The JTM45 Reissue’s modern construction methods.
JOHNNY, TONY AND STEVE,
About 5 years ago, while playing a 9/11 benefit
show, I had the good fortune to meet two people
AKA THE JTS CLUB
who would not only profoundly impact my life
with tube amps, but would become lifelong
friends. John Rossi and Tony Burns were there
that day; Tony, a killer player and a regular on
the Tempe/Phoenix music scene, and Johnny, his
friend and amp tech, making sure Tony’s amps
were running well in 115 degree heat at the
outdoor amphitheater. When I saw Tony’s wall of
Marshalls next to my backline of Marshalls, it was
an instant conversation starter.
We spent time between sets that day discussing
the various finer points of our amps and gawking
at each other’s rigs. The show went great but my
’ 67 Super P.A. felt a bit stiff, and wasn’t reacting
in the most flattering way. This incident proved to
be the catalyst, as Johnny was an underground
semi-retired tech and ultra-fanatic Marshall enthusiast, and he had some ideas that he wanted to try
out. He invited me over the following Sunday to
check out the amp, and to experiment with various
preamp and power amp tubes while BBQ-ing and
having a beer. Tony was there, and it became clear
that we all had a deep respect for these amps;
rather than modify them, we wanted to bring
them back to their former glory. After five years,
and dozens of hacked-up Marshalls coming back
from the dead, here we are. Over that time we’ve
learned more about these amazing amps than any
of us ever anticipated, and we’ve have had a blast
in the process. I have no doubt in my mind, based
on my readings of the various amp forums, that
there are plenty of groups just like us all over the
world doing the same thing.
