Home
... Musical Instruments
Amplifiers
Guitar Amplifiers
Guitar Amplifier Heads
Marshall
Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head

Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head main image

Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head image 2

Photo of Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head and more gear in a guitar

Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head

^# 62

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$1,731.52 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (15)

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt

2 community setups

22 wishlisted

46 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (7)

$1,731.52 15 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $1,732

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Amplifier Heads category, Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Unleash your sonic potential with the Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head, a true rock 'n' roll legend. Revered for over three decades, this powerhouse delivers the iconic Marshall tone, with a punchy and dynamic sound that has the ability to cut through any mix. Its two-channel design offers both clean and overdriven tones, making it a versatile choice for any musician. With a three-band EQ on the Boost channel and two-band on the Normal, you're given complete control over your sound. Its onboard spring reverb and effects loop provide a full, unapologetic tone from the moment you start playing. Experience the unmatched quality and performance that has made the JCM800 2205 a staple in the music industry.

Key Features:

50-Watt amplifier head
Two-channel design with clean and overdriven channels
Three-band EQ on the Boost channel
Two-band EQ on the Normal channel
Onboard spring reverb
Effects loop for added versatility

Product specs

Brand	Marshall
Model	JCM 800 Lead Series Model 2205 2-Channel 50-Watt Head
Finish	Black
Year	1980s
Made In	United Kingdom
Categories	Guitar Heads
Built-In Effects	Built-In Effects
Color Family	Black
Electronics	Tube
Impedance	16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels	2 Channels
Number of Inputs	1 Input
Output Power (Watts)	50
Power Tube Type	EL34
Reverb	Spring Reverb

FAQs

What are the core tonal characteristics of the Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head?: The JCM800 2205 is known for its aggressive sound with a strong midrange punch, making it ideal for rock and metal genres. It offers a classic British tone with a distinct overdrive that is both powerful and articulate.
Is the Marshall JCM800 2205 suitable for gigging?: Yes, the Marshall JCM800 2205, with its 50-watt output, is powerful enough for live performances in medium to large venues. Its robust tube-driven sound ensures your guitar cuts through the mix effectively.
Does the Marshall JCM800 2205 take pedals well?: The JCM800 2205 is renowned for its compatibility with guitar pedals, especially overdrive and distortion pedals, enhancing its tonal versatility. The amp's clean and high-gain channels can handle effects pedals effectively, making it a favorite among guitarists.
What type of power tubes does the Marshall JCM800 2205 use?: The Marshall JCM800 2205 uses EL34 power tubes, which contribute to its classic British tone, offering a warm, dynamic sound with plenty of headroom and natural compression.
How does the reverb sound on the Marshall JCM800 2205?: The JCM800 2205 features a spring reverb that provides a classic, vintage-style ambiance. It's subtle yet adds depth to your sound, suitable for a variety of musical styles.

Videos

Add video

Buffalo Music and Guitars

1983 Marshall JCM800 2205 50 Watt Guitar Head Quick Demo

Buffalo Music and Guitars

Marshall JCM 800 2205 | The Least Popular JCM 800?

Eric Merrow

Marshall JCM800 2205 50W head.

MSMWorkshop

Can the Brutal Marshall JCM800 2205 also sound like a PLEXI?

Johan Segeborn

Marshall JCM800 Model 2205 50 Watt Head Split Channel and Reverb Full Service and Demo

Vintage Guitar Amp Repairs & Online Guitar Teacher

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Versatile, covers a range from clean to full overdrive
Comparable to the JCM 800 2204 with added versatility
Boosts band sound quality significantly
Compatible with a variety of overdrive pedals for enhanced sound
Superior bass response and clear, sparkling highs
Favored by professionals for its tonality
Able to mimic iconic sounds, such as Tom Morello’s
Outperforms other high-end amps like the Rockerverb and Sovtek models

CONS

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head.

