• Registered: 2010-02-09
  • Posts: 19

Topic: Metro Jtm 45PA or 1968 Superlead need help!!!

Hey Guys Im a young blues guitarists looking into buying my first marshall, after months of frustration with my cold and sterile sounding deluxe reverb, I have decided to bite the bullet and by a vintage marshall replica but im unsure on which one to get. I am currently running a 1960 les paul reissue into a ts 808, and a butler tube driver. Im Looking for something that can cover Peter Green fleetwood mac tone, Eric Clapton blues breakers/cream tone, Page, and of course Joe's solo tone. I've seen joe play a blues breaker but i don't know what settings he's using or what effects. With the Jtm 45 I would run it through a 2x12 with Celestions 20s, 25s, or 30 watt green backs, and for the super lead i would run the same speakers in a 4x12. Have you guys had any experience with these amps? If so what speakers and settings do you recommend? Any help will be appreciated. Thank You
(Maybe Joe can give me some guidance):)

Guitars- Gibson 1960 V.O.S Les Paul, Fender Eric Johnson Strat, Martin SWOMGT.
Amp- 1967 fender vibrolux reverb
Effects- Ibanez TS-808, BBE Two Timer, BBE Soul Vibe, Vox V847, Dunlop Hendrix Fuzz Face, Tonebender MKII, BK Butler Tube Driver.
  • mitch
  • mitch
  • Gold Member
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  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 92

Re: Metro Jtm 45PA or 1968 Superlead need help!!!

I've owned several Bluesbreakers & Superleads, but Peter Green actually used Matamps/Orange for most of his career, with I believe bigger Fender showman amps in the latter days... if you're looking for that very 'vocal' PG tone then tick off the list below: wink:D

1. Les Paul with pickups out of phase in the middle selector position- I have successfully wired one of my LP's with a 4-conductor Lollar humbucker in the neck position and a push/pull pot on the volume control to facilitate this- it gets you in the ball park & you can simply switch between stock & out of phase.

2. Avoid too much front end or pedal based distortion- nothing wrong with a bit of front end 'push' or boost though... otherwise you end up with more 'fizz' than 'beef' if you catch my drift... I highly recommend the JTM-45 type amp- it has a tube rectifier which provides a lot of compression and is quite soft sounding compared to some Superleads- some can sound pretty toppy and fierce at times...and you can wind them up more to get the power tubes working... essential for good tone...imho...

3. Technique, PG had an incredible touch and technique which is very hard to copy- restraint & taste are key- leaving space between notes is essential...

4. Try before you buy... I wasted much money and time believing hype & bull over the years... everyone's different and don't buy anything until you totally sure it's THE tone you're looking for...

Best of luck...:D:D:D

This don't look like no express way to me...
  • Registered: 2010-02-09
  • Posts: 19

Re: Metro Jtm 45PA or 1968 Superlead need help!!!

Thanks for the reply, I am currently leaning more towards the Jtm 45 as i feel that it is more mellow sounding and it cleans up nicer. My Les Paul does currently have the peter green mod, It has the Larry Corsa Manalishi Pickups in it. What would you recommend for a reverb pedal, I was leaning towards a Lee Jackson Mr Springy.

Guitars- Gibson 1960 V.O.S Les Paul, Fender Eric Johnson Strat, Martin SWOMGT.
Amp- 1967 fender vibrolux reverb
Effects- Ibanez TS-808, BBE Two Timer, BBE Soul Vibe, Vox V847, Dunlop Hendrix Fuzz Face, Tonebender MKII, BK Butler Tube Driver.
  • mitch
  • mitch
  • Gold Member
  • Offline
  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 92

Re: Metro Jtm 45PA or 1968 Superlead need help!!!

1960LesPaul wrote:

Thanks for the reply, I am currently leaning more towards the Jtm 45 as i feel that it is more mellow sounding and it cleans up nicer. My Les Paul does currently have the peter green mod, It has the Larry Corsa Manalishi Pickups in it. What would you recommend for a reverb pedal, I was leaning towards a Lee Jackson Mr Springy.

Looks like you're pretty much there already- I think I need to check out those pickups too!  Reverb is tricky... ideally it should be after the pre-amp otherwise any tube distortion is going to distort your reverb tones too... probably best if you can put it in the send/return of the amp... if not, then any good spring reverb (not digital) will be best- as ever use your ears!  Glad you like the JTM45- personally I think it's the best Marshall for classic tones... happy hunting...!

This don't look like no express way to me...
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: Metro Jtm 45PA or 1968 Superlead need help!!!

Hi!
I also have a Les Paul and a Metro JTM45, what a great sound comes out of this thing!
AS far as reverb pedals go I had a EH Holy Grail and it was good, but I sold it for a Boss RV-5 and I like it even better... Either one is good, the Boss is more complete I'd say...
Good Luck! smile

  • Registered: 2010-02-06
  • Posts: 2

Re: Metro Jtm 45PA or 1968 Superlead need help!!!

+1 on what Twistingcrow said!  I also play a Metro JTM45 and I love it. Its also really cool to have the opportunity to build and mod your amp and tone with your own two hands. These amps will get you most of the way there for sure. I have built and played the 100 watt Superlead as well. WAY Tighter and more attack. 45 is sweeter with more sag, bluesier, if you will.  I do the kits but I'm sure Metros amps are even closer to vintage Marshall! Jim cool

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: Metro Jtm 45PA or 1968 Superlead need help!!!

Go play them...  Play tons of different Marshall heads and pick the one you like. Trying to get a tone to match someone else is a bad path to go down because no matter how hard you try your never going to sound like that person. 

I sugest playing both and by playing I mean go to Guitar Center or your local place and bring your guitar and pedals. Turn the amps up and play them.  See what you think.

I never in a million years would have thought I would be a vox guy.  But I needed an amp for a gig and I went to guitar center and tried tons of different models.  I fell in love with an AC30.  And I played marshalls, mesa's, fenders, soldanos, blackcats, one matchless which I could afford and thus they suggested the AC30. 

Dont ever rely on my suggestions or those from people here, go play that amps because ultimately you need to be happy.

And let me know if you want to sell your deluxe!

Good Luck.

Jeremy

  • Registered: 2010-02-09
  • Posts: 19

Re: Metro Jtm 45PA or 1968 Superlead need help!!!

Thanks for all the input. I plan on keeping the deluxe because i love its clean tone and reverb, and its good for low volume practice. Well Im going to order the Jtm 45 sometime next week after I rack up a few more bones.

Guitars- Gibson 1960 V.O.S Les Paul, Fender Eric Johnson Strat, Martin SWOMGT.
Amp- 1967 fender vibrolux reverb
Effects- Ibanez TS-808, BBE Two Timer, BBE Soul Vibe, Vox V847, Dunlop Hendrix Fuzz Face, Tonebender MKII, BK Butler Tube Driver.