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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Marshall Models
Straight off the line I must say I lean toward the Dumble like tones more than the Marshall. Saying that..I love the sound that Joe and E.J. get. What I don't like is that are a gazillion Marshall models out there.
All right guys. Which are the good ones and which are the bad? I know the Jubilee's sound great and the old plexi's but can you narrow it down to which ones are good and which ones to stay away from?
Thanks.
Some of my favs: Newer- Jubilee, JCM800, JCM900, JCM2000, Vintage Modern
Old- 1974x, JTM45 (Bluesbreaker), 1959 Superlead or Superbass, 1986 or 1987, JMP 100
I'd agree with Stratpaulguy86. The 900, 2000 and vintage modern are also not too expensive. Just around the £600 mark. 900 around the £700 though. But considering what you get for the money, its fantastic. I was lucky enough to get a 2000 for only £500, but I understand they are discontinued now(?) so maybe going up in price due to that.
Just stay away from solid state really, marshalls seem pretty good provided it has valves. That's nearly all the current available models listed in the above post. Or any of the ones you hear about folk playing anyway.
JMP's are still plentiful..... and great !
Thanks for the help but it's way too confusing. Without doing extensive reseach, what's the difference in the JCM800, 900, 2000..There's JCM, JTM, JMP....man, it makes my head spin.
Thanks for the help but it's way too confusing. Without doing extensive reseach, what's the difference in the JCM800, 900, 2000..There's JCM, JTM, JMP....man, it makes my head spin.
I'll try to explain each model in order from oldest to newest:
JTM- Originally 4xKT66 and 100 watts, later evolving to the 2xKT66 JTM 45 head and Bluesbreaker combo at about 30 watts. The tone is very glassy, gritty, fuzzy, warm, and classic. Think Beano Clapton era tone.
1959 Superlead/Superbass/1986 and 1987- 1959 Superlead model (not the year but model number) is essentially the same as the 1987 only 100 watts (the 1987 is 50 watts). The Superbass amps are almost the same just voiced slightly different. Superlead = brighter, gainier, less headroom, more aggressive. Superbass = warmer, more headroom, rounder sounding. EJ, Cream era Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page tone.
JMP- early master volume models essentially the same as the SLP and 1987 just with more gain, circuit board wiring instead of PTP wiring, and master volumes. Similar to the later JCM 800 amps. Great '70s rock tone.
JCM series- JCM 800 '80s rock tone think GnR, Zakk Wylde, Slash, etc. Jubilee model is a warmer sound than the JCM 800 with more gain and midrange. A great hybrid between the 1959 and JCM 800 as far as tone goes. JCM900 more modern higher gain sound of the '90s. Great heavy gain grungy sound with decent cleans and reverb. JCM 2000 Classic Gain like the 1959/JTM 100 Ultra Gain sounds range from 1959 to JCM 800 and beyond.
All are good, I like the 1959, Jubilee, JCM800, and JCM2000 best.
Of all the Marshalls I have played and owned, the few that stand out are:
My old Silver Jub. combo - 50w - wow, considerably tone - each guitar sounded like a character to grab an individual tone out of.
Marshall Major (I am guessing 200w) played it in a shop - Blackmore knew his stuff - wonderful "true old tone" as I like to say.
I have owned an Engl Blackmore since then (circuit based on the Major) and that was fantastic (if sterile) amp - made most guitars sound quite similar.
JCM800 1987 four input model (50 I think) - balls! Lots of balls. Nice thick and heavy tone.
Some mention should go to the older 900 Mk3 100w models - some nice tones out of them.
Though any step-down switches on Marshalls should be banned IMO.
StratPaulGuy
You described them the best. Thanks!!! Now I know what to look for. Those or one of a hundred clones 
Of all the clones I've heard the Voodoo Plexi 50 MV stands out to my ears. It's what I always believed a Marshall should sound like.
Thanks again!
I'll try to explain each model in order from oldest to newest:
JTM- Originally 4xKT66 and 100 watts, later evolving to the 2xKT66 JTM 45 head and Bluesbreaker combo at about 30 watts. The tone is very glassy, gritty, fuzzy, warm, and classic. Think Beano Clapton era tone.
1959 Superlead/Superbass/1986 and 1987- 1959 Superlead model (not the year but model number) is essentially the same as the 1987 only 100 watts (the 1987 is 50 watts). The Superbass amps are almost the same just voiced slightly different. Superlead = brighter, gainier, less headroom, more aggressive. Superbass = warmer, more headroom, rounder sounding. EJ, Cream era Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page tone.
