best marshall

[black2thefuture]

what model is the best marshall stack or combo...im talkin about the higher wattage models not small practice amps...i know some guys who bought stacks and they ended up having horrid overdrive so i was wondering what the best

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: best marshall

HANDS DOWN any SUPER LEAD 100 up to 1973 - the meanest beasts EVER - and YES I have tried the HW series. For agressive, use the post 1970 models. I played a 68 that blew my mind!

Next is the 2203, I think these are amazing with a RAT, and they are easy to mod.

After that it's the Jubilee, though these are far more rare and collectible.

I rather liked my friend's 6100, but I fear any model with so many circuit boards and things as such, which were known to have failures.

 

[JeffB]

Re: best marshall

There is no "best", but most marshall afficianados (most, not all) would say anything 800 series and previous.

I much prefer the metal-face NMV amps of the 73+ period and the JMPs from the mid to late 70s, and the early 800s (2203/2204) over the early plexis FOR MY SOUND. But no doubt the right Plexi is a tough amp to beat.

I also prefer the 50 watters over 100s.

Also do not forget that speakers play a HUGE role in how good a marshall sounds. I'm not a fan of V30s generally (depends on the individual amp) and like the 75s only slightly better. Greenbacks and G12H are where it's at for me.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: best marshall

The importance of speakers is high lighted by the fact that the best Marshalls emphasize overdriving the output sections of the amp. Even their better master volume amps, such as the 2204 and Jubilee work best at high master settings. Tube quality and bias are also of very important concern with Marshalls.

 

[Davey]

Re: best marshall

best marshall?

the splawn quick rod

 

[ErikH]

Re: best marshall

In addition to the models already mentioned, and what Jeff said, I have to toss one in there. It's what I believe to be the hidden gem that's not recognized enough. The JCM900 MkIII Hi Gain Master Volume, both 100 watt and 50 watt. Absolutely incredible amps, great tone, and they're still affordable. More info on them on my site.

 

[LesPaulRules]

Re: best marshall

I agree with others saying the early 70's Super Leads are killer. The best Marshall I've ever heard was an early 1973 100 watt Super Lead.

Note: Super Leads were PTP (point to point) wired up til about July of '73, meaning more $$$.

 

[joelap]

Re: best marshall

Superlead, Superbass, Silver Jubilee (2550/2555), 2203/2204, 2210/2205, JCM900 MKIII 2100.

 

[shredaholic]

Re: best marshall

best marshall?

the splawn quick rod

Nah, the Splawn has a great sound of it's own, but I wouldn't call it a Marshall sound. Way too much preamp distortion emphasis, whereas the majority of the classic Marshall sound comes from phase inverter distortion.

 

[Davey]

Re: best marshall

Nah, the Splawn has a great sound of it's own, but I wouldn't call it a Marshall sound. Way too much preamp distortion emphasis, whereas the majority of the classic Marshall sound comes from phase inverter distortion.

what y00 sayin .. the splawn is what marshall wants to be.. =P


damn. i need one lol

 

[Rocker35]

Re: best marshall

The classic Marshall tone is the late 60's Plexi. My own personal faves are the Silver Jubilee and mid-late 70's JMP's

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: best marshall

There's about 4 or 5 classic Marshall sounds, so you have to find the best Marshall for each style of tone. IMO, these are the best Marshalls.

JTM 45 & Reissue = cleanish bubbly early 60's sound like a Bassman
1959SL/1987 & reissue. plexiglass panel = Classic Plexi sound.
70-73 metalpanel Superleads. Classic midgain 70's arena rock tone.
JCM 800 2203, 2204, 2210, 2205. 80's arena rock crunchy tone.
Jubilee 87 silvers, 88 blacks, Slash model. 2 ch Hot rodded highgain 80's tone.
JCM2000 DSL 100/50. Versatile 2 channel modern Marshall.
30th Ann. Blue 6100 w/EL-34's NOT 5881. Versatile 3 channel.
JMP-1/Dual 100 power amp. Midi controlled pre/power.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: best marshall

Look, all this "everyone has their own opinion" stuff is cute but a Marshall is the one and only. The closest open pure tone is a Bogner Shiva, maybe an Ard. As someone said above, the Marshall sound is about phase inverters and power tubes being pushed.

Old handwired Marshalls have a wicked sound.

People always go on trying to talk around this - but for anyone who is considering buying one for the first time, NOTHING compares. The Jubilees are wicked as well.

When you are on stage with a rock band you will make a noise that is both ferocious and sweet. Splawns and soldanos etc etc are ALL good amps, but there is a reason why (without endoresements) guys like Steve Stevens, Angus Young, Mick Mars - you name it, they have new amps like riveras and 5150s or Soldanos but still have the Marshall going with it. Put a SLO 100 and a Marshall on the same stage and it's massive!

 

[Telesexual]

Re: best marshall

JTM45 or 100watt plexi

 

[theodie]

Re: best marshall

In addition to the models already mentioned, and what Jeff said, I have to toss one in there. It's what I believe to be the hidden gem that's not recognized enough. The JCM900 MkIII Hi Gain Master Volume, both 100 watt and 50 watt. Absolutely incredible amps, great tone, and they're still affordable. More info on them on my site.

2100's rule!

 

[theodie]

Re: best marshall

Superlead, Superbass, Silver Jubilee (2550/2555), 2203/2204, 2210/2205, JCM900 MKIII 2100.

Once again, I like my JCM900 MKIII 2100 better than the 2555SL I had! Call me crazy but, the 2100 is a dark horse in the Marshall line up!

 

[Mike M.]

Re: best marshall

I can't say which is the best because I'm only familiar with mine, the DSL 50. If you try one out you might find it to be very trebley as I did with mine. I just recentley had the bias on mine lowered from 45mV to about 35mV and it runs sooooo much better now. I actually had my doubts about the amp because it sounded kind of harsh to me before. It stills growls but lowering the bias took away a LOT of the harshness that I was hearing. Just wanted to let you know in case you try one out.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: best marshall

Bias is very important.

Richard Betts says he fine tunes the tone of his plexis with minute adjustments of the bias.

Richie Fliegler once wrote that country and blues players will want to run slightly hot, and rockers usually like it a bit colder. This seems counter-intutive, but a overly hot bias can make it overly clean, seemingly causing the harmonics to cut more. Too cold and it can get grainy though.

FWIW, lowering the AC voltage (and the plate voltage) with a variac changes the relative bias to colder as I recall reading at Hoffman amps years ago. Correct me if I'm wrong. This was suppossed to be because the resulting change in the plate voltage is much greater than the change to pin 5.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: best marshall

Yeah, my 78 Marshall and my 81 Park kick all the ass. Both at 50w.

 

[jmh151]

Re: best marshall

I love my 2210. It's a 2x12 100 watt combo, making it a 4211. Very friendly to pedals, with a tube screamer in front of it it'll kill any DSL