Marshall Amplification JCM800 2203-01 Owner's Manual page 5

The unparalleled new tones the 2203 generated immediately became the sonic impetus that helped drive forward
the veritable explosion of hard rock acts in the late seventies and early eighties. The JCM 800 incarnation of the amp
(along with the other models in the JCM 800 range, most of which were derivatives of the 2203) quickly became the
mainstay of the burgeoning heavy metal scene that dominated the '80s and was the amp responsible for many of the
seminal thrash metal recordings of this period. In fact, Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman of Slayer, a hugely influential
band that helped pioneer the thrash genre, still use their Marshall 2203s to this very day.
The late eighties and early nineties saw a shift towards the 'alternative/Brit pop' movement in the UK, while the US
was dominated by the 'grunge' scene. The wide-ranging use of 2203s in these extremely varied musical genres is a
true reflection of this amplifier's extremely versatile tonal range.
With the launch of Marshall's hugely popular JCM 900 Series in 1991, the JCM 800 2203 was deservedly, but
somewhat reluctantly, put out to pasture after 16 years of sonic supremacy. Despite its retirement though, the 2203
continued to be a much sought after amp and scores of players, including that brilliant fretburner Zakk Wylde (of
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society fame), would relentlessly hunt down old 2203s for use in the studio and on
stage.
Owing to the seemingly never-ending barrage of requests we receive on a daily basis for the 2203, we've decided
that it is time for us to relaunch this great amp in its most popular guise – the JCM 800. Furthermore, by popular
demand, we've also given it a Series Effects Loop that features a true Bypass switch that takes the loop completely
out of the circuit, thus ensuring the original tone isn't compromised in any shape or form.
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