Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

[Kac]

Ok, first off let me say I did a few searches with the search function and couldn't find anything on here, so if it's already here somewhere just point me in the right direction please.

The sound I want is old school marshall single channel ~ roll off the volume knob for clean and hit my MXR Dist. + for heavy stuff...

Where can I find this tone in about 50 watts without shelling out a ton of money?



I appologize in advance if this has been covered already, but your help is greatly appreciated.

Rock On ~ Kac

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

I'd look for a used Marshall. Maybe a JCM 800 from around 1982.

If you want to go cheap, a used Sovtek Mig 50 has a pretty good sound and can be had for very little money. The circuit uses a solid state rectifier but is otherwise very similar to a tweed Bassman which the mid 60's Marshall JTM 45 was based on.

But I'd look for a great deal on Ebay for used Marshall JCM 800.

 

[Lee_L]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Well obviously, in a Marshall. But I get something close with my Crate V-Series combo.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Celtic Amplfiers....either a Plexi Model or a JTM45 model. Cost around a grand, hand built buy our own Scott_F. If I wanted a single channel amp, that would be my first stop.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

He doesn't want to shell out alot of money......Does it have to be a tube amp?

What about the SS Vox Valvetronix amps? Possibly the 60 or 120 watt head versions? Great amps and bought for $600 or less...Love mine and several forum members own these amps.

 

[Kac]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Thanks John, Lew, lots of good info here.

John, no it doesn't necisarily have to be a tube head, I will check out the vox heads for sure, you know the kinda sound I'm goin for and I appreciate your help.

I will definetly be keeping an eye on eBay, as I do plan on buying used.

Rock on ~ Kac

 

[JeffB]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

800 def ..but you wont find one in that price range anymore...or a JMP.

HOWEVER a MKIII 900 you will. Don't go nutso with the gain, and it will do the 800 sound. Stay away from the 900 Dual reverbs though...totally diff animal.

Traynor Blue would be a good option for the $.

Rivera Clubster 45 would NAIL the tone you are looking for.

realize though that "the marshall" sound has varied through the years.Plexis dont sound like JTMs...metal faces dont sound like plexis..JMPs dont sound like metal faces..800s have thier sound...etc etc. Speaker cabs make a world of diff too. A 800 through GBs doesn't sound a whole lot different than a metal face through GBs...but through 75 watters or V30s it's a totally different beast.

is there a certain marshall tone you have in mind? (like an example from a song?)

BTW..Kac..go check out the video thread I posted in the Sound Room,,,there is a Greg Howe vid and I think you may like the guitar he is playing

 

[newking70]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

get you an ampeg vl series designed by lee jackson, under rated killer amps:amish:

 

[JeffB]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

And...the Valvetronix Plexi is the only marshall model, IME/IMO that Vox actually got right. So if plexi is what ya want thats a good choice.

Honestly though if ya want plexi and dont wanna spend a ton o cash, just grab Rids plexitone and something like a Crate w/ El84s for cheap. They really DO sound great.

 

[Kac]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

JeffB ~ thanks for all the INFO bro! I will check out that video for sure.

an example of the sound I want is Tom Morello's tone

From what I know he's played through 800's and 900's through 1 4X12 cabinet, I can get something like it with my valve king and some pedals, but I want closer.

~kac

 

[JeffB]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Find a Marshall 900 MKIII. Sounds to me what you are looking for, and they be CHEAP. I saw a couple last night on ebay.

Check out ErikH's clips..Odie's got one too, IIRC.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Laney AOR = JCM800 for CHEEEP!

 

[JeffB]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Laney AOR = JCM800 for CHEEEP!

cheap..not exactly 800 though. At least not the ones i played and the one I owned. Laneys are a little darker and have fizz on top. British, yes, marshall..ehhh not really, to me anyways

But a cool sound nonetheless, and yes..CHEAP.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Yeah, not quite 800, but close enough for a lot of people, given the 250-300 dollar pricetag .

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Tom Morello has used a 50 Watt JCM 800 2205 Dual Channel Head for almost his entire career. Get one of the earlier models of this head with the Drake transformer and it will be easy to get his sound, especially with the neck single coil on a strat. They will also do 80s rock sounds quite well. They are not the most desirable model of JCM 800, and they can be had for very cheap. Some of these heads totally suck, but some of them are quite nice. Also, it isn't difficult for a good amp tech to mod a 2205 to sound more like a 2204 or 2203, or to have even more gain. I got mine for $750 Canadian in mint condition.

p.s. Kac - be a man and at least answer my PM.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Yeah, not quite 800, but close enough for a lot of people, given the 250-300 dollar pricetag .

True...cheep is good

KAC...can't you cant get your Valveking rebiased for EL34s? I've heard clips of those, and honestly I think with El34s it will get ya pretty close for alot less $.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

I think my Traynor 50Blue does a great Marshall and they are in your price range.

 

[green_insomniac]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

I read an article in Guitar World months and months back that Morello uses a Marshall head and he hasn't replaced the tubes since he got it years and years and years ago. I think he's full of it, but you could look into that! Buy a marshall and play it for the next 10 years with the same tubes!

Actually, my vote goes for the used 800. You could possibly find a one-channel 1x12 combo if that's what you're looking for. I saw one a few weeks ago. Peace easy, bro.

 

[saladin]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

Check out an Carvin X-amp! They can be found cheap. Available in heads and combo's. the early ones used 6l6's and later changed to el-34's. I have a XV-212 that can do Fender clean and Marshall distorted. I bought mine used three months ago for $225, it's one of the best amps I've ever played thru!!!!!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Marshall sound, where all can it be found?

And...the Valvetronix Plexi is the only marshall model, IME/IMO that Vox actually got right. So if plexi is what ya want thats a good choice.

Hey Jeff.....I hate the stock VT Plexi tones in my amp! The only way to get it to sound better or right to my ears,has been to add the treble boost effect to it...Doesn't sound like my wonderful early 70s 50 watt 1987 amp either really?

Once I Put V30s into the matching VOX AD 2x12 cab though,I really started liking the JCM 800(UK 80s) tones alot as the V30s helped bring the mids and low mids around better for me....The UK High Gain(JCM 2000) tones I Like also....I don't use the JTM 45 or the UK 90s(JCM 900) tones much at all...

This amp still amazes me though for the $600 I Payed new for it at 60 watts a side....Heck I use this amp more than any of the other tube amps now and I do own some really cool ole vintage ones!...