I uploaded this blog post a few days ago if anyone is interested: http://www.bygonetones.com/how-to-spot-fake-vintage-marshall-gear.html Nothing too technical, Im not an amp techy type of guy, but covers most of the basics I think, at least regarding the pinstripe period stuff.
The info on the brown pinstripe is slightly wrong. A single full roll of brown pinstripe, still in its original brown wrapping, was purchased at an auction in Surrey. The packaging still had the Marshall factory address attached, but looked like it had been returned. It was purchased by a relatively well known Marshall dealer. He proceeded to sell it in cut lengths, with the overwhelming majority of it going to Music Ground.
Thanks for looking everyone, hope there is something useful there. Thanks for the correction John, I was hoping you would look over it. I will update it later. I think I got that bit of info from someone on the fretboard forum. Is it likely Marshall have ever used the brown pinstripe in your opinion? The only non fake looking brown pinstripe cab I have ever seen was very questionable, like a tall B cab but made from mdf, with blue frame goodmans inside (like selmer blue). But he was using it with a mid 65 block logo amp head, which was legit.
I'd be absolutely amazed if Marshall had used brown pinstripe Brian. The purchaser of bolt of cloth in question holds the same view, which is why he sold it and explains why, in turn, Music Ground did their best to (unsuccessfully) dye it grey.
Great info and photo's. Since you have a specialist website already established, would you be interested in contributions concerning chassis features? In the pre 67 era I'm thinking of things like pictures of authentic yellow inspection dye, chassis serial number fonts, components in general and anything else with a visual aspect. Its hightime someone hosted an accurate pictorial guide...
We have spoken about that before. Happy to help if I can, but there is a point where we might be helping fakers too. Fine if restored and declared as such but if it changes hands who is to know?