Which Marshall?

[jeffp]

Check out the SV20. And a Weber Mass attenuator. I have a Mass 100 for my ‘65 Bassman and a Mini Mass for the SV20.

What do you oldtime rockers think about the jcm 2203x?
The 59HW is preordered but may be months and who knows i’m told maybe much longer!

 

[79 2203]

What do you oldtime rockers think about the jcm 2203x?
The 59HW is preordered but may be months and who knows i’m told maybe much longer!

I’ve also got a stock 79 JMP 2203, so basically a vintage version of the 2203x. I can get it to sound really close to my 71 1987 and you’d probably not be able to tell them apart in a recording, but in the room, through the same cab, the NMV is noticeably more vintage, raw, warmer, and responsive.
OTOH I’ve found the 2203’s I’ve owned(79,80,82 and a Ceriatone clone) to be a little more instantly gratifying and to be less fussy with speakers and boosts.

Go with the 1959/87 and decent attenuator. Most of your guitar heroes used NMV amps and most of them used stock amps. By the time you got the the MV era(76 onwards)the music was getting heavier and amps were just as likely to be heavily boosted or modded.

 

[scozz]

What do you oldtime rockers think about the jcm 2203x?
The 59HW is preordered but may be months and who knows i’m told maybe much longer!

I was going to suggest a 2303, great amp more manageable than a1987 or 1959 ime.

A little dialing in and it’ll capture those 70s Rock tones quite well,…. and more too, imo.

 

[Mike_LA]

Marshall 6101
'nuf said!
​

Seriously, it was my first Marshall and I've rarely gassed for anything else...

 

[jeffp]

These are both very good comments. Very interesting and a lot to think through. Thanks sincerely!

 

[jeffp]

I’ve also got a stock 79 JMP 2203, so basically a vintage version of the 2203x. I can get it to sound really close to my 71 1987 and you’d probably not be able to tell them apart in a recording, but in the room, through the same cab, the NMV is noticeably more vintage, raw, warmer, and responsive.
OTOH I’ve found the 2203’s I’ve owned(79,80,82 and a Ceriatone clone) to be a little more instantly gratifying and to be less fussy with speakers and boosts.

Go with the 1959/87 and decent attenuator. Most of your guitar heroes used NMV amps and most of them used stock amps. By the time you got the the MV era(76 onwards)the music was getting heavier and amps were just as likely to be heavily boosted or modded.

through which cab and speakers ?

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

Just get an Origin , it will be spot on for your needs. There’s no need to spend loads for a very debatable improvement in the tone you seek .

Origin 50. Head or combo. I have the combo but would have preferred the head plus a 4x12 cabinet.

Both the head and the combo comewith a three way power level switch - 50, 20 or 5 watts, plus a master volume. It also has a presence and tilt (going from Channel 1 to Channel 2 blending) control, an FX loop, and a footswitch with one button to turn the FX loop on or off and a second button to boost the gain.

 

[FleshOnGear]

My $0.02 - if you want open, percussive, and punchy, get a 1959. If you want more midrange grind, and don’t mind a bit less headroom, get a 1987. Both are loud AF and an attenuator will be needed with either one. If you’re seriously considering a 1959HW, you can probably find a vintage hand wired metal panel for around the same price. Just a thought. Good luck!

 

[Ufoscorpion]

Origin 50. Head or combo. I have the combo but would have preferred the head plus a 4x12 cabinet.

Both the head and the combo comewith a three way power level switch - 50, 20 or 5 watts, plus a master volume. It also has a presence and tilt (going from Channel 1 to Channel 2 blending) control, an FX loop, and a footswitch with one button to turn the FX loop on or off and a second button to boost the gain.

I’ve got the head , but use a 1922 cab loaded with t1281’s .

 

[Dean Swindell]

Help me decide. I’m an old time rock n roller! And quite proud of it. I’m an ol timer too. I’ve been playing off and on all my adult life . Love and still live in 70’s rock! Think Led Zep, Cream,Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd,Allman’s ,Doobies yall know what i’m talking about.All the good stuff!I need one good Marshall! 1959 HW, or 1987x? Volume is not an issue if it can be kept in check (only)when necessary ? I want to hear that Marshall Roar! What do you say? Which is this amp?

