The Marshall Major. - Page 4

scat7s · 10-11-2011, 04:22 PM

yep, i posted this on the workbench too, just in case someone might have some info.

there are no other markings on the unit at all. there is some info available regarding the T-type part numbers, but i cant anything with a KPP- prefix.

its potted, and there are no date codes or any other hints that i can find to ID it.

as ken mentioned, i know that kenyon made a lot of stuff for amateur radio guys and stuff. thats where i got it, a ham radio swap meet.

MajorNut1967 · 10-11-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scat7s

yep, i posted this on the workbench too, just in case someone might have some info.

there are no other markings on the unit at all. there is some info available regarding the T-type part numbers, but i cant anything with a KPP- prefix.

its potted, and there are no date codes or any other hints that i can find to ID it.

as ken mentioned, i know that kenyon made a lot of stuff for amateur radio guys and stuff. thats where i got it, a ham radio swap meet.

yes mostly they were the HAM market, but they did make ideal output transformers as well as high voltage pole transformers

scat7s · 10-11-2011, 06:48 PM

ok, does this sound like it might be right?

B and B are for the B+, it can be used as either a single ended, dual single ended (is there such a thing?), or push pull (by tying both B posts together)

the part that still confuses me is the resistence readings from the secondary. @ the lowest (5.2ohm), that would be calling for a 25 or so ohm speaker load? im basing this on the fact that a typical OT secondary 8ohm out, usually reads about 2 ohm DC resistence? or is my math a little off...hmmm, more like a 16ohm? or can i take those numbers to mean that 8.2 is 8ohm, 13.8 is 16 ohm etc?

also, it seems the secondary is actually a dual secondary as well? perhaps for use with the dual primary setup?

does that make some sense?

MajorNut1967 · 10-11-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scat7s

ok, does this sound like it might be right?

B and B are for the B+, it can be used as either a single ended, dual single ended (is there such a thing?), or push pull (by tying both B posts together)

the part that still confuses me is the resistence readings from the secondary. @ the lowest (5.2ohm), that would be calling for a 25 or so ohm speaker load? im basing this on the fact that a typical OT secondary 8ohm out, usually reads about 2 ohm DC resistence? or is my math a little off...hmmm, more like a 16ohm? or can i take those numbers to mean that 8.2 is 8ohm, 13.8 is 16 ohm etc?

also, it seems the secondary is actually a dual secondary as well? perhaps for use with the dual primary setup?

does that make some sense?

All of these are possible. are you setup enough to test for turns ratio calculating?

scat7s · 10-11-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorNut1967

All of these are possible. are you setup enough to test for turns ratio calculating?

im not sure. what do i need?

scat7s · 10-12-2011, 02:23 AM

hey, sorry for f-ing up your thread major

i'll do some research on the calc

MajorNut1967 · 10-12-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scat7s

hey, sorry for f-ing up your thread major

i'll do some research on the calc

Oh no way mate! you didn't do that, we are here to learn & research where ever!

Here the test:

Output Transformers

http://www.maxmcarter.com/classecalcs/tratiocalc.html

scat7s · 10-12-2011, 01:41 PM

thx!

Type56S · 10-25-2011, 09:56 AM

Might still be available if anyone is in the market

Vintage Marshall Major

Type56S · 10-25-2011, 11:00 AM

Nevermind - Looks to now be on Ebay
1971 Marshall Major Amplifier owned by Jimmy Griffin of Bread! | eBay

Leif Johan I · 01-06-2012, 02:38 PM

Soon.. Real soon.. I'm gonna add a Major to my collection!

JakeBluesRocker · 01-07-2012, 11:35 AM

Is the Major a boosted regular plexi?

VintageModernPunk · 02-04-2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorNut1967

Hmmmmm? Stevie ray Vaughn, John frucsainte, Joe Perry, Roger Glover, Jon Lord, J mascis

Ummm, MICK RONSON!!!

2203xman · 02-24-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargazer76

Who else besides Blackmore used Majors?

