Hey guys, first post, although I've been around awhile. Anyway I've just bought a JCM 900 2x12 (4502 50w model with EL34's) but I don't really know what it sounds like, I know I know but I've always wanted one for some reason. I needed to upgrade my AVT100 which despite a new Speaker and Metal Muff pedal still sounded pretty crap and muddy. I need to raise cash to fit new tubes, should I sell the Metal Muff? I actually really love it, but at the same time I'll be pissed if the JCM900 needs it to sound good. I'm a big fan of 80's/early 90's metal tones, not really into ultra-gain modern sounds so what can I expect from the amp? Thanks! James.

EDIT: Oh yeah and btw I'm using active EMG's

Muff and ProCo pedals + JCM amps are a classic combination, so when you get your 900 sit down with it and spend some time tweaking til you find what you like. If you feel like the pedal is masking too much of the amp's tone then I suggest you sell it and get a more transparent overdrive/distortion pedal like an ibanez tubescreamer or Maxon OD, they'll tighten up the sound a lot with more grind. But if you're into old fatter sustaining sounds then the Muff sounds like what you would want.

The 900 doesn't need a distortion boost to sound good, don't let anyone tell you otherwise(if so, I'll post a list of death metal albums in which the 900 was used, unboosted ). It's a fairly high gain amp. Not Engl, Boogie or 5150 of course, but you don't need that to play metal especially not older bands.

You can expect awesome sounds. Let us know how it sounds when you get it.

__________________

Confucius says, try out an amp before you buy it.

But yeah, +1 to Soeru's input. They dont NEED a distortion boost, its just people buy them expecting modern high gain sounds, and sit in front of them in their room with the volume down. Try out the muff, its not essential, but provides different sounds.

Thanks for the responses guys, I know I should have tried it out before, but they are fairly rare and I thought that depending on what valves/ speaker replacements it could sound completely different. I just went on the fact that it was a popular Metal amp at the time, plus the good reviews and that nothing could be worse than my AVT! I'll be buying new valves straight away as the old ones are dead (hence getting it for a good price), plus at some stage I'll be replacing the speakers. I already have a G12K-100 (As per Kerry King) which hopefully will help with the bottom end and then I may get a V30 too. I'll let you know what it all sounds like. I listed the Metal Muff on eBay in the end as I really need the cash for the valves. Like I said I'm not really into Modern Hi-Gain sound anyway.....

900s sound good with and without boosting.
perfect for older metal.

__________________