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The Musician Forums => Guitar Central => Topic started by: Filippo on July 13, 2013, 08:55:35 PM
Title: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 13, 2013, 08:55:35 PM
About 2 months ago, my '68 Marshall plexi finally made it home.
This one's got quite a bit of a story. This is basically is a Marshall plexi with all parts dating back to 1968 except for the chassis which is of a 1965/66 JTM45. The badge too is an authentic block logo JTM45 badge. This particular amp has been the subject of quite a number of bar room conversations with some believing it was made by Marshall in 1968 using mostly parts from 68 with the leftover parts from 65, chassis and badge included. Others say it's a 68 plexi rehoused in a JTM45 box while others say it's a parts amp. Truth be told, nobody really knows the real story behind this amp. But be that as it may, one thing remains certain ... and that's all the parts on the amp check out as authentic and period correct.
I bought this amp from a player / collector. He had quite the collection, from authentic and fully stock lead and bass circuit plexi's, black flag JTM100s, an authentic JTM45 too I think at one point, together with a whole slew of other vintage goodies like Vox AC30s and Fender tweeds. Needless to say, he's been around the block. Buying vintage for him never was a risk since Greg Germino himself maintained and tuned his amps for him. Interestingly, this particular amp was the last Marshall he sold from his whole collection.
Both he and Greg agreed it was his best sounding Marshall ... even better than his authentic and fully stock Marshall JTM100 and other plexi.
Needless to say, I was super excited to finally have it find its way home to me. So in my excitement, I decided to put together a small video about my whole initial experience with the amp from unboxing it for the first time, to putting it to its paces.
These are some specs you might find interesting:
1968 Marshall Plexi 1986 Model 50 watts 2 x el34 Tube Rectified GZ34 '65/'66 JTM45 chassis 1954 les paul converted to 1957 specs with PAFs
I've owned quite a number of stuff through the years... stuff I bought and sold as well as kept. But of everything I've ever owned, it's this combination of amp and guitar that really does it for me for the kind of music I love.
This is by no means a professionally made video. It's was just all for fun for me. So please pardon the poor recording quality (you might want to lower your speaker volumes a bit to lessen the effect of the clipping from the camer's on board microphone) and lousy playing. Hope you find it as entertaining as I do LOL.
Video Link:
feature=em-upload_owner
Enjoy ... hopefully :wave:
Es
Here's a pic of the amp and it's junior. Pasensya na, wala akong pic na di ako kasama LOL
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: shoegaze geezer on July 13, 2013, 09:00:11 PM
Congrats on your new amp bro. :)
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 13, 2013, 09:32:48 PM
Thanks brutha :)
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: siore on July 13, 2013, 09:42:19 PM
All you need right there. Congrats!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: tonwins11 on July 13, 2013, 10:00:30 PM
Imma listen to the youtube video when I get home. I'll used this as my benchmark sound when I have the chance to clone a ZVEX box of rock which was based on a JTM45. :-D
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Gunslinger on July 13, 2013, 10:23:25 PM
That's probably the best unboxing vid I've seen. 3:53 doing a wah without the wah and 5:51 tone is the sex. Congrats on your awesome acquisition! Slight OT, what camera and mic did you use to record the vid?
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: r_chino18 on July 13, 2013, 10:30:33 PM
Congrats Es! How far was it from the Metro?
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: inkslingerx on July 13, 2013, 11:34:46 PM
Wow!!! Just wow ! :drool:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: tonwins11 on July 14, 2013, 12:09:08 AM
Hayop! Ang sarap! :cry: :drool: :eek:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 14, 2013, 12:09:47 AM
That's probably the best unboxing vid I've seen. 3:53 doing a wah without the wah and 5:51 tone is the sex. Congrats on your awesome acquisition! Slight OT, what camera and mic did you use to record the vid?
