ZW hbk 20/2/02 10:52 am Page 1
Marshall Amplification plc
Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1DQ, England
Tel : [01908] 375411 Fax : [01908] 376118
[Link]
Whilst the information contained herein is correct at the time of publication, due to our policy of constant improvement
and development, Marshall Amplification plc reserve the right to alter specifications without prior notice.
BOOK-00071-00 / 2 / 02
ZW hbk 20/2/02 11:33 am Page 3
! WARNING! - Important safety instructions
ENGLISH
ENGLISH
WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED!
A PLEASE read this instruction manual carefully before switching on.
B ALWAYS use the supplied mains lead, if a replacement is required please contact your authorised Marshall Dealer.
C NEVER attempt to bypass the fuses or fit ones of the incorrect value.
D DO NOT attempt to remove the amplifier chassis, there are no user serviceable parts.
E Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel including replacement of fuses and valves.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when the power supply cord or
plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed
to rain or moisture, does not operate normally or has been dropped.
F NEVER use an amplifier in damp or wet conditions. No objects filled with liquids should be placed on the apparatus.
G ALWAYS unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or if unused for long periods of time.
H PROTECT the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles and at
the point where they exit from the apparatus.
I DO NOT switch the amplifier on without a loudspeaker connected.
J ENSURE that any extension cabinets used are of the correct impedance.
➲ Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the requirements of the EMC directive
(Environments E1, E2 and E3 EN 55103-1/2) and the Low Voltage directive in the E.U.
➲ EUROPE ONLY - Note: The Peak Inrush current for the 2203ZW is 38 amps.
➲ CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance may void
the users authority to operate the equipment.
➲ Note: It is recommended that all audio cables, with the exception of the speaker leads, used to connect to the 2203ZW
are of a high quality screened type. These should not exceed 10 metres in length.
Always use a non-screened Marshall approved speaker lead with the 2203ZW Head and extension cabinets.
➲ WARNING: Do not obstruct ventilation grilles and always ensure free movement of air around the amplifier!
USA ONLY - DO NOT defeat the purpose of the polarised or grounding type plug. A polarised plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The
wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND HEED ALL WARNINGS
KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS !
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From Jim Marshall
I would like to personally thank you for selecting one of
my Limited Edition JCM800 2203ZW Zakk Wylde
Signature Series heads. This is only the second time in
Marshall’s 40-year history that a name other than mine has
appeared on one of my products – the first being the Slash
Signature Series 2555SL Limited Edition in 1996.
The amplifier you have just acquired is a reissue of the 100
Watt JCM800 2203 head. It was initially launched in March
1981 and proved incredibly popular with rock guitarists
throughout the ‘80s. The limited edition 2203ZW head is totally
faithful to the original in terms of tone and feel, but features a
quartet of 6550 power valves as opposed to the more commonly used
EL34s, as the 6550s are Zakk’s power valves of choice. This amplifier also
has a unique and eye-catching look that was created in collaboration between
Zakk and my design team.
I first became aware of Zakk in 1988 when he was recruited by the legendary Ozzy Osbourne. Although he was
still only a teenager at the time, it was very clear from his excellent guitar work and tone on the ‘No Rest For The
Wicked’ album, that he had a very bright future ahead of him. Although he is an extremely aggressive player by
nature, Zakk is always in complete control and, like all great musicians, he knows when not to play. He has a
fantastic picking technique and this coupled with his excellent left-hand vibrato, unique use of pick-induced
harmonics and highly expressive Wah-Wah work has given him one of the most distinctive styles and sounds in
modern rock. So much so that you can tell if Zakk is playing on a song after only hearing a few bars of it!
Having followed Zakk’s career with great interest I’ve been especially impressed with his unbending desire to
stay true to what he believes in, regardless of what trends are proving popular around him. "You’ve got to play the
music you dig and believe in," he told me on one of his many visits to my factory in England. "Grunge was at its
peak when I did the ‘Pride and Glory’ album in 1994, but I wasn’t about to follow what was going on. Why? I
actually like being me!"
After ‘Pride and Glory’, Zakk released his critically acclaimed acoustic album, ‘Book of Shadows’, in 1996. He
then formed his hard-hitting Black Label Society (BLS) in 1998 and they’ve become one of the busiest bands
around. In fact, at the time of writing (Jan 2002), they’d just completed their fourth album, ‘1919 Eternal’. In 2001
Zakk also helped Ozzy record his latest release, ‘Down To Earth’. With both bands touring the world this year,
2002 could well be the busiest period thus far in Zakk’s already hectic career!
As Zakk states in his introduction to this manual, he’s been a 2203 devotee from day one and the amp has
definitely become a vital part of his unique sonic signature. For these reasons I’m delighted to offer you this
Limited Edition JCM800 2203ZW Zakk Wylde Signature Series head. I would like to wish you every success with
your new amplifier and welcome you to the ever increasing Marshall family.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Front Panel Features Rear Panel Features
1. Power Switch 5. Middle Control Effects Loop Send & Return Jacks cabs, the amp should be set to 4 Ohms. Failure to comply with these
This is the On/Off switch for the mains power to the amplifier. This controls the all-important mid-range of your sound. Turning this To increase the flexibility of your 2203 even further, you may choose points will result in damage to the amplifier.
