Marshall Amplification JCM600 User Manual

JCM Valve Combos

& JCM 600 Valve Head.

JCM600

VALVE GUITAR AMPLIFIERS

ENGLISH

1

From the Chairman

I would like to thank you personally for selecting

one of our JCM 600 valve amplifiers.

For over thirty five years now my Company has
been recognised around the world as one of the
leading manufacturers of quality amplification. This
is a direct result of our continual investment in not
only research and development, but also people,
expertise and new production techniques to enable
us to design and manufacture consistently innovative
products, all of which are built to stand the rigours
of time.

Having been a musician myself for over fifty
years, I know that these things are important to all
musicians, but I also know that a major
consideration to any musician is the cost of
equipment. To this end I have made a conscious
effort to employ new techniques to keep the
production costs of the JCM 600 range at as
reasonable a level as possible, without sacrificing
any of the Marshall trademarks such as tone and
quality, with which we would never compromise.

I would suggest that you read this handbook
carefully before operating your new JCM 600
amplifier and would like to wish you every success
with your new Marshall, which I am sure you will
find a pleasure to play for many years to come.

Yours sincerely,

WARNING!

Please read the following list carefully.

A. ALWAYS fit a good quality mains plug conforming to the latest B.S.I. standards where
necessary (UK only).

B. NEVER attempt to by-pass the fuses or fit ones of the incorrect value.
C. NEVER attempt to replace fuses or valves with the amplifier connected to the mains.
D. DO NOT attempt to remove the amplifier chassis, there are no user serviceable parts.
E. ALWAYS have this equipment serviced or repaired by competent qualified personnel.
F. NEVER use an amplifier in damp or wet conditions.
G. DO NOT switch the amplifier on without the loudspeaker connected.
H. ENSURE that any extension cabinets used are of the correct impedance.
I. PLEASE read this instruction manual carefully before switching on.
WARNING : This apparatus must be earthed!
WARNING : Do not obstruct ventilation grille and always ensure free movement of air around

the amplifier!

Marshall Amplification has been inextricably linked with valve amplification
since our very beginning in 1962. Products such as the original Bluesbreaker
combos, JTM 45 and Super-Lead heads were all destined to be, and have
become, classics in their own right.

All of these special Marshalls produced their magical tone by driving the guitar
through an all valve pre-amp into a pure valve power-amp. The JCM 600 series
carry on this grand tradition but meet the demands of contemporary guitarists
by providing features such as channel switching, reverb, effects loop and
speaker emulated output.

Using Your JCM 600 Amplifier

Your JCM 600 Valve combo or head is easily capable of producing a wide
range of usable quality tones, from glassy vintage clean, Bluesbreaker type
singing lead and crunchy chord work to full blown modern high gain crush.
What’s more the controls are simple and intuitive to use giving you instant
access to memorable Marshall tones.

Whilst one should always bear in mind that taste in tone is a very subjective
matter, the following suggestions will give you a good starting point for getting
some great sounds from your JCM 600 amplifier.

Clean

Make sure you select the Clean channel which is indicated by the green L.E.D.
The strength and height of your pick-ups will have a great influence on the level
you should set the volume on this channel before overdrive sets in. Generally
speaking the volume control should be set below half way for totally clean
sounds.

The tone network should be set with all three controls at 5 initially, then
adjusted to suit the type of guitar and sound required. Generally single coil

ENGLISH

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JCM 600

Range Introduction

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3

pickups will require extra bass and middle to give the sound more body, but
humbuckers may well require less middle and extra treble to cut through.

Vintage Overdrive

Switch to the Overdrive channel which is indicated by the Red L.E.D. Again

pickups will obviously influence settings but you will probably find that gain
settings of around 5 or 6 are quite adequate, the key however is to increase the
master volume level. As our vintage amps didn’t really have a lot of pre-amp
gain guitarists used to crank the volume up to be heard which resulted in the
natural classic Marshall overdrive roar. Alternatively the Clean Channel with its
volume on maximum gives a very satisfying vintage type overdrive.

