Question about Marshall amps

[like children]

I been thinking of getting a lower wattage marshall head. I am looking at the JTM 45 or 1987x models. Does anybody own these or knoww much about them? Can you get a good clean sound from these at a decent volume? Any and all info greatly appreciated?

[GUITARmole]

You can get an OK clean tone out of them at lower volumes but not really a great "Fender" clean...it always seems to have a little bit of 'hair' and is always semi-clean.  Where they're great is when cranked...they get a crunch you can't really get out of any other amp in my opinion.

The JTM45 is a best bet for clean tones if for no other reason due to the output tubes alone.  6L6s break up less and have tighter sound and more headroom than EL34s.

I've got a JTM45, a 1987x, and a '67 spec 100W and they're all great but all very different...

The 1974x Marshalls are very popular if you want lower volume and you might be able to coax some decent clean tones out of the EL84s.

It would help to know more about what sound you're wanting to get and what guitar you're using.

[Superfuzz]

Nels Cline uses a JTM45 live with wilco, right?

[like children]

You can get an OK clean tone out of them at lower volumes but not really a great "Fender" clean...it always seems to have a little bit of 'hair' and is always semi-clean.  Where they're great is when cranked...they get a crunch you can't really get out of any other amp in my opinion.

The JTM45 is a best bet for clean tones if for no other reason due to the output tubes alone.  6L6s break up less and have tighter sound and more headroom than EL34s.

I've got a JTM45, a 1987x, and a '67 spec 100W and they're all great but all very different...

The 1974x Marshalls are very popular if you want lower volume and you might be able to coax some decent clean tones out of the EL84s.

It would help to know more about what sound you're wanting to get and what guitar you're using.

I would mostly be using my jazzmaster. As far as sound I want something that sounds good clean and can be pushed really easy with fuzz pedals.

[like children]

Nels Cline uses a JTM45 live with wilco, right?

I didn't know that. When I saw Nels in november he was using a peavey 1x12 and don't know what kind of amp he was using. It looked like an A.M. radio or somthing.

[GUITARmole]

I think from what you're describing you want a JTM45...or at least an early-spec 50W or 100W ('67-68' plexi).

I don't think you'd be happy with any of the reissues OTHER than maybe the JTM45 or the 1974x.  The other Marshall reissues are more of a post '69 spec and they have more gain and sound thinner at lower volumes (even w/ the "bright cap" removed).

I just finished building a 100W that was based on a 1967' plexi (1967 being the year not the model number) and it sounds quite a bit different from the later '69+ models.  Even with EL34s it's cleaner, has better bass response, and sounds really good with single coil pickups.  Plug in a Strat and you've got instant early Hendrix...you can roll down the volume knob and get those glassy chimey clean tones.  In contrast if you plug a Strat into a 69'+ spec amp you usually get icepick treble and the overdrive has a buzzy harsh overtone.  When I was building it I cross referenced it with the schematic of a high powered Tweed Twin and found it was essentially the SAME circuit except with EL34s instead of 6L6s.  Anyway, it has a cleaner...more of a JTM45 sound.  It also takes pedals well (like the JTM45) and (like the JTM45) lets the tone of the guitar wood shine through.  Later amps tend to make all guitars sound similar and overdrive pedals don't add much character...in my opinion of course   The ultimate amp for you would probably be the spec edition Hendrix JTM45/100 that Marshall came out with but it's waaaaaay too much $$.  If I was in the market for a new "Marshall" I'd personally go with one of the boutique clones (Metroamp, Brownnote, etc) over the Marshall for both cost savings and tone...again just my overly opinionated 2 cents.

[like children]

thanx.

[GUITARmole]

thanx.

Also...don't forget that if you're looking for CLEAN...lower watts might not be best.  You get more clean headroom with a higher powered amp.  Also (really) a 45/50W isn't THAT much louder than a cranked 18W and a 100W isn't really a bunch louder than a 50W.  In other words double the power doesn't even nearly equal double the volume due to the logrithmic scale.

[northern_dirt]

thanx.

Also...don't forget that if you're looking for CLEAN...lower watts might not be best.  You get more clean headroom with a higher powered amp.  Also (really) a 45/50W isn't THAT much louder than a cranked 18W and a 100W isn't really a bunch louder than a 50W.  In other words double the power doesn't even nearly equal double the volume due to the logrithmic scale.

yesh.. people forget that 100 watts is only twice as loud as 10

[like children]

thanx.

Also...don't forget that if you're looking for CLEAN...lower watts might not be best.  You get more clean headroom with a higher powered amp.  Also (really) a 45/50W isn't THAT much louder than a cranked 18W and a 100W isn't really a bunch louder than a 50W.  In other words double the power doesn't even nearly equal double the volume due to the logrithmic scale.

yesh.. people forget that 100 watts is only twice as loud as 10

[blacktiger]

Don't forget the Bluesbreaker and 20 watt reissues.  Basically, these are variations on the JTM45 (BB) and 1974 (20 watt), but offer slightly different flavors.

[Just A Dude 2o8]

i hear Ceriatonetone makes some killer Marshall clones..i might get myself one of those jtm45s.

[like children]

i hear Ceriatonetone makes some killer Marshall clones..i might get myself one of those jtm45s.

I've been lokking at those also. Kinda figured all this advice applies to clones too.