell my full stack, recently refurbished and aquire a kemper profiler with the power amp. The reproduction is amazing and I am a tube snob. I like the Kemper approach vs. the Axe FX and have found it to be much more convincing. Will still end up with a 4 12 cabinet once I sell the Marshall.

 

I see crazy pricing for original JCM 800s but I get a great Marshall emulation from a Fender Mustang V amp head that I use in our rehearsal space (I paid less than 200 for the head) that I am ready to part with the jcm 800 JUST because I am getting old and with a 50 % success rate of a repeated hernia operation, don't know if I want to go through that procedure again.

 

I have found the Pro Reverb to be a great platform (currently using a 70s' era I sold my 60's era to Shundog but kinda like the fender sound with Fenders vs. Marshalls with effects pedals.

 

I may be answering my own question as I write this post, but what do folks like/ dislike about the KEMPER APPROACH VS. mARSHALL STACK VS. aX eFFEX APPROACH.

 

I am 57 and want to play guitar another 30 years (at least ) mostly classic rock. I am a tube snob too but pedals and a nice Fender tube amp (clean) usually get me where I want to go. Can't beat the visual effect of a marshall stack at a live show. A lightweight Kemper w/ Poweramp is an appealing option, but wondered how many folks have taken the plunge.

 

Don't think I will part with my SilverFace fender amps, but the Kemper might give me all the amp emulations I need to cover a broad range of cover songs from the 70s 80s and 90s. Have others gone through the thought process and reached a conclusion based on the current technology available from kEMPER AND aX eFEX (I CANT BE THE ONLY ONE). tHANKS IN ADVANCE IF YOU CHOOSE TO REPLAY. I value the input from my HOC friends and always look forward to our annual event.

 

So what do you guys think?

[tulk1]

I have downsized my gigging rig. And look at how to reduce its footprint every time I use it. I've not had anything as iconic as a white JCM800. Which has got to be a killer rig, both in sound and weight. But the age thing, without roadies, is taking its toll on all of us.

 

Not quite in the same icon realm as your Marshall, but I am considering trading the recently re-aquired JCM900 for a Quilter. Sorta the same idea on a lesser scale.

[mars_hall]

My take is a profiler or modeling amp is something to pass the time and momentarily explore what-ifs. You would spend many entertaining hours trying to find the perfect dial-in for another amp that already exists and say, "Well that sounds pretty close to me".

 

What this translates to is the fun of discovery, which is entertaining in itself, as opposed to the love of a particular amp sound. Like a crossword puzzle, a mental exercise with no appreciable outcome other than keeping you thinking through distraction.

 

I believe in the end, you will be trying to dial-in a sound you already have or like, as opposed to spending any great deal of focus within a new unexplored tonal realm. It's all good, but the endpoint differs.

[kennyv4]

Tough question. Getting rid of your beloved Marshall will be difficult especially if down the road in your mind you make it the best amp you ever owned and wished you had not got rid of it. Couple of questions to ask yourself. Do you have the money to buy the Kemper and keep the Marshall and do you have the room to make the Marshall a museum piece. If you do keep the Marshall. Your hernia situation alone kind of dictates not lugging around the Marshall. One of the amps I own Is Fender Twin reverb. I also have an additional 2x12 Fender cab for the Twin. That set up will never leave my music room. I am older than you and I do't have any problems lifting things, and I still won't lug that beast anywhere. The same goes for my Supuro. I will not sell either of these amps. As you may have guessed I am also a tube amp snob. I have not played out for years. Jam nights are at my place once a month. If I have to take an amp out it's either my Fender Deluxe Reverb or Blues Junior. I have not tried out the Kemper, but it really looks interesting and at it's cost it should/better sound great. It does sound like you love that Marshall, so keep it for now, and if you can't afford the Kemper, use your Fender rig.

[buzzy]

Short answer, FOR ME, yes, I'd do it. I would easily be satisfied with versatality and reproduction of either the Fractal or Kemper in a live setting.

 

Be honest with yourself. Do you have enduring regret over past sales? I sold my big cabs and occasionally miss them, but I'd do it again.

Would you buy the full stack today if you saw that rig for sale at an attractive price and you had the disposable income? I'm not sure that I could resist.

