Marshall JTM45
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TheMarshall JTM45amplifier is the firstguitar amplifierproduced by the British companyMarshall.It was initially produced in 1963, and has been ranked among the most desirable of the company's amplifiers.[1]
Notable musicians who have used this amplifier includeDavid Gilmour,[2]The Rolling Stones,[2]andJimi Hendrix,[3]among others.
History and development
[edit]Prototyping of the JTM45 began in 1962, afterLondonmusical instrument retailerJim Marshalldecided to create a new amplifier in response to localguitarists' desire for an alternative to imported AmericanFenderamplifiers. Marshall sought the advice of his shop repairman Ken Bran, who recommended electronics "whiz kid"Dudley Craven as the chiefcircuitdesigner. Marshall then arranged forPete TownshendandRitchie Blackmoredemo prototypes to be constructed by Bran and Craven, settling on the sixth prototype as the production model.[4]
This model was dubbed the "JTM45" – for Jim and his son Terry Marshall, and 45 for the RMS-ratedwattage[3]– the amplifier mimicked the circuitry of theFender Bassmanbut had an all-aluminum chassis, and a 12AX7 valve as the first in the chain (while the Bassman had a12AY7). In addition, it featured Celestion speakers with a closed cabinet (rather than open-backedJensenspeakers), and a modified negativefeedback circuit,which affected the harmonics produced by the amplifier[citation needed].
As Bran later said, "The JTM also had different harmonic content, and this was due to the large amount offeedbackthat Dudley Craven had given it. "[5]Early versions used6L6or US 5881 valves (a version of the 6L6[6]) in the output stage; later models usedKT66(from 1964),EL34(from 1966), orKT88(from 1967; in the 200W Major), andECC83(12AX7) valves in the pre-amplification stage.[1]The amplifier was also available in thebassformat (although this model lacked a "bright" capacitor) and an additionalPAversion (which lacked a "mixer" capacitor).[5]Because of its power, Marshall decided early on to build it as a "head," with a separate 4×12 "cabinet withCelestionspeakers.
The first-ever use of this JTM 45 model in a live performance was in September 1963, when the amplifier was tested at theEaling Club,a short distance from the original Marshall shops.[citation needed]By the mid-1960s, the JTM45 had become so popular that it began to supplant the ubiquitousVoxamplifiers, including the Vox AC50, even though the Vox amplifier was equally powerful to the Marshall amplifier.[7]
In late 1965, Marshall introduced its now standard script lettering, in white. By early 1966 it began calling the amplifiers "JTM 50".[5]Some 100 early models had red lettering, and are especially sought after by collectors.[1]Other cosmetic changes included a gradual change to different knobs. The JTM 45 became the basis for many subsequent Marshall amplifiers, most notably theMarshall 1962 combo(later referred to as the "Bluesbreaker" due to its use byEric ClaptonwithJohn Mayall's Bluesbreakers).[8]Production of this model ceased in 1966, but it was reissued in 1989, albeit with a modern printed circuit board and6L6output valves.[5]In 2014 Marshall reissued a "handwired" 30 W amplifier based on the JTM45, the 2245THW, whose circuitry is identical to the 1962 combo circuit; it is a "fine high-end piece" according toVintage Guitar,listed at $4,800.[9]
Name, numbering
[edit]The first JTM45s did not have the standard Marshall numbers that later amplifiers had; models that derived from the JTM 45 did not receive serial numbers until 1964–1965 when backplates began to be applied.[5]However, at random some of the early amplifiers had serial numbers stamped into the chassis on their reverse side.
| Model number | Watts | Dates | Features | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JTM45 | 35–45[10] | 1963–1964 | 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 withtremoloas Model T1987 |
| 1989 | 45 | 1965–1966 | For electronic organs | Also with tremolo as Model T1989 |
| JTM 45 (2245[11]) | 30 | 1989– | 2 channels, 4 inputs | Reissue of original JTM45 (1987) |
| 2245THW[9] | 30 | 2014– | Handwired head, circuitry identical withBluesbreaker |
Sound
[edit]For all of its differences when compared with theBassman,the sound of the JTM45 is still described as "like a tweed Fender", and is favored for blues and rock rather than for hard rock and metal.[12]The JTM 45 delivers a smooth Marshall sound with a warm bass response due to the EL34/KT66 valves.[citation needed]
Notable users
[edit]- Arthur Brown[2]
- John Entwistle[3]
- David Gilmour[2]
- Eddy Grant[2]
- Peter Green[2]
- Jeff Beck
- Jimi Hendrix[3]
- Gary Moore(reissue)[13]
- Pete Townshend[3]
- Angus Young(live, Young has a JTM45 in an isolation box under the stage)[14][15]
- The Rolling Stones[2]
References
[edit]- ^abcPittman, Aspen (2003).The Tube Amp Book.Hal Leonard. pp. 66, 68–69.ISBN978-0-87930-767-7.
- ^abcdefgDrozdowski, Ted (29 January 2020)."Peter Green's 1964 Marshall JTM45".premierguitar.com.Premier Guitar.Retrieved6 December2021.
- ^abcdeMotter, Paul; Schu, Peter (7 May 2015)."A History Of Marshall Amps: The Early Years".reverb.com.Reverb.Retrieved7 December2021.
- ^Brown, Michael (28 November 2013)."Lust for Power".premierguitar.com.Premier Guitar.Retrieved6 December2021.
- ^abcdeDoyle, Michael (1993)."The JTM Series 1962–1966".The History of Marshall: The Illustrated Story of "The Sound of Rock".Hal Leonard. pp. 17–22.ISBN978-0-7935-2509-6.
- ^Hunter, Dave (2005).Guitar Rigs: Classic Guitar & Amp Combinations.Hal Leonard. p. 111.ISBN978-0-87930-851-3.
- ^Hunter, Dave (2005).Guitar Rigs: Classic Guitar & Amp Combinations.Hal Leonard. p. 102.ISBN978-0-87930-851-3.
- ^Batey, Rick (2003).American Blues Guitar: An Illustrated History.Hal Leonard. p. 106.ISBN978-0-634-02759-8.
- ^abChilds, Zac (October 2014). "Bluesbreaker Redux: Marshall Handwired Series 2245THW head and 1960AHW Cabinet".Vintage Guitar.p. 130.
- ^Micheal, Doyle; Nick, Bowcott.The History of Marshall – The First Fifty Years.pp. 44, 48.
- ^"Marshall Amps:: 2245 (JTM45)".Marshall Amplification.Retrieved1 May2013.
- ^Hunter, Dave (2005).The Guitar Amp Handbook: Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds.Hal Leonard. pp. 75–76.ISBN978-0-87930-863-6.
- ^Prown, Pete; Lisa Sharken (2003).Gear Secrets of the Guitar Legends: How to Sound Like Your Favorite Players.Hal Leonard. p. 10.ISBN978-0-87930-751-6.
- ^Prown, Pete; Lisa Sharken (2003).Gear Secrets of the Guitar Legends: How to Sound Like Your Favorite Players.Hal Leonard. p. 2.ISBN978-0-87930-751-6.
- ^Newquist, H. P.; Rich Maloof (2004).The hard rock masters.Hal Leonard. pp. 23–24.ISBN978-0-87930-813-1.