Marshall JTM45

Marshall JTM 45 MK II Reissue

The Marshall JTM 45 is the first guitar amplifier made by Marshall. First produced in 1962, it has been called a "seminal" amplifier,[1] and is praised as the most desirable of all the company's amplifiers.[2]

History

The JTM 45 was first built in 1962, handmade in an all-aluminum chassis, by Ken Bran and Dudley Craven. Because of its power, Marshall decided early on to build it as a head, with a separate 4×12" cabinet with Celestion speakers. The amplifier itself was based on the Fender Bassman. It uses KT66 valves (though early versions had used US 5881, a version of the 6L6[3]) in the output stage, and ECC83 (12AX7) valves in the pre-amplification stage.[2]

Significant differences between the Bassman and the JTM include the all-aluminum chassis (it is less susceptible to hum than a steel chassis), a 12AX7 valve as the first in the chain (the Bassman has a 12AY7), the Celestion speakers with a closed cabinet (compared to open-backed Jensen speakers), and a modified negative feedback circuit which affects the harmonics produced by the amplifier. As Ken Bran later said, "The JTM also had different harmonic content, and this was due to the large amount of feedback I had given it."[4] The amp was also available as a bass (which lacked a "bright" capacitor) and a PA version (which lacked a "mixer" capacitor).[4]

By the mid 1960s, the JTM 45 had become so popular that it began to supplant the ubiquitous Vox amps, even their AC50, though it was just as powerful.[5]

In late 1965, Marshall introduced its now standard script lettering, in white, and by early 1966 it began calling the amplifiers "JTM 50".[4] Some 100 early models had red lettering; these are especially collectible.[2] Other cosmetic changes included a gradual change to different knobs. The JTM 45 became the basis for many subsequent Marshalls, most notably the Bluesbreaker.[6] It ceased being produced in 1966, but was reissued in 1989, though with a modern printed circuit board and 6L6 output valves.[4] In 2014 Marshall reissued a "handwired" 30W amplifier based on the JTM45, the 2245THW, whose circuitry is identical to the Bluesbreaker circuit; it is a "fine high-end piece" according to Vintage Guitar, listed at $4,800.[7]

Name, numbering

The first JTM 45s did not have the standard Marshall number that later amps had; models that derived from the JTM 45 did not receive numbers until 1965.[4]

Model number Watts Dates Features Notes
— 35–45[8] 1962–1964 2 channels, 4 inputs Also available in bass and PA versions
1963 50 1965–1966 4 channels, 8 inputs PA version; "JTM50 MK III"
1985 45 1965–1966 2 channels, 4 inputs PA version of JTM50 MK II
1986 45 1965–1966 High treble and normal channels Bass version of JTM50 MK II
1987 45 1965–1966 High treble and normal channels Lead version of JTM50 MK II; also with tremolo as Model T1987
1989 45 1965–1966 For electronic organs Also with tremolo as Model T1989
JTM 45 (2245[9]) 30 1989– 2 channels, 4 inputs Reissue of original JTM45 (1987)
2245THW[7] 30 2014– Handwired head, circuitry identical with Bluesbreaker

Sound

For all of its differences when compared with the Bassman, the sound of the JTM 45 is still described as "like a tweed Fender"; it has more sag and less crunch than the later Marshalls, and is favored for blues and rock rather than for hard rock and metal.[10] The JTM 45 does not deliver the famous Marshall "crunch" that became so sought after.[11]

Notable users

References

  1. ↑ Hunter, Dave (2005). Guitar Rigs: Classic Guitar & Amp Combinations. Hal Leonard. p. Back cover. ISBN 978-0-87930-851-3.
  2. 1 2 3 Pittman, Aspen (2003). The Tube Amp Book. Hal Leonard. pp. 66, 68–69. ISBN 978-0-87930-767-7.
  3. ↑ Hunter, Dave (2005). Guitar Rigs: Classic Guitar & Amp Combinations. Hal Leonard. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-87930-851-3.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Doyle, Michael (1993). "The JTM Series 1962–1966". The History of Marshall: The Illustrated Story of "The Sound of Rock". Hal Leonard. pp. 17–22. ISBN 978-0-7935-2509-6.
  5. ↑ Hunter, Dave (2005). Guitar Rigs: Classic Guitar & Amp Combinations. Hal Leonard. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-87930-851-3.
  6. ↑ Batey, Rick (2003). American Blues Guitar: An Illustrated History. Hal Leonard. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-634-02759-8.
  7. 1 2 Childs, Zac (October 2014). "Bluesbreaker Redux: Marshall Handwired Series 2245THW head and 1960AHW Cabinet". Vintage Guitar. p. 130.
  8. ↑ Micheal, Doyle; Nick, Bowcott. The History of Marshall – The First Fifty Years. pp. 44, 48.
  9. ↑ "Marshall Amps:: 2245 (JTM45)". Marshall Amplification. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  10. ↑ Hunter, Dave (2005). The Guitar Amp Handbook: Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds. Hal Leonard. pp. 75–76. ISBN 978-0-87930-863-6.
  11. ↑ Hunter, Dave (2005). Guitar Rigs: Classic Guitar & Amp Combinations. Hal Leonard. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-87930-851-3.
  12. ↑ Prown, Pete; Lisa Sharken (2003). Gear Secrets of the Guitar Legends: How to Sound Like Your Favorite Players. Hal Leonard. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-87930-751-6.
  13. ↑ Newquist, H. P.; Rich Maloof (2004). The hard rock masters. Hal Leonard. pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-0-87930-813-1.
  14. ↑ Prown, Pete; Lisa Sharken (2003). Gear Secrets of the Guitar Legends: How to Sound Like Your Favorite Players. Hal Leonard. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-87930-751-6.
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