I have a november '96 issue of guitar world magazine where Billy Gibbons states that "cheap sunglasses" was recorded with a fake fender guitar into a marshall major with one blown tube.

munger77 · 03-10-2012, 10:43 PM

I have a Marshall Major and about 15 other amps. About 7 amps too many at the moment! I'll sell it or considering the economy right now a lot of people are trading gear. Mine is a 1968 or early 1969. It has plexi panels front and back. The output transformer is brand new, Mercury Magnetics. PT original; the Board is the dark red color Marshall used in the plexi era. Put a 3 prong cord on it, removed the "death cap" which I kept and will include with the amp. I have new tubes in it, including NOS 12 AU7 in phase inverter, and JJ KT88's all new, and matched set. I also have an extra quad of KT88's I will include; a total of 8 KT88's. I may have one or two additional NOS 12AU7 I'll have to look. Has new tube sockets. Plate voltage is 596 volts and I biased the new tubes which have less than an hour on them.
LMK if you might be interested, thanks, Mike
munger@columbus.rr.com

Judas Prius · 03-17-2012, 08:34 PM

Didn't Stevie Ray Vaughan (R.I.P.) play a Major during his last several years?

About a year and a half ago I saw a Major at Cowtown Guitars that belonged to Jake E. Lee. It was a '72, and they were asking about $2300... I believe. That's one I'm really sorry I passed up.

Emerald · 04-23-2012, 05:37 PM

I read that his tech Rene Martinez bought a second Major just for the valves alone!!!
Emerald

Judas Prius · 04-23-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerald

I read that his tech Rene Martinez bought a second Major just for the valves alone!!!
Emerald

I just saw a picture from the studio when 'In Step' was recorded, and he had 2 Marshall Major heads.

Love this video, major tone. I want to believe that's a Major behind him that he's playing through.

SRV Interview - YouTube

Viking62 · 05-29-2012, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorNut1967

Hi guys,

It seems of late that there has been more conversations and threads either directly or indirectly relating to the Marshall Major amplifier. So while I am not an expert on this amplifier by any means, it is my favorite amplifier and I'd like to give a run down on the amplifier and why it differs from the classic Marshall amplifier.

First off, the Marshall Major is not in the format of your classic 1959 or 1987 amplifier. While it does have some of the Marshall character implemented into it, the original circuit design was actually done by GEC in England and not really meant to be a loud rock guitar amp. It is kind of a mix match of Marshall, Fender, and Hi-Fi all in the same package. I think initially that because venues were getting bigger and the bands were getting louder, Marshall wanted to offer a louder more powerful amplifier. In addition, since I don't believe that Marshall wanted to design a brand-new amplifier from the ground up they borrowed the initial design from GEC.

Now the model 1967 (major) is first bigger than the standard hundred watt head (1959). The chassis is 2 inches deeper to accommodate the large transformers so rather than being 8 inches in depth the major head box is 10 inches in depth and it is the first way to tell that it is the Marshall Major (just look at it from the side view). Now on the technical side now the front-end circuit of the major is classic Marshall it has the 820ohm/250mfd & 2.7K/.68mfd split Cathode set up, but then it ends there abruptly after the volume pots. The Marshall Major has an enclosed tone stack as well as an enclosed feedback loop, "which means the negative feedback is applied much earlier in the circuit then your standard Marshall." and the tone stack while having Marshall standard values it is enclosed ala’ Fender. The third unusual thing is that the major does not have a long tailed phase inverter it has the Cathodyne type phase inverter, which is not as linear, or have as much gain. The fourth and most unusual, and sometimes trouble oriented part of the Marshall Maj. is that it has an ultra linear output section, which means the screens are fed directly from taps on the output transformer and that there is no standalone screen circuit. Another factor is that the Marshall Maj. has no choke in the circuit, which also contributes to its tone; the choke was not utilized because of the large filter capacitors in the power supply.

I hope this sheds some light on the unknown beast from Marshall, hope you people enjoy. For those of you who are curious I have included a corrected schematic of the model 1967 (the one on the Internet has errors) so have fun.

Good info thanks for that.
I looked at 1972 Major today in a shop I'm wondering if it's worth $2000 asking price. Especially given their notorious reliability reputation. What'd you think?
Thanks

MajorWatt · 05-29-2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viking62

Good info thanks for that.
I looked at 1972 Major today in a shop I'm wondering if it's worth $2000 asking price. Especially given their notorious reliability reputation. What'd you think?
Thanks

Sounds a bit steep to me given the economy, unless it was am early model 200. Try offering $1400-1500 bucks and see if he goes. Should be good inside and out to get this much too... pictures would be nice....

Viking62 · 05-29-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorWatt

Sounds a bit steep to me given the economy, unless it was am early model 200. Try offering $1400-1500 bucks and see if he goes. Should be good inside and out to get this much too... pictures would be nice....

Will get back in there and have a look inside.. cheers

Judas Prius · 05-30-2012, 11:47 AM

I've read that a 100 watt Plexi or early 70's metal panel 1959 is pretty much the loudest amp on the planet. Does a Marshall Major negate that statement?

