My Marshall Astoria Classic gives me KT66 power, great Bluesbreaker tone, in 1x12, 30/5 watt combo, and with very manageable volume control.Īfter many years and dollars spent, I finally found my Bluesbreaker tone.Softube releases Amp Room: Marshall Edition and a major update to Amp Room, its pro audio guitar & bass platform Still, the I feel that the 1974x and 1973x are some of the best looking Marshall’s ever made and I’m still tempted to try one again some day, but 1974x will not give you Bluesbreaker tones. I never tried a 1973x but I ran my 1974x through a Marshall 2x12 with G12-65's and I still found it lacking bass (for my liking). I guess that I am just not meant to own EL84 powered amps. The 1974x's just didn't have enough bottom end for my taste and were very bright. I loved the looks, size and wattage of my 18 watt Marshalls. Despite the crazy big size and weight of 1962hw, I would have kept the amp, if the volume was not so ridiculously loud. I found the the handwired Bluesbreaker had the best tone, but it was too loud, wouldn't overdrive without blowing out the windows, and it did not take OD pedals well. I've owned two 1962HW Bluesbreakers, a 1962RI Bluesbreaker, two 1974x's, and a vintage Marshall 18 watt. I would run a JTM45 through Golds for the cleans, and maybe through G12M20s for not too loud dirt. Not much volume difference really, and an 18w with a gold might be as loud as a 30 with GBs. I love a Marshall that says "Marshall" on the front too, and would not put a Marshall badge on a Ceriatone, so there's that. The BB combo is awfully pretty though, if one moved in I wouldn't cut it up for firewood. I'd prefer the 45 over the 18w if I had to have just one. Really there was two choices, give or take. Of course many will disagree, but back when they were original there was a tiny range of speaker options to choose from. Just no good reason to put the speakers in the same box as the head.Įspecially since your speaker choice changes that amp so much. While the little 18w is a great combo, I think the Bluesbreaker JTM45 combo is a foolish anachronism. I have one original circuit (Lil Dawg Pug) and two TMB. The smaller amps are my preferred tones, but they usually don't cut it live.įWIW I think the 1974x circuit is sadly lacking compared to the aftermarket TMB variants. The Mesa has the #1 gigging spot right now, but a simpler, less versatile amp like the Bluesbreaker 1962HW or the Bassbreaker 30R could potentially replace it, in the right band. I absolutely love the 15, and the 30R is basically just a more powerful version of it.Īnd yes, I do plan on eventually playing guitar again in a band. and I am highly considering the new Bassbreaker 30R combo.which might scratch the 1962HW itch (although it doesn't have tremolo). The Super and the TSL-122 in particular, I miss. but I only sold those in times of financial need, because they weren't getting used, not because I didn't like them. '18 Fender Bassbreaker 15 combo – 15W 1x12įender '65 reissue Super Reverb – 45W 4x10
'12 Mesa Express Plus 5:25 – 25W class AB/15W or 5W class A 1x12 '90s Ampeg Reverberocket head/cab (R-50H) – 50W 4x12 or 2x15