AMPLIFIER- MARSHALL JMP50 (model1987) ...balz & tone and a 'goldilox' level

 MARSHALL JMP50 model 1987 

In the early 70's the Marquee Club in London UK was the place where the 'next big deal' bands played. In fact when a band was signed the celebration gig and party was at the Marquee. I met a lot of big name guys there. On one occasion Ron Wood was playing in his 'hobby band'. Yes he had such a band. They played straight blues. The band had a total Clapton on the Beano album vibe. He played a Gibson LP standard thru a Marshall JMP 50. He even played like early Clapton. He never used that side of him in the Stones.

I talked to him about the amp and as he said it ls the perfect amp for the backline as it is never too loud or not loud enough in the mix when only the singing is going thru the frontline. Or as I always think of it I can not drown out the drummer and he can not drowned out me, lol.

The JMP 50 was the first of the what I think of as a Real Plexi. It's predecessor is the JMT 45 which has only a few changes from a Fender Bassman. The power tubes were virtually the equivalent of the U.S. 6L6 as opposed to the truly Brit EL34's in the JCM 50. This and the 100 watt Super lead (model 1959) are what changed Rock forever!

Anyhow after Ron Wood's advice I bought a mint condition '69 head for about $300.00 USD from the Boosey & Hawkes store the next day:-) I have owned 3 over the years. Even the new ones are great. Mildly tighter and brighter. Add a touch more lows and cut back the highs just a bit and it sounds like an old one. On a recording old or new they simply sound like a JMP 50. If you get a new one you can have them biased 'cold' like the old ones. NOT recommended. They still sound great with a attenuator. I use one as the small clubs are pretty anal about levels.

Yes they are $2700.00 USD new. F.lng ouch! So used is the way to go. Even so I think better than $2000.00 USD for a good condition one is your best hope.

NOTE

The new ORIGIN 50 head is very close. A bit less lows and a bit rougher sounding dimed. At about 8 which where the tone is the difference is less again.

Marshall use a microfarad 1 on the first cathode if you get a tech to swap it for a 10 or bit higher then you will be stupid close to the 1987.

In a band just stock will sound killer and on record your sound will be 

changed on every tune to fit the song. So I would grab the ORIGIN 50 at 

$550.00 USD. You can then wait for a deal on a JCM50.