50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

[PFDarkside]

Has anyone played any of the 1-Watt Marshalls that were made last year? There were 1 Watt versions of the JTM, JMP, JCM800, DSL and JVM. All of a sudden I'm looking into low wattage Marshalls and I'm seeing these (now discontinued), the Slash SL5 5 Watt (also discontinued) as well as the Class 5.

The videos I've seen are kind of intriguing, and the 1 Watts look really nice too appearance wise. (especially the JTM and JMP). Are these some good options for Marshall tones at home? Just looking for any impressions...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

While everyone else is going gaga over Chinese lunchbox variations of good amps, you really should be scouring Craigslist for killer amps that are on the chopping block for people's bills. If you've got any cash at all, scoop up vintage and boutique goodies that are 10X the amps that these toys are. That's my 2 cents.

You can always turn them down.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

Well, I've already got a big Marshall, Splawn and Mesa, as well as a smaller fender. Too be honest the Marshall is way too much and the Splawn, although it has a good master volume, is a bit much as well. I just saw these little guys yesterday and was curious about them.

On that note, any advice for those classic marshall tones at reasonable volumes? (Don't say modeling, I've got a POD, and all it's really good for is headphone jamming and easy recording)

I totally understand your advice, at this point I'd probably only be interested in Matchless, tweed type clones and possibly a real blackface, but it seems like most people know what they have or have a really ratty version of a high wattage marshall or fender. It seems like the deals are had with guitars themselves.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

One thing you'll find, no matter what amp you have is that the speaker cab/speakers pretty much dictate the sound.

So, if you scale back the tube wattage, you'll get closer to your normal sound, provided you're still using the same cab. At that point, you can buy any of the 1 - 5 watt heads and get a good sound into your regular cab.

But also, at low volumes, a good modeling amp will do a good job as well.

So what I've ended up doing is using a super toneful cabinet or the speakers in one of my 212 combos as a cab. Then, I can feed it with anything from a modeling head, a 15W Tiny Terror, 50W Jubilee, 120W Bogner, or whatever. The speakers and cab have a LOT to do with the tone. Get that sorted first, then use anything.

 

[~Vintage~]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

I knew those anniversary Marshall 1 watt heads wouldn't be around long. I think they had three "eras" of 'em: 80's, 90's, & 2000. You said they're discontinued? I'm not surprised. I wanted one when I first saw them on MF, I think they were between $800-$850 depending on which model. I was intrigued with the 1/4 watt attenuator. Very interesting.... Maybe one will show up hardly used somewhere.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

One thing you'll find, no matter what amp you have is that the speaker cab/speakers pretty much dictate the sound.

So, if you scale back the tube wattage, you'll get closer to your normal sound, provided you're still using the same cab. At that point, you can buy any of the 1 - 5 watt heads and get a good sound into your regular cab.

But also, at low volumes, a good modeling amp will do a good job as well.

So what I've ended up doing is using a super toneful cabinet or the speakers in one of my 212 combos as a cab. Then, I can feed it with anything from a modeling head, a 15W Tiny Terror, 50W Jubilee, 120W Bogner, or whatever. The speakers and cab have a LOT to do with the tone. Get that sorted first, then use anything.

Thanks, I always appreciate the perspective. I was kind of thinking that a small "Marshally" combo would compliment my small Fender combo nicely. (And that "Marshally" combo certainly doesn't need to be a Marshall.)

I knew those anniversary Marshall 1 watt heads wouldn't be around long. I think they had three "eras" of 'em: 80's, 90's, & 2000. You said they're discontinued? I'm not surprised. I wanted one when I first saw them on MF, I think they were between $800-$850 depending on which model. I was intrigued with the 1/4 watt attenuator. Very interesting.... Maybe one will show up hardly used somewhere.

It looks like they did 60's - 2000's (5 amps) in both heads and combos. They look pretty cool, like little miniature versions of the full size amps. Like I mentioned I hadn't even heard of them until yesterday.

 

[J.C.R.W]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

I have the Marshall JMP1-H as my home practice rig. Perfect amp for my needs and I can crank it without disturbing the neighbors. I usually play the amp without the boost engaged, for that task I usually stomp on the OCD. Amp sounds great with both my Les Paul and Strat and takes pedals very well. Here's a pic of mine:

 

[karpathion]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

While everyone else is going gaga over Chinese lunchbox variations of good amps, you really should be scouring Craigslist for killer amps that are on the chopping block for people's bills. If you've got any cash at all, scoop up vintage and boutique goodies that are 10X the amps that these toys are. That's my 2 cents.

You can always turn them down.

I agree with this 100%. I'm killing it right now on craigslist. I'm getting amps for nothing and flipping them for double the money I paid for them.

Just as an example, I'm headed out the door, right now, to pick up a Peavey XXX, for $150.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

Which cab is that?

 

[J.C.R.W]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

Which cab is that?

That is a 2061CX cabinet. Got mine customized to aesthetically match the 70's style head.

 

[DankStar]

Re: 50th Anniversary 1-Watt Marshalls

those 2 x 12s are 800 bucks?! wow. I love the look of it though, very killer.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/marshall-2061cx-2x12-extension-cabinet