• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

I bought my Bluesbreaker !

Tim C.

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
6,484
Ted,

I sense that you are very passionate about the Marshall JTM45's and 1962 combo's. Here is where I was coming from:

1) I personally think the Bluesbreaker reissue is one of the best sounding reissues out there while still box stock.

2) I really, really care about people and their feelings. My thought was to let TxMack get his amp, play it awhile and if he liked it the way it was, fine. If not, then I thought a few of us here could suggest a few tweaks to make it even better sounding such as changing speakers and component swaps. That was why I said in my original post to play it a couple days and let us know what he thought.

To be quite honest, I was concerned that you jumped right in to make sure that TxMack aware that his new purchase was not totally historically accurate even before it hit his doorstep. He hadn't even had a chance to play it yet. Maybe that wasn't your intention but that is how I perceived it. If I was wrong in my assessment, then please accept my apology.

I must take some rebuke for saying it was one of the most authentic reissues out there because that precipitated your comments about its inaccuracies.

I have printed your list of mods for the JTM45 and will peruse them at my first opportunity. (that means it will be my bedtime reading material tonight) ;)

One of the reasons I love this site is that people share their thoughts, ideas, new purchases, etcetera and encourage one another while having fun. Not all web sites are that way.

NOCD, you are a classy host for the amp section.

Respectfully submitted,
Tim C. / Tim Cowles
 

Tonefiend

Fiendish One
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
7,656
$600 for a Bluesbreaker is a killer deal! Play the thing a while, then do a little experimenting with it. Turn that thing into a monster!
 

TxMack

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
754
Tim ,

Thanks for "taking up" for me .

I have been studying for a long while on this deal ,
and had peppered Rich and others with numerous questions for months .

I knew what the amps shortcoming were going to be .
I also knew if I waited long enough I could steal one , and
have it customised to suit me . But , I did want to start with one that I liked right out of the box . I am of the belief that mods
can make a difference to an amps (or a guitars) character ,
but seems to me that you really need to like it as is and
use mods to perfect it .

I don't believe that an amp you hate can be modded into an amp you love . Just my opinion .

And , I also enjoy a peice of gear more if I got a good deal on it !


SM
 

TxMack

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
754
Rich

yeah , even stock I could hear the potential
to make this thing "breathe fire" .

I can't wait to get your buddies mod put in it , and it's not even here yet .

Anyone know of a roadcase company that's not
outrageous in thier pricing ?


SM
 

TedB

New member
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
2,141
Tim,

Rest assured that I didn't have anything less than sincere in mind. I don't like to rain on anyone's parade!

It's just a difference in perspective. Most people have never heard originals. They buy the RI amp and like it. That is the most common perspective and it works for 99% of people out there.

On the other hand, I own originals, and when I found two at a local dealer, I played them and wondered why I couldn't get that Clapton 'Beano' sound, or much of anything else that sounded like the originals. This prompted me to get my hands dirty, get in there and figure out why. I solved the mystery and fixed it, and simply made a thorough write up so others who wanted that classic sound could find it. What an individual does with his gear is always his choice. I just wanted to point out that if you were looking for that classic sound, the information exists to help you find it.


FYI: Good tubes (e.g. KT66s, Ei ECC83) and a proper biasing job (40ma for these amps) is 50% of the tonal improvement right there.


And an additional tip: Replace that tiny speaker wire with some lamp cord from Radio Shack. Just that makes an improvement.
 
R

RICH

Guest
Man, are they using that shit bell wire on the speakers of the BB too? Damn thats lame, without a doubt change it. I'm dying to hear what a JTM45 would sound like with the superlead preamp in it along with the tube rectifier, that sucker should peel paint.
 
Last edited:

Tim C.

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
6,484
Ted,

I read your list of mods. It looks good! There were a couple things in there that I wasn't aware were different from the original ie; the filter sizes. One can always learn something!

I am going to have to break down and buy the "Doyle" book. I have put it off too long.

I just looked at the BB I have here. It has the thin wire connecting the two speakers together. I think I will replace the speaker wire on it before I return it to the customer.

Sorry if I came off as a poo poo head in earlier posts. The internet can be so impersonal sometimes.

Take Care!
Tim C. :)
 

TedB

New member
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
2,141
Get the Doyle book. It's not perfect, but it is close. It is a must-have item if you have an interest in Marshalls.

Unfortunately, that tiny speaker wire is a perfect example of a dime saved in manufacturing costs that can ruin a dollar's worth of sound.

About the filtering, the manufacturers want the amps to be as quiet as possible, so they overfilter them. This dampens the clarity of the amp *and* puts a strain on the rectifier tube. With the correct filtering, the rectifier tubes last much longer and the amp sounds better.

As you can well see, I don't mind talking about this particular subject all day long......
 

60burst

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
2,854
Guys, let me introduce Ted B to those of you that don't know him? Ted is my English amp "expert". When my English amps don't sound right I ship them off to Ted and he sends them back to me screaming again. When Ted talks about the Marshall or any English amps it is a good idea to listen. He knows his English amps......He is also a great guy. (but doesn't know crap about Fender:lolspin ) :60burst
 

Dave Paetow

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
13,524
Now I just realized it is 'THAT" Ted B! Don't get him started on reissue Greenbacks...;]
 

TedB

New member
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
2,141
Admittedly I don't know squat about Fender, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.......
 
R

RICH

Guest
Too funny! Yeah I noticed the filter caps getting larger and larger over the years. I think they started at 16uf , went to 32uf and ended up at 50uf, or some shit like that. My other guitarist has a plexi 50, and it has the under the chassis M-80 looking caps of the smaller value, and that head screamed after we got done with it. His slightly later head with the larger value caps don't sound quite as good.
 
Last edited:
Top