Marshall 6100, any version. Opinions and comparisons between the brass and regular

[75lespaul]

I've been wanting a Marshall again in the worst way. I don't know why, I've got lotsa amps and at least four of them do a Marshall type crunch, especially with my Plexitone pedal. However, the heart wants what the heart wants and for many years, I've been wondering about the 6100 LM black head, 6100 LM blue head and the 6100 LE blue hand wired brass logo head--which is probably way too expensive for me now anyway.

Before I start selling stuff and putting money away to buy one, has anyone played one and what are your opinions. I saw an old review from Jeff when he was DeadSkinSlayer saying it was the best Marshall he ever played. This was for the 6100 LM. For now, any other input is welcomed--including calling me nuts, lol. :smokin:

Also, what are the pros and cons of taking the LM, which is a 6L6 based amp and converting it to EL34s like the brass logo one? The brass logo amp is supposed to have better highs and less compression according to a few reviews I've read.

EDIT: Thanks to JeffH's post, now I'm wondering how they compare in tone to this.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-JVM410-H-Tube-Amp-Head?sku=480774

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Marshall 6100, any version. Opinions and comparisons between the brass and regul

The Blue Brass logo version is getting hard to find, and very expensive. I'd snap one up if I found one. Even better if you can find the blue slant cab.

These things came out 15 years ago, so if you're going to try and find a black LE, you'd better do it quickly. I've only played the 6L6 version, and it's really a good amp, although I'd rather have that amp with EL-34's. I don't think you can simply switch tube types, even with a mod. They may have used different transformers, like Bogner does.

I've heard that you need to really maintain those amps, and keep it perfectly biased, since they're not as indestructible as most other Marshalls. They have a lot of bells and whistles, so you've got to take care of it.

It's one amp I'd love to have. 10 years ago, I had the chance to buy the VERY limited version with high polished brass chassis, brass logo, and brass tube retainers. If ONLY I'd had the $1700. That was the most priceless of all the blue 30th Ann. models.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Marshall 6100, any version. Opinions and comparisons between the brass and regul

I've had the opportunity to buy a few of them as well and never pulled the trigger. There was just one on ebay with the cab in a seperate auction, but it was in L.A., pickup only and the guy had them listed for $2k reserve not met for the head and $1k for the cab reserve not met. He didn't get any bids though and even for that amp I think those prices are too high with NO reserve.

Heard a few things about them today. It's an easy mod to the EL34s as all it needs is a rebiasing. Of course I can't confirm that, but that's what I read. That also seems to be a big mod on the LM version. Second, I read on HC that if you have a power tube failure it almost always knocks out the channel switching board, and as of 2003, Marshall stopped making the boards and supplying the chips to do it yourself. Then the amp is a paper weight. Don't know if I want to risk that, you know? I Can't wait to hear what people think of the JVM series as it looks like it's pretty much the same thing with a few more options. I may still get a 6100LM, but that board thing scares me a bit.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Marshall 6100, any version. Opinions and comparisons between the brass and regul

Yeah, I've heard of a lot of reliability problems with them, and it's probably exactly THAT. The one I played most recently was owned by a guitarist using our rehearsal room, and he told me that it's been in the shop at least once, and the plastic vent on top was cooked.

If you're able to spend upwards of $2000-$2500, get a used Bogner Ecstasy. It's 10 times the amp that the modern Marshalls are. I sold half a roomful of amps to get mine, and don't regret it a bit.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Marshall 6100, any version. Opinions and comparisons between the brass and regul

I owned one

BEST Marshall I have ever been near for sheer usefulness and sweetness. The Ch. 2 Plexi is the WHOLE story, though the JTm 45 and high gain 800/900 modes are nothing to sneeze at. The power modes really give you control over the tone.

The MIDI switching becomes unbelievable fun when paired with a great processor. The fact that you can go series or parallel really gives you the chance to preserve tone yet add little goodies like compression, delay, or verb.

Johnny A uses this amp for his cleans, so do NOT underestimate the cleans. You can do jazz on this amp. Best Marshall clean ever!

Ch 3 is long considered a failure by many. I tend to agree. BUT, in a live setting it can be useful to have a gainy, nasty midrange, loud channel to do your leads.

So why did I sell mine? ummmm well I had too many amps - 4 at the time. I compared my Bogner Shiva and the Marshall with someone else A/Bing and we decided that the Bogner edged the Marshall a tad.

Still, the Marshall had NASTY Marshall mojo.

Joe is right though. A Tech pointed out how deilicate the setup inside is. I never had a problem with mine, and few complaing about problems save maybe with the COMBO 6101 models due to overheating. Still, the large volume of ribbon cable and OpAmps in the chasis scared me a tad. I like to use one amp for EVERYTHING and add others where needed in the studo or live.