LOL thanks man! The camera is a Canon 5D MKii and I just used the onboard mic ... kaya bumibigay ang volume dahil sa loudness ng sound in the room while I was recording :-o
But honestly ... the amp is not as loud as one would think ... it's also pleasantly loud. Di sasakit ulo mo after playing it kahit naka todo yung amp
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Gunslinger on July 14, 2013, 12:15:15 AM
LOL thanks man! The camera is a Canon 5D MKii and I just used the onboard mic ... kaya bumibigay ang volume dahil sa loudness ng sound in the room while I was recording :-o
But honestly ... the amp is not as loud as one would think ... it's also pleasantly loud. Di sasakit ulo mo after playing it kahit naka todo yung amp
That's mighty fine gear you got there. Both guitar and photo gear! The quality of the onboard mic is amazing. It really captured the tone from your setup. I like the worn parts of the amp too. Makes it have that "player" feel.
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: poacher on July 14, 2013, 12:18:05 AM
Whew!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 14, 2013, 12:27:30 AM
Good question Rei... I think they are similar but different. I think the GPM45 actually sounds very decent considering it's a repro ... but I think a large part of the tone of the one I had was in the tubes ... The NOS GECs alone and mullard Pre's would have put anyone past the $1K mark ... The tubes gave the notes a bouncy feel, like the notes were wrapped in air if that makes sense. so all in, presyong Plexi na rin na orig.
I do like the firmer bass though of the 1986 model even if I had to turn it off and the overall more balanced EQ. With the JTM45 I dimed almost all the knobs. Yung plexi hindi.
I also like the clean tone, edge of break up and crunch tone better on the plexi. But I;d be hard pressed to pick between the 2 kung lead tone ang usapan.
Interesting how you don;t need to physically jumer the cables to let the Normal channel affect the overall tone even if you're plugged into the treble channel. I didn't think it was true until I tried it!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 14, 2013, 12:32:04 AM
That's mighty fine gear you got there. Both guitar and photo gear! The quality of the onboard mic is amazing. It really captured the tone from your setup. I like the worn parts of the amp too. Makes it have that "player" feel.
LOL well I do use the the Canon 5D for a living so kailangan talaga hehe.
Yeah I like the bruised up look more than pristine clean ... it tells me the stuff has been used ... most probably cos it sounds good hehe
Poacher, Ink, and Tonwins, salalmat mga bros
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: MYN11 on July 14, 2013, 08:33:42 AM
Congrats sa napakasarap na combination na yan Pareng Es!!!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: analog.matt on July 14, 2013, 08:40:59 AM
Congrats Sir Filippo!
post more vids!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: cayle on July 14, 2013, 09:08:20 AM
The first minute....was like undressing a fine woman and examining her thoroughly. :lol:
Schweeeeet sounding! Congrats Es!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: gandydancer123 on July 14, 2013, 09:20:30 AM
WOw....exquisite!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: alvinratsim on July 14, 2013, 11:18:10 AM
Yup, just like the jube, aint nothin like the real thing
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: karlwilson on July 14, 2013, 11:39:49 AM
sarap !
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: pallas on July 14, 2013, 11:44:15 AM
Nice clean marshall tone, nice vid...Congrats sa amp.
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: mco77 on July 14, 2013, 02:31:04 PM
Suuweeet...! :mrgreen:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 14, 2013, 04:49:02 PM
Thanks everyone! I think the clean tones on a good marshall are well underrated ... crazy how this guitar sounds so good in all positions
3:34 - Clean tone Neck position
4:09 - Clean tone Middle position
4:45 - Edge of break up Middle position
6:49 - Edge of break up Bridge position
A variety of tones without touching the knobs on the amp ... everything was just controlled from the guitar. The dynamics of both the guitar and amp combined are incredible. Please do note that in the Little Wing segment, the modded Rat was ON the WHOLE time, even during the cleaner segments of the song.
*If anyone wants to know what mod was done on the Rat just lemme know. It basically makes the Rat less gainy with more of a mild overdrive and boost coming from the pedal. What's more amazing for me though is how the pedal melds into the amp after the mod...