 

Ten years ago, I was flush with cash and playing regularly. I was convinced (by the internet) that tubes were the only way and I added some great amps. Given the chance, I would not do it (all) again - but, my current financial outlook and playing schedule have a lot to do with that opinion. I also have come back to looking at gear as tools and right now my "collection" kind of reminds me of all that concrete finishing equipment sitting unused in my garage.

 

 

To come full circle, I'd do it. But if the only things we have in common are Heritage guitars and we're the same age, then don't let me influence your decision.

[DetroitBlues]

I'm overly concerned with amps for durability and longevity. Tube amps sound fantastic and there really is no substitute for them when you can play them loud and proud. But for the 99% of us that cannot play them at 11, modeling amps have become the new wave. Some might say Kemper amps are the best thing since sliced bread and other say they are just overpriced Line6 Spider amps.

 

I've been strongly considering the Quilter amps myself. I've played them. They sound great and low volume and really sound/react like a tube amp at high volumes. They are small and lightweight and can be used with electrics, bass, and acoustic guitars. But I have yet to give up my Jet City 20HV w/ matching 2x12 for the Quilter.

 

In your case, its a 50/50 answer. The JCM800 is a killer amp with legendary tones. But can you really use it to its full potential at home or on the road? The Kemper does. But will the Kemper lose value over time because the latest and greatest comes out and replaces it? Probably. Will the JCM800 continue to rise in value? Possibly.

 

If it was my choice, I'd probably make the trade and like many of my decisions probably regret it later; but for living in the moment, the trade would of been done and over with already.

[tulk1]

 

 

If it was my choice, I'd probably make the trade and like many of my decisions probably regret it later; but for living in the moment, the trade would of have been done and over with already.

Yep. Probably the same here. Especially since it isn't our amp! ........

[pressure]

I try not to go through a "thought process" as much as possible, so much so that I have to check my pulse just to assure myself I am alive and can still think. Being 39 years old I have lightened up with a Victoria Ivy League amp (Fender Harvard) for a grab-&-go solution. I really like the Ivy League, much better than a Deluxe for me.

[pressure]

Avoid the rabbit hole of "wish I hadn't sold so and so" that can be never ending. Especially when you have sold/traded in a crapload of great stuff over the years. Which brings me to all the 50s Les Paul's I used to by at pawn shops, clean up and sell to make a few bucks. But I won't go there because that would be a never ending rabbit hole and remind me of the 60s Martin's I sold.

[t0aj15]

Would you part with an original Marshall JCM 800 for a Kemper

Absolutely not!

Of course this is entirely your choice but I wouldn't trade an all time classic for a digital toaster. The Marshall (well taken care of) will only increase in value while the toaster's value will start to drop like a rock as soon as the next generation is released.

[JeffB]

Nah.

I wouldnt.

But thats just me.

I did have the Kemper for a brief while.

It is a good thing. I really liked it.

I have no problems with digital gear, Im definitely not a tube snob.

I just really like most of the JCM800 series of amps.

Good luck managing the hernia btw. It can be a tricky thing.

[big bob]

I try not to go through a "thought process" as much as possible, so much so that I have to check my pulse just to assure myself I am alive and can still think. Being 39 years old I have lightened up with a Victoria Ivy League amp (Fender Harvard) for a grab-&-go solution. I really like the Ivy League, much better than a Deluxe for me.

You look like shit for 39!

[big bob]

Absolutely not!

Of course this is entirely your choice but I wouldn't trade an all time classic for a digital toaster. The Marshall (well taken care of) will only increase in value while the toaster's value will start to drop like a rock as soon as the next generation is released.

I agree.

The Marshall will increase in value while the Kemper will eventually be the the line 6 of tomorrow.

If you had a small production studio where it wasn't feasible to own 50 tube amps a Kemper makes sense. However if you have the grab and go amp's covered what would you use the Kemper for? If you use it as a replacement for the Marshall you will still need two 4x12 cabs to get the air moving!

[Millennium Maestro]

I would never sell something I loved playing that would be tough to replace.I like most have also downsized... Don't have the stage space or venue size to bring out the beef.

When tone matters 100% you can't beat you go to Marshall. You already plan to use a 4x12 anyways... Use the Marshall Half stack.

 

I have experimented with modelling to be snake bitten on stage with the surprise not expected sound! I never want to be perceived with hack tone!

