Marshalls in the U.S. in 1967!?

[Travis Tritten]

Thanks for all the great replies!

 

[danfrank]

Manny's was the go to music store in NYC, does anyone here know the name of the popular music store that was in San Francisco/Bay Area in the mid-late '60s? They were selling Marshalls in mid-late 1967, Blue Cheer bought their Marshalls in the later part of 1967 from that store. Sorry, I can't remember that store's name at the moment.

 

[racerxrated2]

I have a 3 switch, white window serial #101xx JMP50T. Was modded, then put back to stock but those mustards date to the early 70s. The Trem board does seem original with the one mustard from 67 with D7 code. But I have to get a small dental mirror for the pots.

 

[neikeel]

I have a 3 switch, white window serial #101xx JMP50T. Was modded, then put back to stock but those mustards date to the early 70s. The Trem board does seem original with the one mustard from 67 with D7 code. But I have to get a small dental mirror for the pots.

Pics?

 

[racerxrated2]

Pics?

Hey Neil; I sent you pics a while back….

 

[neikeel]

Ah that one! Looks like late 67/early 68
Have you had chance at restoration or does it sound good as is?

 

[racerxrated2]

Ah that one! Looks like late 67/early 68
Have you had chance at restoration or does it sound good as is?

It sounds really good! Got that clarity, harmonics, feel of a nice vintage amp....but I am interested in what you would charge for a restoration! The back panel is the issue; no idea how one would get another made. But for me as a player I'd be happy if you would put the period correct parts in...give me a shout with an estimate if you are interested!

 

[neikeel]

Shipping would be way more than my fee!

 

[michaelmastro]

Hi, all, I need your historical expertise ...

So the first Marshalls may have come across the pond from England around April 1967 when Cream played its first U.S. date in NYC. Then we have the Jimi Hendrix Experience playing for the first time in the U.S. at Monterey in June -- a well documented Marshall event! Cream was back in the fall for a U.S. tour using Marshall stacks. The Who also toured the U.S. in '67 but was using Vox.

Meanwhile, it seems unclear whether Jim Marshall had inked a deal with Unicord by this time in 1967 for U.S. distribution (He definitely had Rose-Morris in England). The U.S. distribution deal may have been 1968. His own account in his book and other sources are vague on the exact timing.

So my question: Is there a record or any evidence of who was selling and who was buying Marshall amps in the U.S. in 1967? Was it only Manny's in NYC, or other famous shops? And do we know at all how many Marshalls were exported to the U.S. that year?

I'm very curious because I have a mid '67 Super Bass (photos in my other post) with a polarity switch, which I believe means it was sold in the U.S. I just can't get any sense of the market here during that year. And it'd be super cool to know a little bit about the amp's history. Generally, from what I can tell, Blue Cheer (first album 1968) and the MC5 didn't buy Marshalls until they saw the English acts touring, and they were pioneers in the U.S. Any thoughts or enlightenment would be greatly appreciated!

Travis - I can settle the question - www.MichaelMastro.com/FirstMarshall.html.

This is one of two Marshall JTM 45 Super Tremelo 212's that Jim Marshall gave to Roy Orbison in 1963 - SN 7065. Roy gave one to John Rainey Adkins (his guitarist). JRA sold it to Barry Bailey (JRA's replacement in The Candymen - later, Atlanta Rhythm Section, for whom I was his guitar roadie). Barry recently passed away and left The Marshall to me. I am looking for a museum for it. Here's a couple more photos. I hope this helps...

 

[michaelmastro]

The Roy ad...

 

[Rozman62]

Travis - I can settle the question - www.MichaelMastro.com/FirstMarshall.html.

This is one of two Marshall JTM 45 Super Tremelo 212's that Jim Marshall gave to Roy Orbison in 1963 - SN 7065. Roy gave one to John Rainey Adkins (his guitarist). JRA sold it to Barry Bailey (JRA's replacement in The Candymen - later, Atlanta Rhythm Section, for whom I was his guitar roadie). Barry recently passed away and left The Marshall to me. I am looking for a museum for it. Here's a couple more photos. I hope this helps...

Yes...Something like this time piece belongs in a museum. The long road started here. Great post...thanks.

 

[michaelmastro]

Yes...Something like this time piece belongs in a museum. The long road started here. Great post...thanks.

Thank you. Every time I think about it I get chill bumps.

 

[Dr.Twang!]

does anyone here know the name of the popular music store that was in San Francisco/Bay Area in the mid-late '60s?

That would have probably been Leo’s music in Oakland (Leo Quan), or Don Wehr’s Music City on Columbus in SF

 

[Ned B]

We have had some posts in the past about these "first batch" Bluesbreakers. 7088 for one. Tom H has a beautiful intact one. Mine is 7042, just the chassis though, but very original. These are probably from late '64 with the cosmetic hallmarks of RS grille, smooth or pre-levant pebble tolex with bock logo or script mounted at an angle and 15W alnicos.

I've heard Marshall has a museum that would probably very much welcome it or Rick Nielsen's rock 'n roll museum in Rockford, Illinois, but I say this should be played and enjoyed. Have a legend record with it...not just sit dormant. I'm sure many will chime on a request for detailed photos including the exposed chassis. This will answer the question if it is possible that this amp could be from '63. If it has Drake transformers I will stand by my late '64 estimate.

 

[tomsvintage]

We have had some posts in the past about these "first batch" Bluesbreakers. 7088 for one. Tom H has a beautiful intact one. Mine is 7042, just the chassis though, but very original. These are probably from late '64 with the cosmetic hallmarks of RS grille, smooth or pre-levant pebble tolex with bock logo or script mounted at an angle and 15W alnicos.

I've heard Marshall has a museum that would probably very much welcome it or Rick Nielsen's rock 'n roll museum in Rockford, Illinois, but I say this should be played and enjoyed. Have a legend record with it...not just sit dormant. I'm sure many will chime on a request for detailed photos including the exposed chassis. This will answer the question if it is possible that this amp could be from '63. If it has Drake transformers I will stand by my late '64 estimate.

It would be nice to see some additional pictures of Roy's amp(s) showing the transformers , circuit and inside the cabinet.

 

[michaelmastro]

We have had some posts in the past about these "first batch" Bluesbreakers. 7088 for one. Tom H has a beautiful intact one. Mine is 7042, just the chassis though, but very original. These are probably from late '64 with the cosmetic hallmarks of RS grille, smooth or pre-levant pebble tolex with bock logo or script mounted at an angle and 15W alnicos.

I've heard Marshall has a museum that would probably very much welcome it or Rick Nielsen's rock 'n roll museum in Rockford, Illinois, but I say this should be played and enjoyed. Have a legend record with it...not just sit dormant. I'm sure many will chime on a request for detailed photos including the exposed chassis. This will answer the question if it is possible that this amp could be from '63. If it has Drake transformers I will stand by my late '64 estimate.

Ned - This amp was given to Roy in 1963.

 

[michaelmastro]

It would be nice to see some additional pictures of Roy's amp(s) showing the transformers , circuit and inside the cabinet.

I pick up the amp the middle of September and I'll post a lot more photos...

 

[StuC]

He played London in October 1964. That seems a more likely time frame for this encounter than his earlier visits.

 

[TAZIN]

Travis - I can settle the question - www.MichaelMastro.com/FirstMarshall.html.

This is one of two Marshall JTM 45 Super Tremelo 212's that Jim Marshall gave to Roy Orbison in 1963 - SN 7065. Roy gave one to John Rainey Adkins (his guitarist). JRA sold it to Barry Bailey (JRA's replacement in The Candymen - later, Atlanta Rhythm Section, for whom I was his guitar roadie). Barry recently passed away and left The Marshall to me. I am looking for a museum for it. Here's a couple more photos. I hope this helps...

I thought that models 1961 & 1962 didn't come out until late 1964?

 

[Dogs of Doom]

I thought that models 1961 & 1962 didn't come out until late 1964?

& this has been discussed here earlier too...

First Marshalls in America

I was a roadie for The Atlanta Rhythm Section in the mid-80s. Barry Bailey, one of the greatest rock guitarists America produced, owned a Marshall combo, that was originally given as a gift of two combos to Roy Orbison - in 1963. Barry was his 17 year old guitarist. Unfortunately, Barry passed...

www.marshallforum.com