MajorWatt · 05-30-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas Prius

I've read that a 100 watt Plexi or early 70's metal panel 1959 is pretty much the loudest amp on the planet. Does a Marshall Major negate that statement?

Yes, the Major is louder than any 100 watter I have. Double wattage does not mean double volume, but the headroom and power of a properly running Major is a thing to behold. Through a half stack the difference won't be that evident, but through two or more cabinets, yes some majors have 4 speaker jacks, the Superleads will be in the background. But not drown out.

Viking62 · 06-02-2012, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorWatt

Sounds a bit steep to me given the economy, unless it was am early model 200. Try offering $1400-1500 bucks and see if he goes. Should be good inside and out to get this much too... pictures would be nice....

Finally got back to the shop and took some photos. He reckons he paid $3000 grand for it 5 years ago and forgot he still had it. Had a good amp tech go over it at that stage. The tolex and overall its in pretty good nick.
Be interested in your comments on the guts, especially it Major Ken is there for his view..

Cheers

MajorWatt · 06-02-2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viking62

Finally got back to the shop and took some photos. He reckons he paid $3000 grand for it 5 years ago and forgot he still had it. Had a good amp tech go over it at that stage. The tolex and overall its in pretty good nick.
Be interested in your comments on the guts, especially it Major Ken is there for his view..

Cheers

Wow, if he paid $3000 for it, he really got taken... or he's bullshitting you. With all the holes in the chassis there is no way any right mind would pay over $1,200-1,400 for this amp. I see no gut shots, so who knows what the circuits look like. My guess is whatever the previous owner had installed that used the four holes either had some fancy effects loop, or some active master vol/power controls there, and probably did some serious hacking on the stock circuitry... The crappy GT tubes do nothing to help increase price either... Need gut shts dude to evaluate further. The cabinet looked nice though, unless there was a cooling fan installed on the side which happens with these amps often...

Viking62 · 06-03-2012, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorWatt

Wow, if he paid $3000 for it, he really got taken... or he's bullshitting you. With all the holes in the chassis there is no way any right mind would pay over $1,200-1,400 for this amp. I see no gut shots, so who knows what the circuits look like. My guess is whatever the previous owner had installed that used the four holes either had some fancy effects loop, or some active master vol/power controls there, and probably did some serious hacking on the stock circuitry... The crappy GT tubes do nothing to help increase price either... Need gut shts dude to evaluate further. The cabinet looked nice though, unless there was a cooling fan installed on the side which happens with these amps often...

Thanks Buddy will investigate further. I know the name of the previous owner so I'll get in touch with him and find what the 4 holes is all about and get some history from him what mods he made. Its just I've heard they only made 1200 of these (I've never come across one before), and would be lovely to add to the collection.
Thanks heaps for your advice..

MajorWatt · 06-03-2012, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viking62

Thanks Buddy will investigate further. I know the name of the previous owner so I'll get in touch with him and find what the 4 holes is all about and get some history from him what mods he made. Its just I've heard they only made 1200 of these (I've never come across one before), and would be lovely to add to the collection.
Thanks heaps for your advice..

Cool.. Hope that helps... Keep us informed. And yes, it is a cool amp to have in the corral... Just don't want to over pay....

Viking62 · 06-10-2012, 09:28 PM

Top left 'The Major'
Bottom left 'YJM'
Top right 'JCM800'
Bottom right '1959 SLP'

The family is growing..

MajorWatt · 06-11-2012, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viking62

Top left 'The Major'
Bottom left 'YJM'
Top right 'JCM800'
Bottom right '1959 SLP'

The family is growing..

Cool... Gratz on the purchase.. If you get a chance, take out the chassis and get some good gut shots..

Viking62 · 06-13-2012, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorWatt

Cool... Gratz on the purchase.. If you get a chance, take out the chassis and get some good gut shots..

Yep will do, I actually dropped it back to him (shop) as I didnt like the single 3 pin input and given the monster that it is, I definately want the option to run two cabs off it. Btw I got him down to $1600.
Its the heaviest head I've picked up too!!!
What are you running rig wise..?

