Poll Vote: Marshall should redesign and reissue JTM60 series

[Igor_torcamaniac]

I voted no because of the whacky design, not because of the functionality or tone.
I agree with @jcm800gridlock - love the size and look of the amp, and I also like the warmer tone than say a DSL.
The 600 I recently got needed some minor repairs, and it was a PITA to do the simplest things like change out a pot and just reconnect a wire.
If they were to "re-issue" the series, I might change my vote if they included the same circuit in a more standard chassis/board/tube configuration.

I thought it is obvious that I meant Marshall should reissue without the flaws of the old series. It would be only the logical thing to do. First and foremost by placing the tubes vertically downwards/upwards from the chassis. Guess that was the biggest problem with the design because of the heat from power tubes flowing directly upwards to the big filter caps and other electronics.

 

[V-man]

Marshall probably has 2-3 dozen signature tones, with at least a half-dozen being legendary, some of those considered “grail.”

So, they make this JTM 60. Why would someone have an interest in spending $$$$ on a UK amp or rolling the dice on reliability, rd 2 on an asian one? More importantly, why would a buyer need to seriously consider this over a sucessful Origin they are already making?

I’ll give you it probably sounds different than the Origin, but it should be in the same league and convincing the market that two “hey,,, they’re actually pretty good” type amps makes sense, well… doesn’t make sense.

The key to RIs is a cult following and high demand (guaranteed sales), and that stems from loving the original, which was not the case here. This is why you shouldn’t hold your breath on a Club & Country, or TSL RI either.

 

[jcm800gridlock]

Hi Jcm800,

as far as I know there where 3x10" (like mine l which supposed to be the best sounding), 1x12", 2x12" and 1x15" models. Pretty sure there wasn't a 2x10" model. Maybe on the small brother JTM30 but can't say.

I stand corrected, it’s been at least 5-6 years since I got to use that amp.

I Googled. It was definitely a 2x10 combo. I guess that it was a JTM30 and not a JTM60. Still, the same family / era of Marshall amps and still good sounding.

I vote Yes, to JTM30’s and JTM60’s.

 

[Dogs of Doom]

wasn't this series essentially a re-issue of the original JTM series?

but w/ "modern" features?

 

[Igor_torcamaniac]

wasn't this series essentially a re-issue of the original JTM series?

but w/ "modern" features?

No it's just a name

 

[Igor_torcamaniac]

Marshall probably has 2-3 dozen signature tones, with at least a half-dozen being legendary, some of those considered “grail.”

So, they make this JTM 60. Why would someone have an interest in spending $$$$ on a UK amp or rolling the dice on reliability, rd 2 on an asian one? More importantly, why would a buyer need to seriously consider this over a sucessful Origin they are already making?

I’ll give you it probably sounds different than the Origin, but it should be in the same league and convincing the market that two “hey,,, they’re actually pretty good” type amps makes sense, well… doesn’t make sense.

The key to RIs is a cult following and high demand (guaranteed sales), and that stems from loving the original, which was not the case here. This is why you shouldn’t hold your breath on a Club & Country, or TSL RI either.

Well the model was produced for only eight months or so. That's why there wasn't that many. Probably because of bad rep it got by some people. When new it got 5 star reviews in magazines. Also after some years, Andy Brauer said in his column "sleeper amps" that these are keepers. Most of those who owned them held on to it for a long time. I still have mine which I bought new in 1996-1997. Now 27 years old.
As somebody already said, this doesn't have to be a 100% reissue with exact name etc.

 

[V-man]

Easily 1/2 the less-successful/uncoveted Marshalls become “Sleeper” amps at some point (Channel-switching 800s, MkIIIs, Mosfets, Valvestates, etc.). The problem comes down to economics that make building these justifiable.

Unless some hero starts gobbling them all up or some “Friedman upstart” does a line of builds that gets groundswell support, I don’t see Marshall putting in the R&D and tooling on an amp like that. No disagreement they might be cool or unique-sounding amps. There are just so many others I would say are much further ahead in line for the RI that will never be like the VM, 2210, or if you prefer “loosely based” as you stated, 2203KK features/technology in an 800 circuit.