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: MrGobots on July 14, 2013, 09:35:40 PM
holy shi.t, i knew i should have stayed on this thread and avoided the video. i've been gassing for an amp to go with last years guitar splurge, but nothing in this range though. nonetheless because you guys spend a lot and get orgasmic tones in the process, i know i wouldn't be spending anything less than an arm and leg combo for my next amp.... (for the record the goldea head/cab line is already arm and leg combo range for me hehehe)
congrats... nice playing too.
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 14, 2013, 10:45:29 PM
Thanks Mr. G! Appreciate the kind words! I have another plexi type amp coming soon ... but a repro one so hopefully that one's a bit friendlier as far as price is concerned. WIll let you know how that goes...
Guys, thought I'd share this bit of info to everyone... hopefully this info will come in handy in the future to some of you:
I showed in the video my pre rola 4x12 straight Marshall cab. That cab is a wonderful cab loaded with pre rola speakers. It sounds great with almost any amp I've put it through! That said, when I first put the plexi through it, it sounded great, but it didn't make my panties drop. I tried dialing all the knobs until I got the sound in my head... close but not quite. The cleans were stellar but I was lacking in crunch.
Then I decided to plug in the amp into my Kerry Wright 2x12 loaded with a scumback M75 x H75 speaker set up. I started too jumpering both channels but realized that my tone was too round and not biting enough (not surprising as it was a bass spec amp) so I decided to plug solely into the High Treble input. And there it was. The crunch I was looking for was finally there.
So there. It wasn't exactly a plug n play thing. I had to work to find my tone in the rig. As you can see in my settings at the beginning of the video, my bass knob is down to zero. I suspect it's due to the following:
1. It's a bass spec amp 2. I'm using an H speaker in the mix which also is known to have more bass than an M speaker ... plus the H speakers are more efficient so you can hear them more over the M's
PS> I emailed Jim (of Scumback speakers) a few months back after what I experienced with the m75 x h75 pairing of speakers and he confirmed it for me. The H speakers wil touch more on the higher frequencies of the tone. The H speakers in effect supplied the crunch I was looking for out of the amp
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: joel_marcelo on July 14, 2013, 11:11:22 PM
Hey Bro Esse. Hangganda!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: stgmd on July 14, 2013, 11:50:34 PM
Es,
Very nice!
Is this the same amp i was able to try last month? Bass spec pala yan...
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 15, 2013, 12:07:31 AM
Thanks Joel!
Hey Sherwin! Yeah this is the same one! May dapat tayong ginawa though na di natin nagawa noong andito ka... we should have played it into the cab we used for the Metro. Doon nabuhay pa lalo yung amp.
Masbagay talaga yata sa bass spec amps ang H type na greenback
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: stgmd on July 15, 2013, 12:29:56 AM
Yeah H speaker nga according to Jim. I also emailed him regarding different speaker combinations. Guess what? H/H or H/J mix speakers for bass spec marshall type amp.
Have you tried M/M combination for that particular amp?
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 15, 2013, 12:51:44 AM
Yeah the 4x12 is 4 M type speakers ... I'm curious about an H and alnico pairing though... H and J sounds yummy!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: stgmd on July 15, 2013, 12:56:22 AM
Ako naman gusto ko ata M/M 2x12.
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 15, 2013, 12:58:18 AM
Let me know if you want to push through with that ... I can sell you my 2 scumback m75s .. mayroon pa naman akong 4x12 na naka puro M's e ... so I can try the H and J config... actually gusto ko rin itry and HxV30
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: free2rock on July 15, 2013, 07:43:13 AM
Mukhang kailangan ulit bumisita LOL
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: freemansj on July 15, 2013, 08:41:40 AM
:razz: :razz: :razz:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: fretboard on July 15, 2013, 08:53:31 AM
great amp + great guitar + great playing = pag ibig! :wink:
galing esse!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: gnarly on July 15, 2013, 09:08:47 AM
That Beautiful Les Paul has met its match. That Led Zep lick rocks, actually all of 'em!love the opening tune.
ot: nice av presentation din Sir. cute ng baby niyo at ang swerte. :)
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 15, 2013, 09:53:22 AM
Thanks everyone!
