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Marshall model 1987, What to do with it?

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10/16/2000 11:22 PM

Marshall model 1987, What to do with it?

Well I guess I have a dilema about my 50 watt marshall 4 input amp model 1987. Its sounds pretty good cranked but its a bit flubby . I probably need to change the power supply caps but this amp seems boring. Is there any one out there with some mods to make it a killer sounding amp? I could Soldanoize the thing but that means putting in two more 12AX7s in the chassis and changing the circuit and I really dont want to do unreversible mods to it. Any suggestions? Thanks.

10/17/2000 12:16 AM
Les	yup... send it to me!!! LOL

10/17/2000 1:58 AM

Mitch,
If your 4 input Marshall is tuned up right it will be anything but boring.....these amps are AWESOME! There really isn't too much you can do to get more out of one of these amps because the preamp has enough gain to push the output tubes to the edge of self destruction. These amps have a perfect balance of preamp/power amp distortion. If you modify the preamp for more gain you will lose that balance and get more into the realm of the buzzy master volume sound. Some people like that sound, but all you really need to achieve it is a good pedal in front of the Marshall. Your amp probably just needs some TLC...caps, tubes, etc. Depending upon what year it is, an OEI OT may do it some serious justice. To me, few things in guitarland are more exhilarating than diming one of these monsters and going from pristine beautiful clean to roaring thick(Not Buzzy) distorted leads sounds without ever having to touch a single volume control or step on a footswitch.

Peter

10/17/2000 4:30 AM

I'll concur with you on this. swapping the stock OT with an OEI OT will take out the mush you have, without the need for mroe gain.... and some like bridign the channels to get more gain. Me, personally, I've always used the bright input only. and work the guitar controlw, and playing dynamics. After all, Dickey Betts used 100watt superleads, bright channel only, tone knobs around 12:00, thru half open back jbl loaded cabinets, and his tone is never dull, always fat, warm, and singing... and never shrill or harsh... the 1987/1959 marshalls are as close as one will get to a god-tone than anything I've heard yet

10/17/2000 9:43 PM

Thanks for the input fellas. I have a set of old amperex EL34s in this amp and new sovtek and JJ tesla 12AX7s in the peamp. Im sure the power supply caps need to be replaced since they are old. I did replace all the resistors and caps on the PC board and I used the sprague 715 orange drops for this .
The amp does sound nice but It seems that it could be made to sound killer kinda like my ol 1972- 50 watt marshall I used to own. I have a OEI trannie sitting here for a project so I might just drop it in and see If that does the trick to the good ol crunch that I dig. Joe L. You just did a few marshall rebuilds , What did you do to spice em up?
Cheers.

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