Marshall Amp Techs Chime In Please...

[Jakedog]

Ok, so I am toying with the idea of messing with my '86 Artist 3203 head... Some people don't consider these nice Marshalls, but of all of the ones I've ever owned (70's JMP, 800's, 900's, DLS's) it's my favorite.

The only beef I've ever had with it, is that I wish the clean channel was little warmer, and had a little more headroom.

It has been modded already over the years. Present mods include- Merc Mags OT, full size four-spring accutronics tank, and a Jan Phillips 12At7, which did help the headroom, and the warmth.

My question is, lately I've been reading about folks doing a couple of mods to make the whole amp warmer and smoother, and increasing clean headroom. The first one I'm aware of, is clipping the C-13 resistor. I know where it is, but I'm not sure what they mean by clipping... Do you just cut it out, or do you have to replace it with something else? Also, has anybody done this, and what were the effects?

The next is "lifting the LED's". I know where these are too, but I have no idea what "lifting" them means... Again, do you just remove them? Or is there something else going on there?

I've done minor repairs on several SS amps, and they seem fairly easy and straitforward, and I can solder really well, just never got into messing with changing an amp, only replacing obviously burned parts in SS jobs.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Jakedog]

Alrighty, I did some more internet readin', and pulled the chassis.

I clipped the C-13. The difference IS drastic. This is no subtle thing. Anybody who owns one of these amps, and thinks (as most people do) that the clean channel is way too bright, you might want to try this...

Before, I had to run the bass maxed, and the treble nearly zeroed to get a nice clean sound out of it.

Clipping the C-13 did not add any headroom, but it did warm up this channel CONSIDERABLY. It's now got a ton of bass, no need to max it out, and I can now dial in treble to taste. It made this channel much more pleasant on the ears, and far more useable. I always loved this amp, now I REALLY love it. This little clip job really tames the brightness.

[marshman]

I don't know anything about workin on Marshall amps, but may I assume that you're familiar with the cap-draining process that prevents you from getting killed?

If not, please become familiar, we'd miss ya.