Two classic amps, two different voices. The Marshall JCM800 is midrange-forward 80s rock crunch; the Mesa Dual Rectifier is loose, scooped, low-tuned modern heavy. Here is how their settings and the records made on them compare.
| Knob | Marshall JCM800 | Mesa Dual Rectifier |
|---|---|---|
| Gain | 6.5 | 7 |
| Bass | 6 | 5.5 |
| Mid | 6 | 5.5 |
| Treble | 7 | 6.5 |
| Presence | 6 | 6 |
Averaged from 84 (Marshall JCM800) and 79 (Mesa Dual Rectifier) famous recordings. Out of 10.
Go Marshall JCM800 if you want midrange-forward 80s rock crunch. Go Mesa Dual Rectifier for loose, scooped, low-tuned modern heavy. But the real point: you do not need either one. GuitarToneAdapt takes any tone recorded on these amps and re-dials it for the amp and guitar you actually own — free.
🎛️ Get either amp’s tones on YOUR rig — free →Neither is "better" — they are voiced differently. Marshall JCM800 is midrange-forward 80s rock crunch; Mesa Dual Rectifier is loose, scooped, low-tuned modern heavy. Pick by the tone you want, then adapt the settings to the amp you actually own.
Averaged across the famous recordings on each (knobs out of 10), the Marshall JCM800 sits at gain 6.5, bass 6, mid 6, treble 7, presence 6; the Mesa Dual Rectifier at gain 7, bass 5.5, mid 5.5, treble 6.5, presence 6. The biggest gap is gain, where the Mesa Dual Rectifier runs noticeably higher.
Notable Marshall JCM800 tones include Master of Puppets, Fade to Black, Mayonaise. Notable Mesa Dual Rectifier tones include My Own Summer (Shove It), Everlong, Aerials. GuitarToneAdapt can re-dial any of them onto the amp and guitar you already own, free.