Essential Differences Between Different Versions of JCM 800s?

[SIx String Chef]

Perusing the online listings of my preferred local guitar second hand shop, I came across a JCM 800 combo model 4010, 50W. I tried googling the manual / schematics for that specific model, but several others (4210, 4212, 4104, etc...) came up.

The question is: Is this nomenclature something comparable to saying 2203, 2204, etc. (for combos instead of heads), when referring to "circuits design builds" or something completely different, such as hardware/power config? Just trying to make sense of what I found there and see if it's worth pursuing as a possible acquisition. Although to be honest, I think it's still quite a bit outside of my budgetary constraints.

 

[SIx String Chef]

Here's a picture of the wee beastie in question:

 

[Jethro Rocker]

The water damage looks awful! A 4010 is a beast and simply a 2204 in a combo form. Some models are 2x12s, and the other ones in that series are the 2 channel models.

 

[SIx String Chef]

The single channel, vertical input jacks is one of the better options like you're showing there. But that looks like water damage at the bottom. You may be able to knock that price down a bit. My buddy grabbed one for about $800 a couple of years ago. There was a loose tube socket that had been epoxied in place and that hurt the value a bit but it still worked fine and sounded even better.

Hopefully that can help me to negotiate a price drop, although the store is notorious for preferring to sit on consignment stock indefinitely rather than facilitate a deal between the owner and the potential buyer.

 

[SIx String Chef]

The water damage looks awful! A 4010 is a beast and simply a 2204 in a combo form. Some models are 2x12s, and the other ones in that series are the 2 channel models.

I know, Jethro! I'd definitely have to get a good look under the hood just to make sure it's worth it, before even talking about bargaining with them. But those are great specs, I have to admit... although their asking 1500 CAD for it sounds a bit steep.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

I know, Jethro! I'd definitely have to get a good look under the hood just to make sure it's worth it, before even talking about bargaining with them. But those are great specs, I have to admit... although their asking 1500 CAD for it sounds a bit steep.

Hmmm. Seems a bit given that water. They have been going up in price though. What year? Caps been redone yet? Hey if you can get it for $1200... maybe consignor is more willing to play... Cdn version... does it have original Rola 65 speaker too?

 

[Clockworkmike]

Marshall numbering is BIZARRE and confusing at best. But with the 800 series its not too awfully bad.

There's 6 main numbers for the heads and those are:
1959 JCM800 Lead(100w 2 channel non Master volume, basically a rehashed plexi)
1987 JCM800 Lead( 50w 2 channel non Master Volume, rehashed plexi)
2203 ( Single channel Master Volume 100w)
2204 ( Single channel Master Volume 50w)
2205 ( Split channel/Reverb/MV 50w )
2210 ( Split Channel/Reverb/MV 100w )

Combos are:
4010 ( 50w 1x12 JCM800 2204)
4103 ( 100w 2x12 JCM800 2203)
4104 ( 50w 2x12 JCM800 2204)
4210 ( 50w 1x12 JCM800 2205)
4211 ( 100w 2x12 JCM800 2210)
4212 ( 50w 2x12 JCM800 2205)

The Lead MOSFET series is very closely associated in this series, albeit the Solidstate versions of the JCM800 valve counterparts. Also, the near mythical 2000 Lead is widely considered a JCM800 precursor and shares a lot of similarities