Marshall JCM800 VS 900: Which one is better?
Our pick: The Marshall JCM800
The differences between the Marshall JCM800 and 900 are primarily tone and features. The 900 is more feature-rich with two channels, reverb, and a line out, all of which are missing from the JCM800. However, the tone in the JCM800 is absolutely superior and more flexible.
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The Marshall JCM800 and 900 are a choice between an amp with novelty and better tone quality, versus a follow-up with more features and a better price point. This decision has some practical implications but is also a matter of preference.
The 800 has a better tone, especially at high gain settings, and is far more flexible. If you're in the hard rock, modern rock, or metal genres, the added cost might be worth it to you.
Yet, the 900 is cheaper and provides some very desirable features, including the following:
- Two channels
- Line out
- Reverb
You're trading tone flexibility for channel and feature flexibility.
The biggest decision is whether you want to trade the better tone of the 800 for the additional features and money saved with the 900. We'd argue that the 800, even at the higher price tag and with a single channel, is clearly the better option.
There are more differences we'll cover below for those wanting more detail.
Marshall JCM800 VS 900 (comparison table)
This chart lets you compare the basic specs and live pricing for both the 800 and 900. We have a more detailed comparison table below, but this covers the features that matter most. You can also search for more amps to compare below from our database. We're routinely adding to it.
Amp | Name | Rate | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | JCM900 | n/a | |
| JCM800 | n/a |
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Full Price Guides
This is a price guide for both amps that includes multiple retailers and some additional resources.
Price updated Tue, October 03rd, 2023.
Marshall JCM800 Price Guide
Major Retailers
Amazon Only
Price Alert
Price History
Price History for Marshall JCM800 2203 Reissue Guitar Amplifier Head
Statistics
| Current Price | $3,349.99 | December 28, 2022 |
| Highest Price | $3,349.99 | October 20, 2022 |
| Lowest Price | $3,349.99 | October 20, 2022 |
Last price changes
| $3,349.99 | October 20, 2022 |
Marshall JCM900 Price Guide
Major Retailers
Amazon Only
Price Alert
Price History
Price History for Marshall JCM900 4100 100-Watt Guitar Amplifier Head
Statistics
| Current Price | $2,799.99 | December 28, 2022 |
| Highest Price | $2,799.99 | December 13, 2022 |
| Lowest Price | $2,799.99 | December 13, 2022 |
Last price changes
| $2,799.99 | December 13, 2022 |
Demo Comparison of Both Amps
In the demos below, it's clear that the JCM800 sounds a lot better than the 900. Especially on higher gain modes, the 800 is full and heavy, thus able to handle a wider range of styles.
Ola's "In the Room" demo showcases this perfectly.
Note: This demo is of the JCM800 2205, while the we've linked to the 2203x.
In Kyle's demo he mentions quite a bit that the 900 has a very difficult time settling on a heavier EQ without sounding harsh. It does classic rock and moderate breakup really well on the clean channel, but the higher gain tones just don't get that thickness and percussive response that we easily hear in the JCM800.
He tries a pretty wide range of solutions for this, including a different guitar with active pickups, and it just doesn't happen.
It's not a bad-sounding amp, even at the higher gain settings. But you have to like the style and be okey with the limitations of the gain. Basically you're trading tone flexibility for channel and feature flexibility.
The choice is yours.
Detailed Comparison Table
This table gives you the detailed spec and style differences between each amp.
Header | 800 | 900 |
|---|---|---|
Circuit Type | Tube | Tube |
Channels | 1 | 2 |
Total power | 100W | 100W |
Preamp Tubes | 3 X ECC83 | 3 x ECC83/12AX7 |
Power Tubes | 4 x EL34 | 4 x 5881 |
EQ setup | 3-band EQ plus presence | 3-band EQ plus presence |
Inputs | 1 x 1/4" (high sensitivity), 1 x 1/4" (low sensitivity) | 1 x 1/4" |
Outputs | 2 x 1/4" (4/8/16 ohms) | 2 x 1/4" (speaker out), 2 x 1/4" (direct, compensated) |
Effects Loop | Yes | Yes |
EQ lean | Slightly bright, balanced | Very bright |
Style lean | Classic rock, rock, and metal | Classic rock, rock |
Modern friendly | Yes | Somewhat |
Saturation level | Heavy | Moderate |
Pros and Cons of the Marshall JCM800
Here are some of the pros of the JCM800:
- Much cleaner signal patch
- Better power section
- Lots of helpful mods over the years
- Far better low-end and high-gain settings than the 900
- It just sound significantly better for a wider range of sounds
And some of the cons of the JCM800:
- Only one channel
- No line out
- Effects loop not included in every version
- More expensive
Pros and Cons of the Marshall JCM900
Let's go over the same for the Marshall JCM900. Pros first:
- Two channels offer a lot more flexibility
- Dual reverb
- Includes a line out and effects loop
- Cheaper than the JCM800
Does the Marshall JCM900 have a bad reputation?
Whether it deserves it or not, the Marshall JCM900 has a pretty rough reputation, said to have missed the mark in an attempt to build on the JCM800. To be fair to the 900, the 800 is an extremely difficult act to follow.
But again, it's hard to deny the pitfalls of the 900 because at the end of the day, it just doesn't sound as good as the 800, outside of a grunge and classic rock context.
However:
You shouldn't discount the 900 simply because of the hate it gets.
Our take - and that of many others - is that while the 900 has its shortcomings, it doesn't deserve a bad reputation.
Which one is better for metal?
If metal is your domain, the Marshall JCM800 is a far better option.
For what we'd still consider more of a vintage amp, it sounds absolutely fantastic on higher gain settings. There's plenty of low-end saturation, and it's not too bright or harsh, which is a problem with the 900 that's really hard to EQ your way out of.
For metal and modern rock styles, the JCM800 can handle it.
Conclusion
We don't hate the 900.
It's a good amp and it doesn't deserve all the criticism it gets.
If you want to save the money and would find the additional features useful, particularly the two channels, the 900 is worth considering, especially if you're firmly in the grunge and/or classic rock styles.
But the JCM800 is clearly the superior amplifier. If you want versatility and the option to dabble in modern tones with a metal edge, spending the extra money for the 800 is advisable.
Drop questions in the comments section below.
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The video of the 800 your showing is NOT a 2203 dude. It’s a 2210 with the 2 channel diodes. So not a fair comparison. Your right about eveything except this video should be taken down it’s not the right model
I think Englund said it’s the 2205. I mean, I’ve listened to both, and I’m not sure the distinction is so dramatic that it couldn’t work with either demo. I made a note note by the video, but I think Englund’s demos are just a lot better.
His demo’s are great . But yea its not the 2203 which is the one most talk about which sounds even better than the 2205. But less gain. Either way your article is spot on.
Thanks, Alan. I made that note on the page and I’ll do some more research, maybe even compare the 2203/05/10, etc. Thanks for the kind words.