THE MARSHALLFORUM GUIDE TO MARSHALL AMPS
This is just some information about the main BIG Marshall tube amps. It is not a definitive guide or something like that. Just some points to help to understand the different models, what they do, and who uses them.
There are some other important models (18w, JCM600, newer models…) and there were also Bass/Super Bass versions of the 50w/100w amps. Then PAs… but below are the real BIG Marshalls.
Marshall has done different RIs in recent years (as you may know).
JTM45 / Bluesbreaker combo
- Introduction: 1962
- Models 1987, 1961 (BB with 4x10”) & 1962 (BB with 2x12”)
- Tubes: 2x5881 & 3xECC83
- Used 6L6GT whenever supplies of the 5881 dried up
- From Jan/64 to Dec/65 due to a problem of supply with the American tubes Marshall used KT66 being the tone more crunchy. Let’s say more “Marshall”
- The front panel reads JTM50 (Jim and Terry Marshall – Terry is Jim’s son)
PLEXI PANEL
- Introduction: 1966
- Models 1987 (50w) and 1959 (100w)
- Power tubes change from KT66 to EL34
- Character: Tighter, louder and fuller distortion
- The front panel reads JTM
- Hendrix, EVH, ACDC etc…
METAL FACE
- Introduction: 1969
- Change from Plexiglas to gold aluminium (front and back panels)
- Circuits remain PTP (and therefore the same as plexi models) until 1974
- Character: From 1974 (printed circuit board) brighter, more aggresive and less harmornics.
- The front panel reads JMP (Jim Marshall products)
- 70s classic rock
MASTER VOLUME
- Introduction: 1975
- Marshall included a preamp gain control
- Character: Bright and punchy. Real screamers
- Iron Maiden, Judas Priest (old), Black Sabbath…
JCM800
- Introduction: 1981
- 1 channel model: Just cosmetics changes
- 2 channels model: Channel switching, reverb and effect loop
- Character:
+ 1 channel: same as master volume
+ 2 channels: More gain and more aggressive than the single channel version
- Zakk Wylde, Motley Crue, Tom Morello…
Silver Jubilee
- Introduction: 1987 celebrating 50 years in music and 25 years in amp industry
- Pentode / Triode switch
- Gain mode switch
- Character: Dark and more gain than a JCM800
- Slash
JCM900
- Introduction: 1990
- 1 channel model (Hi gain master volume)
+ 1990: 2500 (50w) and 2100 (100w) – More gain (up to 20) and dual master volume
+ 1993: 2500SL-X and 2100 SL-X – Extra ECC83 (more gain)
- 2 channel model (Hi gain dual reverb) – 4500 (25 or 50w) and 4100 (50 or 100w): Channel switching and dual reverb
- Character: grungy & more metal tone
- Dave Navarro, Pete Friesen, Jane’s addiction…
30th ANNIVERSARY
- 6100LE: Brass-plated chassis. Limited to 800 units worldwide
- 6100: EL34 tubes
- 6100LM: 5881 tubes
- 4 x EL34/5881 and 7 x ECC83 = 11 valves!!!!
- 3 channels – Tried to produce the tones of all great Marshall amps
+ 1: Clean (JTM45)
+ 2: Crunch – 3 positions: Superlead / Master volume / JCM900
+ 3: Gain – 2 positions: Super gain / Super Ultra gain
- 4 way output power switching: You can select Pentode or Triode & 2 or 4 output valves meaning 25w, 50w or 100w depending on your selection.
- Serial / Parallel effect loop with trim controls on each channel
- Balanced compensated output
- Speaker emulator
- Output valve protection circuitry
- Character: Every character?
- Joe Satriani, Johhny A.
Hope it helps. Sorry if I left something you consider important.
