JTM 45 or Plexi??

[dystrust]

Re: JTM 45 or Plexi??

You pretty much got it right Kevlar. I used to have a 100W '73 metal panel head which is one of the most amazing Marshalls I've ever heard. I'd have to disagree with you on the RIs however. At very clean quiet levels the RIs sound somewhat like the original, however once you crank them the difference could hardly be greater.

The 1959SLP is *supposed* to be identical to a '67 Plexi. I have played a real '67 Plexi and it doesn't sound anything like the reissues. The real plexi was extremely thick and warm while the reissue was very thin and brittle-bright. That being said, the RI isn't anything like the metal panel either. My old '73 was much brighter, more aggressive, and louder than the '67; however the reissue is brighter than the '73.

In short I'd say that the reissue Marshall stuff is not the least bit authentic tone-wise. If you want a new amp that sounds like the real deal, buy a Blockhead. If you want essentially the same tone for less $$$, buy the early 70s (June 73 or older) metal panel.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: JTM 45 or Plexi??

Buy used...the Reissue Marshalls and Vox AC30's are a better deal if bought used. They're fine amps and 1/2 the cost of a vintage piece. But if you have the money, go vintage. I like the vintage stuff better too...but if you're going to go vintage, stay at '71 or '72 because by '74 Marshalls are no longer handwired but use a printed circuit board. Why pay vintage prices for a printed circuit board? I wouldn't! Lew

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: JTM 45 or Plexi??

You pretty much got it right Kevlar. I used to have a 100W '73 metal panel head which is one of the most amazing Marshalls I've ever heard. I'd have to disagree with you on the RIs however. At very clean quiet levels the RIs sound somewhat like the original, however once you crank them the difference could hardly be greater.

The 1959SLP is *supposed* to be identical to a '67 Plexi. I have played a real '67 Plexi and it doesn't sound anything like the reissues. The real plexi was extremely thick and warm while the reissue was very thin and brittle-bright. That being said, the RI isn't anything like the metal panel either. My old '73 was much brighter, more aggressive, and louder than the '67; however the reissue is brighter than the '73.

In short I'd say that the reissue Marshall stuff is not the least bit authentic tone-wise. If you want a new amp that sounds like the real deal, buy a Blockhead. If you want essentially the same tone for less $$$, buy the early 70s (June 73 or older) metal panel.

There are several sources that say the current RI are metal panel spec amps, including Mitchell Colby from Marshall. The new HW are going to be true 67 specs, the current batch was never said to be 67 specs, but instead was said to be a combination of the best sounding Plexi's that Marshall had from that era. So there are variations. the PC ( current) RI is a split cathode amp with added brightness. If you clip the bright caps you are essientially at early 70s specs. You can however easily set a RI to plexi specs which I have basically done ( I have a higher value that the standard .68 across V2.) done and it sounds phenominal.

Mitchell's quote. "As far as this or the current reissue being a "real" plexis, there are a lot of plexi Superlead circuits. All are authentic. The new hand wired reissue has the same circuit as the one on the upper part of page 204 of "The History of Marshall" with a 100 pf cap added across the volume control. It is an early 1967 amp. It is also hand wired. The current reissue is a copy of a slightly modded 1968 amp that was more like a 1970 or 1971 Superlead. The original modded amp sounded fantastic (to our ears) so that is the one we copied. It is not hand wired."

 

[guymanperson]

Re: JTM 45 or Plexi??

you should get this, everyone should

http://www.drzamps.com/route66.html

 

[jmv]

Re: JTM 45 or Plexi??

Okay, thanks for the info on the different marshalls! And also, i'm suprised at the price of the Dr.Z... i thought it'd be more. Thats pretty cool...

 

[grandsweep]

Re: JTM 45 or Plexi??

So, at the moment, i'm just trying to figure out what to drool over next, cuz i've got bad g.a.s., and want more gear really bad...

I think it would be super cool to have an old marshall to compliment my bassman. Some of the possibilities would be... JTM-45 RI head, a RI bluesbreaker combo, a 50w Plexi RI, or maybe a beat up 100w Super Lead from ebay...

PLEXI!!

Alright man. I I just picked up 100w Plexi. Go listen to Led Zeppelin and Hendrix... Because that's what it sounds like. Absolutely unbelievable. I considered the 50watt, but quite frankly if I need to play a small club I'd just rather use a 100w head anyway for headroom. I use a Blackstar HT100 for bar's and small venue's. When I play a larger venue and I get to crank the Plexi.... It blow's everything out of of the water. I don't even mic it. I just crank it and it sounds amazing. The only effect's I use are a phaser, fuzzface, and delay. It screams. Just be prepared for a high maintenance amp if you buy an 80's model or older. Mine's a 1980, I keep spare fuse's and tube's on me at all time's. It's a beast. You can blow a tube or fuse easily if you don't ease into high volume's without warming up your head for at least 30 minute's. I usually plug the plexi in first thing and start my set with the Blackstar. But the plexi blow's the blackstar away. I also have a 1974 bassman, I don't even use it anymore thanks to these two heads that one is in retirement. I suppose I'd use it in the studio but there's no need to put more mile's on that vintage of a piece. Hope this helps.

Also... Everyone play's JTM 45's... Be different. Bring some tone that make's your music sound like the greats. Slash is cool and all, but his tone sucks and he use's a JTM series amps. There are just too many bell's and whistles on the new marshall's. Rely on your tube's for tone. You could spend thousands of dollars on pedals in pursuit of what a plexi sounds like and never get it.

 

[LReese]

Re: JTM 45 or Plexi??

Wow - nearly nine years between posts! Is that a record?

This would be interesting to discuss in a new thread.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: JTM 45 or Plexi??

 

[LReese]

Re: JTM 45 or Plexi??

^:lmao:

As long as the zombie is taken out with the kitten, I'm good with that! ;-)