Marshall Amps - Page 2

David Barnett · October 21st, 2006, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Amazing Phil

If I'm honest, I probably won't ever own a Marshall designed in the last 35 years, but that's not to say they're not good amps.

I could say that about any manufacturer's amplifier line.

Tim Swartz · October 21st, 2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 64Strat

you've listed Marshalls that I don't own for some reason or another.

Some of the vintage Marshall stuff can be just as good or better clean, than any of my vintage Fenders.

I think you just haven't heard the right ones yet if your reference is the list you made above.

Agreed, a 4 hole (or more) Marshall on 2 or 3 w/ humbuckers and 5 or 6 w/ single coils will do a very pristine, lively clean tone.

63dot · October 21st, 2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oster

Marshall accomplished 'clean' with their all-tube mid '90s JTM series amps. The clean channel on my JTM610 is great. This line of amps, however, I can't wholly recommend since they are beset with various problems.

I'm willing to live with mine since I'm attached to it and the two totally separate channels (dual reverb, dual effects loops, series and parallel) make for a very versatile amp that can go from heavy to glassy at a switch.

i have tried the more common JCMs and Mosfets, but have never even heard of or seen a JTM so i may give that model a try on the clean sound and see how i like it

thanks for the tip

DrewB · October 21st, 2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ne4tt

There is a beautiful White Tolex Bluesbreaker at the local GC in Charlotte. Gorgeous looking amp. Too bad they want $2K, but that's GC.

Ya mean like this one?

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Sorry it's so dark; it's a pretty dark, wet and dreary day here.

64Strat · October 21st, 2006, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Swartz

Agreed, a 4 hole (or more) Marshall on 2 or 3 w/ humbuckers and 5 or 6 w/ single coils will do a very pristine, lively clean tone.

Tim,
I just knew you would know what I'm talking about!

If Ned were posting here, he would have a lot to say about this too.

You can have these old Marshalls cranked even higher than you mention and just roll off the guitar volume a touch to keep it on the edge. Then when you need it, roll on the volume and let it eat.

I'm thinking that there are a lot of folks here that haven't heard "real" Marshalls that are setup properly. I know you have. I have the good fortune of being around several dozen of these old "gems".

Off topic,
one of my favorite amps is Ned's old '62 Vox AC30's with Top Boost. That thing is just cool! He's also got a couple of old HiWatts that are killer too! and also, some Oranges that are very nice.

Tremo · October 22nd, 2006, 01:21 AM

There is no reason whatoever that an old 4-holer can't clean up nicely. After all, they're just a minor variation on the tweed Bassman, and they are not super high gain. Saying a 4 hole Marshall won't clean up is like saying a tweed Bassman won't clean up. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the EL34 vs 6L6 issue.

55 Jr · October 22nd, 2006, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telecaster69

anyone try the Marshall 1974X handwired amp? I've seen a couple on stages...very expensive for a combo amp...1x12 of course all tube and hand wired around $2500 or so.....just wondering how it sounds

Sounds amazing!

Here's mine w/ the tele (68/factory Bigsby).

I have the only one in the free world WITHOUT transformer issues.

Best regards,

Brian

fierce_carrot · October 22nd, 2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tremo

There is no reason whatoever that an old 4-holer can't clean up nicely. After all, they're just a minor variation on the tweed Bassman, and they are not super high gain. Saying a 4 hole Marshall won't clean up is like saying a tweed Bassman won't clean up. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the EL34 vs 6L6 issue.

A Marshall is fully capable of a great "clean" sound, but it's not the same as a "FENDER CLEAN" sound, and an awful lot of that has to do with the power tubes. They're as different as a Les Paul and a tele are.

Veitchy · October 22nd, 2006, 08:44 AM

what are the new ones like. im looking at getting a new amp and i dont have the time or money to go looking for these vintage tube amps. anybody used/own/heard them? if it was used with a Tele thats great but im not fussed with the guitar that was plugged into it.

Telenator · October 22nd, 2006, 09:06 AM

I played lots of Marshalls through the 70's and really dig the MKII 50 watt Master Lead Series. I recently bought a very eary JCM800 2 x 12 50 watt combo circa 1981 which is essentially the same amp as the late 70's MKII's. Awesome little combo!

Of the newer Marshalls, I really dig the DSL401 combos. Killer sound, very versatile, great clean tone but, they seem to have a pretty shabby service record. Too bad because they sound terrific.

Tremo · October 22nd, 2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fierce_carrot

A Marshall is fully capable of a great "clean" sound, but it's not the same as a "FENDER CLEAN" sound, and an awful lot of that has to do with the power tubes. They're as different as a Les Paul and a tele are.

Sorry, but wrong. Marshalls clean sound different than Fenders clean because the preamps are voiced differently. Tone stacks are different.

If the amp is running clean, the power tubes are not distorting, they're being run in their linear region. FWIW, the EL34 is more linear than the 6L6. HiFi guys like EL34s because they have no kink. They will do clean as good if not better than a 6L6. And when you wrap a NFB loop around them, you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference between a clean pair of 34s and a clean pair of 6L6s.

fierce_carrot · October 23rd, 2006, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tremo

Sorry, but wrong. Marshalls clean sound different than Fenders clean because the preamps are voiced differently. Tone stacks are different.