10-11-2011, 04:22 PM	#91 (permalink)
scat7s Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 7,945	Re: The Marshall Major. yep, i posted this on the workbench too, just in case someone might have some info. there are no other markings on the unit at all. there is some info available regarding the T-type part numbers, but i cant anything with a KPP- prefix. its potted, and there are no date codes or any other hints that i can find to ID it. as ken mentioned, i know that kenyon made a lot of stuff for amateur radio guys and stuff. thats where i got it, a ham radio swap meet. __________________ 'The best slave is one who does not know he is a slave'

10-11-2011, 06:48 PM	#93 (permalink)
scat7s Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 7,945	Re: The Marshall Major. ok, does this sound like it might be right? B and B are for the B+, it can be used as either a single ended, dual single ended (is there such a thing?), or push pull (by tying both B posts together) the part that still confuses me is the resistence readings from the secondary. @ the lowest (5.2ohm), that would be calling for a 25 or so ohm speaker load? im basing this on the fact that a typical OT secondary 8ohm out, usually reads about 2 ohm DC resistence? or is my math a little off...hmmm, more like a 16ohm? or can i take those numbers to mean that 8.2 is 8ohm, 13.8 is 16 ohm etc? also, it seems the secondary is actually a dual secondary as well? perhaps for use with the dual primary setup? does that make some sense? __________________ 'The best slave is one who does not know he is a slave'

10-12-2011, 02:23 AM	#96 (permalink)
scat7s Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 7,945	Re: The Marshall Major. hey, sorry for f-ing up your thread major i'll do some research on the calc __________________ 'The best slave is one who does not know he is a slave'

10-12-2011, 01:41 PM	#98 (permalink)
scat7s Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 7,945	Re: The Marshall Major. thx! __________________ 'The best slave is one who does not know he is a slave'

10-25-2011, 09:56 AM	#99 (permalink)
Type56S Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30	Re: The Marshall Major. Might still be available if anyone is in the market Vintage Marshall Major

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10-25-2011, 11:00 AM	#100 (permalink)
Type56S Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30	Re: The Marshall Major. Nevermind - Looks to now be on Ebay 1971 Marshall Major Amplifier owned by Jimmy Griffin of Bread! \| eBay

01-06-2012, 02:38 PM	#101 (permalink)
Leif Johan I Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bryne, Norway Posts: 8	Re: The Marshall Major. Soon.. Real soon.. I'm gonna add a Major to my collection! __________________ "The mind is like a parachute! It doesnt work unless it's open" - Frank Zappa Amps: 69' Marshall Super Bass Plexi 100W 87' Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 100W 10' Marshall Super Lead Plexi 100W reissue Guitars: 2x Custom made Stratocasters Custom made Telecaster Les Paul Traditional with bigsby B7 Les Paul Jr Fender XII Stratocaster 66' Fender Mustang Ibanez RGR 420EX Ibanez S520EX Bass: 1x Fender Jazz Bass Geddy Lee Signature

01-07-2012, 11:35 AM	#102 (permalink)
JakeBluesRocker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 457	Re: The Marshall Major. Is the Major a boosted regular plexi?

03-10-2012, 10:43 PM	#105 (permalink)
munger77 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 18	Re: The Marshall Major (plexi version for trade/sale) I have a Marshall Major and about 15 other amps. About 7 amps too many at the moment! I'll sell it or considering the economy right now a lot of people are trading gear. Mine is a 1968 or early 1969. It has plexi panels front and back. The output transformer is brand new, Mercury Magnetics. PT original; the Board is the dark red color Marshall used in the plexi era. Put a 3 prong cord on it, removed the "death cap" which I kept and will include with the amp. I have new tubes in it, including NOS 12 AU7 in phase inverter, and JJ KT88's all new, and matched set. I also have an extra quad of KT88's I will include; a total of 8 KT88's. I may have one or two additional NOS 12AU7 I'll have to look. Has new tube sockets. Plate voltage is 596 volts and I biased the new tubes which have less than an hour on them. LMK if you might be interested, thanks, Mike munger@columbus.rr.com

03-17-2012, 08:34 PM	#106 (permalink)
Judas Prius Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 24	Re: The Marshall Major. Didn't Stevie Ray Vaughan (R.I.P.) play a Major during his last several years? About a year and a half ago I saw a Major at Cowtown Guitars that belonged to Jake E. Lee. It was a '72, and they were asking about $2300... I believe. That's one I'm really sorry I passed up.

04-23-2012, 05:37 PM	#107 (permalink)
Emerald Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Valhalla, Arizona, USA Posts: 34	Re: The Marshall Major. I read that his tech Rene Martinez bought a second Major just for the valves alone!!! Emerald

05-30-2012, 11:47 AM	#112 (permalink)
Judas Prius Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 24	Re: The Marshall Major. I've read that a 100 watt Plexi or early 70's metal panel 1959 is pretty much the loudest amp on the planet. Does a Marshall Major negate that statement?

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