Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

[Illini1330]

Whats the difference? Which is quieter (not volume, but background noise) Volume doesn't matter cause I'll get a hot plate or something. I play strats and les pauls too. Just basically post you reviews of how it was STOC, and then the mods you did to it and how the tone changed (if you modded it). I tried harmony-central, but its too unorganized, some of the people post reviews of heavily modded ones, and some of the people don't even know what they are talking about.

thanks
rob

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

One diff is that the JTM-45 uses a rectifier tube and the 1987 uses a solid state rectifier. The tube rectifier gives the amp a little more compression or sag...makes it more touch responsive. The solid state rectifier in the 1987 will give a little more output and a tighter response...less compression...less sag.

Lew

 

[Illini1330]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

One other thing is that I don't know what would be better having my bandmaster head or a marshall. It is either or because I'll have to sell one to get the other. I like my tone right now, I'm just lookin for something better.

Lew, which would be better for blues and some rock. Can you give me an example of some who uses a jtm and some who uses the plexi so I can compare it?

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

Eric Johnson JTM 45, Jeff Beck Plexi 1987 going back to Blow By Blow and Wired. I have an 87X RI that I have had set to mostly 1968 specs. Still has the circuit board. I have a friend with a stock RI that he just clipped the bright cap and the amp sounds great. Stevo has tons of great Plexi RI tones on his new CD. If you hit my link you can hear my Plexi in action on Bacon Tastes Good, Sophisticated Mama, Butterface and Sucker Punch. I prefer the tighter response of the Plexi vs the 45 but that is simply a preference of mine, not nec better. The 45 is the quieter of the two. Both can do amazing things and both of the RI can easily be tweaked to true vintage specs. Your gonna need an attenuator to run them as they are both very loud.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

The JTM-45 is a virtual clone (almost!) of the '59 Fender 5F6-A tweed Bassman...even uses the same output tubes I believe. Some European version of a 5881/6L6 I think...KT-66's?

The 1987 uses EL-34's like most plexis do.

Beck and Yngwie both use 50 watt 1987 Marshalls. I can't think of anyone who uses JTM-45's except Clapton when he was in the Bluesbreakers. His combo amp was basically a combo version of the JTM-45.

Eric Johnson? Maybe he is using JTM-45's now...I know he's been trying to keep the stage volume down and downsizing his amps. Most of his recordings feature 100 watt Plexis I thought...

Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

http://raw-sewage.net/jtm45ri_mods.html

Cool link containing lots of info for modding the JTM-45 or Bluesbreakers combo amp.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

The JTM-45 is a virtual clone (almost!) of the '59 Fender 5F6-A tweed Bassman...even uses the same output tubes I believe. Some European version of a 5881/6L6 I think...KT-66's?

The 1987 uses EL-34's like most plexis do.

Beck and Yngwie both use 50 watt 1987 Marshalls. I can't think of anyone who uses JTM-45's except Clapton when he was in the Bluesbreakers. His combo amp was basically a combo version of the JTM-45.

Eric Johnson? Maybe he is using JTM-45's now...I know he's been trying to keep the stage volume down and downsizing his amps. Most of his recordings feature 100 watt Plexis I thought...

Lew

RIGHT ON LEW!!!

 

[Illini1330]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

How much do these mods really change the tone? Is it worth it not to mod it and go for another amp? If I bought one It wouldn't get modded for almost a year. I wouldn't do it myself because I know nothing about amps and I'm not too handy with a soldering iron either.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

The JTM-45 is a virtual clone (almost!) of the '59 Fender 5F6-A tweed Bassman...even uses the same output tubes I believe. Some European version of a 5881/6L6 I think...KT-66's?

The 1987 uses EL-34's like most plexis do.

Beck and Yngwie both use 50 watt 1987 Marshalls. I can't think of anyone who uses JTM-45's except Clapton when he was in the Bluesbreakers. His combo amp was basically a combo version of the JTM-45.

Eric Johnson? Maybe he is using JTM-45's now...I know he's been trying to keep the stage volume down and downsizing his amps. Most of his recordings feature 100 watt Plexis I thought...

Lew

I can no longer find the article RE the JTM 45 and EJ. It may have been an "internet truth" which is why it is no longer there.

Here is a link to some 1987 users. Duane Alman, Micheal Shenker ( spelling?)
Malmsteen are some additional names to toss in.

Lets add Angus Young to the JTM 45 users.

http://vintageamps.com/PlexiPalaceUBBcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010370#000022

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

I can no longer find the article RE the JTM 45 and EJ. It may have been an "internet truth" which is why it is no longer there.

