FEATURE
Q&A.
3What is the most important Marshall amp in existence? Which model is it, where is it, and can I come play it? —
Roger Blocker, Santa Fe, New Mexico
It must be Number 1. It was a defining moment
in the history of Marshall—it set the Marshall
tone. Unfortunately, you cannot play it. However,
you are more than welcome to visit Marshall in
Bletchley, Milton Keynes, England, to have a
factory tour so you can see how we manufacture
our product. You can then visit the Marshall
museum, where Number 1 is on display. If you
would like, you could always play in our Marshall
theater on the stage that has seen the likes of
Gary Moore, Dave Mustaine, Zakk Wylde, Slash,
Kerry King, and Yngwie Malmsteen play, to
name but a few. —Jim and Paul Marshall
4Which amp is Jim Marshall’s favor- ite? You’re not supposed to have favorite children but I’m very curious as to whether or not a particular amp
is special to him and why. —Kelly McRae,
Carmel, California
I think the JCM 800 2203 is probably another
defining moment in the history of Marshall, so
it could be called one of my favorites. Also,
you might be aware that my (Jim Marshall) car
carries the private registration [license plate]
“JCM 800.” For many players, the 100-watt
2203 became the amp to have—and it still is
today. In fact, we still sell this amp as a reissue, and the Kerry King signature amp is a
2203, as well. —Jim Marshall
Another amp we are soon to launch, a second Slash signature, has an interesting story
behind it. It could be a 2203—or a 1959 or
a 1959T. Either way, the mod that was performed turned it into a modified 2203. I have
heard the prototype, and believe me when I
say it sounds amazing! —Paul Marshall
5On the back of some Marshall amps there are three bias test points. Is the middle point the ground? —Dave
Green, Deadwood, South Dakota and Bruce
Deuchars, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The center pin on the three-pin bias socket is at
the same potential as the chassis. The bias presets should be adjusted by a qualified engineer.
—Marshall Amplification Service Staff
6I would like to ask about the 4x12 cabs of the late ’60s and early ’70s— for me, that is the tone to die for.
Wasn’t there a cab loaded with 20-watt
Celestions speakers? Which model was
it? I’m thinking G12M. —Don Wingle,
Lakewood, Ohio
The 20-watt speakers were fitted to early
4x12s from 1963-64. —Marshall Amplification
Service Staff
7I own a 4x10 slanted cabinet with red Tolex. Can I still obtain parts spe- cific to this cabinet? (By the way, UR
AMPS F@$KIN RAWK!!!!) —Jay Spencer,
Longwood, Florida
Our service department carries a wide range of
replacement parts for our back catalog. When
we are unable to offer original components,
we can usually offer an alternative of similar or
often superior quality. I’d suggest you contact
our service department through our website,
marshallamps.com. —Paul Marshall
8I’m a really big fan of modern Marshalls, but are there any plans to reissue handwired versions of the
uber-classic Bluesbreaker combos and the
JTM45 head? I think those are the amps all
the “real” tone connoisseurs are waiting for.
I want one of each! —Mitch Keen, Swindon,
Wiltshire, United Kingdom
We still produce the 1962 (Bluesbreaker) and
2245 (JTM45), which are mainly handwired.
They contain a preloaded circuit board that is
then handwired to the valve bases, transformers, potentiometers, etc. With regard to a fully
handwired version, we are always striving to
bring products to market that are relevant to
our customers’ needs and wishes. So never say
never. —The Marshall staff
9You’ve done quite a few reissues of classic Marshall amplifiers over the years. Are you going to do a reissue
of the 200-watt Marshall Major? —Kevin
McKenna, West Covina, California
We don’t have any plans to reissue the
Marshall Major at this time. We are concentrating on developing our current range of
products and we are working very closely with
a number of artists on some very exciting new
products in the pipeline. —The Marshall staff
10I’m the proud owner of two Mode Four MF350 heads. Why was this amp discontinued? It’s
probably the best amp you guys have ever
made. —Mickey Thomas, Chicago, Illinois
Glad to hear that you are a proud owner of two
MF350s. We still make the MF350, although it
is now one of our special-order items that can
be ordered from the factory in Bletchley, Milton
Keynes, England. —The Marshall staff
Next month
For next month’s “Go Ahead and Ask,” click here
to head to premierguitar.com/goaheadandask and
let us know what questions you’d like to ask pickup
pioneer Larry DiMarzio.
www.premierguitar.com
PREMIER GUITAR AUGUST 2010 43
