Marshall Bluesbreaker

GG3 · March 27th, 2008, 08:41 PM

I was thinking of getting a Bluesbreaker to go along with my Les Paul, but I was wondering how loud it is. I will only really use it at home or at the occasional jam.

Durtdog · March 27th, 2008, 08:51 PM

I used one in a band for a year or so. Great, great sounding amp. Believe it or not, I got great clean sounds from it.

It's louuuuud. It was heavier and bulkier than my Twin, too. To start overdriving it, you must turn it up very loud. It does drive more easily with humbuckers, of course.

I now have an 18-watter that took the place of the Bluesbreaker. It's still pretty loud, but it drives at a much lower volume.

GG3 · March 28th, 2008, 12:09 AM

how does the Bluesbreaker compare to the bassman reissue in sound?

Del Pickup · March 28th, 2008, 01:13 AM

The Bluesbreaker is the amp that best suits a Les Paul and the Bassman is the must have amp for a strat or tele.

Before I got my Bassman RI (second hand) I a/b'd it with my friend's Bluesbreaker and we used his LP and my strat for comparisons.

There is just something about these combinations of amp and guitar that shine through which doesn't happen when you try the other combinations. I can't explain it but try it yourself if you can and you'll see what I mean.

I also found the Bassman had more headroom than the Marshall and was also a good bit lighter to carry despite having 4,10's in there.

If you're only going to be playing at home and occasional jams then either amp really won't give their best without putting an OD pedal in front of them cos they will be seriously loud before you get much breakup and by then the noise police will be on your doorstep!

While I love my Bassman and will never sell it, for most gigs these days smaller amps are much more practical (even more so if you're playing at home) and I am starting to think that a 12-15 watt amp is all that most of us really need.

I've been trying out a Fender Blues Jr at our local blues club jams and it really is a very good amp that can cover a lot of the tones that I get from both my Bassman and DRRI. It's much easier to transport and if you can get one of the ones with the Tweed covering instead of tolex it even looks like a mini Bassman - no doubt also helped by the different speaker that's in the tweed version! The tones from this small amp are great and if you're doing a bigger gig then it can be mic'd through the PA and you're sweet.

Having said all that, there's something in all of us that just loves standing in front of a Bassman or Marshall with our eyes shut and guitar facial contortions in action!!! It's doesn't have quite the same mojo when you're standing in front of an amp that's little bigger than a briefcase!

Oh well, nothing in life is perfect ....................

tazzboy · March 28th, 2008, 01:42 AM

If I were to get a bluesbreaker I would probably get one from Ceriatone (Of course you have to buy some speakers for cause Nik sells them speaker less)

GG3 · March 28th, 2008, 07:24 PM

When will these amps generally break up with a les paul with burstbucker pros?

fierce_carrot · March 29th, 2008, 10:50 AM

How loud is it? Way too loud for a home amp. If you are after the classic "beano" tone, you should remember that Clapton got it by winding up that bluesbreaker all the way...totally maxed out...

Durtdog · March 29th, 2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fierce_carrot

How loud is it? Way too loud for a home amp. If you are after the classic "beano" tone, you should remember that Clapton got it by winding up that bluesbreaker all the way...totally maxed out...

Yep, you'd have to push it way loud to break up.
On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed the clean tone as well.

chabby · March 29th, 2008, 07:58 PM

phenomenal with an LP - one of the 7 wonders of the world.
1962 BB may be the best Marshall ever.

tazzboy · March 29th, 2008, 10:00 PM

There is a 50 watt version of the Bluesbreaker amp on music-go-round that is a white cover asking price is $1799.

Scott S · March 30th, 2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durtdog

I now have an 18-watter that took the place of the Bluesbreaker. It's still pretty loud, but it drives at a much lower volume.

I've heard some very impressive sounds coming out of 18-watt amps on YouTube. If I ever got into Gibsons, I think I'd build one!

- Scott

March 27th, 2008, 08:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
GG3 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: THE BAY, CA Posts: 187	Marshall Bluesbreaker I was thinking of getting a Bluesbreaker to go along with my Les Paul, but I was wondering how loud it is. I will only really use it at home or at the occasional jam.

March 28th, 2008, 01:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
tazzboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Age: 31 Posts: 3,297	If I were to get a bluesbreaker I would probably get one from Ceriatone (Of course you have to buy some speakers for cause Nik sells them speaker less) __________________ tazzboy

March 29th, 2008, 10:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
tazzboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Age: 31 Posts: 3,297	There is a 50 watt version of the Bluesbreaker amp on music-go-round that is a white cover asking price is $1799. __________________ tazzboy

March 27th, 2008, 08:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Durtdog Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,671	I used one in a band for a year or so. Great, great sounding amp. Believe it or not, I got great clean sounds from it. It's louuuuud. It was heavier and bulkier than my Twin, too. To start overdriving it, you must turn it up very loud. It does drive more easily with humbuckers, of course. I now have an 18-watter that took the place of the Bluesbreaker. It's still pretty loud, but it drives at a much lower volume.

March 28th, 2008, 12:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
GG3 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: THE BAY, CA Posts: 187	how does the Bluesbreaker compare to the bassman reissue in sound?

March 28th, 2008, 01:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 763 5 Photos	The Bluesbreaker is the amp that best suits a Les Paul and the Bassman is the must have amp for a strat or tele. Before I got my Bassman RI (second hand) I a/b'd it with my friend's Bluesbreaker and we used his LP and my strat for comparisons. There is just something about these combinations of amp and guitar that shine through which doesn't happen when you try the other combinations. I can't explain it but try it yourself if you can and you'll see what I mean. I also found the Bassman had more headroom than the Marshall and was also a good bit lighter to carry despite having 4,10's in there. If you're only going to be playing at home and occasional jams then either amp really won't give their best without putting an OD pedal in front of them cos they will be seriously loud before you get much breakup and by then the noise police will be on your doorstep! While I love my Bassman and will never sell it, for most gigs these days smaller amps are much more practical (even more so if you're playing at home) and I am starting to think that a 12-15 watt amp is all that most of us really need. I've been trying out a Fender Blues Jr at our local blues club jams and it really is a very good amp that can cover a lot of the tones that I get from both my Bassman and DRRI. It's much easier to transport and if you can get one of the ones with the Tweed covering instead of tolex it even looks like a mini Bassman - no doubt also helped by the different speaker that's in the tweed version! The tones from this small amp are great and if you're doing a bigger gig then it can be mic'd through the PA and you're sweet. Having said all that, there's something in all of us that just loves standing in front of a Bassman or Marshall with our eyes shut and guitar facial contortions in action!!! It's doesn't have quite the same mojo when you're standing in front of an amp that's little bigger than a briefcase! Oh well, nothing in life is perfect ....................

March 28th, 2008, 07:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
GG3 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: THE BAY, CA Posts: 187	When will these amps generally break up with a les paul with burstbucker pros?

March 29th, 2008, 10:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
fierce_carrot Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Iowa Age: 53 Posts: 985	How loud is it? Way too loud for a home amp. If you are after the classic "beano" tone, you should remember that Clapton got it by winding up that bluesbreaker all the way...totally maxed out...

March 29th, 2008, 07:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
chabby Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,264	phenomenal with an LP - one of the 7 wonders of the world. 1962 BB may be the best Marshall ever.