• From: Belfast
  • Registered: 2010-02-01
  • Posts: 110

Topic: 1974X

Hi everyone. I was playing an old 1973 50 watt bass head that was just awesome but since my band split I couldn't justify the wrath of it anymore so I have just got my hands on a 1974x, 6 months old. It is my kind of amp, straight in, no effects, dust dime it for great tone at a healthy volume without being too overbearing.
I have a couple of questions, I know Joe used one of these around 2005. Is he using it in the Rockpalast DVD? if so how did he run his delay and reverb without a loop. From past experience running reverb in front of a distorted amp sounds horrible. Am i missing something?
Also I think I could get some more harmonically interesting ECC83 preamp valves for it, rather that the standard Marshall ones already in it. I went on the Watford Valves website and there is a lot to choose from! I considered the Harma High Gain as that was what i had in my 50 watt head. Anyone know of any other valves that would sing in this amp?

Guitars: 95 Les Paul Standard, Relic Strat,
Amps: 1973 Marshall JMP 50 head and Vintage Modern Cab. I use no effects other than a Cry Baby on occasions.

2 Reply by JohnTB (edited by JohnTB 2011-05-02 14:08:51)

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: 1974X

Jb used a marshall blues breaker I think,
I have the 1974x it really misses the fx loop but the dd3 delay I use runs quite nice through the input. I use tube amp doctor for valves, my amp came with a microphonic pre amp so I ordered a higher gain valve has been a very sweet sound since. Overall everybody who hears it loves the amp.
I've been told its easy to mod the 1974x for a fx loop, but I've never thought of trying it.
BTW the valves that come stock are pretty good quality or atleast the ones in mine.