 

[Dogs of Doom]

No it's just a name

well, when they released these, they put this blurb out:

Introduction:
Marshall Amplification has been inextricably linked with valve amplification since our very beginning in 1962. Products such as the original Bluesbreaker combos, JTM 45 and Super-Lead heads were all destined to be, and have become, classics in their own right. All of these special Marshalls produced their magical tone by driving the guitar through an all valve pre-amp into a pure valve power-amp. The JTM range carry on this grand tradition, but meet the demands of contemporary guitarists by providing features such as Channel Switching, Reverb, Effects Loop and Speaker Emulated output. Their allvalve circuitry is capable of the fullest range of classic sounds from clean to crunch and high gain drive, with superb styling and specially designed ‘Heritage’ loudspeakers giving the JTM range the Vintage looks to match their Classic range of tones.

Using the JTM 60:
The JTM 60 is easily capable of producing a wide range of usable quality tones, from glassy vintage clean, Bluesbreaker type singing lead and crunchy chord work, to full blown modern high gain crush. What’s more the controls are simple and intuitive to use. Whilst one should always bear in mind that taste in tone is very subjective here follows a few simple suggestions for getting some great sounds from your JTM 60.

 

[Igor_torcamaniac]

Sound clips

 

[Igor_torcamaniac]

JTM30 Video

JTM60 Video

 

[Igor_torcamaniac]

JCM600 Sound review

 

[solarburn]

Great sounding amp.

 

[donwagar]

I had a JTM60 2x12 combo with the matching 2x12 extension cab.

IIRC I did the diode mod and jumpered the effects loop.

I thought it sounded great on both channels.

Mine did cut out at a gig. I added a fan to it, which probably fixed it, but I never got my head around worrying about reliability so I got rid of it (kept the ext cab though).

 

[Goober23]

I have both a JTM-60 1x12 and a JCM-600 2x12. EXCELLENT sounding amps. The JCM-600 has never had a heat related issue.
The JTM-60 did. I re-soldered a lot of connections., Put in an aluminum heat sink to have a barrier between the tubes and the filtering caps.
I also keep the amp upside down so the heat rises away from the chassis. I have not had an issue since and I can run it wide open for hours at a time.
They are definitely an excellent tone machine. AND I like the diode clipping when it is run real loud actually. I have so many Marshall amps I see no need to make this one sound any different than it does. Also it is true, it has some AMAZING clean tone and its pushed over clean into crunch it is probably the best amp that no one wants

 

[Igor_torcamaniac]

I have both a JTM-60 1x12 and a JCM-600 2x12. EXCELLENT sounding amps. The JCM-600 has never had a heat related issue.
The JTM-60 did. I re-soldered a lot of connections., Put in an aluminum heat sink to have a barrier between the tubes and the filtering caps.
I also keep the amp upside down so the heat rises away from the chassis. I have not had an issue since and I can run it wide open for hours at a time.
They are definitely an excellent tone machine. AND I like the diode clipping when it is run real loud actually. I have so many Marshall amps I see no need to make this one sound any different than it does. Also it is true, it has some AMAZING clean tone and its pushed over clean into crunch it is probably the best amp that no one wants

Hi Goober,

thank you for contributing to thread with your experience with these.
I am also always looking to get myself a second one. Wouldn't mind a JCM600 but don't like the looks in comparison with JTM60 😀

 

[Goober23]

Hi Goober,

thank you for contributing to thread with your experience with these.
I am also always looking to get myself a second one. Wouldn't mind a JCM600 but don't like the looks in comparison with JTM60 😀

The JTM -60 IS a cute lil bugger indeed! Also way easier to move around. Also since I generally play it inro a Two Notes capture as a load and through ir's
it is wat easier to deal with. I picked up the JCM-600 because it was being sold cheap and I'm an idiot that way when it comes to Marshall amps. I have aquired a very large pile of old Marshalls and keep them running in tip top.