HawkeyeKane
2614 posts
Sep 11, 2014
10:54 AM
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Let's face it...Marshall amps have never had a big constituency among harp players. Why? Well...first answer that springs to mind, is that they're high gain which is a major feedback contributor, they're designed to deliver a beefy crunch to guitar signal, and they often come loaded with speakers that aren't at the top of typical wishlists.
The one Marshall in my mind that would prove to be an exception with the right tube swaps and speakers is the one that started it all: the JTM45. After all, it's a hot-rodded 5F6A circuit designed to run on KT's or 5881's with about 10 to 15 fewer watts out the door.
The only reference I found on the forum after a search that gave a favorable mention to the JTM45 said this:
"I only got rid (of my Classic 30) because I was playing guitar and got a Marshall jtm45 for that. The Marshall has turned out to have a sweet harp sound by the way, but then it is rumoured to be a Bassman copy with less watts!!"
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/495077.htm
Well....its no rumor. It's pretty much common knowledge in the amp world that Marshall and Mesa/Boogie based their first amp designs off of existing Fender amps. The 45 has been around since '62 and seen a lot of different tweaks, like the Bluesbreaker in '65. And I've seen and heard harp players playing on amps from Marshall's direct domestic competitor Laney.
So...has anyone ever given a JTM45 or a Bluesbreaker a try? If so...what were the results? I'm pretty interested to know about this. I've never been a huge Marshall fan myself, but the JTM45 is probably the one exception for me.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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barbequebob
2701 posts
Sep 11, 2014
11:33 AM
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The very early JTM45's were essentially a UK poor man's copy of a '59 Bassman because at the time, Fender amps were way too expensive for the average person living in the UK. Those are the only Marshall amps I'd use for harp. The tone controls work the way that most Fender tube amps works, being passive tone controls and the later ones use active tone controls, which works very differently.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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HawkeyeKane
2615 posts
Sep 11, 2014
11:39 AM
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See Bob, I only thought they loaded active tones for a couple of years in the 45...like 67 and 68...and then they went back to passive. And then the 100W models got the active EQ's in them...?
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Goldbrick
679 posts
Sep 11, 2014
3:26 PM
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I have used the Bluesbreaker for guitar and its a very, very nice amp.
I have not tried it for harp- having no reason for that kind of volume.
I cant see what advantage it would have over a Bassman for harp and it is twice the price.
Fenders are also a lot more sturdy imho .
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