JMP- early master volume models essentially the same as the SLP and 1987 just with more gain, circuit board wiring instead of PTP wiring, and master volumes. Similar to the later JCM 800 amps. Great '70s rock tone.
JCM series- JCM 800 '80s rock tone think GnR, Zakk Wylde, Slash, etc. Jubilee model is a warmer sound than the JCM 800 with more gain and midrange. A great hybrid between the 1959 and JCM 800 as far as tone goes. JCM900 more modern higher gain sound of the '90s. Great heavy gain grungy sound with decent cleans and reverb. JCM 2000 Classic Gain like the 1959/JTM 100 Ultra Gain sounds range from 1959 to JCM 800 and beyond.
All are good, I like the 1959, Jubilee, JCM800, and JCM2000 best.
You rock, thanks for all these great explanations you´ve posted since you´re here!
You should write a book called "Guitars and Gear for Dummys" or something .......
Danny, what´s that Voodoo Plexi about? Did you try it already?
Eva
Thanks for the kind words guys I just love gear! Anything I can do to help! 
I miss my JCM 800. It was a 50 watt head and it sounded beautiful. The best tone I ever had was with that amp and a Gibson ES-335. Strangely enough I was playing it at my church worship. We had 2 services that day and we had to play traditional tunes for one service and then the next service we played more modern worship songs... The latter I got to crank up the amp and play my guitar with the settings I would play in a club. I believe it ripped the first pews heads clean off. Can you say over kill?
I miss my JCM 800. It was a 50 watt head and it sounded beautiful. The best tone I ever had was with that amp and a Gibson ES-335. Strangely enough I was playing it at my church worship. We had 2 services that day and we had to play traditional tunes for one service and then the next service we played more modern worship songs... The latter I got to crank up the amp and play my guitar with the settings I would play in a club. I believe it ripped the first pews heads clean off. Can you say over kill?
They don't say Marshalls have the "voice of God" for nothing...everybody knows Jesus loves Marshall amplifiers!! 
I've got the Vintage Modern..I guess it's kind of JTM-like..also sounds glassy, warm, fuzzy..really like it!
DannyG wrote:Thanks for the help but it's way too confusing. Without doing extensive reseach, what's the difference in the JCM800, 900, 2000..There's JCM, JTM, JMP....man, it makes my head spin.
I'll try to explain each model in order from oldest to newest:
JTM- Originally 4xKT66 and 100 watts, later evolving to the 2xKT66 JTM 45 head and Bluesbreaker combo at about 30 watts. The tone is very glassy, gritty, fuzzy, warm, and classic. Think Beano Clapton era tone.
1959 Superlead/Superbass/1986 and 1987- 1959 Superlead model (not the year but model number) is essentially the same as the 1987 only 100 watts (the 1987 is 50 watts). The Superbass amps are almost the same just voiced slightly different. Superlead = brighter, gainier, less headroom, more aggressive. Superbass = warmer, more headroom, rounder sounding. EJ, Cream era Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page tone.
JMP- early master volume models essentially the same as the SLP and 1987 just with more gain, circuit board wiring instead of PTP wiring, and master volumes. Similar to the later JCM 800 amps. Great '70s rock tone.
JCM series- JCM 800 '80s rock tone think GnR, Zakk Wylde, Slash, etc. Jubilee model is a warmer sound than the JCM 800 with more gain and midrange. A great hybrid between the 1959 and JCM 800 as far as tone goes. JCM900 more modern higher gain sound of the '90s. Great heavy gain grungy sound with decent cleans and reverb. JCM 2000 Classic Gain like the 1959/JTM 100 Ultra Gain sounds range from 1959 to JCM 800 and beyond.
All are good, I like the 1959, Jubilee, JCM800, and JCM2000 best.
Where and how would you rate the Marshal 2061x? I am looking for that Hendrix/Cream/Page tone without blowing the heads off of everyone....suggestions anyone????
Barry
The 2061x's are very cool albeit kind of pricey but so are all the Marshall Handwired Series amps. They do the classic Marshall crunch thing at decent volumes and are very similar to the 1974x combos. I would say they could cover what you are looking for plus a couple pedals (treble boost, fuzz, and or overdrive). There are clones of most Marshalls out there for far less than the reissues. The only advantage the Marshall name has is collectability and resale value.
I'd like the silver jubilee combo amp please.
I am leaning towards ordering a Ceriatone amp but not sure whether to go with a 20w lead and Bass or the 1986 Bass...or maybe the 1987 lead....
so the cost factor is less of a determining factor as to getting the right tone without too many pedals. I already ahve the Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal and a DD-3. sure makes my AC15 sing.....
If tone is your only worry than no fear. Nik's amps have the tone.
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Marshall Models
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