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JCM 800 rack version project

Heavy Rock

Heavy Rock

Junior Member
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187
Ok, I'm seriously considering starting a, kind of, big project. I want a rack version of the Marshall JCM800 2204.

The schematic is all over the place on the internet and I'll probably use KiCAD to create the PCB. One of the most powerful open-source PCB design tools.

KiCad

A Cross Platform and Open Source PCB Design Suite
www.kicad.org www.kicad.org

And order it from PCB Way or JLCPCB.

jlcpcb.com

PCB Prototype & PCB Fabrication Manufacturer - JLCPCB

Instant online PCB quote, get PCBs for only $2. Check design with the online gerber viewer, Easy and quick PCB Price Calculator from JLCPCB
jlcpcb.com jlcpcb.com

I'm not sure yet how I'll go about the chassis but there are some companies with their own online design tool etc, already.

I hope I won't end up with a cease & desist letter from Marshall... 😜

Anyway, I'll keep this thread for updates once I start.
 
Heavy Rock said:
Ok, I'm seriously considering starting a, kind of, big project. I want a rack version of the Marshall JCM800 2204.

The schematic is all over the place on the internet and I'll probably use KiCAD to create the PCB. One of the most powerful open-source PCB design tools.

KiCad

A Cross Platform and Open Source PCB Design Suite
www.kicad.org www.kicad.org

And order it from PCB Way or JLCPCB.

jlcpcb.com

PCB Prototype & PCB Fabrication Manufacturer - JLCPCB

Instant online PCB quote, get PCBs for only $2. Check design with the online gerber viewer, Easy and quick PCB Price Calculator from JLCPCB
jlcpcb.com jlcpcb.com

I'm not sure yet how I'll go about the chassis but there are some companies with their own online design tool etc, already.

I hope I won't end up with a cease & desist letter from Marshall... 😜

Anyway, I'll keep this thread for updates once I start.
Click to expand...
I sure hope you video this process, I’d love to gain insight from this!
 
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If you're looking for a rack mount chassis and don't want to drill / silkscreen it yourself, then use front panel express.
Get their little design tool, which comes with some scrips to design 1 and 2 RU rack boxes.

BTW - why not just use marshall's PCBs? Why bother doing a board design at all? Just get an old amp, pull the PCBs, check the mechanicals, then install them in the chassis of your choice. IMHO and all that.
 
mayfly said:
If you're looking for a rack mount chassis and don't want to drill / silkscreen it yourself, then use front panel express.
Get their little design tool, which comes with some scrips to design 1 and 2 RU rack boxes.

BTW - why not just use marshall's PCBs? Why bother doing a board design at all? Just get an old amp, pull the PCBs, check the mechanicals, then install them in the chassis of your choice. IMHO and all that.
Click to expand...
Yes I thought of doing it as cheap as possible by creating it myself, but using existing PCBs is always an option I'm still considering.

I thought about Headfirst amplifiers too. They have similar PCBs for sale, but they're in Australia (I live in Europe).




If I find an old cheap non-functioning one I'll grab it. It will definitely save me time. Maybe I'll even order from Headfirst. That would probably cost something in the range of $80 for the PCB plus the chassis and the components.

The good thing with the ST1 type PCB is that you can place the pots anywhere on the front panel, plus put an aluminum vertical plate inside the chassis and mount the tubes horizontally. The housing must include the transformers so it can't be 1U, but I think 2U is feasible.
 
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Check this out, just found this. Exactly what I was thinking. Someone did it 12 years ago.

guitarplayer.ru

Marshall JCM800 2204 моя версия в рековом корпусе.

Marshall JCM800 2204 моя версия в рековом корпусе. - equipment.craft - Форум гитаристов
guitarplayer.ru

I can't speak Russian but the picture taken from the top of the open chassis is all you need.
 
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With the exception of that output board, that guy did not use PCBs - he wired it on eyelet board point-to-point. If the circuit is that simple, maybe you should go that route.

If you want it in a 2RU rack like that guy did, you better get serious about your mechanicals pretty fast ;)
 
mayfly said:
With the exception of that output board, that guy did not use PCBs - he wired it on eyelet board point-to-point. If the circuit is that simple, maybe you should go that route.

If you want it in a 2RU rack like that guy did, you better get serious about your mechanicals pretty fast ;)
Click to expand...
I thought of doing it hand-wired as well but I'm not a fan at all to be honest. I find PCBs more reliable and less prone to errors. Also I'm used to work with them so if I need to fix it later on, I can do it easier on a PCB instead of trying to follow the schematic on a hand-wired spaghetti kind of board.

Yeah, the only thing that worries me is the transformers. If they fit in a 2U unit, everything else is fine.
 
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