Going to Build a 2204, Should I Mod?

Cadorman

Cadorman

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I just ordered the chassis, face plates and double turret board from Valvestorm. It looks like Digi-Key has the Hammond trannys in stock, so I will probably get those unless anyone has a better idea that isn't outrageously priced. I have the Metroamp fx loop that I will install. Should I do any mods to improve on the stock circuit? More gain? I'm open to suggestions. I will most likely use Dale resistors again. Who's caps should I use? I'm not trying to replicate a stock circuit, but make it better.
 
Cadorman said:
I just ordered the chassis, face plates and double turret board from Valvestorm. It looks like Digi-Key has the Hammond trannys in stock, so I will probably get those unless anyone has a better idea that isn't outrageously priced. I have the Metroamp fx loop that I will install. Should I do any mods to improve on the stock circuit? More gain? I'm open to suggestions. I will most likely use Dale resistors again. Who's caps should I use? I'm not trying to replicate a stock circuit, but make it better.
Click to expand...

Talk to @syscokid and @ivan H
 
Cadorman said:
I just ordered the chassis, face plates and double turret board from Valvestorm. It looks like Digi-Key has the Hammond trannys in stock, so I will probably get those unless anyone has a better idea that isn't outrageously priced. I have the Metroamp fx loop that I will install. Should I do any mods to improve on the stock circuit? More gain? I'm open to suggestions. I will most likely use Dale resistors again. Who's caps should I use? I'm not trying to replicate a stock circuit, but make it better.
Click to expand...
The question of modding is: do you dig the classic crunch of a 2204 or do you want balls to the wall gain? Personally, I like the stock sound and just front load an OD and push it to the limits like a lot did in the past. But, a modded can be awesome too. A simple compromise though? Go with a Hot Mod V2 preamp tube
 
Clockworkmike said:
The question of modding is: do you dig the classic crunch of a 2204 or do you want balls to the wall gain? Personally, I like the stock sound and just front load an OD and push it to the limits like a lot did in the past. But, a modded can be awesome too. A simple compromise though? Go with a Hot Mod V2 preamp tube
Click to expand...
I agree with Mike, and would wonder what you're really going for. Owning a '78 2204 I can say it is a great sounding amp. Maybe go for the stock circuit first to see if it's what you're looking for, then start modding. Then, you'll have a reference point to go back to.

Personally, I think the '78-'79 2203 and 2204 are some of the best amps Marshall made, and finally got it right. Then they ruined it by creating the JCM800.
 
Hammonds are cool and come with a very good reputation. Great value, and far as I can tell, are built well. My awesome sounding V2 Caldera with its Marshall-esq circuit has a Hammond OT. For patriotic and confidence inspiring reasons, my first choice are the pricier Heyboer-built trannies (Marstran, Mojotone, Amp Parts Direct, Merren Audio...). Before you pull the trigger, give Amp Parts Direct a good look and compare their Heyboer-built prices with the Hammonds.
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Marshall Style 50W Output 4/8/16 APD-8025A-H by Heyboer Transformers (Alternative of APD-8025H))

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Mods?
I too suggest to keep it stock, especially if you like to use boosters and overdrives for spicing.

Caps?
For the money... I'll suggest the modern ERO/Vishay that you can buy from Valvestorm
 
syscokid said:
Hammonds are cool and come with a very good reputation. Great value, and far as I can tell, are built well. My awesome sounding V2 Caldera with its Marshall-esq circuit has a Hammond OT. For patriotic and confidence inspiring reasons, my first choice are the pricier Heyboer-built trannies (Marstran, Mojotone, Amp Parts Direct, Merren Audio...). Before you pull the trigger, give Amp Parts Direct a good look and compare their Heyboer-built prices with the Hammonds.
shop.amppartsdirect.com

Marshall Style 50W Output Transformer 4/8/16 - APD-8025H

Heyboer TransformersPremium guitar amplifier power transformers, output transformers and chokes.Proudly manufactured in the U.S.A. Our Part# OEM Part# Type Rating APD-8025H HTS-9877 Output 50W 4/8/16 Alternates: APD-8025A-H, APD-8025B-H, APD-8025M Reference#: 50W - Dagnal wind D.E. T4939 -...
shop.amppartsdirect.com
shop.amppartsdirect.com

Marshall Style 50W Output 4/8/16 APD-8025A-H by Heyboer Transformers (Alternative of APD-8025H))

Uh Heyboer TransformersPremium guitar amplifier power transformers, output transformers and chokes.Proudly manufactured in the U.S.A. Our Part# OEM Part# Type Rating APD-8025A-H Drake 784-139 Output 50W 4/8/16 Alternates: APD-8025H Reference#: 50W OT, Drake wind, more interleaved #784-139...
shop.amppartsdirect.com
shop.amppartsdirect.com

Marshall Style 50W Power Transformer - APD-8023H

Heyboer Transformers® Premium guitar amplifier power transformers, output transformers and chokes.Proudly manufactured in the U.S.A. Our Part# OEM Part# Type Rating APD-8023H HTS-13237 Power, 50W, 120/220/240V Upright Mounted 50W All World Alternates: None Reference#: 1202-164, 1202-324...
shop.amppartsdirect.com

Mods?
I too suggest to keep it stock, especially if you like to use boosters and overdrives for spicing.

