R
Racerxrated
Well-known member
After 60+ stock, modded Marshalls since 2008 or so, all that was left for me to try was a real Jose A. Which, based on what they go for, wasn’t gonna happen unless I got super lucky. Chatting with some friends from RT the Caswell mod came up. I’d totally forgotten about these, and interestingly enough he’s about 40 minutes away. I’d contacted him 15 yrs ago about a gain mod, but at that time it was all or nothing…clean, loop and 2 boosts all footswitchable for 900. I passed.
Well, jumped on eBay and perused JMPs and came across a Caswell 2204, 1979 with just the gain mod for a good price…and, this was modded WAAY back in 1988. I’ve never seen any Caswell from that far back. So I hit it. Seller was awesome; 2 day air from Honolulu…included in the price. Have a receipt from 88 showing it came from Caswell. Came with 2 GE 6550A power tubes, and 2 extras as well.
It’s a ripper for sure. 2 things I always read about the 39 mod was, they’re bright as hell and super noisy. This one is the polar opposite. It’s borderline too dark lol…and quiet as a mouse fart. Quietest modded Marshall I’ve ever played. There’s a 4th pre tube that engages with a push/pull pot on the front…stock 2204 otherwise. It can get too gainy and mushes up a bit; but with both gains around 6 it’s a nice 80s Rock tone. But, dial those gains back a touch and boosted, holy hell it’s a steamroller. Incredible. Back in 2016 I picked up an 82 2204 at a Cali GC for 799; it had a slight gain mod and a tube loop. No clue who modded it but that thing with a boost was amazing. Traded it towards an SLO but later realized I f’d up…that 2204 was special. This Caswell makes up for that mistake as it has that same bloom as that 82 that I stupidly sold.
Describing the sound, I'd say it is like a good 2204 but with MORE of everything....the mod doesn't change anything about a good 2204 tone...similar to a Lee Jackson I had long ago...but this one is better. Vs a Cameron that sometimes gives you a part Mesa/Marshall thing.
Well, jumped on eBay and perused JMPs and came across a Caswell 2204, 1979 with just the gain mod for a good price…and, this was modded WAAY back in 1988. I’ve never seen any Caswell from that far back. So I hit it. Seller was awesome; 2 day air from Honolulu…included in the price. Have a receipt from 88 showing it came from Caswell. Came with 2 GE 6550A power tubes, and 2 extras as well.
It’s a ripper for sure. 2 things I always read about the 39 mod was, they’re bright as hell and super noisy. This one is the polar opposite. It’s borderline too dark lol…and quiet as a mouse fart. Quietest modded Marshall I’ve ever played. There’s a 4th pre tube that engages with a push/pull pot on the front…stock 2204 otherwise. It can get too gainy and mushes up a bit; but with both gains around 6 it’s a nice 80s Rock tone. But, dial those gains back a touch and boosted, holy hell it’s a steamroller. Incredible. Back in 2016 I picked up an 82 2204 at a Cali GC for 799; it had a slight gain mod and a tube loop. No clue who modded it but that thing with a boost was amazing. Traded it towards an SLO but later realized I f’d up…that 2204 was special. This Caswell makes up for that mistake as it has that same bloom as that 82 that I stupidly sold.
Describing the sound, I'd say it is like a good 2204 but with MORE of everything....the mod doesn't change anything about a good 2204 tone...similar to a Lee Jackson I had long ago...but this one is better. Vs a Cameron that sometimes gives you a part Mesa/Marshall thing.