 

KEEP IT! The Hernia is an excuse... There is always a way when there's a will! I have lugged MANY pieces of other band members gear with zero objections.

[pressure]

You're right Big Bob but I'm not getting any younger, I'm staying 39, and in fact I won't be looking any better either.
You'll just have to deal with it Big Bob, I know I do. Good Times.

[big bob]

Touché!

[asharrow]

No matter what keep the head !!!!! Even though the cabs match, keep the head.

[rwinking]

Have you thought about keeping the head and using this in place of the 4 X 12?

 

http://www.two-notes.com/en/hardware/torpedo-live/

 

It will give you the sound of the 4 X 12 but in all honesty I would miss my hair blowing forward from the 4 X 12's power and volume. Looking at your picture that may not be an issue here...

[Hfan]

You look like shit for 39!

Hard living rock and roll life style I assumed.

[RhoadsScholar]

Thanks for all the opinions, I should feel blessed to have to make the choices I am faced with, I recently (last weekend) micked a 72 Princeton reverb with a 1 12"". The other guitar player used a marshall half stacked miked. I did just fine. Here is a little dirty white boy and a big dirty white boy. I am the one with the flamed telecaster through the princeton and my pedal board. This is about a 200 seat club called chatters in westland. nice setup.

 

 

for the 4 times I did the marshall out for outdoor summer shows, I do love it.

[buzzy]

Excellent!

Real people using their talent and the tools of the trade to deliver a product to an audience.

I'm sure you can find some way to haul the stack when it is needed.

[kennyv4]

You guys sound great and the Princeton set ups cuts right through the Marshall especially on your solo. Great looking guitar, is that a James Burton Model Tele?

[RhoadsScholar]

Appreciate the Kudos and advice. I really do. Glad to see mixed reviews because I seem to change my mind daily. I am leaning towards keeping the JCM 800 as has been stated, it can only go up in value if well taken care of and they don't make em like they used too. The factory white tolex is a cool, rare find in the condition it is in. My amp lineup includes a 1973 princeton reverb, a 1972 Pro Reverb, A KBP810 reverb deluxe with 2-10's a Rivera era concert, a Henricksen Jazzamp and the full stack JCM 800 (I guess I don't need to model an amp I already have). Don't get me wrong, one of these days I think I will have a Kemper Profiler. As long as I am walking without a walker (and I do a have 26 year old son who lives close by), I just gotta figure out a way to Haul the Marshall when I need it. There is nothing like playing some of these outdoor gigs through a full stack (even if they are only 4 times a year). I really didn't think the princeton reverb would cut it but with an SM57 through a board vs. a Marshall half stack, it does the trick. I didn't have it dimed, but I had it around 5 and hit the front end with a boost pedal and a tube screamer when ne

 

My tele is totally custom painted by a motorcycle shop. Probably a 600+ paint job with a handmade custom neck by someone who used to work at fender and makes crazy flamed maple and birdseye necks (forget his name at the moment). It is a stunning paintjob up front. My guitar tech had him build a strat and tele and he decided to keep the strat. It is a hot rail in the neck and a tripleshot in the bridge with split coil capability. Very versitle.

Here is another song we did. I realize the Cars didn't make the hall of fame this year but they did make the Three Legged Dog Set List. Elliott Easton is so underrated for his guitar talents. Best Friends Girl has the best 12 second guitar solo ever. I don't event try to replicate it. Just stay in Key and have fun. I still couldn't believe my Princeton reverb kept up with the marshall half stack in a club setting. Love the tone I am getting. I do have 7 heritage guitars I get to play from time to time when our other guitarist switches over to single coils (usually P90s). Otherwise, most of the time I am playing a Tele or strat..... Here is our other video.

[RhoadsScholar]

Have you thought about keeping the head and using this in place of the 4 X 12?

 

http://www.two-notes.com/en/hardware/torpedo-live/

 

It will give you the sound of the 4 X 12 but in all honesty I would miss my hair blowing forward from the 4 X 12's power and volume. Looking at your picture that may not be an issue here...

I didn't even know a product like this existed. Instead of a Kemper, keep the JCM 800 and get this box. Need to look into this technology some more. Thanks so much. Would work with my arsenal of Fender amps too. What's not to like

[Buckyrock]

keep the Marshall.