Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

[Thames]

Damn! Help me! :smoker:

I want to build my 2nd amp after Xmas.

I want a Marshall, definitely. But I dont know which, either a 30w JTM45 or 50w Plexi. 30w of power is plenty enough, but I need the raw power of a Plexi model. Do you think the JTM45 is too sweet for rock ? Like Zep, Rush, Cream and other ?

:smack:

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

I was playing a JTM 45 last night w/an overdrive pedal in front of it.
I enjoyed it immensely.
If you want that Rush tone, tho -- gotta go with the Plexi, my man.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

Yup the JTM45's sound real good goosed with a pedal...but it's still not a plexi. The JTM is not as "tight" or aggressive..good for leads, but chords sound a bit..err...sloppy..to me at least...

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

Yup the JTM45's sound real good goosed with a pedal...but it's still not a plexi. The JTM is not as "tight" or aggressive..good for leads, but chords sound a bit..err...sloppy..to me at least...

I agree. I like the '70 small box 50 watt head with the solid state rectifier better than the version I owned about 1969 or 70 that had a rectifier tube. It was a used plexi 50 watt, but I was to ignorant back then to know model numbers.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

I agree. I like the '70 small box 50 watt head with the solid state rectifier better than the version I owned about 1969 or 70 that had a rectifier tube. It was a used plexi 50 watt, but I was to ignorant back then to know model numbers.

Again I'll agree with Lew...The solid state rectifier keeps the amp tight,crunchy,and aggressive in the mids and is all about the EL34 tubes...The JTM 45 is basically a Fender 4x10 45 watt Bassman amp..I say "basically"...The JTM 45 is warmer,smoother,and more Fenderlike and uses 6L6 or 5881 tubes..

John

 

[Bludave]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

I don't know all the tecnical stuff about Marshalls, but I have played thru a lot of Plexi's, and a few 45's. IF you play fast and loud the Plexi may not be the Amp for you. I have found from the Plexi's I have played thru that the "Crunch" comes "After" the note has benn played. The decay is slow and it tends to make fast playing somewhat muffled. In my case this has never been a problem, I am not a shredder. If there is a negative to a Plexi...... this may be it!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

I don't know all the tecnical stuff about Marshalls, but I have played thru a lot of Plexi's, and a few 45's. IF you play fast and loud the Plexi may not be the Amp for you. I have found from the Plexi's I have played thru that the "Crunch" comes "After" the note has benn played. The decay is slow and it tends to make fast playing somewhat muffled. In my case this has never been a problem, I am not a shredder. If there is a negative to a Plexi...... this may be it!

Really Dave? Satch,Vai,and Malmsteen,and even Eric Johnson rip pretty quickly through old Marshalls,as did Randy Rhoads? Not sure I agree with you on this one buddy? :burnout:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

Really Dave? Satch,Vai,and Malmsteen,and even Eric Johnson rip pretty quickly through old Marshalls,as did Randy Rhoads? Not sure I agree with you on this one buddy? :burnout:

John Mclaughlin came to mind for me! He used to play blisteringly fast through a couple of Marshall stacks in the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

I don't know all the tecnical stuff about Marshalls, but I have played thru a lot of Plexi's, and a few 45's. IF you play fast and loud the Plexi may not be the Amp for you. I have found from the Plexi's I have played thru that the "Crunch" comes "After" the note has benn played. The decay is slow and it tends to make fast playing somewhat muffled. In my case this has never been a problem, I am not a shredder. If there is a negative to a Plexi...... this may be it!

I don't know if I agree either, my Plexi is quicker than any amp I know on note reponse. They just jump out at you. Mine is perhaps the most articulate amp I own. There are lots of circuit variations out there which makes for lots of different marshall tones. It is possible we have just experienced some different wires. I have the neg feedback wire on the 16 ohm tap which makes for tighter response and zero flubby characteristics. That alone makes a hug difference in the sound of the amp.

 

[Thames]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

I have found from the Plexi's I have played thru that the "Crunch" comes "After" the note has benn played.

Great! That's what I want. I dont want gainy distortion. I want CLARITY matched with HUGE tone coming from the power tubes, not the wimpy preamp tubes... :smokin: :cool2:

 

[Thames]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

I have the neg feedback wire on the 16 ohm tap which makes for tighter response and zero flubby characteristics. That alone makes a hug difference in the sound of the amp.

Kev, that is a great tip, thanks dude. I plan to use the amp with a 16 ohms 2x12.

 

[Thames]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

Ok dudes, thanks for your inputs, definitely, I'll go for the Plexi 50.. of course, I plan to use an attenuator too...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

I don't know if I agree either, my Plexi is quicker than any amp I know on note reponse. They just jump out at you. Mine is perhaps the most articulate amp I own. There are lots of circuit variations out there which makes for lots of different marshall tones. It is possible we have just experienced some different wires. I have the neg feedback wire on the 16 ohm tap which makes for tighter response and zero flubby characteristics. That alone makes a hug difference in the sound of the amp.

Kevin, did you ever sell your modded plexi, or did you decide to keep it?

 

[Bludave]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

Really Dave? Satch,Vai,and Malmsteen,and even Eric Johnson rip pretty quickly through old Marshalls,as did Randy Rhoads? Not sure I agree with you on this one buddy? :burnout:

Yeah!!! I KNow. I have heard and read that a lot of the shredders used Plexi's But in my experience fast playing was kind of muddy.... Maybe just the Amps I had played thru. I am certain that some of these guys had there amps modded to a degree. I thoght I read somewhere that Bogner Modded all of EVH plexi's so who really knows what they had done!! Either way they are amazing Amps. I would love to have one!! :dance:

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

Heh....maybe you where just to used to modern amps

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Im torn between JTM45 and Plexi50

Yeah!!! I KNow. I have heard and read that a lot of the shredders used Plexi's But in my experience fast playing was kind of muddy.... Maybe just the Amps I had played thru. I am certain that some of these guys had there amps modded to a degree. I thoght I read somewhere that Bogner Modded all of EVH plexi's so who really knows what they had done!! Either way they are amazing Amps. I would love to have one!! :dance:

The older solid state rectifier Marshalls are pretty tight with cutting mids and I feel these amps articulate well..

That Jose Arranndo(Forget his last name and spelling) and the guy that built "Wizard" amps are the ones EVH claimed worked on his amps? How much of this is true and BS though,we'll never know?

The Jose guy is dead now...