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Anybody like to hear others use a Marshall but can't use one themselves?

Dishimyuh

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Nov 4, 2005
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Over the years I've tried to use a Marshall, but it just doesn't work for me. I like to hear others use them, just not myself. Anybody else feel this way?
 

TBR623

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Dec 5, 2001
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Why doesn't it work for you? Just about any classic guitar oriented rock songs played with a Les Paul,a cord, and a Marshall=FUN. When you say Marshall,that covers ALOT of variations. JCM900 for metal,JCM800 80's rock.JTM45-nice clean shimmering tone with celo like singing overdrive. Plexi's for crunch etc.. Combo or stack-I'm at a loss on this one.:bug .How long have you been playing?:rolleyes:
 

tele00

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Jul 24, 2002
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I had the same findings as you till I realized How different they all are ...and that If you are looking for a nmarshall/ LP combo to emulate he tone of early rockers that played marshalls...JCM 800, 900 and the more modern ones won't do it ...... JTM45 is where it is at 4 me ......Fat and creamy as opposed to brighter and brittle ...
 

Minibucker

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Jan 12, 2003
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I don't have the space, nor the type/size of venues when I gig in which I could even use a JTM45 or 50W plexi into a 4x12 cab at high volume settings....which is the only Marshall sound/feel that I've ever been interested in. A cranked 18W 1x12 combo is pretty cool, but again, I'd probably want another amp as well for the clean and other stuff that I use....so still, I'd be hauling quite a rig around. I've actually toyed with the idea of building two completely different amp sections in one-rack spaces and combining them with a common power-amp section in a compact-enough rack/head, and A/Bswitch between the two while playing. I've never tried the JMP-1 rack preamp.
 

dwagar

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Apr 18, 2005
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yeah, there are Marshalls and there are MARSHALLS
 

Dishimyuh

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Why doesn't it work for you? Just about any classic guitar oriented rock songs played with a Les Paul,a cord, and a Marshall=FUN. When you say Marshall,that covers ALOT of variations. JCM900 for metal,JCM800 80's rock.JTM45-nice clean shimmering tone with celo like singing overdrive. Plexi's for crunch etc.. Combo or stack-I'm at a loss on this one.:bug .How long have you been playing?:rolleyes:
Well let's see, I'm 48 and have owned a guitar for 36 of those years. Marshall to me means metal switch heads, no combos, no 800's etc. I am in agreement with Minibucker that the only way to run one is full bore. What puts me off is the huge mid-range bump and that they can tend to be grainy sounding. I have used some that were fun for a minute or two, but I wouldn't want to gig with it. I really have never been able to get a sound out of one that I really love. The bottom line is that what works for you (or me) doesn't necessarily work for everybody, which is why there are so many ways to skin the cat.
 

tele00

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Jul 24, 2002
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I don't have the space, nor the type/size of venues when I gig in which I could even use a JTM45 or 50W plexi into a 4x12 cab at high volume settings....which is the only Marshall sound/feel that I've ever been interested in. .

which is EXACTLY why I own a Cornell Plexi 45/50 :) When switched to its 12 watt setting ...It still sounds FANTASTIC and pushes a 1X12 or 2x12 cab ,to Deluxe Reverb volume levels with a GREAT Marshall tone . The rt side is Very Creamy and fat ....The lt side ( you wouldnt like ) can be a tad harsh ..I usually just go through the rt side , but sometimes I jump the 2 lo inputs and go into the rt side high, and add a tad of brilliance with a bit of lt chanell volume .....they are GREAT amps....But as you say ....YMMV
 
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TBR623

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Dec 5, 2001
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Agree about the venues-that's why I went with power scaling on my Reeves Custom Lead-Plexi clone. I get the same range of tones with my 28Watt Carr Hammerhead. But when I play at home or impromptu jams where killing the front row isn't a concern my 1987 delivers-especially when you don't have a great PA. Dishimyuh,I didn't realize you meant gigging with a 50 or 100 watt Marshall. Todays venues,just don't tolerate the levels we played at in the late 70's and through the 80's.Plus sound reinforcement techology is much better and quality equipment is cheap enough for practically any band. I thought you meant you couldn't get a good tone from a Marshall in general.
 

Minibucker

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Jan 12, 2003
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which is EXACTLY why I own a Cornell Plexi 45/50 :) When switched to its 12 watt setting ...It still sounds FANTASTIC and pushes a 1X12 or 2x12 cab ,to Deluxe Reverb volume levels with a GREAT Marshall tone . The rt side is Very Creamy and fat ....The lt side ( you wouldnt like ) can be a tad harsh ..I usually just go through the rt side , but sometimes I jump the 2 lo inputs and go into the rt side high, and add a tad of brilliance with a bit of lt chanell volume .....they are GREAT amps....But as you say ....YMMV

Yeah, which is why I said I like the 18-watters...but just like switching from big Twins/Supers/Bassmans in terms of Fenders, small amps won't sound/feel like big amps. You'll never get that physical thump of moving that much air at certain volumes...not as big of a deal when you're miking, but you do work off of that onstage. Haven't really had the time and/or need for the big Marshall sound lately to set up a smaller rig, and even if I did, again, it would be just the amp handling just that sound, whereas with certain other amps, I get a clean-ish to lightly-overdriven sound I'm happy with, and shape various lead tones with pedals. If I was playing big loud venues, I'd absolutely have a JTM45 or 50w plexi setup with Supers and Bassmans handling the other stuff...or even go with my Deluxe Reverb and an 18W Marshall through an A/B switch.
 

pablomago

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I've never been a Marsahll guy. I guess I'm just used to Fenders. Then again, I've never had the pleasure of running a plexi and full bore. I sometimes find myself dreaming of a JTM 45 head or a Blues Breaker combo though. I'll probably build an 18 watt clone one day.
 

riscado

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Jul 6, 2006
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Well I think some amps are for some people some amps aren't, I have always gravitated more towards fenders myself and still do, mostly tweeds.

