Originally introduced in 1976 as the JMP 2203 MK2 Master Model 100W Lead, the expiration of the distribution of Marshall's contract with Rose Morris lead to a renaming of the entire Marshall catalog in 1980.  Jim Marshall Products needed a new name, so Jim Marshall took his license plate number, JCM800, and applied to the entire line.

While technically the name of every Marshall Amp produced until the Silver Jubilee's in 1987, the JCM800 became synonymous with with the 100 watt and 50 watt single channel Master Volume amps, the 2203 and 2204, respectively.

Thanks to the inclusion of separate Pre-Amp and Master volume controls, the amp soon found favor among rock guitarist looking to get the classic Marshall sound at more manageable volumes. But just because you can keep the volume down, doesn't mean you have to keep it down. When cranked up, and paired with a distortion or overdrive pedal, this Marshall screams. No wonder guitarists such as Kerry King, Zakk Wylde, and many still use a JCM800 to this day.

Featuring 3 12AX7 preamp tubes, and 4 EL34 power tubes, this Marshall has a beastly amount of power on tap. This issue is a faithful recreation of the original vertical input model from 1980 to 1984, but with the added feature of an effects loop for those who like to run their modulation effects before the power section.