Gassing for the 1st time in a while

Durtdog · November 24th, 2006, 03:04 PM

OK, I'm usually pretty happy with whatever gear I've got. I'm a longtime Fender, Musicman and recently, a Peavey Delta Blues user. Had never played a Marshall I liked.

But I've been using a Marshall JTM 45 Bluesbreaker combo at rehearsals, and I'm going to use it at next weekend's gig.

I'm hooked. I don't even overdrive the amp, which is what I thought Marshalls were for. I LOVE this thing for the clean sound. I must have one. Im using a Fulldrive 2 for some warm od, Nobels ODR1 for light hair, Holy Grail for a touch 'o verb. I feel like a teenager saying this, but "it has tone to die for". Sweet cleans, a little hair is nice, and with the od it absolutely sings.

Anyone else use a Marshall for the cleans? Seems like an odd concept to me. I must admit I'm enjoying this amp more than any I've tried in a long, long time.

vic108 · November 24th, 2006, 03:31 PM

Based on the BASSMAN, it's not a bad knock-off..... ;)

Good to find an amp that 'talks' to you, eh? Congrats!

RomanS · November 24th, 2006, 05:55 PM

Hey, the JTM45 is the amp I'm gassing for, too, and also for the clean tones...
The guitar player in my first band (I played bass for that band for a couple of years) had one of those Bluesbreaker combos (basically a JTM45 in a 2x12" combo, he liked to turn it up for getting some hair, and then boosting it with a Tubescreamer for solos, man, that rig was loud, we played gigs for 3 or 400 people with tha amp - unmiked!
Another friend of mine has the same combo, using it mostly clean, unfortunately I haven't had a chance to try it myself yet.
The reason I'm gassing for one of those is that they seem to have a fuller, rounder, middier clean sound than the more brilliant, trebly Fender clean, and that's what I'm looking for...

Tim Swartz · November 24th, 2006, 11:50 PM

Marshall cleans are overlooked by many, but a 4 hole amp for me anyways is capable of a sweeter, more lively clean sound than most BF/SF Fenders (a tuned up BF Super Reverb may be the exception). I love it when you have them right on the edge; Pick light and it is pristine, dig in and they give up the classic honk and growl. For this nirvana you would typically have the volume set on 3-4 or so w/ regular output humbuckers and 6-7 or so w/ regular output single coils. Yum Yum!

BB · November 25th, 2006, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Swartz

Marshall cleans are overlooked by many, but a 4 hole amp for me anyways is capable of a sweeter, more lively clean sound than most BF/SF Fenders (a tuned up BF Super Reverb may be the exception). I love it when you have them right on the edge; Pick light and it is pristine, dig in and they give up the classic honk and growl. For this nirvana you would typically have the volume set on 3-4 or so w/ regular output humbuckers and 6-7 or so w/ regular output single coils. Yum Yum!

Boy howdy Tim! You nailed my thoughts completely. Although I have never owned a Marshall amp, I've had the pleasure to play through several older and newer ones. The Bluesbreaker has always been high on my dream amp list. Playing a strat through a 4 hole Marshall head a few months ago was a revelation. That awesome kinda clean/kinda dirty tone that responds to the slightest nuances of ones picking style. I love to play with reverb, but didn't miss it one iota with this amp. Someday.......

While I'm dreaming I may as well add an AC-30 and AC-15 to the list! Another very cool amp I played a few weeks ago was an older Hilgen. I've seen several through the years, but never plugged in. Very cool sounding, touch responsive amp.

Marshalls though....they just have that something that inspires. While they have the 'rock amp' personna, I find them equally cool for blues.

mojohen · November 25th, 2006, 11:58 AM

I also love the Bluesbreaker, but it must have KT66's in it for me. Yeah, they're as loud as my SFSR, but they push differently. However. I actually prefer the JTM45 head and 2-12" cab over the combo. I think it's somewhat creamier, and the closed back cab helps the bottom, especially when playing at reasonable volumes.
Either one with KT66's is high on my list. Even playing cleanish volumes, a little push in front is enough for solo work. A little veb and delay and you just never want to unplug....

mojohen

November 24th, 2006, 03:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Durtdog Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,484	Gassing for the 1st time in a while OK, I'm usually pretty happy with whatever gear I've got. I'm a longtime Fender, Musicman and recently, a Peavey Delta Blues user. Had never played a Marshall I liked. But I've been using a Marshall JTM 45 Bluesbreaker combo at rehearsals, and I'm going to use it at next weekend's gig. I'm hooked. I don't even overdrive the amp, which is what I thought Marshalls were for. I LOVE this thing for the clean sound. I must have one. Im using a Fulldrive 2 for some warm od, Nobels ODR1 for light hair, Holy Grail for a touch 'o verb. I feel like a teenager saying this, but "it has tone to die for". Sweet cleans, a little hair is nice, and with the od it absolutely sings. Anyone else use a Marshall for the cleans? Seems like an odd concept to me. I must admit I'm enjoying this amp more than any I've tried in a long, long time.

November 24th, 2006, 03:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
vic108 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mudwogweap, VA Age: 52 Posts: 947 9 Photos	Based on the BASSMAN, it's not a bad knock-off..... ;) Good to find an amp that 'talks' to you, eh? Congrats! __________________ Guitars will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no guitars

November 24th, 2006, 11:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,887	Marshall cleans are overlooked by many, but a 4 hole amp for me anyways is capable of a sweeter, more lively clean sound than most BF/SF Fenders (a tuned up BF Super Reverb may be the exception). I love it when you have them right on the edge; Pick light and it is pristine, dig in and they give up the classic honk and growl. For this nirvana you would typically have the volume set on 3-4 or so w/ regular output humbuckers and 6-7 or so w/ regular output single coils. Yum Yum! __________________

November 25th, 2006, 11:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
mojohen Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 177 12 Photos	I also love the Bluesbreaker, but it must have KT66's in it for me. Yeah, they're as loud as my SFSR, but they push differently. However. I actually prefer the JTM45 head and 2-12" cab over the combo. I think it's somewhat creamier, and the closed back cab helps the bottom, especially when playing at reasonable volumes. Either one with KT66's is high on my list. Even playing cleanish volumes, a little push in front is enough for solo work. A little veb and delay and you just never want to unplug.... mojohen __________________ " Time to get ready for the storm"

November 24th, 2006, 05:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
RomanS Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vienna, Austria Age: 37 Posts: 2,886 14 Photos	Hey, the JTM45 is the amp I'm gassing for, too, and also for the clean tones... The guitar player in my first band (I played bass for that band for a couple of years) had one of those Bluesbreaker combos (basically a JTM45 in a 2x12" combo, he liked to turn it up for getting some hair, and then boosting it with a Tubescreamer for solos, man, that rig was loud, we played gigs for 3 or 400 people with tha amp - unmiked! Another friend of mine has the same combo, using it mostly clean, unfortunately I haven't had a chance to try it myself yet. The reason I'm gassing for one of those is that they seem to have a fuller, rounder, middier clean sound than the more brilliant, trebly Fender clean, and that's what I'm looking for...