Here is a link to some 1987 users. Duane Alman, Micheal Shenker ( spelling?)
Malmsteen are some additional names to toss in.

Lets add Angus Young to the JTM 45 users.

http://vintageamps.com/PlexiPalaceUBBcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1 ;t=010370#000022

I'm pretty sure both Angus and Malcolm Young from AC/DC use JTM 45s and the 1959 heads from an article I read...

John

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

im a total noob when it comes to amps like these but i have a question.

you really do have to crank it completely to get it distorted? with a hitplate to keep teh volumne down.
and at that point, how distorted is it?

i know it's not like modern amps where you can use the pre amp gain, but with these you have to crank em both and get both power amp and pre amp distortion?

 

[Illini1330]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

im a total noob when it comes to amps like these but i have a question.

you really do have to crank it completely to get it distorted? with a hitplate to keep teh volumne down.
and at that point, how distorted is it?

i know it's not like modern amps where you can use the pre amp gain, but with these you have to crank em both and get both power amp and pre amp distortion?

no master volume

 

[Illini1330]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

I have a book that says he used slp 100 watt ones, and then it has a pic with him and some of them in the background.

The book also says EJ uses the slp 50 watt heads

 

[flank]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

there essentially isnt really a preamp distortion circuit is there?......i thought the preamp tubes in old marshalls kind of just effect the overall tone going to the output stage, which then gets cranked and the power tubes overdrive that preamp tone (which isnt a distorted sound)

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

These are amps that you have to crank up to at least volume 4 before they even start to do thier thing. At volume 5 or 6 you'll get more overdrive and some guys crank them up to "11"!

My '70 Marshall 1987 is a very loud amp. I've never been able to crank it up on a gig and I rarely play through it anymore...it makes my ears hurt.

Amps like these are why I generally use 20 watt amps these days and if I need more volume or clarity I bring two.

If you're gigging in a real hard rock band, one that plays loud, then these kinds of amps are usable onstage.

There's so much posing and fantasy involved in the whole guitar god thing...most players have amps that are much to loud for them to actually be able to use at the volumes they need to be used at to get these amps to open up and get the sounds like Jeff Beck gets or whoever your heroes might be.

Most club owners will tell you to turn that thing down...and then it's no fun.

I like smaller amps myself...cause I can crank them up.

Lew

 

[flank]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

hey Lew, not to get off topic.......but how loud are Ac30s when turned up a fair amount? in the whole scheme of things?..........cause ive played AC30s at low volumes and i love the tone, but never reallly turned one up......it did have some good volume and a big sound even with the volume on 2 or so

 

[Illini1330]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

My '70 Marshall 1987 is a very loud amp. I've never been able to crank it up on a gig and I rarely play through it anymore...it makes my ears hurt.


There's so much posing and fantasy involved in the whole guitar god thing...most players have amps that are much to loud for them to actually be able to use at the volumes they need to be used at to get these amps to open up and get the sounds like Jeff Beck gets or whoever your heroes might be.

Most club owners will tell you to turn that thing down...and then it's no fun.

I like smaller amps myself...cause I can crank them up.

Lew

I know what you mean, but I still want one. You kind of have to have owned one pass it off or else it just is always on your mind. The jtm is only 30 watts though, so I'm leaning towards that.

Another question: Are the mods really worth it? does it change the tone noticeably?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

hey Lew, not to get off topic.......but how loud are Ac30s when turned up a fair amount? in the whole scheme of things?..........cause ive played AC30s at low volumes and i love the tone, but never reallly turned one up......it did have some good volume and a big sound even with the volume on 2 or so

LOUD AS HECK! Like a loud 50 watt amp....easily. Great tones though.

Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

I know what you mean, but I still want one. You kind of have to have owned one pass it off or else it just is always on your mind. The jtm is only 30 watts though, so I'm leaning towards that.

Another question: Are the mods really worth it? does it change the tone noticeably?

Every amp I own I have modded to some extent. If you know what you're doing, mods or tweaks are well worth the effort. I think the JTM-45 is more like 40 or 45 watts. Lew

 

[Illini1330]

Re: Marshal jtm 45 RI or 1987x 'plexi' RI?

Doesn't matter anymore. Just talked to my dad and hes like your not getting it they are to loud and to hard to cary. Maybe I'll trick him and get the bassman RI instead of the jtm 45...Lew said they are basically the same circut too. Fender amps are more my thing anyway.