What Marshall amp sounds like a Marshall?

CarlF said:
This was always what I tried to get with a Strat and Marshall. The neck pu tone, straight in (no fuzz) He later turns on an Octavia, but his Fuzz wasn't used in this tune. It took years to understand, it takes pretty good volume to get some of this.

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When I was a big Hendrix fan in the 80’s. I loved to learn Hendrix songs, albeit wrong since it was by ear. When I came upon Band of Gypsies my world was turned upside down in the best way. I was floored how good the music was…and still is.
 
Bardagh said:
I also probably think of the 2203/2204 sound first, especially that classic Anthrax 80’s tone, but it’s hard to deny the pure AC/DC JTM tones. I also always think of the super lead tones on Mercyful Fate’s Melissa, but really super leads are used on so many albums and by so many players, they are probably “the” Marshall.
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Ohhh ohhhh, she was a witch
 
Blackmore - Made In Japan, Trower - Bridge Of Sighs, Led Zep - Song Remains The Same (live), Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous. Probably all Super Leads.
 
Techdeth said:
Acdc period for me. That’s the PURE Marshall sound legit . Let there Be Rock and Powerage . And I’m no puffy getting shredder too
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Techdeth said:
The tones are in real . Perfect agression
Overdose . Main riff tone .
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You couldn't be more correct on this. It's funny because I used to LOVE Overdose but I feel Rock n Roll Damnation is a better version of what they were trying to accomplish. I mean, it has pretty much the same exact opening riff LOL

High Voltage is a very close 2nd place for me. That's as vintage sounding Marshall roar as it gets. Harry Vanda and George Young are masters of capturing the Marshall sound.

For modern production tones, For Those About To Rock is hella good too. WAAAAAY less gain on that album though.
 
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PurityS.L.G said:
You couldn't be more correct on this. It's funny because I used to LOVE Overdose but I fell Rock n Roll Damnation is a better version of what they were trying to accomplish. I mean, it has pretty much the same exact opening riff LOL

High Voltage is a very close 2nd place for me. That's as vintage sounding Marshall roar as it gets. Harry Wanda and George Young are masters of capturing the Marshall sound.

For modern production tones, For Those About To Rock is hella good too. WAAAAAY less gain on that album though.
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I like them all . Even the extra clean super lead / jtm 45 tone of stiff upper lip . Every damn string is heard when strumming a full chord
 
Like Rx, My favorite Marshall that defines Marshall is the early 70’s JMP 100w amps.

I have quite a few old 100w Marshalls including Plexis and if I had to pick just one, it would be my ptp stock ‘73 100w JMP.
It’s phenomenal, even (especially) without a boost👍
It’s one I will keep forever.

That said, I totally understand how the Plexis are so coveted, just for my personal taste and gain, this ‘73 is ‘it’…
 
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Neptical said:
Alex Lifeson is thee Marshall sound for me. However, I do like tons of players that have boosted Marshalls.
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That's an interesting definition as Lifeson used other amps far more often than Marshalls, and he's the only major artist I know of who used the Club and Country Marshalls.

Of course he did use the classic Marshalls for a bit in the early days, and did have great tone with them. (Really, he got great tone out of about everything.)
 
rstites said:
That's an interesting definition as Lifeson used other amps far more often than Marshalls, and he's the only major artist I know of who used the Club and Country Marshalls.

Of course he did use the classic Marshalls for a bit in the early days, and did have great tone with them. (Really, he got great tone out of about everything.)
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Yep, huge fan.
I was talking about the earlier material mostly.The Marshall grind is very distinguishable on that earlier material ( aside from the fact he used Hiwatt/Fenders ). Some in between random funny stuff like SS and a few Boogies.
With that said, he certainly chose Marshalls more than any other amp.
 
glpg80 said:
1959 circuit but with different components internally. They used whatever they needed to wipe out excess stock. The chassis is JCM800 style but with 4 holes like a 1959. They don’t sound like compressed old junk when cranked.
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So you are saying which marshall sounds like compressed junk when cranked? Keeping in mind that a 2203 or 2294 will. Hit peak dB around 4 to 5 on master volume.
 
MadAsAHatter said:
I know that sounds like a dumbass question. By default a Marshall amp would sound like a Marshall, but hear me out...

We all know each era of Marshall amps sound a little bit different and each amp in that era has a bit of a unique tone as well. So when someone says "The Marshall Sound" what specifically comes to your mind?

I associate a Marshall sound with 80's thrash metal. So for me The Marshall sound is a JCM800 2203/2204 with a tube screamer out front going through a 412 loaded with either old style G12-T75 or Vintage 30's.
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In my mind it's "Sunshine of Your Love" tone.
 
67mike said:
So you are saying which marshall sounds like compressed junk when cranked? Keeping in mind that a 2203 or 2294 will. Hit peak dB around 4 to 5 on master volume.
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I’m saying it doesn’t sound like compressed junk in general.
 
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