 

[Dean Swindell]

Help me decide. I’m an old time rock n roller! And quite proud of it. I’m an ol timer too. I’ve been playing off and on all my adult life . Love and still live in 70’s rock! Think Led Zep, Cream,Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd,Allman’s ,Doobies yall know what i’m talking about.All the good stuff!I need one good Marshall! 1959 HW, or 1987x? Volume is not an issue if it can be kept in check (only)when necessary ? I want to hear that Marshall Roar! What do you say? Which is this amp?

There's a few things at play here. I've had a couple 2204, and now have a hand built Granger 1987 and a PRS HDRX 20. I'm 62 and I can say the PRS is quite loud, has the 60s/70s sound and the 20 is the only one that comes with a master volume. The Granger, I had to keep modding it to where it almost resembles a JTM 50 to where the high end isn't a public nuisance and it does sound good. Without and messing around I'd just bet you'd be really happy with a 2204. After about seven different Marshalls and Marshall types I wish I'd just stuck with that one. But I strongly urge you to go to a store and try a DSL 100hr before you buy anything.

 

[Digby68]

I have the 1959HW, an original JCM800 that Jim Marshall talked me into buying in the 80s and the SV20H. The 1959HW is just about perfect for old-school rock. I play lead in an AC/DC Tribute band in Scotland. For smaller gigs I use the SV20H (vol on 8) and through a 2x12 with G12m 25w greenbacks. For larger gigs the 1959HW through a 1960ax 4x12 again with G12m 25w greenbacks. The amp is on 7 or 8 and it sings. For the 1959HW I use a Fryette PS-100 and it works great. I've also got the Origin 50 head Nd it sounds OK but not a patch on the plexi.

 

[Dale Faulkner]

Help me decide. I’m an old time rock n roller! And quite proud of it. I’m an ol timer too. I’ve been playing off and on all my adult life . Love and still live in 70’s rock! Think Led Zep, Cream,Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd,Allman’s ,Doobies yall know what i’m talking about.All the good stuff!I need one good Marshall! 1959 HW, or 1987x? Volume is not an issue if it can be kept in check (only)when necessary ? I want to hear that Marshall Roar! What do you say? Which is this amp?

Oh man both those amps are killer!! Sorry can’t choose one over the other

 

[neikeel]

I'm going to be controversial and say a good original vintage JTM45 running KT66s into a T1281 equipped 4x12 plugged straight in, no attenuation is really hard to beat for the tones you describe
Channel 1 on 7, unused channel 2 on 5
Bass 1, Middle 8, Treble 8, Presence to taste
It is loud, ballsy and has great dynamics with a decent guitar and will still need ear plugs but you can be in the same room.
Bear in mind I have or have had every iteration of JMP100 (lead and bass) JTM100 lead and bass, JTM45/100, 2203, 2204, JCM800.
A JMP100 (1959HW) will be the business and can be bought new and will need a good attenuator (I have an Alex, a Sequist Motherload Elemental and a Hotplate but there are other good/better new ones out there although I am agnostic on reampers).
I have kept my 45, a couple of 45/100s and JMP50 (lead). I have three attenuators.
The 45/100s are fab but need attenuation to have a little more balls but almost as make minimal difference. Of course all of our experiences and needs are different and not all vintage JTM45s are in 100% order!

 

[79 2203]

through which cab and speakers ?

Both the 71 1987 and 79 2203 sound best through either of my 68 straight cabs with Pulsonic 25 watt Greenbacks. They are crucial for the late 60’s/early 70’s vintage sounds I go for.

But I tend to leave the 2203 hooked up to my 77 slant with the original 55hz 30 watt Blackbacks on top and V30’s on bottom. A little punchier, scooped and more aggressive. Still can get much of the old school vibe but can nail the later 70’s/early 80’s hard rock and classic metal.