However maybe you could try something from the largely overgrown boutique market, that has some good options to offer, maybe try something smaller and see if you can coax the tones you hear from other people (which most of the times are at prohibitive volumes), maybe try a germino masonette or a reinhardt MI6, or some other marshall inspired lower watt amp.

Also sometimes, you'll hear amps that sound fantastic when played by other people, but just don't FEEL good to us, and with an amp and guitar feel is definitely as important as the sound you get.
 
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mad dog

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Jun 6, 2006
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Count me in on this. Have plugged into several, even had some good tones out of them, but somehow never found one that clicked. While through the years I've heard countless great performances from people who know exactly what to do with a Marshall.

Tonally, I seem to gravitate towards different clean tones than I hear in the larger marshalls. Very curious about the JTM45, to the point I'm considering building a Metro kit. That's likely the one for me.
 

Twinfan

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Mar 20, 2007
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A JTM45 isn't that loud in a large room. From 2 or 3 upwards all you're adding is gain, not volume.

I can't imagine a blues/pop/rock band where a JTM45 is too loud for the average drummer. I'm having a JTM45/100 built as I need more volume in my AC/DC band.
 

D'Mule

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Apr 5, 2003
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I think with any amp you need to play with it for a while to craft the tone. Not just e.q. and gain settings, but even pick attack and palm muting technique, etc. Sometimes your ear needs to adjust a bit, too.

I think people know what they like and can recognize in one second when a rig sounds good and plays right for them. But it can pay off big to work with a new rig or guitar that at first doesn't sound right to figure out what it can really do for you in the end.:dude:

It's like putting down your LP and picking up a Strat for the first time and thinking this is not right. Doesn't mean that by working with it you can't later begin to love its tone.
 

TBR623

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Dec 5, 2001
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A JTM45 isn't that loud in a large room. From 2 or 3 upwards all you're adding is gain, not volume.

I can't imagine a blues/pop/rock band where a JTM45 is too loud for the average drummer. I'm having a JTM45/100 built as I need more volume in my AC/DC band.

+1, even a Plexi,after about 12 oclock on the volumes,Its not so much louder as it is "fuller" and moving alot more air.:dude:
 

timmy 2 tone

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Jan 22, 2006
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Every amp has It's own sound period!! I've tried everything under the sun for the past 20 + years? I have finally narrowed It down to these amp's for my sound?

First Is like minibucker said,a deluxe reverb & a 18 watt 1974X handwired are an awsome combo!! As Is my blue's jr. tweed addition. I don't have a pic yet of my deluxe cause I just got It?

100_1172.jpg


Next Is my JTM45 head & a bluesbreaker cab. Great tone can be had with this combo! It has an open back with greenback's In It for the vintage sound. Here In Detroit I can run that set up at about 3 1/2 to 4? I just use my guitars volume. It get's even better If I have a bigger venue,because then I run my JTM45 & my cornell 45/50 In stereo after my echoplex.
100_1189.jpg


100_1192.jpg


Oh In that pic Is my metro 1968 plexi replica that just screams!!!!!
 

riscado

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Jul 6, 2006
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I think with any amp you need to play with it for a while to craft the tone. Not just e.q. and gain settings, but even pick attack and palm muting technique, etc. Sometimes your ear needs to adjust a bit, too.

I think people know what they like and can recognize in one second when a rig sounds good and plays right for them. But it can pay off big to work with a new rig or guitar that at first doesn't sound right to figure out what it can really do for you in the end.:dude:

It's like putting down your LP and picking up a Strat for the first time and thinking this is not right. Doesn't mean that by working with it you can't later begin to love its tone.

bingo... you need to learn how to feel and play the amp, it's never just about the sound!
 

LookerBob

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Feb 22, 2005
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A JTM45 isn't that loud in a large room. From 2 or 3 upwards all you're adding is gain, not volume.

I can't imagine a blues/pop/rock band where a JTM45 is too loud for the average drummer. I'm having a JTM45/100 built as I need more volume in my AC/DC band.

I don't know man... my JTM45 is pretty goddamned loud. :)
 

Minibucker

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Jan 12, 2003
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bingo... you need to learn how to feel and play the amp, it's never just about the sound!

And by that token, larger amps have a different feel than smaller ones, especially with multiple speakers. Like I mentioned earlier, if you're used to larger/louder amps and have to play smaller ones because of volume/venue, you do have to adapt your playing at least a bit to make the most of the format. Like moving from Fender Supers and Bassmans to a Deluxe. Likewise, for what I want out of a Marshall, I'd have to do the same. It doesn't happen overnight.
 

Emerald

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Dec 5, 2007
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There are varying degrees of 'loudness', the major difference between a 45/50 watt Marshall and most 100 watters is that the room becomes smaller with the 100 watt amp. It does move more air with the speakers and the bass will flap your trousers from a 100 watt stack, whereas a 50 watt/single cab is loud too, but in a more restrained way!
The JTM 45/100 is the best of both worlds imo :2cool
yngwie308
 
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