Marshall relaunches 18Wer (and others)

[dboul]

I just went out and looked for the offset JTM45 hand wired reissue.

It's selling for $4,295 with a 4x12 cab and they only made 300 of them.

I wonder if this new line will be the same variety?

[mark0614]

The really interesting thing about Marshall making a 18watt ri amp is firstly what speaker will they use, and secondly the reverb circuit.

These amps would sound good with reverb, but I wouldn't be surprised if Marshall didn't have the original reverb circuit either. Very few amps were made with reverb and who's to say the reverb sounded good, perhaps if it did sound good there would be more 18watters with reverb around.

Regarding the comments about Gibson's historic Les Pauls, I've heard that they're not built using brazilian rosewood fingerboards like the originals. I have also heard a lot of guys replace the pickups, pots and tone control caps in these guitars. I could get a local builder to make me a Les Paul with Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and my choice of pickups. It would also cost less than a real Les Paul. (Sorry about the O.T. rant.)

I'll bet any money the guys from Marshall have read every post from this site, though they will deny it of course.

Of course someone will have to do A/B recordings with the Marshall amp and a clone.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Abbott

[Plexi]

Mark, yes all very true words... and it was supposed to be the first amp marshall used reverb in. But as you know, Marshall has never been known for there reverb amps.

I would hate to be the test guy on these amps..lol when the trem problems and tube selection pop up for the V3..and other weird things we know will happen. I bet some guys on here would make a good test person for the amps,and know alot of the fixes and cures..lol

They should at least use the input mod on the normal channel..

They could if they wanted to,make a great amp..now will they do it or not. thats the question. They have to use better trannys than what is used in there current type amps.. those are just terrible..

Richie

[mark0614]

Dear Richie

I'm not really familar with all the mods to the 18 watt amps. The only one that I've heard of is the P.I. mod for more headroom. What are the mods that have been done to these amps?

I actually missed the second page where I saw that Marshall were going to use an aged Greenback speaker. I've heard that the greenback speakers don't sound very good in an openback cab, I use to have a Vintage 30 in an eighties 1X12" Concert, and I found both the highs and the bass to be lacking.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Abbott

[mark0614]

Thing I forgot to mention was that I hope they do a good job on the grill cloth. The pictures of the grill cloth in Doyle's Marshall book look awesome, the reissue stuff isn't as pretty.

The only thing left is how will the original style grill cloth affect the amps sound?

Yours Sincerely

Mark Abbott.

[dboul]

Dear Richie

What are the mods that have been done to these amps? ...

Mark Abbott

Uh oh . . . Pandora's box . . .

Lots of great stuff! I've personally heard Jason's PI mod and the Marwatt in person and they both rock! Check out the "downloads" section on the menu to the left. There are many mods in there.

I also really like the EF86 channel in this circuit.

Lots of good reading in there . . .

[Ian]

If Marshall really wanted to make an accurate replica, then obviously they could do it. But big companies have a poor record on this sort of thing – too many costs/corners cut. There’s a huge body of knowledge on this site & I wouldn’t be surprised if many people here knew far more about this amp than anyone at Marshall – I guess many here could build a superior quality clone. If Marshall do produce this amp I’ll be interested to see what the new “more accurate rubbery grillclothâ€

[loverocker]

On the reverb question - I really don't think it'll be included. Because the 18W crunches in the PI/EL84s, and pre-distortion reverb sounds bad. The early amps that Marshall did add reverb to (the Artiste, and that funny little combo) weren't designed as crunchy amps. Then reverb turned up in the 2205/2210 which had pre-reverb distortion using diodes.

[ColinM]

I just read that Marshall has announced 3 new amps at Music Messe:
* 18W 1x12
* 20W L&B
* 100W SuperLead

All PTP, all-valve replicas to be "priced competitively with boutique makers".

I guess it was only a matter of time, particularly with the number of small manufacturers making 18 watters, both 'clones' and mods....

My view is that on quality terms, the little guy has nothing to fear. His clientelle is after quality rather than 'provenance' (and it's debatable how much of this indefinable factor is carried by a reissue anyway...)
As many of you know, I owned and used an original for 27 years, and now have the very great pleasure of owning and using a clone put together for me by the 18watt group (Richie did the wiring ). I've lived with (and gigged/recorded) with this clone for a good while now, and my solid conclusion is that it is a FAR better amp than the original. The sound has more definition, is richer and more 'musical' in a wierd kind of way, and exudes sheer quality.
On this evidence, I would say that you guys have nothing to be too concerned about - unless, of course the Marshall guys are studying the group archives as we speak...

Someone mentioned reverb. It's a non-starter IMHO. Most of the distortion in non-MV Marshalls occurs in the power amp valves. You REALLY don't want the overdrive happening AFTER the reverb in a signal path. Try plugging in a distortion pedal after a reverb unit in an effects chain if you doubt it.
There are those who might like that sound, I guess (any Sigur Ros or Nine Inch Nails fans out there?) But it's a 'specialist noise', methinks!
Having said that, if you work mostly at lower ('clean sound') levels, a reverb circuit might be OK

Regards, Colin

[Prophet]

Hey Guys,

I would not worry, I am a Luither and build acoustic guitars (Now amps) and have many famous Canadian Luither friends. They compete with the big boys (Martin, Gibson) and they can't keep up with the amount of orders they get. These guitars are not selling for $2000-$3000, they are sold for $10,000+ made with the best wood on the planet.

