Many of you know what these are but in case you don't. The 3203 Artist was introduced in 1984 and discontinued in 1991. It runs 2 EL34's and one ecc83/12ax7 for the phase inverter. The preamp section is solid state.
It is a split channel amp which means basically its 2 channel. It has reverb, an effects loop. The reverb and channels are footswitchable.
I have been through and owned or own a ton of amps. I always lean towards the Marshall tone so I am a little bias'd. My favorite JCM800 is the 2210. To me.. its like a 2203 with 2 channels, reverb and a stomp box in front of it. The only very minor downsides are:
Its way to friggin loud.
The clean channel isn't the absolute greatest and it bleeds a little on some amps.
Its a little light on the bottom end unless you really crank it.
Besides those minor issues, it kills. Big.
ENTER THE 3203 ARTIST
It addresses all the minor issues of the 2210.
Its the PERFECT amount of power for most home and gigging applications. 30 watts of EL34 power is PERFECT.
The clean channel is totally useable. Its super clean and a tad on the bright side. It could use a little more warmth and bottom but its good.
It has a tremendous amount of bottom end chunk at any and all volume levels. It sounds like a 2210 cranked up at an ear splitting volume. Palm mutes, and metal mayhem can all be had with this amp. Dial the gain down to around 7 and you are in AC/DC territory. Dime the gain out and you are shredding big time.
Here are the minor issues I find with the 3203:
The reverb is weak.
The lead (gain) channel only has a tone control. Its basically Volume, Gain, Tone.
It could use a presence control on the gain channel.
Thats about it.
Other great things about the 3203:
Its only weighs around 20lbs. It weighs about the same as an 8100. It is a little smaller than a JCM800 but it still looks great on a cabinet. Especially a 2 x 12.
I think it has a ton of bottom because I am using 12" speakers. This amp was designed to be used with 4 x 10" cabinets.
The clean channel has a full EQ section.
It is super easy to dial in. Just go with the basic settings and you will be sounding great in no time.
Now.. to the tone.
This amp is 100% Marshall. I only had to flick the power switch on and hit 1 chord and I new instantly it was a Marshall. It sounds like a high gain JCM800. It could use a tad more highs on the gain channel. Cabinet selection is critical. I tried it on a 2 x 12 Randall cab with Celestion 75w speakers in it and it sounded outstanding. With my Mesa cabinet it sounded a little to dark.
Its articulate, great mids and bottom end and super easy to get screaming harmonics and feedback if you hold a note. Lots of guys nowadays ask how an amp reacts to pinch harmonics and Zack Wylde type noises. Well, this one makes all the above simple to achieve. Its also a very forgiving amp to play. This is the type of amp that makes you sound better the second you start playing through it. Thats a good thing IMHO.
This is a great amp guys. Now I know why they sell for so much used on Ebay. You could score one at a reasonable price. I have seen them for anywhere from $400.00 up to $1000.00 for the stacks or the rare colors.
This amp would be perfect for the metal head looking for an amp for home, studio or gigging. 30 watts or EL34 power is plenty. To give you an idea, with the master volume on 6-7 and the channel volumes on 5 it is perfect for gigging with a loud drummer. Its awesome to be able to turn a Marshall up that loud!!
I always wondered what a 3203 Artist sounded like. I have never heard one in person yet every single review I have ever read on one was very positive. It seems that just about everybody gives this amp a great review.
Me too. I would gig with this amp in a heartbeat.
Actually, I can't wait to record with it.
Check one out. You will be very happy you did.
It is a split channel amp which means basically its 2 channel. It has reverb, an effects loop. The reverb and channels are footswitchable.
I have been through and owned or own a ton of amps. I always lean towards the Marshall tone so I am a little bias'd. My favorite JCM800 is the 2210. To me.. its like a 2203 with 2 channels, reverb and a stomp box in front of it. The only very minor downsides are:
Its way to friggin loud.
The clean channel isn't the absolute greatest and it bleeds a little on some amps.
Its a little light on the bottom end unless you really crank it.
Besides those minor issues, it kills. Big.
ENTER THE 3203 ARTIST
It addresses all the minor issues of the 2210.
Its the PERFECT amount of power for most home and gigging applications. 30 watts of EL34 power is PERFECT.
The clean channel is totally useable. Its super clean and a tad on the bright side. It could use a little more warmth and bottom but its good.
It has a tremendous amount of bottom end chunk at any and all volume levels. It sounds like a 2210 cranked up at an ear splitting volume. Palm mutes, and metal mayhem can all be had with this amp. Dial the gain down to around 7 and you are in AC/DC territory. Dime the gain out and you are shredding big time.
Here are the minor issues I find with the 3203:
The reverb is weak.
The lead (gain) channel only has a tone control. Its basically Volume, Gain, Tone.
It could use a presence control on the gain channel.
Thats about it.
Other great things about the 3203:
Its only weighs around 20lbs. It weighs about the same as an 8100. It is a little smaller than a JCM800 but it still looks great on a cabinet. Especially a 2 x 12.
I think it has a ton of bottom because I am using 12" speakers. This amp was designed to be used with 4 x 10" cabinets.
The clean channel has a full EQ section.
It is super easy to dial in. Just go with the basic settings and you will be sounding great in no time.
Now.. to the tone.
This amp is 100% Marshall. I only had to flick the power switch on and hit 1 chord and I new instantly it was a Marshall. It sounds like a high gain JCM800. It could use a tad more highs on the gain channel. Cabinet selection is critical. I tried it on a 2 x 12 Randall cab with Celestion 75w speakers in it and it sounded outstanding. With my Mesa cabinet it sounded a little to dark.
Its articulate, great mids and bottom end and super easy to get screaming harmonics and feedback if you hold a note. Lots of guys nowadays ask how an amp reacts to pinch harmonics and Zack Wylde type noises. Well, this one makes all the above simple to achieve. Its also a very forgiving amp to play. This is the type of amp that makes you sound better the second you start playing through it. Thats a good thing IMHO.
This is a great amp guys. Now I know why they sell for so much used on Ebay. You could score one at a reasonable price. I have seen them for anywhere from $400.00 up to $1000.00 for the stacks or the rare colors.
This amp would be perfect for the metal head looking for an amp for home, studio or gigging. 30 watts or EL34 power is plenty. To give you an idea, with the master volume on 6-7 and the channel volumes on 5 it is perfect for gigging with a loud drummer. Its awesome to be able to turn a Marshall up that loud!!
I always wondered what a 3203 Artist sounded like. I have never heard one in person yet every single review I have ever read on one was very positive. It seems that just about everybody gives this amp a great review.
Me too. I would gig with this amp in a heartbeat.
Actually, I can't wait to record with it.
Check one out. You will be very happy you did.
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