Caps?
For the money... I'll suggest the modern ERO/Vishay that you can buy from Valvestorm
Click to expand...
If you're willing to spend the cash, Merren makes a fantastic transformer. I love the Merren trannies in my JTM-45 build.
 
SG John said:
I agree with Mike, and would wonder what you're really going for. Owning a '78 2204 I can say it is a great sounding amp. Maybe go for the stock circuit first to see if it's what you're looking for, then start modding. Then, you'll have a reference point to go back to.

Personally, I think the '78-'79 2203 and 2204 are some of the best amps Marshall made, and finally got it right. Then they ruined it by creating the JCM800.
Click to expand...

I LOVE the master volume amps. I wouldn't even waste my time with a 4 holer. The MV adds so much versatility.
 
SG John said:
If you're willing to spend the cash, Merren makes a fantastic transformer. I love the Merren trannies in my JTM-45 build.
Click to expand...
Second the Merren for one simple fact: they are the closest reproductions to the original Drake Transformers. If you can find a Drake? Bless ya! Korg USA ( Marshalls former parent company) was still using them in 50w amps up until the early 2000s but theres an argument on the quality of the namesake vs the classic 60s models ( both of my 90s era 50w Marshalls came stock with Drakes and are still working wonderfully to this day however!)
 
Thanks guys. All good points. I ordered the Hammond trannys from Digi-Key. They were in stock and local. I should have them in a few days. I'll do a stock circuit with better than stock parts with a loop. I did a 2203 a few years ago which has become my dedicated bass amp. I want to be able to go a little harder with a 50 watt version. I should be able to get this done for under a grand.
 
Inspector #20 said:
I LOVE the master volume amps. I wouldn't even waste my time with a 4 holer. The MV adds so much versatility.
Click to expand...
2203 and 2204 are both Master Volume heads. The 2203 is 100 watt and 2204 is 50 watt. They were the transition from the 1987 (50 watt) and 1959 (100 watt) to the the JCM 800. You could get all four (1987, 1959, 2203, 2204) under the JMP badge. I like both the 2 and four hole heads. Still think they finally got it right in '79 with the 2203, then blew it on the JCM.

Purely personal preference. I like the raunchy cleaner traditionally English sound of the JTM up to through the JMP. Even though many disagree, I think the amps lost some of their character with the JCM. Everyone can sound the same with a JCM. There's nowhere to hide with the earlier amps, and you'll definitely sound like you.
 
SG John said:
2203 and 2204 are both Master Volume heads. The 2203 is 100 watt and 2204 is 50 watt. They were the transition from the 1987 (50 watt) and 1959 (100 watt) to the the JCM 800. You could get all four (1987, 1959, 2203, 2204) under the JMP badge. I like both the 2 and four hole heads. Still think they finally got it right in '79 with the 2203, then blew it on the JCM.

Purely personal preference. I like the raunchy cleaner traditionally English sound of the JTM up to through the JMP. Even though many disagree, I think the amps lost some of their character with the JCM. Everyone can sound the same with a JCM. There's nowhere to hide with the earlier amps, and you'll definitely sound like you.
Click to expand...
It's a pretty valid point honestly but a bigger question of "What changed from JMP to JCM?" On paper they SHOULD be the same but there IS a noticeable difference between the two, with the JCM becoming slightly more gainful and a little more compressed I guess you could say? But what I never understood is why? It's sort of a mystery really, especially among the first run of JCMs vs the last run of the JMPs
 
Clockworkmike said:
It's a pretty valid point honestly but a bigger question of "What changed from JMP to JCM?" On paper they SHOULD be the same but there IS a noticeable difference between the two, with the JCM becoming slightly more gainful and a little more compressed I guess you could say? But what I never understood is why? It's sort of a mystery really, especially among the first run of JCMs vs the last run of the JMPs
Click to expand...
Are you referring to the introduction of the cascaded gain stage between the models?
 
syscokid said:
Are you referring to the introduction of the cascaded gain stage between the models?
Click to expand...
I guess that's it? I've read before that the notable difference is the JCM 800 had a cold clipper and technically 3 gain stages over the JMP having 2. Is this true? Cause I always believed that they were essentially the same amplifiers right down to the circuitry but that can't be true if this is the case, right?
 
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