Marshalls that aged poorly… or at least “less gracefully”

[V-man]

Context is crucial to this, so let me frame the question as follows…

Given easy access to DSL variants, Origins, etc. for decisively low(er) prices, which Marshalls make much less sense to purchase given their prices, (potential) need for service and what that amp delivers in exchange?

I believe a clear example of this would be the JCM 800 Channel Switchers 2205/10 and counterpart combos.

Their prices come out well ahead of DSL/JCM 2000s as well as 900s by virtue of the 800 namesake. They can offer a perfectly good tone (true of any mid-tier and above Marshall), but I don’t foresee a consensus supporting a contention that you can’t do better or = on a DSL variant or some (if not all) 900 circuits, making it more of a collection item than an amp worth a “vintage premium” as opposed to old gear. This is compounded by channel issues on some of these amps and (IIRC) a now-unobtainable switching relay should the one on board go bad.

I foresee potential for a heated debate over 900s in particular and even an argument or two on more venerated circuits based on the prices, but I am interested to hear which amps you feel have not aged as gracefully for what must be invested into them, and what your reasons are.

 

[tallcoolone]

Any Marshall combo

 

[jeffb]

Any Marshall combo

Except for perhaps the Bluesbreaker.

 

[jeffb]

Definitely the 22xx channel switchers.

The Slash 25xx whatevers.

30th Anniversary.

 

[playloud]

Any Marshall combo

The 2104s still seem like a good deal in the UK.

My pick would be the 70s PCB NMV JMP heads in general. They tend to go for more than a 1959HW or quality clone, and by that point, the transformer quality had deteriorated enough that current production Marshall stuff is similar and the boutique-wound stuff is better.

 

[V-man]

Definitely the 22xx channel switchers.

The Slash 25xx whatevers.

I am assuming you’re referring to mid-90’s Slash Jubilees by virtue of the 2555X, 2525, and original 2550/5 Jubilees… not the AFD sig amp. The Slash model Jubilee was 2555 only.

30th Anniversary.

100% collector’s amp with a cringeworthy bench fee if a gremlin had to be traced. I suppose the counterpoint might be that it was the only “successfully-executed” multi-channel Marshall until the JVM came around (and was arguably improved by JS borrowing off the 6100).

 

[V-man]

The 2104s still seem like a good deal in the UK.

My pick would be the 70s PCB JMP heads in general.

That sounds like you contradicted yourself with all the 50W MV JMPs, unless 4104s etc. from the JCM era are sold extremely cheaply in the UK compared to their JMP counterparts.

 

[playloud]

That sounds like you contradicted yourself with all the 50W MV JMPs, unless 4104s etc. from the JCM era are sold extremely cheaply in the UK compared to their JMP counterparts.

Good catch. I meant the NMV amps (e.g. 1974 Super Leads). It seems crazy that people ask >US$2000 for these!

The JMP 2104s I was referring to are <£1000.

 

[jeffb]

I am assuming you’re referring to mid-90’s Slash Jubilees by virtue of the 2555X, 2525, and original 2550/5 Jubilees… not the AFD sig amp. The Slash model Jubilee was 2555 only.

I mean the Slash sig version, I just did not know the exact model designation. I guess at the time it was a big deal, but now with the resurgence of RIs, Minis, and fairly reasonable prices for original actual 25ths, its pretty much a collector's piece as well.