As far as tone settings go we would suggest that you start with the tone

controls set at about 5 and then adjust to taste from there. The selection of tone
settings for single coil or humbucking pickups will follow the same general
pattern as for the clean sound.

Modern Hi-Gain

Switch to the Overdrive channel indicated by the Red L.E.D.
Turn the gain up to full and set the volume for the desired level. Tone controls

are set to taste, though probably with the Middle control lower than the Bass
and Treble controls particularly to maintain the definition when using
humbucking pickups.

The best advice we could really offer is to simply experiment and above all

enjoy the pure valve tone of your Marshall JCM 600 amplifier.

1) Footswitch Jack

Jack socket for connection of P801 Footpedal

for channel switching.

2) Push Channel Switch

Push switch for panel switching of the

channel. The push switch is inoperative when

the footswitch is connected.

3) Input Jack

Jack socket for the input of the guitar.

4) Volume Control

Controls the Volume of the Clean channel.

5) Bass Control

Controls the lower frequencies or bottom end

in the tone of the Clean channel.

6) Middle Control

Controls the middle frequencies and fatness of

the tone of the Clean channel.

7) Treble Control

Controls the upper or treble frequencies in the
tone of the Clean channel.

8) L.E.D.

Indicates channel. Green-Clean. Red­Overdrive.

9) Gain Control

Controls the amount of Gain on the Overdrive
channel.

10) Volume Control

Controls the volume of the Overdrive channel.

11) Bass Control

Controls the low end frequencies in the tone
of the Overdrive channel.

12) Middle Control

Controls the middle frequencies in the tone of
the Overdrive channel.

JCM 601, 602 & JCM600 Head

Front Panel Functions

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4

13) Treble Control

Controls the upper or treble frequencies in the
tone of the Overdrive channel.

Please Note

The Tone Controls are interactive and
adjusting one can effect the relative amounts
of the others. Experimentation is the best way
of finding your own personal favourites.

14) Parallel Effects Mix Control

Governs the amount of effected signal in the
overall tone when used in conjunction with
external effects through the parallel loop (see
items 3 and 4 of the JCM 600 rear panel
functions).

15) Clean Reverb

Controls the amount of Reverb on the Clean
channel.

16) Overdrive Reverb

Controls the amount of Reverb on the
Overdrive channel.

17) Volume

Controls the overall volume of the combo.

18) Standby Switch

Controls the H.T. supply to the valves and
allows the valves to remain heated when not
in use.

19) Power Switch

On / Off Switch for mains power to the
amplifier.

Please Note

To prolong the life of the valves it is always
advisable to switch on the Mains Power
Switch (item 19) about 2 minutes before
switching on the Standby (item 18).

This allows the valves to heat up to full
working temperature before use. On
switching off, the Standby should always be
switched before the Power Switch.

1) Mains Fuse

Protects the amplifier and mains supply in the
event of a fault.

Check the label on the back of the amp for the
correct value. Always replace fuses with the

correct type and rating. It is a wise precaution
to always carry spares.

2) Mains Input

Connects the amplifier to the mains power
supply.

3) Parallel FX Loop Return Jack

Jack socket for connection from the output of
an external effects processor.

Please Note

A parallel FX Loop is best suited for use with
external effects processors which require a
certain amount of dry or uneffected signal in
the overall tone. Time based effects such as
Delay and Chorus are typical examples of the
effects best suited to this type of Loop.

4) Parallel FX Loop Send Jack

Jack socket for connection to the input of an
external effects processor.

5) Series FX Loop Return Jack

Jack socket for connection to the output of an
external effects processor.

6) Series FX Loop Send Jack

Jack socket for connection to the input of an
external effects processor.

Note: The Series Loop is best suited to effects
that require no dry signal such as
Compressors or Graphic Equalisers.

7) D.I. Output

The JCM 600’s D.I. Out is switchable
between a speaker Emulated signal (pre the
power amp), and a non Emulated (post the
power amp ) signal.

