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My drummer's brother has a Marshall he is thinking about selling. I haven't seen it and the only info I have is...

50w Mark 2 Lead
Serial Number: S/A 01419J

What do you know about this amp? Is it likely to be a 2204 JMP or 2204 JCM800? Or were there any non-MV Mark 2s?

Any ideas on UK market value?

I'm supposed to be offering advice to help the guy sell it, but obviously I'm wondering whether I should jump on it.

I'm guessing mid-late 70's JMP MkII 2204......

Hmmm, looking at this page on serial numbers I reckon it's from '77, which probably makes it a JMP 50w MV.

from : localhost/no. The wife would kill me.

I used to run 2204 MV amps back in the day. Great amps, very crunchy. Perfect for classic rock.

aaaaaargh! i love those amps lol - depending on condition, they're between ?250 and ?350 from what i've seen!

jump on it! they're not that expensive, but they are quite hard to find!

tom

Yup, that's a 1977 50w JMP. Now, if it's a single channel MV, it's most likely the 2204. If it's a single channel NMV, then it's most likely the 1987 Lead.

Here's some more info on the MkII amps: Marshall Arts - MkII Series 50 Watt Models

And some here: Dr. Tube - Marshall Info

Snatch it up Bro!

Those things are getting harder and harder to find for a decent price (at least here in the states) and sound fantastic...MV or NMV. I had a 2x12 combo version and had I not been a stupid kid who didn't know any better, I'd still have it.

what is it, a combo or a head?

tom


Originally Posted by ErikHHere's some more info on the MkII amps: Marshall Arts - MkII Series 50 Watt Models

And some here: Dr. Tube - Marshall Info

Thanks for the links.Originally Posted by JeffB

I had a 2x12 combo version and had I not been a stupid kid who didn't know any better, I'd still have it.

Me too! I bought one new in 1980. Sounded great. Sold it in '84. Originally Posted by Impwhat is it, a combo or a head?

tom

50w head and 4x12 cab. I know they sound great, but I've already got my Jubilee. Don't know if I can justify keeping two. In any case I wouldn't want the 4x12 - too old and unfit for one of those!

Yngwie Malmsteen uses it. So don't think and jump on it...

Jubilees are cool no doubt (and a great investment!)..and more versatile...but for me..tonewise...no comparison....JMP with a good goose can do anything the Jubilee can, and sound better doing it...IMO of course.

Hopefully, it'll have EL-34's, not 6550's. And if it's in great condition, it'll rise in value.

Just put some JJ E-34L's and JJ ECC803S's in it. That'll fatten it up nicely.

*Intersted party I am in case it gets sold*


Originally Posted by JeffBJubilees are cool no doubt (and a great investment!)..and more versatile...but for me..tonewise...no comparison....

Yeah, that's my gut feeling too. My old JMP MV combo sounded great. I haven't played anything in recent years (even the Jube!) that nails that tone. Damn, I may have to make the guy an offer.

MkII MV JMP's (50w and 100w) were the amp of choice with just about all the local guitar players I know (including myself - I've owned 3 2203's in the past!!). Back in the day, everyone pushed the front end with a tubescreamer to get the classic 80's rock/metal sound. Probably the last of the affordable classic Marshalls and great amps. How much is it up for Simon??


Originally Posted by Rocker35How much is it up for Simon??

I don't think that's been decided yet.

My drummer mentioned to me that his brother is thinking about selling it. I suspect it's not been used for a few years and is cluttering up the house! What do you think the head and cab are worth, assuming they're in good unmodded condition?


Originally Posted by Simon_FWhat do you think the head and cab are worth, assuming they're in good unmodded condition?

What they are worth and what you'd be willing to pay are most likely two totally different amounts. If they are dead mint condition, unmodded, they can fetch a very high dollar. The chance of it being dead mint are pretty much nill though. Some on eBay are anywhere from $700 USD to over $2000 USD. The one for over $2K is hardly worth it considering it's condition though. The cab, those prices are all over the place. For them it boils down to the condition of the cab itself, not really what year it is.

Check them out to evaluate the condition, test it out to make sure she works well and then go from there. Ask when the last time it was retubed, and what is in it now.

You should get it if you can. 77 was the from the era of the low plate voltage 50's. The 50 watt models ran about 390-400 volts to the plates, so they had a warmer, creamier, softer response. However, if the filter caps are spent it may sound overly soft and flabby, and a lot of people just quit using them over time.

In such cases the amp can be restored to like new performance fairly easy, and you may be able to pick up the head rather cheap.

A 77 cab for a 50 watt head will probably have quot;black backquot; G12M25 speakers. Regardlees of the color of the speaker magnet they are most likely either 25watt or maybe 30 watt G12's (assuming it has the original speakers) eqivilant to early 70's quot;Greenbacksquot;. If the (original) speakers and cab are in good shape, then the cab is worth a lot of money, perhaps twice that of the head. I know of a single 78 checker grill 4x12 cab with the 25 watt speakers that is priced at IIRC $1200. You can't replace the quality of the wood from that period, and reissue greenbacks don't sound as good as the original run of 25 watt speakers.

Just a guess but, the head and cab together could probably bring $1600 on the open market if it's in good shape and has 25 watt or 30 watt Celestions.

These are great amps with serviced tubes and filter caps. They don't really come alive untill you get em nice and loud, despite the MV, but the tone is wonderful once you get em loud.

The four input (non master) JMP 50's are just about as good as the early metal panel amps sonically imo, if your lucky enough for it to be one of these.

There was an amp head called the quot;artistquot; from the 70's that was designed for cleans, and although it has reverb, it doesn't have a good reputation among Marshall fans.

I'm with LPBLues...grab the cab too if it's from the same period....those 25W celestions *the* Marshall speaker AFAIC...better than 20s, 75s, and V30s...they have that warm woody tone without the piercing high mids of the 30s, scooped mids of the 20s or quot;buzzquot; of the 75s (I still like the 75s better than 30s tho in general).

That rig..JMP (MV or NMV) will def be one of the best you can get for Marshall tone, IMO...I'm a bit of an oddball in that I prefer the later metalfaces and JMP sound over the plexi and late model 800 series/Jubilee sounds....they crunch and 'screamquot; moreso than a quot;plexiquot;, yet are not as quot;harshquot; as those later 800s and jubilees..it's Lizzy..Pat Travers..early priest..April Wine...Lovedrive era scorpions...etc....

Oh, like I wasn't going to post here...

Yeah, I love the 50w MV heads. They are the rock.