classycamaro's Reviews

JCM 800 Clean

The clean channel gives my 1986 JCM 800 4104 a run for its money (well, no it doesn't, but it is really good).

It's crystal clear, and noiseless in the background. Although it doesn't have the mighty punch at higher volumes like the JCM, -what amp does??? -But that's okay, just finding a close substitute is awesome. The response in the Club 40 II is remarkably spot on. The OD is aggressive and dynamic, and the controls on the amp, simple but complete. Now I can keep my JCM 800 at home for the practice gigs (and limit it's exposure to damage and wear from gigging excessively), and not break my back loading up all the time. -And, keep my JCMish sound at the same time.

I'm going to dump the Seventy 80 within the month. Will update my review after I figure out with what and have played a bit.

e(X)tended (R)ange -1 is AWESOME!

In a nutshell. It is a Les Paul Standard with no bindings, no weight relief, no pick guard, with (2) Tim Shaw "Dirty Finger" humbuckers and a coil tap (splitter). This guitar sounds clear and tough. Steve Clark of course used it on most of the early songs, and he used it stock. Except he seems to have reversed the polarization on neck pickup on "Let it Go" (see the video). And, this guitar is all rock and roll with those super hot pickups.

People say it was the "Prelude" to the Studio. Well, yes and no. It was developed as its own model. Other than the shape, it is has little resemblance. The Studio, is relieved in weight, has cooler pickups, no coil tap.

There were 2 other models, the XR-2 and X-3. Neither of those two models come close to the the rocking sound you get from the XR-1. The XR series was made from 1980 to 1983, and some copies are floating around from late 1979 (like December late).

This is a aesthetically stripped down standard, with arguably a more rocking sound in comparison. And, on the slower clean songs, you can still get the Standard sound by flipping that "Tap".