The Emulated Output captures the tonality of
Vintage loudspeakers like no other D.I.
furthermore this output is unaffected by the
Master Volume controls therefore allowing
the JCM 600’s output to be turned off whilst
still providing silent recording facilities.

The D.I. Output is via an XLR type connector
which allows this system to be run into either
(a) a line level balanced input (b) a line level
unbalanced input or (c) a low level
unbalanced input.

Please Note

Refer to the JCM 600 XLR Out diagrams

(Below) for correct connections.

8) Pre/Post Switch

Allows Line Out selection between a speaker
Emulated signal (pre the power amp) and
non-emulated (post the power amp).

JCM 601, 602 & JCM600 Head

Rear Panel Functions

✪

JAPANESE SPANISH GERMAN

FRENCH

ENGLISH

5

9) Presence Control

This Master Presence control adjusts the

amount of top end frequencies in the overall

tone - adding crispness and bite.

10) Speaker Output

On combo formats of the JCM 600 this jack

is for connection to the internal 16 Ohm

speaker. On the JCM 600 Head this socket is

for connection to an external speaker cabinet,

such as the purpose built JCM C410A

compact 4x10” angled cabinet and/or the

JCM C410B compact 4x10” base cabinet.

11) Speaker Output

For connection to an external 16 Ohm

speaker (The Marshall JCM C12 1x12” and

JCM C212 2x12” cabinet are designed for

use with JCM 600 combos).

On the JCM 600 head this output could drive

a second JCM C410A or JCM C410B

cabinet.

Note

The JCM 600 combos and head will deliver
60 Watts into either one or two 16 Ohm
speakers, ie. 16 or 8 Ohm total impedance.
The unit should not be driven into a load of
less than 8 Ohms.

If you unplug the internal loudspeaker in a
JCM 600 combo it is possible to connect a
single 8 Ohm cabinet to the extension
Speaker Output only. However, when the
internal speaker is connected only a 16 Ohm
extension cabinet may be used.

It is important to follow these instructions as
failure to do so may lead to the amp running
into the wrong impedance, which will
ultimately cause damage.

A

B

C

XLR Channel Input
On Mixer
(Note: Line Level­Approx OdBV)

2 Core Screened Balanced Mic Lead

Unbalanced XLR to Jack Screened Lead

Unbalanced XLR to Jack Screened Lead

Jack Plug Line Level Jack Input On Mixer Etc.

Jack Plug

NC

NC

Low Level Jack Input On Mixer (ie
Mic Input)

JCM 600 XLR Out diagram

✪

3

3

2

2

1

1

3

3
2

1

2
1

3
2

1

3
2

1

3
2

1

3
2

1

VOLUME BASS MIDDLE TREBLE

CLEAN

REVERB

OVERDRIVE

REVERB

VOLUME

OVERDRIVE MASTER

0

—

6

4

10

0

—

6

4

10

0

—

6

4

10

0

—

6

4

10

0

—

6

4

10

0

—

6

4

10

0

—

6

4

10

0

—

8

6

4

10

STANDBY

0

1

POWER

0

1

GAINVOLUME

CLEAN

BASS MIDDLE TREBLE

0

2

6

4

10 0

—

6

4

10 0

—

6

4

10

PUSH

CHANNEL

FOOT

SWITCH

INPUT

RED

GREEN

0

4

12

8

200

—

8

6

4

10

(Parallel Mix)

EFFECTS

JCM600

VALVE GUITAR AMPLIFIER

JCM600 Head & JCM601 Combo Front Panel

JCM602 Combo Front Panel

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 1917

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 1917

JCM600

FOOT

SWITCH

INPUT

PUSH

CHANNEL

VALVE GUITAR AMPLIFIER

4

2

0

CLEAN

4

6

—

10 0

BASS MIDDLE TREBLE

6

10 0

4

—

4

6

—

10

8

6

8

RED

10

GREEN

12

4

0

200

GAINVOLUME

OVERDRIVE MASTER

4

—

0

VOLUME BASS MIDDLE TREBLE

6

10 0

4

—

6

10 0

4

—

6

10 0

4

—

6

10 0

—

(Parallel Mix)