Whenever it is switched ‘On’, the switch will light. Please ensure the up (clockwise) will make your guitar sound fatter and fuller. Conversely, to add external effects in its Series Effects Loop, which allows direct Your amp should be completely powered down before the selector
amplifier is switched off and unplugged from the mains electricity turning it down (anticlockwise) will reduce the mids in your sound, connection of either floor pedals or rack processors, with the Level is turned.
supply before being moved. giving you that aggressive ‘scooped’ tone that is a staple of thrash and switch (1) providing the correct operating level.
nu-metal guitar playing. 8. Mains Selector
2. Standby Switch 1. Effects Loop Level Switch Matches the amplifier mains transformer voltage to the incoming
The Standby Switch is used in conjunction with the Power Switch 6. Treble Control This switch offers two different loop levels to enable you to match mains voltage. Ensure that the rotary Mains Selector is set to the
(item 1) to ‘warm up’ the amplifier before use and to prolong the life of This control determines the amount of treble and makes your guitar’s the type of effect(s) connected to the Series Effects Loop. The higher correct mains voltage applicable to the country where used. If you do
the output valves. tone brighter as it is turned up. level (+4dBV: switch ‘out’) suits rack processors and the lower level not know the mains input voltage contact your authorised Marshall
(-10dBV: switch ‘in’) suits floor pedals (stomp boxes). dealer.
When powering up the amplifier always engage the Power Switch IMPORTANT NOTE: The 2203’s tone network is highly interactive and,
(item 1) first. This allows the application of the voltage required to heat because of this, altering the setting of one control can change the way 2. Effects Loop Bypass Your amp should be completely powered down before the selector
the valves to their correct operating temperature. After about 2 the other controls behave. So, don’t be afraid to experiment! When ‘out’ this switch completely bypasses the circuitry involved in is turned. Adjustment from 230/220V to 110V or vice versa will
minutes, when the valves are up to the correct temperature, the the effects loop to maintain the amp’s absolute tonal integrity. require the mains fuse to be changed to the corresponding value as
Standby Switch can be engaged. Upon doing this the H.T. (High 7. Master Volume
detailed on the rear panel.
Tension) which is the high voltage required by the output valves to Controls the output volume of the amplifier. This allows the user to 3. Effects Loop Return Jack
pass signal (and hence produce sound) is applied. turn up the Pre-Amp Volume control (8) for maximum gain whilst Connect the (mono) output of an external effects processor here. 9. Mains Input
keeping the amp’s overall loudness at a desired level. Your amp is provided with a detachable mains (power) lead which is
To prolong valve life, the Standby Switch alone should be used to 4. Effects Loop Send Jack
turn the amplifier on and off during breaks in a performance. Also, 8. Pre-Amp Volume connected here. The specific mains input voltage rating that your
Connect the (mono) input of an external effects processor here. amplifier has been built for is shown on the back panel. Before
upon full power down, always disengage the Standby Switch prior to This controls how hard you drive the pre-amp valves. Turning this
the main Power Switch (item 1). NOTE: As a rule, time based effects such as Chorus, Delay and connecting for the first time, please ensure that your amplifier is
control up overdrives the pre-amp and creates a desirable,
Reverb are best suited for use in an effects loop. Effects involving compatible with your electricity supply. If you have any doubt, please
harmonically rich distortion.
3. Presence Control distortion or Wah Wah aren’t usually put in an effects loop because get advice from a qualified person. Your Marshall dealer will help in
This control operates in the power amp section of your amp and 9. High Sensitivity Input they sound best when they’re ‘before’ the amp (i.e. placed between the this respect.
adds high frequencies to your tone, creating crispness and bite. As you This is the High Sensitivity input of the amp – in theory, such an guitar and the amp’s input). This said, when it comes to tone there are
turn this control up (clockwise), your sound will become more cutting.
10. Mains Fuse
input is supposed to be used for low-output pickups. This said, 99.9% no rules!
The correct value of mains fuse is specified on the rear panel of the
of all 2203 users ignore this and plug guitars loaded with high-output
4. Bass Control pickups into this input, because it enables them to drive the pre-amp 5/6. Loudspeaker Output Jacks amplifier. Please refer to Important Safety Instructions, page 2.
This controls the amount of low frequencies (bottom end) in your even harder. These are for connection to an external load, i.e. speaker cabinet(s).
tone.
11. H.T. Fuse
(See item 7). Please refer to Important Safety Instructions, page 2.
10. Low Sensitivity Input The correct value of H.T. fuse is specified on the rear panel of the
7. Output Selector amplifier. Please refer to Important Safety Instructions, page 2.
This is the Low Sensitivity input of the amp, which was designed for
hot (high-output) pickups; we would suggest you try both inputs and Matches the amplifier’s output to the load impedance.
then decide which one is best for you. With all-valve amplifiers it is imperative that the amp is connected to
a load whilst in operation and that the impedance selected on the amp
matches the total impedance of the speaker cabinet(s) being used. For
example, if the amp is running into a single 16 Ohm cab, the amp
should accordingly be set to 16 Ohms. If running into two 16 Ohm
cabs, the amp should be set to 8 Ohms. If running into two 8 Ohm
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ZW hbk 20/2/02 10:52 am Page 1
Marshall Amplification plc
Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1DQ, England
Tel : [01908] 375411 Fax : [01908] 376118
[Link]
Whilst the information contained herein is correct at the time of publication, due to our policy of constant improvement
and development, Marshall Amplification plc reserve the right to alter specifications without prior notice.
BOOK-00071-00 / 2 / 02
