• Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Topic: 1971 Small Box Marshall 50 watt 1987 Plexi

I am getting real Marshall Plexi fever but I don't know if I will take the plunge or not.  I am really not sure how practical they are but when they are dialed in and cranked the tone is golden.  I have a shot at a 1971 Marshall Small Box 1987 Plexi head that is all original.  It is in fairly rough shape but has been completely gone through internally and should be ready to play.  Asking price is $2500. Is this a decent price?  It seems a little steep to me but I haven't done much homework yet.  Also, my heroes (EJ and Joe) always run some delay on their big lead tones.  Do you have to use an echoplex  out front on these old heads to have a good delay tone or are their decent cheaper alternatives?  I could use some guidance before I jump in headfirst on this.

  • Registered: 2010-04-06
  • Posts: 48

Re: 1971 Small Box Marshall 50 watt 1987 Plexi

Sounds like a lot of dollars to me. 
I bought a brand new 1897X plexi 50 watt head several years ago, and although i did like it, i sold it for about £500.00 and it was in mint condition.
Like i said a good amp but very basic really with no gain section, no fx loop, reverb etc which i found limiting to be honest.  Eventually bought a Marshall JVM 205 head and to be honest, i havent looked back.  Simply awesome sound either using my Lonestar Strat, or the ultimate, my '73 Les Paul.
If you want simplicity and 'that' sound, then the 1987 is a great well built unit that really has balls!
All the best.

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

Re: 1971 Small Box Marshall 50 watt 1987 Plexi

I love my '74 Marshall 50w, it's probably the jewel of my entire collection. IMO they are not too loud, they have a perfect medium crunch sound, don't need reverb, and look so darn cool! Of course an Echoplex sounds divine with vintage Marshalls, but I've had good experience with great little cheap delays like the Boss DD3 and Ibanez DE7. Pedals like the Skreddy Echo and El Capistan do reliable board-friendly approximations of that wonderful ep3 tone. $2500 is a bit steep if it's in rough shape and has any modifications whatsoever. At that price it should be museum/collector grade. I wouldnt pop for anything more than $2k myself.

'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.
  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: 1971 Small Box Marshall 50 watt 1987 Plexi

Stratpaulguy, how does it like your tube driver?  Can you get the EJ violin tone?

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

Re: 1971 Small Box Marshall 50 watt 1987 Plexi

HoosierRock wrote:

Stratpaulguy, how does it like your tube driver?  Can you get the EJ violin tone?

Heck yeah man, it's hard not to get that sound with an old Marshall and the Tube Driver. If you bump up the treble a bit and strap on a Paul you can get some cool JB stuff going too!

'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.
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: 1971 Small Box Marshall 50 watt 1987 Plexi

To me the plexi 50w amp is the best amp there is. Has balls and a little bit more compression than the 100w. It's also puts out 3dB less than the 100w which is a good thing. It is LOUD and I use an Alex's attenuator with it.

You actually have three options here: a vintage one but be ready to pay mucho $ (2500$ is a bit steep though!) or a 1987X (the Marshall Reissue) or do what I've done: build one your self with the right stuff. I have built about fifteen amps so far.

I built mine with real NOS Mullard caps and the right tubes and correct layout and components and so forth. Man it just sounds glorious: glassy cleans ala Hendrix, great crunch ala ACDC. Stick an OD pedal in front and you're into Gov'T Mule/Bonamassa territory. The clean headroom is great and the amp has dynamics not many other amps can boast having. My favourite amp by far and I've had a bunch (Marshall 8080, Peavey Classic 30, 1973 Super Reverb, JTM45, plexi 100, Marshall 18w, Tiny Terror and I must forget some more...). It's awesome.