4

EFFECTS

6

10 0

4

6

—

CLEAN

REVERB

—

10 0

OVERDRIVE

4

REVERB

6

—

10 0

4

VOLUME

6

10

STANDBY

0

8

1

POWER

0

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

JCM601 & 602 Combo Rear Panel

JCM600 Head Rear Panel

CAUTION!:

SAME TYPE AND RATING ONLY. DISCONECT SUPPLY CORD BEFORE
CHANGING FUSE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT
REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

ATTENTION!:

FUSIBLE DE MEME TYPE ET DE MEME CALIBRE. DEBRANCHER AVANT DE
REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE. POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE DECHARGES
ELECTRIQUES, NE PAS OUVRIR LE COUVERCLE. CET APPAREIL NE COMPORTE
AUCUNE PIECE SUSCEPTIBLE D’ETRE REPAREE PAR
VOS SOINS. FAITES TOUJOURS APPEL A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE
POUR TOUTE REPARATION.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSES WITH THE

POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D’INCENDIE UTILISER UN

CAUTION!:

SAME TYPE AND RATING ONLY. DISCONECT SUPPLY CORD BEFORE
CHANGING FUSE.TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT
REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

ATTENTION!:

FUSIBLE DE MEME TYPE ET DE MEME CALIBRE. DEBRANCHER AVANT DE
REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE.POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE DECHARGES
ELECTRIQUES, NE PAS OUVRIR LE COUVERCLE. CET APPAREIL NE
COMPORTE AUCUNE PIECE SUSCEPTIBLE D’ETRE REPAREE PAR
VOS SOINS. FAITES TOUJOURS APPEL A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE
POUR TOUTE REPARATION.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSES WITH THE

POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D’INCENDIE UTILISER UN

Emulated

PWR Amp

Line Out

Presence

4

2

0

6

8

10

60 watts RMS into 8/16 .

OUTPUT

Internal

MAINS FUSE

120V—T3A

230V—T1.6A

MAINS INPUT

120V ~ 60 Hz 225 Watts

PARALELL

FX LOOP

SERIES

FX LOOP

Return ReturnSend Send

D.I.OUTPUT

Pin 1—OV, Pin 2—High, Pin 3—Low

MAINS FUSE

120V - T3A

230V - T1.6A

MAINS INPUT

120V ~ 60 Hz 225 Watts

Return

PARALLEL
FX LOOP

Send

Return

SERIES

FX LOOP

Send

D.I.OUTPUT

Pin 1 - OV, Pin 2 - High, Pin 3 - Low

’’

Refer to manual

Se referer au manuel

Emulated

PWR Amp

Line Out

Presence

4

2

0

6

8

10

60 watts RMS into 8/16 .

OUTPUT

Main
16

Extension

Ext 16

Main 8

WARNING!:

OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED.

AVIS!:

RISQUES D’INCENDIE ET DE DECHARGES ELECTRIQUES, N’EXPOSEZ JAMAIS CET
APPAREIL A L’HUMIDITE OU A LA PLUIE.
CONNECTER CET APPAREIL A LA TERRE.

WARNING!:

OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED.

AVIS!:

RISQUES D’INCENDIE ET DE DECHARGES ELECTRIQUES, N’EXPOSEZ JAMAIS CET
APPAREIL A L’HUMIDITE OU A LA PLUIE.
CONNECTER CET APPAREIL A LA TERRE.

SHOCK HAZARD. DO NOT OPEN. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR. POUR EVITER LES

Made in England by:

Marshall Amplification plc,

Bletchley, Milton Keynes, England.

SHOCK HAZARD. DO NOT OPEN. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR. POUR EVITER LES

Made in England by:

Marshall Amplification plc,

Bletchley, Milton Keynes, England.