Newly Acquired amp 1986 Marshall 4203 Artist

[tbonesullivan]

So, even though I'm a dyed in the wool carvin amp fan, I've been wondering a lot about other amp makers, particularly Marshall. I knew that it's has to be more than just a name to be that popular with so many users. So, I fired up craigslist, and found this amp: a Marshall Artist 30 4203. 30 Watts. 2xEL34 and 1 12AX7 phase inverter. Preamp is solid state. Pretty basic set up. It's essentially a 1 channel amp with a "boost" setting, so I guess it's really a 2 channel amp. Has a Master volume and reverb, tone stack on the clean channel + volume, and Gain Volume, and Tone on the lead channel.

I checked the chassis, and it's got a 1986 build date with signatures from everyone who worked on the amp, drake transformers, etc. Has a Celestion Ipswitch made G12 Vintage 8 ohm speaker

The tubes it came with were Siemens EL34s, and a National 12AX7, made in china. Part of me thinks these may be the original tubes it came with (uh oh).

So, the sound is actually pretty good. I get some nice crunch from the clean channel. Some complained that the clean channel broke up too much in reviews. Well, this is a MARSHALL clean channel, which is to say, not very clean at all. If you want glassy cleans go find a Fender. The boost channel has more volume/hair on it, and really kinda goes insane when you dime the gain, but in a good way.

So, anyone had one of these recently? Any suggestions for new tubes? Also I've heard that the amp is actually a class A amplifier? I'm not really in the know regarding stuff like that.

Pictures:

http://www.tbonesullivan.com/amps/Marshall4203a.jpg

http://www.tbonesullivan.com/amps/Marshall4203b.jpg

http://www.tbonesullivan.com/amps/Marshall4203c.jpg

http://www.tbonesullivan.com/amps/Marshall4203d.jpg

Looks like embedding the pictures was causing the issue? Weird.

[MCChris]

I've owned a head version of that amp since 1989. Currently retired but it served me well for a lot of years. A poor man's JCM800 for sure!

[tbonesullivan]

well, it is listed in the JCM800 manual, so I guess "technically" it's a JCM800.. just a hybrid version. It's still a step up from the solid state version.

[Trader Jim]

Here ya go...sorry their so BIG

[straightblues]

I have the head version of this amp. I run NOS Mullard EL34's in the amp. It gets a great early 80's rock tone. It just nails that tone as far as I am concerned. I almost didn't try it because it was cheap and didn't have a tube preamp. I got over it after I heard it. I have also owned a couple JCM800 amps, the Artist sounds better to me for classic rock at all volume levels. I keep thinking about selling the amp because I don't play much classic rock, but then I plug into it and realize how good it sounds and how much fun it is. Enjoy it.

[luis]

Early RFT tubes are a good choice,some of the first JCM came with these RFTs,they are called 80´s Mullard...RFT is early breakup if you like it.

If you like clean tones,Tungram is a must regarding recent tubes at a nice price.

I doid soem test with a JCM900 and liked 5751 in V2 to clean...