Features and functionality

0 0

The JCM800 2205 offers a very usable master volume, making it versatile for different playing environments.
Source
0 0

The JCM800 2205 combined with a 4x12 cab like the MF400B, loaded with Celestion G12K-100s, offers deep sound while maintaining midrange clarity.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners with 50W versions find them loud enough for home use, but still too powerful without attenuation.
Source
0 0

Playing with the amp's master and channel volumes both set to 10 can reach around 135dB, although this level is not recommended for extended periods without protection.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The 2205 is noted as the most versatile JCM800 model, with a good balance of tone and volume control.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

For tight metal tones, the master volume sweet spot is around 3-4, avoiding power amp saturation.
Source
0 0

20W versions are recommended for home use, as even these need attenuation to reach their tonal sweet spot.
Source
0 0

An attenuator, such as the Marshall Power Brake, is crucial for enjoying cranked tube tone without excessive volume, preserving marital harmony.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Using a Maxon OD808 pedal in front of the amp enhances the tone, particularly for playing riffs like those from Whitesnake and Ratt.
Source

Build quality

0 0

The MF400B cabinet, with its 400W capacity, ensures the speakers remain clean without breaking up at high volumes, allowing the amp to control the distortion.
Source

Add review

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

beckwoodruff

over 10 years ago

My favorite head I've owned.

Personally, I love the tonality of it. I picked this up after hearing Tom Morello owned this awhile back. Although I use a Marshall cabinet, instead of a Peavey, I can fairly well mimic his sound. It really sounds awesome, and just is awesome. Not much more I can say. If it's in your price range, I would go for this, or a newer JCM.

jimmarchi1

41029

10 years ago over 10 years ago

I ahd one of the channel switchin 800s, it may have been a 100 watter, tis been awhile. It was my 1st Marshall and I totally failed to bond with it. I don't know how Tom Morello gets a passable sound out of his, this is amp is like a silver jubilee that needs more R&D. Defintiely enjoyed the 2205 single channel 800 I owned after this POS a lot more. Jim Marshall always said this was his favorite Marshall design, but he was old and senile and must have been confused. You don't find yours to sound tinny on the gain channel and to have completely pointless and unuseable channel switching due to the inability to balance volumes and gain levels satisfactorily between the two modes?

henryjames

about 11 years ago

Best amp of all time - full stop!

Wow, you will never find a better amp than this! So much balls, so much tone, such a great amp to have in your live rig

boom762

12239

11 years ago about 11 years ago

Have you ever played a Peavey 6505+ ? I've been comparing them against each other this week and would like your impression if you have.

jimmarchi1

41029

11 years ago about 11 years ago

@boom762... those 2 amps are not even similar. The Peavey is based on a Soldano SLO100 more or less. The 2 channel JCM800 amps are not even truly 2 channels. They are like the classic 2203 and 2204 single channel 800s only they have switching between the high and low gain inputs. The low gain input/channel skips the 1st tube stage giving you a 4 input marshall JMP topology that will be clean at anything less than ear-splitting levels. On the 2205's the high gain section is like the non-switching JCM's in all but 1 regard; it uses clipping diodes to add more apparent distortion at lower master volume levels. Marshall's idea was to make it so you could get a good crunch tone on the gain channel while still keeping the level well-matched with the clean channel. Its not a great sound, though Tom Morello of RATM and audioslave seems to make it work. Who knows if his 2205 is stock though. I recommend everyone looking for 80s marshall tones get a non-switching JCM800. My 50 watt early 80s 2x12 combo murdered the 100 watt channel switching 800 I owned prior. I did not miss the clean 'channel'.

jimmarchi1

41029

11 years ago about 11 years ago

also, this amp is not a high gain amp by modern standards... Mike Soldano changed the rules when he released the SLO100 and every channel switcher since owes his design a huge debt.

henryjames

11 years ago about 11 years ago

Can't comment on your Peavey question @boom762. Have played a number of other high gain amps such as the Peavy XXX, and Mesa Single and Dual Rectifiers though and for what I play they come no where close. As I'm sure @jimmarchi1 will agree - There's a certain 'roar' that comes from the 800's, a sound that's so famous for perfectly nailing that rock tone.