The point is that us small builders do not have to worry about the big boys because there are lots of people that want something special made with love and attention to detail that a factory can't give!


Cheers

Antonio

[Plexi]

If you've been keeping up on the plexi palace posts.. Mitch Colby[marshall rep] responded to how the amp will be made. Its going to be done in there HW [hand wired] amp building section.. The amp will be copied just as it was built years ago,with a board,and axial caps,birch cab,everything..except dagnall trannys.
So at least it sounds like its going to be built like they should be.
Which its about time,they have done amps like this. He pretty much says,its going to be a colne of there old amp..lol And grill cloth will be different than the BB RI
And from looking at the AC30 HW its also built in the same shop.and its not inexpensive..

But now for builders.. one has to remember,yeah anyone can pick up the phone and order an amp.And it would be cool to have one built by marshall. But i like the 2x12..which this new RI amp will not be..
But how many here have just enjoyed building this amp,with there own hands. Plus you get to use the parts you like, choose a color you like,speakers.. and all that.

Richie

[jersey_aaron]

Prophet - Thats not the point at all. The point is to get the masses a decent vintage reproduction of an amp or guitar at an affordable price.

[Robal]

It will be interesting to see how Marshall deals with replicating the amp in a manner that meets current electrical code safety requirements. As some may know, it is against the law to sell a tube amp in Los Angeles unless it is certified to meet the National Electrical Code, after having been tested and approved by the City of Los Angeles testing department or an acceptible equivalent lab, such as Underwriter's Laboratories. Wilfull violation is a criminal offense. Put another way: no hand-wired Marshall will be on the shelves of the Hollywood Guitar Center unless it meets safety code requirements. (By the way forum amp builders who are selling amps to others in LA, the same requirements apply to you). I am sure Marshall is aware of this law and will build the product accordingly. As I said, it will be interesting to see if they modify the original amp to meet these requirements. If they do, then other builders can learn from that in their own builds and make sure they meet code too.

[caseylutton]

Maybe Marshall, with their big money, can commission a nice quantity of that elusive grill cloth. That's the best benefit I can see to their getting into a reissue program.

[dboul]

Prophet - Thats not the point at all. The point is to get the masses a decent vintage reproduction of an amp or guitar at an affordable price.

Marshall hasn't done that yet. The "affordable" ones have been rather second rate and the "decent vintage reproduction" JTM45 is $4,295. Those are two hard things to balance. Fender does pretty good at balancing that equation, but Marshall hasn't come close . . . yet.

I agree with Richie. The 2x12 is my preferred format, which isn't going to be made. And to Richie's other point, boutique guys want boutique amps not big corporate amps.

This announcement doesn't really affect any of us . . . besides . . . how many of us are making a good living selling 18 watt clones? Please raise your hands. . .

We're fine.

Let's just get back to enjoying our super cool little amps!

[fierce_carrot]

IF Marshall decides to release a hand wired copy of the 18 then all you have to do is look at their reissue of the Offset at $5K a pop and that will give you an idea of what their pricing will probably be. Theres no way this amp is going to come out of Marshall, be hand wired, use top quality parts and sell for $3K or less, especially when you factor in the decline of the dollar against the euro in which Marshall raised their prices across the board on their current lineup. A mass produced BB45 is going for $1900.00 new, so anything hand wired is going to go for a premium.

[jerry]

Hi
Well this is really bad news! I had plans of getting rich
building 18 watt clones. So I guess I will have to stop
the production line. So I will convert to building Matchless
Spitfire/Lightning clones and become rich and famous.
Jerry
P.S. I have to call Mr. West and up my order for trannies!

[Plexi]

This link was on plexi palace.. it shows what new,and prices..

http://www.coda-music.com/new/whatsnew.html

But no other sources have any info on these yet..
Looks like its around 2200.oo

Richie

[Plexi]

the pics and inside pics of the Marshall 18 are up over on the plexi palace..

I must say, for a ri-issiue,they did some things right,and some not so right.. They look pretty good, but with modern improvements..cap can and recto tube are in different positions..So I'd say this won't be hurting the vintage amp sales.. Or clones..lol Seems the clones are more to the original,than the HW marshalls.. But anyway..pics are there,cabs look good.. And you can see the inside for yourself..

Richie

[jersey_aaron]

What did Jersey Aaron tell all of you? Look at that, $1,920 for an authentic Marshall PTP reissue 18 watt 1x12. Large chains will probably have them for $1800.00 or less. Now its official, its time for the sellers of 18 watt 1x12 clones to start sweating. If they sound good, then the clones are finished. Nothing beats having a real Marshall from the UK and I'm sure whatever gripes there are, these real Marshalls can always be modded to be more original.