 

[jeffp]

Both the 71 1987 and 79 2203 sound best through either of my 68 straight cabs with Pulsonic 25 watt Greenbacks. They are crucial for the late 60’s/early 70’s vintage sounds I go for.

But I tend to leave the 2203 hooked up to my 77 slant with the original 55hz 30 watt Blackbacks on top and V30’s on bottom. A little punchier, scooped and more aggressive. Still can get much of the old school vibe but can nail the later 70’s/early 80’s hard rock and classic metal.

I am kinda sorta well no definitely looking at the 1960TV cab and looking for thoughts on that if i got the 1987x ?

 

[79 2203]

I am kinda sorta well no definitely looking at the 1960TV cab and looking for thoughts on that if i got the 1987x ?

I haven’t played through a TV cab but I’ve heard a band mates and have owned a couple of 1960ax cabs with those speakers and they will definitely get you in the ballpark.

 

[jamvu]

Help me decide. I’m an old time rock n roller! And quite proud of it. I’m an ol timer too. I’ve been playing off and on all my adult life . Love and still live in 70’s rock! Think Led Zep, Cream,Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd,Allman’s ,Doobies yall know what i’m talking about.All the good stuff!I need one good Marshall! 1959 HW, or 1987x? Volume is not an issue if it can be kept in check (only)when necessary ? I want to hear that Marshall Roar! What do you say? Which is this amp?

Well, if you have the scratch, a plexi will do, but if you are just a lug like me, a 1980's Vertical Input will serve just fine.

Jamvu

 

[mallcorn]

Help me decide. I’m an old time rock n roller! And quite proud of it. I’m an ol timer too. I’ve been playing off and on all my adult life . Love and still live in 70’s rock! Think Led Zep, Cream,Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd,Allman’s ,Doobies yall know what i’m talking about.All the good stuff!I need one good Marshall! 1959 HW, or 1987x? Volume is not an issue if it can be kept in check (only)when necessary ? I want to hear that Marshall Roar! What do you say? Which is this amp?

Actually there are three choices - 1959HW, 1987x, or SV20. They all three sound pretty much the same. The 1959HW is capable of more clean headroom with a stronger balanced bass thru treble clean sound with less breakup than the 1987x or SV20. It will need a PSII or MV to control the ripping loud volume if you are not using pedal for breakup. The 1987x sound a little sweeter during breakup, and the SV20 is a lower headroom version of the 1959HW.

It really comes down to how much size and weight you will tolerate moving around. Any three will need the same speaker cab preferably a 4x12. The other factor is 100 watt versus 50 or 20 as the 1959HW locks you into a 100watt cab unless you are using a PSII or similar. The 1987x and SV20 can play thru more 2x12 options as some of these cabs may have speaker ratings of 50watt instead of 100watt.

For me I chose the 1959HW but also own the SV20 because it was such an easy head to deal with I couldn't live without it but refuse to get rid of the 1959HW. Unless A/B'ing these you really can't tell the difference. So no matter which you chose, you will get the sound you are hunting..

 

[jeffp]

Actually there are three choices - 1959HW, 1987x, or SV20. They all three sound pretty much the same. The 1959HW is capable of more clean headroom with a stronger balanced bass thru treble clean sound with less breakup than the 1987x or SV20. It will need a PSII or MV to control the ripping loud volume if you are not using pedal for breakup. The 1987x sound a little sweeter during breakup, and the SV20 is a lower headroom version of the 1959HW.

It really comes down to how much size and weight you will tolerate moving around. Any three will need the same speaker cab preferably a 4x12. The other factor is 100 watt versus 50 or 20 as the 1959HW locks you into a 100watt cab unless you are using a PSII or similar. The 1987x and SV20 can play thru more 2x12 options as some of these cabs may have speaker ratings of 50watt instead of 100watt.

For me I chose the 1959HW but also own the SV20 because it was such an easy head to deal with I couldn't live without it but refuse to get rid of the 1959HW. Unless A/B'ing these you really can't tell the difference. So no matter which you chose, you will get the sound you are hunting..

and then there’s a jcm 800 2203x and a1960AX cab!