Guv'nor

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.

Marshall Amps

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Marshall Amp Forum

sickboy79

Great informative post!

swankmotee

Marshall changed from PTP to PCB in 73'.

My compliments on the great site and to all the efforts getting it done!!!

__________________
Old Strats & Vintage Marshall\'s!

Guv'nor

Thanks for the compliments. You're the ones making this happen with your contributions and comments.

I didn't find when exactly happened but most of the 1973 amps were PTP so I stablished the change in 1974 when all amps became PCB even it is not exact.

ripper

Been a while since anyone acknowledged that post, eh?!

So, thanks! Great post, learnt a lot about the Marshall series. The 30th anniversary models seem worth drooling over.

coldsteal2

Thats a great list thanks

__________________
Playing Marshall's since 1969
Vintage Modern 2266, JCM-800, JCM-900,1960A(G12H's), DSL-401,AVT-50combo , CLASS 5 Head,Orange Rockerverb 50, and cab

My Youtubes......ColdSteal II on Soundclick.com

BMD2

TSL 100 bias problem. I checked by bias with a volt meter and the right side was high. I brought it back down and got them both at 90 mv and turned the amp off. 10 minutes later when I turned the amp on (and let it warm up on stand by first and then on and stabilize a few minutes) the right side was low. Amp was making a slight clicking sound through the speakers. Does anyone know any reason why this is happening?

Tumbling Dice

Great list. Very helpful. Where do the DSL, TSL, and JVM fit into this list of great Marshall amps in terms of their "character"? In other words is the DSL supposed to sound like a JCM 800, the TSL more like a JCM 900? JVM both 800 and 900?

JMnovice

Guv'nor,

As you can see by my user name, I am new to Marshall amps. That being said, I just wanted to give you a BIG THANKS for your information. I have been trying for two hours to determine what kind of Marshall will provide the sound I need. Thanks to you, I know what to set my sights on..thanks again!

JMnovice

JonnyGator

Just what I've been looking for since I bought my second Marshall...Thanks a million!

JonnyGator

Sorry, I'm new to this establishment and don't know my way around yet, but can someone tell me where 'The Amp Room' is? I can't find it on the forums list, and there is a cab for sale by peedenmark7 I wanted to ask a question about....Thanks....

JASON_NORTH_BLUES_BAND

Good article! Even I learned something and I have owned and still do own a variety of models from different eras from 60's to 90's. Well done and keep listening to rock and the blues!
PS my band is on youtube and myspace,
Jason North Blues Band

357mag

It would be nice to see a little about the solid state MG series or the AVT Valvestate series. Tube amps are not without problems, believe me.

steelhorse

Thanks for the great info!

plexipaul

Some additional info i`ve found..

the MKII list:

Models in the MK II 100 watt series include:


2959 head (reverb and boost, no master volume) circa 1978-1980

2203 head (1 channel, master volume) 1975-1981

2159 2x12 combo ("4 pronger", twin channel - combo version of 1959 head) 1977-1981

2103 2x12 combo (single channel, master volume - combo version of 2203) 1975-81

2068 head (4 inputs, 2 channels, reverb "Artist" model) 1971-1978

1992 head (4 inputs, twin channel. "Super Bass". Also available with Trem up to 1972) 1966-1981

1968 head (8 inputs, 4 channels. "Super PA") 1966-1975

1959SLP head (4 inputs, 2 channels. Reissue of 60's plexi.) 1993-present

1959X head (4 inputs, 2 channels. First of the plexi reissues.) 1991-1993

1959S head (4 inputs, 2 channels. First Marshall reissue.) 1988

1959 head (4 inputs, 2 channels. "Super Lead". Tremolo model T1959 discontinued early 1970's.) 1966-1981


The 1959 model is refering to the schematics of the amp and you can find them all the way till early 80's and they are all Super Leads. They all have vertical inputs 2 channels/4inputs (JCM 800 1959 that's from 1981). Now what year is as real Plexi or not/metal panel bla bla bla you covered it right......

1959: 1966-1981 (the real ones boys and girls)
1959S: was in 1988 Marshall first reissue
1959X: from 1991-93 first reissue of the sixties plexi 1959
1959SLP: from 1993 Most accurate of sixties Plexi reissues




JTM 45 are not 1959 model nor Super Leads except for the 100watt because they used the JTM45's panel so there is some JTM45 (100watts) that are 1959's but that was in 1966 when Marshall made the switch to 100watt's amp to later made the 1959.

JTM45 are normally 45watts some 50watts and the very first ones, the MK1's or prototype apparently (1962-64) didn't even have a model number then it became the 1987 MKII (the lead version, high treble and normal channels....1965-66), there were the Bass version the 1986 JTM45 from 1965-66, they even had the T1987 for tremolo version same years

Now the JTM45 reissue is the "JTM 45" and started in 1989, it's the reissue of the old JTM45 1987model of 1965-66

And they had PA and organ JTM 45's also but that is an other story

aussiebluesville

hey,thanks for everyone's input on this thread,you have some really informative information on some of the great marshall rigs on offer,cheers

__________________
Jcm 800 1 x 12 Valve combo 4010
Egnater tweaker 15 HD
Blackstar 1x12 cabinet
Fender 71 usa strat
Fender 2009 usa tele with custom shop pickups
www.myspace.com/ourcreationsjamband
www.soundclick.com/ourcreationsjamband

cooletv

Thanks to everyone for the info! Just one question remains for me...I'm torn between the Silver Jubilee and the 6100. Can the 6100 acheive a Jubilee tone?

coldsteal2

I never compared them side by side, maybe there is a Youtube of it

__________________
Playing Marshall's since 1969
Vintage Modern 2266, JCM-800, JCM-900,1960A(G12H's), DSL-401,AVT-50combo , CLASS 5 Head,Orange Rockerverb 50, and cab

My Youtubes......ColdSteal II on Soundclick.com

obagaba

I have been Using Marshall for many years and this is the first time I have ever had a proublem. I recently purchased a 2266 combo and i cant get the crunch that I have been used too. Can any one help me? I've been told Get a power Brake, but with the money that i spent for the amp, it should have all I need.

ampshoping123

top info thanks

steelhorse

Do you know when the tubes were last replaced?

__________________
www.ricojronline.com
760-956-6619
Garmopat Pedal Mods

"I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

Pie

Would it be possible to append suggestions to the original post, assuming later posts are written in teh same format (to keep e verything readable ) ?

ashleypier

This is all great info. thanks!!

crunchdaddy

Nice job on your post of the main BIG Marshalls!

wareagle

wait so a 1978 jmp isnt plexi?

crunchdaddy

No...Awesome amp though! They quit making Plexi's in 1969. There are the re-issues but I don't think that there were any in 1978. You may have the amp that is described well in Michael Doyle's "History of Marshall" book from about pages 30 to 40 (photo page 37) as the Bold New Look amps...probably a 2203 100 watt master volume.

janarn

Most Plexis had JMP fronts. The 50w models had JMP fronts from mid '67 to mid '69. I think the 100w converted even earlier.

backline

Very nice.

My Marshall experience is limited (and confused). This really helps!

lucky find

Hi, Perhaps you could tell me about an amp I found while clearing out my attic.
It's a 1974 Super PA unmodified according to Marshall and I don't know where it would be best to sell it and how much to ask for it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!

brett octane

Nice, I always wondered what the jtm stood for lol...go figure..:0