• From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Topic: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

Ok I am getting closer to my first amp stack purchase and I have been listening to a ton of advice.  The Vintage Modern and the 1987x Lead are two of the finalists for my purchase.  The other is the JTM45.  Now I am not restricted to the "Marhsall" name.  As a matter of fact, I have had a number of good conversation with Nik from Ceriatone...he added another finalist the 36 watt TMB ef86.  So I am going to try this poll and see where all of you lean towards.

Other info needed:

I play both a Les Paul Traditional (with '57 Classics) and a Fender Deluxe American Strat (with SCN pickups) playing 99% blues rock...Zepp/Cream/Hendrix/Bonamassa

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1
  • From: Belgium (Limburg)
  • Registered: 2008-02-25
  • Posts: 118

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

I've got a Marshall Vintage Modern, 50 watt version, really great amps!! I prefer using the low dynamic range with a tubescreamer for overdrive with the lespaul..Don't like the High Dynamic range that much, but i've seen Jeff Beck using it with a strat so..

You should get these amps in one room and just play them..you'll know what you like best..

GR. PJ

  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

Pieter-Jan wrote:

I've got a Marshall Vintage Modern, 50 watt version, really great amps!! I prefer using the low dynamic range with a tubescreamer for overdrive with the lespaul..Don't like the High Dynamic range that much, but i've seen Jeff Beck using it with a strat so..

You should get these amps in one room and just play them..you'll know what you like best..

GR. PJ


Pieter-Jan,

Maybe you can answer a question for me...do the VM's only come in purple tolex?

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1
  • From: Belgium (Limburg)
  • Registered: 2008-02-25
  • Posts: 118

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

It's not really purple, it's kind of between blue and black..depends on the light..but Marshall also makes them with black tolex..
Haven't seen one in a store, but I guess you can order them or something..

GR.

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

I've been wondering whether to get the VM myself.
I have a dsl50
Just not sure what kind of gain I'll get from the VM.

6 Reply by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2009-03-24 01:44:37)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

I think the Vintage Modern is the most usable and versitile of the list of amps you mentioned.  It has a neat digital plate reverb that has a dark kind of texture.  It's great for really warming the sound up.  It has the high/low dynamic range for clean to mean and everywhere inbetween.  Add in its master volume and fx loop and I think it'll probably get you the closest out of the box to what you are looking for.  HOWEVER, my personal opinion and experience is that the JTM 45 has the most mojo.  I played an original JTM 45 Bluesbreaker combo from 1962 and it was a religious experience.  It had such a full, rich tone and was pretty managable at decent volumes.  The problem with the 1987x is that unless you have an attenuator be prepared to have to crank the hell out of it to get you into Bonamassa, Gibbons, Page, and Clapton territory.  Overall I think the vintage modern will get you a good mix between the KT66 magic of the JTM 45 with the sheer power of the 1987x.  Good luck and let us know what you get!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Belgium (Limburg)
  • Registered: 2008-02-25
  • Posts: 118

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

I've made a video with the Vintage Modern set to clean..just noodling but you can hear how it sounds..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3YxSTrg … annel_page

Gr. PJ

  • From: Belgium (Limburg)
  • Registered: 2008-02-25
  • Posts: 118

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

another one..with tubescream now..gain full, volume full, tone almost nothing..a lot of the bass-frequency went lost but..you get an idea..again this was just some noodlin'..not trying to play anything great here=d

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC93F1ZlVZk

  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

Any more votes out there????

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

Hey LesPaul4, have you had the opportunity to demo the Vintage Modern yet?  Without an attenuator factored in I think the Vintage Modern is still the best option for ya.  Unfortunately the other amps are not as readily available to demo.  I'd probably buy the VM used so if you don't like it you can at least get more of your money back (buy new = $1600, sell =$900, buy used = $1000, sell = $900). Here's some comparisons between the VM and the 1987x:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR3Os80p … re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjs14AEk … re=related

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Vintage Modern vs 1987X Lead

My vote is the Vintage Modern.  The average person can't crank up a plexi 1987x loud enough to get the tone out of it that its known for.  Vintage Modern has a great sound to it and I dare say that you could get as good of usable tones without the earth moving force of the plexi.  Yeah a hot plate or a marshall power brake with the plexi is good to get more distortion with less volume but then you could have bought a vintage modern with a master volume that is a lot less money and equipment to lug around.  Plexi isn't practical for the average working guitarist, unless your Joe Bonamassa or in AC/DC, or even the Allman Brothers Band.

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