My Marshall NMV search....

[Jr_vw2]

So I've got the GAS for a NMV Marshall. I'm torn between the 1987x reissue or a 70's jmp. Both can be found for pretty close to the same price. (Within $500 of each other) I realize getting an older amp could require some maintenance if it hasn't had any done to it which doesnt bother me. I just want to get opinions on tone and overall thoughts on each amp. Effects loop is of no use to me so that isnt a selling point for the 1987x. I'm searching for the "brown" sound and my oranges and my jcm 800 dont get me there. Thanks for the input.

And yes I realize the the jmp would be 100w and the 1987x would be 50w

 

[LLL]

Re: My Marshall NMV search....

IIRC (and assuming we're talking about stock amps here that haven't been modded), unless the 1987x is a handwired version (or Marshall changed things recently), chances are the circuit is not a 100% faithful recreation of the original... like lots of Marshall reissues were in the past. I haven't kept up with their latest reissue offerings, but I have personal experience with a couple of the older reissues, and Marshall really missed the mark with them. So much so that I gutted my reissues to make them "vintage circuit stock".


Also, the "JMP" (designating "Jim Marshall Products") was simply the moniker printed on the front control panel of the amp; has nothing to do with the wattage.

That being said, if it's clean and the price is right for you, I'd jump on the JMP. But that's me.

 

[Jr_vw2]

Re: My Marshall NMV search....

Also, the "JMP" (designating "Jim Marshall Products") was simply the moniker printed on the front control panel of the amp; has nothing to do with the wattage.

That being said, if it's clean and the price is right for you, I'd jump on the JMP. But that's me.

Right. I was mostly pointing out the fact that I am looking at 100w 70s era plexi style amps.

The 1987x did not come hardwired. although there is a 1959hw reissue version out there. But typically at a higher price point.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: My Marshall NMV search....

Interesting one on Reverb is an 80's JCM800 MkII 1987. $1400

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: My Marshall NMV search....

Subscribed. Always interested in hearing opinions on this subject.

 

[dystrust]

Re: My Marshall NMV search....

I'm searching for the "brown" sound and my oranges and my jcm 800 dont get me there.

Without a variac, a JMP or 1987X probably won't get you there either. Both of those amps are going to be based on a later metal panel circuit (Dec '72 IIRC), while EVH's Plexi was a '67. LLL would know the actual circuit differences better than I, but metal panel amps are significantly brighter and gainier than a '67 Plexi. I don't remember if LLL uses a variac in any of his demos, but he manages to get pretty close to the sound you're after with essentially a '68 Plexi.

The whole reason it's called the brown sound is because EVH turned his variac down until the amp just about wouldn't work anymore; it started to brown out. No one knows exactly how far he went, but I've heard suggestions that the heater circuit in a Marshall will stop working properly with input voltage below about 92.