Marshall 1974x question

[reflected]

Do you guys know whether it's possible to switch between the 2 channels with a footswitch? I haven't found any info about this.

I'm looking for a vintage sounding combo, preferably with 2 channels & a footswitch.

Thanks in advance!

[Nick Fanis]

The 1974X (which I own) has no footswitch to switch between the two channels .

Of course any a/b box like this one will do the work


http://www.morleypedals.com/daby.html


But if you are looking for a "dirty" and a "clean" channel configuration (like in most modern amps) this amp is NOT for you since any of the channels must be REALLY cranked up in order for it to overdrive and the volume level will be INSANE for any practical use (the amp has no gain or master volume controls).

If you are looking for an amp with the BEST telecaster clean tone out there who can also take overdrive PEDALS very well than this amp is definitely for you.

[big-daddy-59]

You could always use an ABY switch pedal

[spankdplank]

I don't have a real 1974X, but I built a clone of this amp, using only the "normal" channel circuit, which is called a LiteIIB. Nick Fanis is right about the amp being really loud and clean. It may only be 18watts, but it is a lot louder than you would expect for 18 watts. It crunches great, but to get it to crunch you really have to crank it up. It does take pedals extremely well. I set mine for loud and clean and then use pedals for dirt and tremolo.

[reflected]

Meh, thanks for the info, looks like this amp is not for me then... I'm not gonna buy a Vox AC30 for the same reason.

So what is it, then? The Fender Bassman 59 RI is even less likely to be of any use in modern pop-rock music.

Still, I love those vintage sounds, if only I could somehow "integrate" them into the modern(ish) music I play...

[Nick Fanis]

There is a ...gazillion of amps that have a "vintage sound" orientation and 2 channels.

The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is the most famous of them,but there are many other offerings form most amp companies out there..

If you want to stick w/ Marshall this baby

http://marshallamps.com/product.asp?productCode=DSL401

is a VERY nice portable amp,w/ many modern features.

Of course NOTHING can stop you from buying the 1974x ,the Vox ac30 or the Basssman ri and use PEDALS w/ them (the best way to integrate them in modern pop-rock music as prooven by THOUSANDS of guitar players...)

[reflected]

Really? Then the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is something I should try!

What about pedals? I've never been a big fan of them, but is there an OD / fuzz pedal that would make the clean sound of a Fender Bassman 59 RI a convenient distored sound?

The sound I'm looking for is Gaslight Anthem/ Social Distortion, so not just a little crunchy, but more like overdriven.

Then again, I'm so not an expert of pedals, so I'm clueless here.

[spankdplank]

When I started playing in the 70's, there were not that many good pedals out there, and PA systems were not great. Loud unmic'd amps were the norm. Twin Reverbs and 100 watt Marshalls. We all thought we really needed 40 watts or more, and if 40 was good, then 100 watts was better. Today, there are hundreds of great sounding amps, pedals and better PA's to get your sound out front. My 70 Twin Reverb sits in the closet and my 18 watt Marshall clone and 15 watt 5E3 Deluxe clone get all the playing time. A good tube amp in the 15-25 watt range, with an efficient speaker and some good pedals will get most people where they want to go. I play in bands that cover a lot of sonic ground from clean surf and country, to slightly dirty blues, to crunching rock. For me, a good tube amp "clean with hair" sound as a base and some quality pedals on top is the easiest way to cover that ground.

[bgood]

ab box. mine has a master vol on the tmb channel. its a clone/variant. channel 1 cleanish, channel 2 gained up. 2 channel amp works great as long as I don't have to get channel 1 to loud where it breaks up.