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  • Marshall 1962 Bluesbreaker --- Sanity Check

A short while ago I was offered a Reissue Marshall 1962 2x12 loaded with Greenbacks at a reasonable price, although I didn’t take up the offer, its still available, I have been mulling it over and that red mist is setting in, OCD, GAS you all know what I mean.

As I understand it, Clapton’s original Bluesbreaker went MIA and the exact mods done to his JTM45 were never really documented and is therefore subject to urban legend and speculation depending who one gets information from. By the way here is a great write-up “Chasing the Bluesbreaker Tone” http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/pages/news/PremierGuitar/PremierG-08.htm makes for good reading.

So back to my dilemma; Am I crazy to chase this 1962 Reissue when it seems that everything from the Cab to the speakers needs to be changed to get “close” to that Bluesbreaker tone …… when I have a perfectly good AC30 that doesn't sound like a Marshall but I accept that ………….however, it does whatever I need quite nicely.

Attila
    Lapdawg built his own JTM45 head. Its great. Great Marshall sounds, cleans up like it should. Looks awesome. Sounds awesome.

    It is also by a long shot the heaviest amp I've tried to lift (I know you get heavier combos but I've never tried to lift them haha). I don't know what it weighs but I think it weighs more than my 212 cabinet. I don't want to carry the combo version at all. Ever.

    < long lecture about how loud a 2x12 35 watt Marshall combo is />

    There's a video of Clapton playing a Les Paul called "Lucy" or something. In it he says he plays Fender Tweed Twins because they're closer to those old Marshalls than the RI Marshalls are. Make of that what you will, but it suggests to me that the Beano tone is basically unobtainable with one of these RI Marshall amps.

    I wouldn't say no to a donated one tho ?



      Attila Barath wrote: A short while ago I was offered a Reissue Marshall 1962 2x12 loaded with Greenbacks at a reasonable price, although I didn’t take up the offer, its still available, I have been mulling it over and that red mist is setting in, OCD, GAS you all know what I mean.

      As I understand it, Clapton’s original Bluesbreaker went MIA and the exact mods done to his JMT45 were never really documented and is therefore subject to urban legend and speculation depending who one gets information from. By the way here is a great write-up “Chasing the Bluesbreaker Tone” http://www.gartoneamps.co.uk/bluesbreaker.html makes for good reading.

      So back to my dilemma; Am I crazy to chase this 1962 Reissue when it seems that everything from the Cab to the speakers needs to be changed to get “close” to that Bluesbreaker tone …… when I have a perfectly good AC30 that doesn't sound like a Marshall but I accept that ………….however, it does whatever I need quite nicely.

      Attila
      Short answer is yes....

      But Gas is never quelled with reason eh ?
        Updated the link in the 1st post to http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/pages/news/PremierGuitar/PremierG-08.htm I posted the wrong one

        Thanks Gents

        I hear you on the weight issue EZ, i put a Jensen Blackbird in the AC30 and f#$#$ me together they weigh a ton and that is with one speaker add another and you'll need some roadies , good thing I don't have to lug it around.

        ICM thanks dude, As much as it pains me I think i will let it pass by........ maybe

          Without knowing what that RI costs, but at a guess I can tell you that, for that money, you can likely build or have built an 18 watt combo.


          just sayin...
            around 9-10k did not negotiate
              Attila Barath wrote: around 9-10k did not negotiating
              That is a super decent price for a hand wired amp that looks as cool as that. A custom made 18 watter will be more useful in general, give a similar style of sound but will likely be at least as much as that.

              I would also have been tempted ?
                I've heard from other sources that those RIs are crap and nothing like the originals. If you really want a JTM45 combo, it's the super-pricey new hand-wired ones or a kit amp. There's a full time guitar repair guy who works for stewmac and Dan Erlewine (a guy who really knows his stuff) has one of these in the workshop. Says it's not a patch on the originals by a long shot.
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