- Marshall JTM 45
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The Marshall JTM 45 is the first guitar amplifier made by Marshall. First produced in 1962, it has been called a "seminal" amplifier,[1] and is praised as the most desirable of all the company's amplifiers.[2]
Contents
History
The JTM 45 was first built in 1962, handmade in an all-aluminum chassis, by Ken Bran and Dudley Craven. Because of its power, Marshall decided early on to build it as a head, with a separate 4x12" cabinet with Celestion speakers. The amplifier itself was based on the Fender Bassman. It uses KT66 tubes (though early versions had used US 5881, a version of the 6L6[3]), and 12AX7 tubes (known in Britain as ECC83) in the pre-amplification stage.[2]
Significant differences between the Bassman and the JTM include the all-aluminum chassis (it is less susceptible to hum than a steel chassis), a 12AX7 valve as the first in the chain (the Bassman has a 12AY7), the Celestion speakers with a closed cabinet (compared to open-backed Jensen speakers), and a modified feedback circuit which affects the harmonics produced by the amplifier. As Ken Bran later said, "The JTM also had different harmonic content, and this was due to the large amount of feedback I had given it."[4] The amp was also available as a bass (which lacked a "bright" switch) and a PA version.[4]
By the mid 1960s, the JTM 45 had become so popular that it began to supplant the ubiquitous Vox amps, even their AC50, though it was just as powerful.[5]
In late 1965, Marshall introduced its now standard script lettering, in white, and by early 1966 it began calling the amplifiers "JTM 50".[4] Some 100 early models had red lettering; these are especially collectible.[2] Other cosmetic changes included a gradual switch to different knobs. The JTM 45 became the basis for many subsequent Marshalls, most notably the Bluesbreaker.[6] It ceased being produced in 1966, but was reissued in 1989, though with a modern printed circuit board and 6L6 valves.[4]
Name, numbering
The first JTM 45s did not have the standard Marshall number that later amps had; not until 1965 did the models that derived from the JTM 45 receive numbers.[4]
Model number Watts Dates Features Notes - 45 1962-1964 2 channels, 4 inputs Also available in bass and PA versions 1963 50 1965-1966 4 channels, 8 inputs PA version; "JTM50 MK III" 1985 45 1965-1966 2 channels, 4 inputs PA version of JTM50 MK II 1986 45 1965-1966 High treble and normal channels Bass version of JTM50 MK II 1987 45 1965-1966 High treble and normal channels Lead version of JTM50 MK II; also with tremolo as Model T1987 1989 45 1965-1966 For electronic organs Also with tremolo as Model T1989 JTM 45 45 1989 - 2 channels, 4 inputs Reissue of original JTM45 (1987) Sound
For all of its differences with the Bassman, the sound of the JTM 45 is still described as "like a tweed Fender"; it has more sag and less crunch than the later Marshalls, and is favored for blues and rock rather than for hard rock and metal.[7] The JTM 45 does not deliver the famous Marshall "crunch" that became so sought after.[8]
Notable users
- Angus Young (live, Young has a JTM 45 in an isolation box under the stage)[9][10]
- Gary Moore (reissue)[11]
References
- ^ Hunter, Dave (2005). Guitar rigs: classic guitar & amp combinations. Hal Leonard. p. Back cover. ISBN 9780879308513. http://books.google.com/books?id=p1-kULtG9tgC&pg=PA134.
- ^ a b c Pittman, Aspen (2003). The Tube Amp Book. Hal Leonard. pp. 66, 68–69. ISBN 9780879307677. http://books.google.com/books?id=JT1I7Ld76YsC&pg=PA68.
- ^ Hunter, Dave (2005). Guitar rigs: classic guitar & amp combinations. Hal Leonard. p. 111. ISBN 9780879308513. http://books.google.com/books?id=p1-kULtG9tgC&pg=PA111.
- ^ a b c d e Doyle, Michael (1993). "The JTM Series 1962-1966". The history of Marshall: the illustrated story of "the sound of rock". Hal Leonard. pp. 17–22. ISBN 9780793525096. http://books.google.com/books?id=E90tMBs9_FEC&pg=PA21.
- ^ Hunter, Dave (2005). Guitar rigs: classic guitar & amp combinations. Hal Leonard. p. 102. ISBN 9780879308513.
- ^ Batey, Rick (2003). American Blues Guitar: An Illustrated History. Hal Leonard. p. 106. ISBN 9780634027598. http://books.google.com/books?id=10PtO6eF12UC&pg=PA106.
- ^ Hunter, Dave (2005). The guitar amp handbook: understanding tube amplifiers and getting great sounds. Hal Leonard. pp. 75–76. ISBN 9780879308636. http://books.google.com/books?id=N9hAviH6gqEC&pg=PA75.
- ^ Hunter, Dave (2005). Guitar rigs: classic guitar & amp combinations. Hal Leonard. p. 134. ISBN 9780879308513. http://books.google.com/books?id=p1-kULtG9tgC&pg=PA134.
- ^ Prown, Pete; Lisa Sharken (2003). Gear Secrets of the Guitar Legends: How to Sound Like Your Favorite Players. Hal Leonard. p. 2. ISBN 9780879307516. http://books.google.com/books?id=vqQjuzPrqIwC&pg=PA2.
- ^ Newquist, H. P.; Rich Maloof (2004). The hard rock masters. Hal Leonard. pp. 23–24. ISBN 9780879308131. http://books.google.com/books?id=nOKYUcPvysMC&pg=PA23.
- ^ Prown, Pete; Lisa Sharken (2003). Gear Secrets of the Guitar Legends: How to Sound Like Your Favorite Players. Hal Leonard. p. 10. ISBN 9780879307516. http://books.google.com/books?id=vqQjuzPrqIwC&pg=PA10.
Marshall Amplification By name By model number Model 1959 · Model 1961 · Model 1962 · Model 1963 · Model 1966 · Model 1967 · Model 1978 · Model 1985 · Model 1986 · Model 1987 · Model 1989 · Model 2203 · Model 2204 · Model 2210Categories:- Instrument amplifiers
- Marshall amplifiers
- Valve amplifiers
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