Marshall combos

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copper blue

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I knw the LAST thing anybody thinks about is a Marshall combo, but I'm interested in getting one..besides the hideously expensive Bluesbreaker, what are the best combos to go after? the JCM 600? JTM 30w? I know NOTHING about Marshall stuff..so help a brother out..

 
The JTM30 & JTM60 series of amps had some issues with transformers (Blowing up). The JCM600 is basic the JTM60 amp but the Transformer issues had been fixed in thoes combos. Good sounding amps. I would not recommend on if you are looking for Mesa/Soldano type overdrive. Thing more along the line of 80's type marshall tone.

I have a JTM30 & never had an issues with it but I don;t play it a BIG volume. The JTM are hit & miss when it come to the transformer problem.

 
Look for a Silver Jubilee combo. They are starting to slide into the collector camp but there usually a few on eBay. My 50 watt Jubilee head was a great rock amp.

mike

 
The big question is, what kind of Marshall sound are you trying to achieve? The 800 combos are good for the 80s sound. You know what the 90s combos sound like most likely.

For the Plexi sound, you'll need to dig a bit deeper. Marshall was not all about combos in the 70s. There is a combo version of their Master Volume model produced in the mid-late 70s (not sure of the model number). Also, the 6100 combo has a nice Plexi setting.

And once again, I am selling my THD Type 0 which is a 50-watt Plexi.

 
I use a TSL601 and even though I don't trust it, it's my amp of choice. Covers a lot of ground. Three channels.

 
I have a JCM800 4212 from the early 80s. ( 50 watt w/ channel switching) The add'l channel is cool but not necessary. Versatile and likes singles and hums equally well, just dial to taste. Wide range of noise from nice organic Marshall sounds and some higher gain stuff but not too modern. Mine still has 6550s...some have been converted to el34s which supposedly have less headroom than 6550s. Responds to pedals well and holds it value. Downside = one central handle instead of two at each end....an awkward way to carry 60lbs.

Hope this helps,

Steve

 
what about the early Valvestate combos? were they tube preamp or tube power amp?

Here's the thing, and maybe I'm just having a "covet thy neighbor's amp"..but I went to see a friends band play on Saturday night and one of the other bands guitar players were both using JCM800 heads and Sunn 4x12s..and they had a really great overdrive..these guys (Vega) had space shuttle pedal boards and had the best tone I've heard in ages..

 
Avoid JTM 30s. The tubes are sideways instead of up and down. BAD IDEA. Bits touch and rattle.
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To add to that, the main filter cap is located right over the sideways tubes exposing it to a ton of heat. I've seen those caps explode.

 
The tubes are sideways instead of up and down. BAD IDEA. Bits touch and rattle.
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Nothing wrong with that. All Marshall combos up through '81 had sideways tubes. Vox amps have sideways tubes too. Some tubes have to be clocked in a specific manner for sideways operation but other than that, no big deal.

I would prefer horizontal tubes to the Fender-style inverted position. At least you're not heat-soaking the chassis.

 
Ah, the old JTM 60. I had one back in my formative, didn't zactly know come here from sic em days. Literally had to kick the amp to get it to work sometimes.

There's better out there my friend, keep looking.

 
Yeah...but Vox ain't exactly the benchmark for reliability! LOL!! Great amps...yes...reliable amps...NOPE!
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Actually the originals only have horizontal preamp tubes. The Korg RIs have horizontal everything, and they are indeed quite reliable.

 
Really the only reason the tubes are sideways is strictly a cost reason..I mean...all they ever did was take one of the head chassis and slap a board across the bottom flip it sideways and stuff it into a cabinet.

 
I have only played them in Sam Ash and GC but I thought the DSL 401 was a nice amp although I think the price of a new one is a bit on the high side.

 
Hey gearheads,

I love my 1992 30th Anniversary 6101 combo amp. With three channels, three different voicing on Channel 2, analog or MIDI switching, effects loop, master volume, half/full power switch and pentode/triode switch, etc., I'm very happy with playing onstage with either effect pedals or a rack system. The gain on channels two and three kicks ass and there is no need to modify the amp in any way or add overdrive pedals in front of it. I also have the matching 1912 closed back 1x12 cabinet in blue vinyl as well, turning it into a combo stack!! Great amp with modern features.

Guitar George

 
MARSHALL COMBO AMPS...

Well, when I started playing and collecting 18 months ago, I had two marshall combos: a little '95 JTM-30 and a much bigger '03 AVT-275. The JTM30 had a 6L6 output valves and sounded very good in overdrive. All of my buddies plug their guitars into it, because the overdrive sounds like the ole' school marshall 'brownsoud' Most of the JTM30 have different output valve (EL34 or EL84..i cannot remember) than my earlier production model. Most are a reliability risk, but mine has been quite dependable without any problems.

For 250 watts in stereo from an AVT275 with FOUR Channels is a monster of a marshall combo and it is completely loaded with effects...It has lots of power and effects, but the tone is not a good compared to the JTM30 or my other amps (gibson rvs-30, bad cat cut 15r, orange 15/12, or fender hot rod deluxe limited edition).

The AVT275 offers a huge sound and lots of flexibility with effects, but it does not feel as good as others. Both amps offer good sounds at a reasonable price.

Kilroy sends... /emoticons/default_blink.png

 
Ya gotta tell us what kind of tones you are after, plus, Marshalls are ALL over the place, even in the same series. There is the 15 watt, 2 6v6 combo that was cool, JMP 2x12s w/ Greenbacks and EL34s,Jubilees(which I hate, buzzy, JCM900 sound) and all the new crap.

It all depends on how loud you wanna be( I personally looove the 18 watt Marshall combos and Clones) and I can really recommend an amp made by ValveTechAmps that is all pt to pt, and really nails Classic Marshall Tones at any Volume( Yes, I bought one!! Thanks Brewmaster!!!)

Plus, made in the USA and less than a grand!!! Hand wired kids!!!

www.valvetechamps.com

Do your self a favor, Don't waste your money on a Marshall, unless you personally know of a killer one(they are RARE, most sound like poop!)

mrmojorisin on the Gear page is selling one for a great price, why??? Must have GAS

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