Metropoulos Forum

Will the chassis fit properly in a JCM800 style box or is it sized the same as the 1959 chassis? I want to do the kit but put it in a JCM800 headshell, not a 70's style one.

Bump for chassis schoolin'

2203 from the 70's and into the JCM800 era and 1959 chassis dimensions are identical for the bolt holes that mount them to the headbox, so George's 2203 chassis should bolt to a JCM800 head cab as long as teh headcab is to Marshall specs.

Shoot Geroge an email and he will give you the dimensions to confirm just to be sure, but I think you'll be alright!

My 79 2203 is identical to my 1959's chassis holes.

I used to have a '78 2203 and it wouldn't fit properly in a Marshall, plexi reissue head-shell. I can't remember exactly how it didn't but IIRC it was because the head-shell wasn't deep enough.

Do you have a reissue JCM 800 headbox already? I would measure it then send Geroge the dimensions to check. I can't comment on the reissue headboxes but my 79 2203 bolt holes are identical to George's 1959 chassis.

Again to my knowledge Marshall chassis dimensions were pretty standardized for their 100 watt heads 2203 into their 1959 models. You have to remember all the 2203 is is a 1959 with a cascaded preamp they didn't change chassis for that, just a different board and faceplates as they were still making 1959's well into the JCM800 era, up to 1988 or 1989. I know they chaged the layout of the preamp tubes around 87 or 88 I think but I doubt the chassis changed.

Email George he knows all there is to know about Marshall lore and he will give you all the info you need to make a decision,he is very heplful.

harddriver wrote:2203 from the 70's and into the JCM800 era and 1959 chassis dimensions are identical for the bolt holes that mount them to the headbox, so George's 2203 chassis should bolt to a JCM800 head cab as long as teh headcab is to Marshall specs.

Shoot Geroge an email and he will give you the dimensions to confirm just to be sure, but I think you'll be alright!

My 79 2203 is identical to my 1959's chassis holes.

How does your 2203 compare to the Marshall? Does the 2203 have more overdrive than a JCM800? Just wondering as I'm wanting to build one.

JDW3 wrote:
How does your 2203 compare to the Marshall? Does the 2203 have more overdrive than a JCM800? Just wondering as I'm wanting to build one.

A 1959 Marshall is the standard two gain stage Non Master volume amp, from the plexi models into the super leads as well as JCM800 1959's, all amps have just two gain stages and really have to be cranked to sound their best.

A 2203 model Marshall is a master volume designed amp with three gain stages with a cascaded gain stage up front, hence having more gain and more usable at lower volumes with the master volume control. Both amp circuits have their own qualities and characteristics due to filtering and specs.

A 79 2203 has about the same amount of gain as a JCM800 2203 model, pretty much the same amp. Also as stated above Marshall still made the 1959 model into the JCM800 era.

You can mod the 2203 to have alot more gain than a stock 2203 using just the 3 gain stages or adding a 4th. I hope this helps, George makes one of the best kits available quality wise with excellent step by step directions.