78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods?

chuckatsoits · 03-20-2009, 12:01 PM

I have a 50 watt JMP Master Lead MK.II with serial number 04875k.
While cleaning the head I notice the transformer was a Drake and the Amp is outfitted with 2 EL 34's.
Was this a Mod? Didn't Marshall stop using Drake inthe early 70's

steelhorse · 03-20-2009, 02:50 PM

Not sure about your particular amp, but Drakes were still being installed into later models.

chuckatsoits · 03-20-2009, 03:19 PM

Thank you

Guess I'd been misinformed. Someone told me they stopped using them from 71-90.

steelhorse · 03-20-2009, 03:39 PM

Not exactly sure when or even why the did stop using them but I know that I've had drakes in 80's versions 2203's.

Doomhawk · 03-20-2009, 08:51 PM

i have 4 jmps - all drakes. 75-79.

American Viking · 03-21-2009, 01:11 AM

I don't know who told you that but I've never seen a Marshall without Drake's. No matter what year. Usually a sign that it's been modded is that the transformer is not a Drake. I have them in my '83, '87 and 2004.

What's the year of the amp? If it's a U.S. version it's possible that it came here with 6550's and may have had a bias resistor mod to change over to EL34's. This is not an invasive mod and only effects range of bias. This does not compromise tone or value IMO.

spooky joe · 03-21-2009, 12:28 PM

Marshall used Drake transformers for both 50 and 100 watters up until about '68. Dagnall then supplied for the 100's and Drake continued to supply transformers for the 50's.

Eag · 03-21-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomhawk

i have 4 jmps - all drakes. 75-79.

Every JMP I've owned has had Drakes and my '84 JCM800 2204 has 'em too.

The EL34s either mean it was the British version or was converted here in the states, I have seen lots of USA models converted. FWIW I personally like 6550s better.

chuckatsoits · 03-23-2009, 10:23 AM

Spooky Joe
Thanks man! I had heard they used the dagnel exclusively from 69.
Thanks to everyone else for their response.

New question; there is a layer of white paint under the black. Was this amp originally white or did someone paint it white, then black again. I can't find any information regarding 1978 Master Model Leads being white.

Thanks to all

ironlung40 · 03-25-2009, 06:29 PM

My JCM 800 2203 was made in 1981...it has the Dagnell transformers
My JCM 800 2204 was made in 1982....it has the Drakes
I've got a 2205 too from 1989...it has drakes
All of my amps are American

I used to own a 4104 combo from 1982...it had Dagnell in it too even though it was a 50 watt.

It seems Marshall was a little inconsistent, but I wouldn't worry whether or not the transformers were Drake or Dagnell as long as they're stock. Many people swear that the Drakes are the best, but according to voodoo amps (mod guys), the transformers of yesteryear where at times inconsistent and neither brand was better or worse as it was hit or miss on the consistency of the transformer...so a Drake may or may not sound better than a Dagnell and vice/versa....This also backs up the theory that many marshall players say that the JCM 800's were sometimes hit or miss in the tone department.

Anyway, thought I'd let you know what my amps had in them.

03-20-2009, 12:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
chuckatsoits Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4	78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods? I have a 50 watt JMP Master Lead MK.II with serial number 04875k. While cleaning the head I notice the transformer was a Drake and the Amp is outfitted with 2 EL 34's. Was this a Mod? Didn't Marshall stop using Drake inthe early 70's

03-20-2009, 02:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,951	Re: 78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods? Not sure about your particular amp, but Drakes were still being installed into later models. __________________ 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

03-20-2009, 03:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
chuckatsoits Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Re: 78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods? Thank you Guess I'd been misinformed. Someone told me they stopped using them from 71-90.

03-20-2009, 03:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,951	Re: 78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods? Not exactly sure when or even why the did stop using them but I know that I've had drakes in 80's versions 2203's. __________________ 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

03-20-2009, 08:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Doomhawk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 151	Re: 78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods? i have 4 jmps - all drakes. 75-79.

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03-21-2009, 01:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
American Viking Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Posts: 2,024	Re: 78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods? I don't know who told you that but I've never seen a Marshall without Drake's. No matter what year. Usually a sign that it's been modded is that the transformer is not a Drake. I have them in my '83, '87 and 2004. What's the year of the amp? If it's a U.S. version it's possible that it came here with 6550's and may have had a bias resistor mod to change over to EL34's. This is not an invasive mod and only effects range of bias. This does not compromise tone or value IMO. __________________ Transformers inside amplifiers were not originally designed to be in there, and the tube was not created for the guitar amp. ANY recommended idle current is a guideline and in no way a necessary requirement. There is no skeleton key for any tube amp.

03-21-2009, 12:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
spooky joe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North Wales UK Posts: 143	Re: 78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods? Marshall used Drake transformers for both 50 and 100 watters up until about '68. Dagnall then supplied for the 100's and Drake continued to supply transformers for the 50's. __________________ Sometimes it is better to remain silent and appear a fool rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt JMP 1992 Superbass : JMP 2204 : JMP 2203 : VM 2266 : JTM45 : JTM60 : 3203 Artist : DSL50. 5005 Lead 12. MC412A : JTM410C ; 1912 : 1965 www.reverbnation.com/spookyjoerock

03-23-2009, 10:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
chuckatsoits Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Re: 78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods? Spooky Joe Thanks man! I had heard they used the dagnel exclusively from 69. Thanks to everyone else for their response. New question; there is a layer of white paint under the black. Was this amp originally white or did someone paint it white, then black again. I can't find any information regarding 1978 Master Model Leads being white. Thanks to all

03-25-2009, 06:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
ironlung40 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 598	Re: 78 JMP with Drake transformer and EL34's Mods? My JCM 800 2203 was made in 1981...it has the Dagnell transformers My JCM 800 2204 was made in 1982....it has the Drakes I've got a 2205 too from 1989...it has drakes All of my amps are American I used to own a 4104 combo from 1982...it had Dagnell in it too even though it was a 50 watt. It seems Marshall was a little inconsistent, but I wouldn't worry whether or not the transformers were Drake or Dagnell as long as they're stock. Many people swear that the Drakes are the best, but according to voodoo amps (mod guys), the transformers of yesteryear where at times inconsistent and neither brand was better or worse as it was hit or miss on the consistency of the transformer...so a Drake may or may not sound better than a Dagnell and vice/versa....This also backs up the theory that many marshall players say that the JCM 800's were sometimes hit or miss in the tone department. Anyway, thought I'd let you know what my amps had in them.

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