Fretboard, I'm not a great player but if I think about where my skills were 6 years ago, I can't help but feel a bit accomplished with where it is now. 6 years ago, I didn't even know how to use an electric guitar. The only thing I knew how to do then was strum on an acoustic guitar, and at best, play "more than words" and a few other standards for the girls hehe :eek: It was actually Miks who taught me how to use the R/T switch on my LP like a "stomp box" from clean on the neck pup to biting bridge tones with a flip of a switch. I didn't know how to play a single solo / lead line.
The one thing I know is, the more I learned about tone, the more my hunger increased to learn how to use the tools correctly. Self study helped me learn how to play cleaner and smarter while the band scene taught me how to play with others and with more dynamics and control.
This is where I would personally say GAS for me was good. My end goal with GAS was not to have the best gear on earth or to claim I was above others because of the gear I bought. My goal was really to replicate the sounds in my head which I would hear from old records that I love. And I knew it wasn't as simple as buying the gear. The gear didn't play themselves. I had to learn how to play them too!
It's been a personal journey for me and I honestly think I have a long way to go! Luckily though, I can really concentrate on just playing now hehe.
Thanks Gnarly! I enjoy making these simple videos hehe! Pang katuwaan lang talaga! The opening tune is by ABB if in case you wanted to know. It's a personal favorite. Thanks again bro! Suwerte talaga batuta ko, menos na siya sa journey ng GAS lol ... well it really depends if he ends up liking the same music as me though :-o
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Rmansh on July 15, 2013, 11:40:54 AM
congrats esse. whats next? :-D
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: rowley75 on July 15, 2013, 11:59:56 AM
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 15, 2013, 01:42:31 PM
Thanks guys ... well sa guitars wala na. Kulang ko na lang ngayon para sa habol kong tones is a good sounding JCM800 kind of amp ... I stupidly sold my Jubilee before to that Marshall hoarder above LOL
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: tonwins11 on July 15, 2013, 02:04:51 PM
Dun ako na amaze when you max'ed the volume sa chorus ng Little wing! Naisip ko "Letche! Pwedeng na akong mamatay kung magkakaganyan ako" Ang sarap ng hiyaw ng gitara. Super combo finish! :drool:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: aHeartThatNeverFade on July 15, 2013, 02:08:49 PM
<_< inggit much. tone heaven. :cry:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 15, 2013, 06:54:34 PM
LOL thanks guys! :wave:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: alvinratsim on July 16, 2013, 12:15:45 AM
Lol
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 16, 2013, 07:12:06 AM
^^HOARDER^^ :lol:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: jun_gats on July 16, 2013, 09:05:34 AM
congrats! :-D
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: toybitz on July 16, 2013, 11:02:06 AM
the tone is amazing. warm and clear for an LP ah.
Congrats!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 16, 2013, 01:48:04 PM
Thanks bros!!
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: gainsucker on July 16, 2013, 02:10:24 PM
wala ka pang 59 les paul, di pa tapos ang gas...
ay, wala ka pa rin palang dumble... :-P
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 16, 2013, 04:44:11 PM
Si Alex na bahala diyan haha
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: gainsucker on July 16, 2013, 04:52:30 PM
haha, di malayong mangyari bumili siya ng dumble... :-D
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: Filippo on July 17, 2013, 10:10:27 AM
Here's a new sound clip
feature=em-upload_owner
no artistic undressing shots in this one though LOL :eek:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: gainsucker on July 17, 2013, 10:26:55 AM
antay tayo 1 month, may bibilhin ka na naman :-D
nice tone, raw and aggressive, crisp and clear.
kaya din yan ng Fernando les paul :lol:
Title: Re: ~ Ain't nothin like the real thing ~ '68 Marshall Plexi + '54 Les Paul Content
Post by: free2rock on July 17, 2013, 11:22:01 AM