Marshall 1962 Bluesbreaker

ElectricXII

I'm mostly a Vox guy, but I've got a Marshall Bluesbreaker itch to scratch, and there's been a 2004 one for sale near me for the last 6 weeks at £800, with no takers.

My Fender 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb mostly sits in a cupboard, as my AC15 is my main gigging amp at the moment, and I'm thinking of offering it as a straight trade for the Marshall.

I know these 1962s are very loud and pretty heavy, but I like the noise they make. The amp in question has had Marshall cab side handles installed which should make moving it easier, and I believe the weight is less than AC30s which I've used.

It will almost certainly be too loud for the typical large bar gigs we play, but I get most of my dirt from pedals. 

What do those in the know think? Is the Marshall too impractical for modern gigging? Will I end up with an amp that's hard to shift if it doesn't work out?

GoldenEraGuitars

From my experience of the last 2 years, larger marshalls are a hard sell. Amps are a lot more flexible and more compact these days… heavy, big and loud marshalls don’t seem to be fashionable. I don’t think you’ll be able to get a straight trade, but you can try your luck. 

Personally, I’d take the Marshall over the fender no problem. You’d likely get your money back for it if you decided to shift it, but it might just take a bit longer than you’d want it to.

GavRichList

No it’s not! It’s an absolute joy of an amp. My favourite of all time. I’ve been gigging one absolutely fine. I have just swapped it for a JTM45 head and cab mind you, but that’s because I’m only 5ft 9”, and along with being “bastard heavy” the bluesbreaker is also tall, and only has a handle on the top. My house is three storey and I nearly plummeted to my death on more than one occasion moving it. The side handles will be a big boon. 

In short, don’t hesitate. Phenomenal amp. Jump the channels, wind both up past 4, and live your best life. 

YOU DO YOU BABE. 

ICBM

Even if the seller wants a small amount of cash, do it - the Marshall is worth a bit more, but the Fender is easier for him to sell so it should be a win for both of you.

Gav is right, they're a pig to move if you're short - I'm not only shorter than him but older too, so I wouldn't even try on my own these days - but they sound fantastic even used as a clean pedal platform, you don't have to crank them to sound wonderful. (But they do if you can!)

Littlejonny

I cranked one in a studio this year and it was beyond my expectations of tone. It was smooth and crunchy at the same time and just sang. I mostly used it as a pedal platform though for lower volume recording. For that, it was perfect as well. There’s a punchiness and woodiness to the sound that’s hard to describe. I hope to own a Bluesbreaker one day. 

marxski

Isn’t Marshall bringing out a JTM45 mini combo soon? 

I have a Mini Bluesbreaker 2 x 10 18 watter handwired. Breaks up really nicely and lovely tremolo. Not the same flavour as the full fat Bluesbreaker as EL84s but portable and still Marshally.. 

roberty

At the risk of upsetting purists, I run my JTM45 head through a Harley Benton attenuator and it's fine. It might change the sound slightly but you have four holes and EQ to play with

I ran my Fender Pro Reverb 2x12 combo through the HBA a few weeks back. Didn't really notice any difference in the sound but got it compressing nicely in a little rehearsal room

TL;DR there is a way to control volume that doesn't break the bank

ElectricXII

Thanks for the positive feedback guys. I'll  see how it goes with a possible trade.

ElectricXII

Finally New Amp Day has arrived! Not the amp I was originally interested in though. This one is a heavily used 2007 model running TAD KT66s and I got it for a decent price. 

I've just given it a thorough clean up, sprayed and tightened all the pots and cleaned the valve sockets, and I'm toying with gigging it tonight, despite a slightly concerning hum/buzz which isn't present when the power valves are not fitted, and isn't affected much by the controls, with the exception of the presence knob. 

I was aware of the problem when I agreed to buy the amp, and I'm thinking there's a good chance it's the filter caps. I might look at getting Marshall to give the old beast a service, as there are no techs near me that I would trust. Otherwise DIY.

Yorkie

I’m sure you’ll figure out the buzz issue. 

One of the coolest combos I know. Congratulations are in order!

ElectricXII

Thanks @Yorkie. I’ve just decided I will gig it tonight. It’ll be wound up as loud as the sound man will let me from 9pm at The Duchess of Kirkcaldy 

Yorkie

Better warn folks in Edinburgh then  

ElectricXII

Just back home from the gig. Everything was mic’d through the PA and I ended up running the Bluesbreaker with the channels jumpered and both volumes around 2.5.  

The sound man was happier with more
stage volume but I kept feeling that my stage volume was too high, especially with dirt pedals. My band mates didn’t complain though so it was probably just me not being used to the big 2x12 combo. 

I felt that the Marshall was a lot less forgiving than my usual Vox, but it’s warm and full and glorious, especially clean as a pedal platform. 

Thanks @GavRichList and @ICBM for your encouragement. My back hates you both though. 

ICBM

If you’re going to gig it regularly it’s worth getting a flightcase/road case for it - they’re not very tough cosmetically and it will get tatty very quickly, and although it’s even heavier in the case it’s easier to move because it’s on wheels and the end handles make it a two-person lift if you need to.

GavRichList

ElectricXII said:

Just back home from the gig. Everything was mic’d through the PA and I ended up running the Bluesbreaker with the channels jumpered and both volumes around 2.5.  

The sound man was happier with more
stage volume but I kept feeling that my stage volume was too high, especially with dirt pedals. My band mates didn’t complain though so it was probably just me not being used to the big 2x12 combo. 

I felt that the Marshall was a lot less forgiving than my usual Vox, but it’s warm and full and glorious, especially clean as a pedal platform. 

Thanks @GavRichList and @ICBM for your encouragement. My back hates you both though. 

Yeah, hence the head and cab move  

glad you went for it though. Beautiful things. My old one got its first outing on that pedal show last week. This was a surprise: