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Hey guys,

With all of the Marshall threads everywhere (granted, I started a couple), I've been thinking a lot about the Marshall thing. I've never really liked the clean channel on the ones I've played. Do any of the Marshall offerings have a really good clean channel?

If not, do the other companies making Marshall-esque amps have good cleans? Which ones?

I'm slowly building up GAS for a Marshall...not a good thing since I just bought an LP I didn't really have the dough for!!

Mike

I think I'm pretty guilty also, since much of this Marshall thing started again when I asked about my JCM 900, after that day, alot of Marshall threads were started up. I'm sorry for being a part of what gave you GAS again

I don't recommend them because of reliability issues, but the JTMs from the 1990s had a GREAT clean channel. Not sure about the 600s that replaced them.

That said, I *LIKE* Marshall cleans..always have. They are different, but not necc worse, IMO than say a Fender.

JTM45/BB has stellar cleans
The 1974X has great cleans (but not a lot of headroom)
A 4 input NMV with axe plugged into the quot;low2quot; will sound very good (low input, quot;normalquot; channel)
DSL40 has neat cleans

Best cleans for me from Marshall are a cranked NMV (JTM45/BB, Plex, Metal face) JMP,or 800 and then roll back the volume of your guitar (if you have some good pickups that aren't high output).

The JCM 600's have one of the best cleans from a stock Marshall that I have heard. The 600's also delt with the overheating and reliability issues of the JTM's....but unfortunately they never caught on.

I owned a 600, and regret selling it. As far as I am concerned however, unless you are willing to spend the money on a boutique amp, your best bet is to get a stock 2 channel JCM 800 and have it modded. Jeff Seal does a great job of this, and so does Scott Splawn of Splawn Guitars. This way you'll have Fender like cleans and mondo Marshall drive tones.

Call me crazy but I really like the Jubilee's cleans. A Marshallesque amp with really good cleans would be the Traynor YCV50 Blue.

Most model 1987 50 watt and model 1959 100 watt 4 input Marshalls are clean as anything because most of us can't turn them up loud enough to benefit from the overdriven tone of those amps. I'd say if you can't get a clean tone out of most four input 100 watt or 200 watt Marshalls you're either playing way to loud or there's something wrong with the amp... ...because the preamp circuit of those amps is basically the same as the Fender 5F6-A tweed Bassman.

the recent JCM2000 series has very good cleans

I thought my TSL had some good clean tones until I got my Mesa. It would be worth trying one out.

Also, what kind of clean tone(s) do you like or are you going for?

Plexi 100 watters have a killer clean tone BUT they also cost a small mint...the best current Marshall clean IMO is a DSL 100 watter...good cleans AND reverb which IMO is a big plus!


Originally Posted by Jeff_HThe JCM 600's have one of the best cleans from a stock Marshall that I have heard. The 600's also delt with the overheating and reliability issues of the JTM's....but unfortunately they never caught on.

I owned a 600, and regret selling it. As far as I am concerned however, unless you are willing to spend the money on a boutique amp, your best bet is to get a stock 2 channel JCM 800 and have it modded. Jeff Seal does a great job of this, and so does Scott Splawn of Splawn Guitars. This way you'll have Fender like cleans and mondo Marshall drive tones.

I have 2 JCM 600's and I haven't found any Marshall's I like better- the cleans are full and warm, the OD is all I could ask for- but, I am a tube and speaker tweeker, and I've spent many ,many hours testing for the right combination before I found exactly what I was looking for.

I like the DSL cleans, but not so much the TSL, the JTMs have nice cleans with the volume rolled back.

I liked the clean tones on the DSL series and also agree about the non-master volume 4 input series amps like the 1987/1959 models,though they lack reverb which the DSL series has..

i have a DSL401.. if you can find one, a JMP has the sweetest cleans i've ever played through on any rig.. its my dream amp! i went through a few demo recordings and i still love listening to the tone i had.. shame about the playing, but yeah ...

i think it was the 100 watt version, i was using two OD/distortion pedals at the time, one modded by a certain forum member

tom

slight follow up - yeah. i just found the clip on my PC.. christ, now i *really* want a JMP... a couple of nice pedals, seymour duncan pickups, and you're done. your parents will be proud.

tom

If you want a LOUD clean amp that never breaks up and is a Marshall... look for a Marshall Major... at 200w... ouch (though they do seem to work for John Frusciante ).


Originally Posted by the_ChrisIf you want a LOUD clean amp that never breaks up and is a Marshall... look for a Marshall Major... at 200w... ouch (though they do seem to work for John Frusciante ).

They are definitely loud, but I don't feel they break up that quot;latequot; or not at all. The one I played wasn't really much different than any of the NMVs I've had/played. ...other than the sheer terror of it's VOLLLLLUUUUMMMMMEEEEEE

say WHAAAAAAT? can't hear you chap, darned rock and roll music bust my eardrums


Originally Posted by marvarI have 2 JCM 600's and I haven't found any Marshall's I like better- the cleans are full and warm, the OD is all I could ask for- but, I am a tube and speaker tweeker, and I've spent many ,many hours testing for the right combination before I found exactly what I was looking for.

I agree. I spent some time swapping NOS pre-amp tubes and speakers in my JCM-600 (2x12 combo). I had my JCM 800 at the same time, and the difference in the OD between the two was much smaller than I expected. The 800 had a little more meat and bottom end to the tone, but not a ton. I think it would have been possible to beef up the OD on the 600 to get it closer to the 800, but I didn't keep the 600 long enough. The 600 would do the job no problem. I had my heart set on a JCM 800 for years, and I think part of my decision to keep it was emotional.

Anyhow, I digress. I still see JCM600's selling on eBay for $550, and that's a steal compared to what the 800's are selling for. I wouldn't hesitate to recommed a 600 for someone looking for great Marshall tone amp; cleans, while staying on a budget.

Is the clean tone on the 100 watt DSLs better than the 50 watter? Is this just because of headroom or is there another reason? 100 watts is soooo much power, I'm happy with 50 watts pretty much all the time...but of course, only if they're clean. I'm used to my Mesa which can blow the windows out without getting dirty at all...unless I want it to. What is wrong with the cleans on the TSL?

The JCM600 is intriguing. Whats the difference vs the 800? Just gain? Can the 600 be modded fairly easily to modded 800 type specs?

Mike

My 1987x has a pretty nice clean tone, but the DSL gets more Fender-like.