If the amp is running clean, the power tubes are not distorting, they're being run in their linear region. FWIW, the EL34 is more linear than the 6L6. HiFi guys like EL34s because they have no kink. They will do clean as good if not better than a 6L6. And when you wrap a NFB loop around them, you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference between a clean pair of 34s and a clean pair of 6L6s.

We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Having owned a number of both brands, I'm going with what my ear tells me. I would suggest you try something though. Run a dual amp system, a marshall and fender, both thru idential cabinets (I had a rig like this) simultaneously and then start switching them in and out of the system individually.

Some people like coke, some pepsi...me...I'm a Dr. Pepper guy!

Tremo · October 23rd, 2006, 04:53 PM

OK, fair enough, we will disagree. But a better test would be to have 2 identical amps, one with EL34s, one with 6L6s. That would remove all the other variables. I maintain that running them both clean, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

I like Pepsi and Coke. But I'd rather have a beer.

Tim Swartz · October 23rd, 2006, 05:35 PM

The differences between EL34s and 6L6s become apparent as the power sections are pushed into clipping.... but since we are talking about clean (ie, prior to clipping) the differences are going to be far less apparent. As Tremo suggests, the difference in sounds between Fender and Marshall amps has little to do with the output tubes. Unless you talking about a latest version of a tweed Twin or Bassman, Fender amps are a completely different animal from a Marshall.

ricos · October 24th, 2006, 10:50 PM

I have a 67 JTM 50 watt job that has a great clean tone to it. Sounds great with my single coils and HB style guitars. It has an unbelievable sustain and still stays clean with my single coils and realy barks with a HB equipped guitar.
I was really fortunate as a good pal gave it to me. He has since "gone on"
so it really means alot to me.

Roe · October 30th, 2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RomanS

Does anybody here use a JTM45 with a Tele, and play it clean?

I like darker clean sounds, without icepicky treble (a friend's red knob The Twin is way too bright for me, for example), and supposedly the JTM45 is good at doing that; but it is hard finding people experienced with Marshalls that DON'T crank them for crunch sounds - and I'm a 99% clean player myself...

I use an esq with a metro jtm45 with kt66 and a RS deluxe OT. it sounds great with a weber silver bell and a celestion blue

Roe · November 24th, 2006, 10:24 AM

to me, the tele/esq and jtm45 sounds best with silver and blue alnicos in a open cab and a gz34, not a ss rectifier.

October 22nd, 2006, 08:44 AM	#49 (permalink)
Veitchy Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Age: 20 Posts: 941	what are the new ones like. im looking at getting a new amp and i dont have the time or money to go looking for these vintage tube amps. anybody used/own/heard them? if it was used with a Tele thats great but im not fussed with the guitar that was plugged into it. __________________ Livin' youre dreams, Woah you on top. My mind is aching, Lord it wont stop. Thats how it happens livin' life by the drop.

October 22nd, 2006, 09:06 AM	#50 (permalink)
Telenator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,661	I played lots of Marshalls through the 70's and really dig the MKII 50 watt Master Lead Series. I recently bought a very eary JCM800 2 x 12 50 watt combo circa 1981 which is essentially the same amp as the late 70's MKII's. Awesome little combo! Of the newer Marshalls, I really dig the DSL401 combos. Killer sound, very versatile, great clean tone but, they seem to have a pretty shabby service record. Too bad because they sound terrific. __________________ Dogs have the right idea!

October 23rd, 2006, 05:35 PM	#54 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,887	The differences between EL34s and 6L6s become apparent as the power sections are pushed into clipping.... but since we are talking about clean (ie, prior to clipping) the differences are going to be far less apparent. As Tremo suggests, the difference in sounds between Fender and Marshall amps has little to do with the output tubes. Unless you talking about a latest version of a tweed Twin or Bassman, Fender amps are a completely different animal from a Marshall. __________________

October 24th, 2006, 10:50 PM	#55 (permalink)
ricos TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: surfside fla Posts: 46	I have a 67 JTM 50 watt job that has a great clean tone to it. Sounds great with my single coils and HB style guitars. It has an unbelievable sustain and still stays clean with my single coils and realy barks with a HB equipped guitar. I was really fortunate as a good pal gave it to me. He has since "gone on" so it really means alot to me. __________________ Had to be held down by big POLICE!!!

November 24th, 2006, 10:24 AM	#57 (permalink)
Roe Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 189 27 Photos	to me, the tele/esq and jtm45 sounds best with silver and blue alnicos in a open cab and a gz34, not a ss rectifier. __________________ www.myspace.com/prostitutes

October 22nd, 2006, 01:21 AM	#46 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,767	There is no reason whatoever that an old 4-holer can't clean up nicely. After all, they're just a minor variation on the tweed Bassman, and they are not super high gain. Saying a 4 hole Marshall won't clean up is like saying a tweed Bassman won't clean up. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the EL34 vs 6L6 issue.

October 23rd, 2006, 04:53 PM	#53 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,767	OK, fair enough, we will disagree. But a better test would be to have 2 identical amps, one with EL34s, one with 6L6s. That would remove all the other variables. I maintain that running them both clean, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. I like Pepsi and Coke. But I'd rather have a beer.