Marshall Launches Handwired Series of Vintage Classics

July 24, 2004

Marshall unveiled new handwired amplifiers and matching speaker
cabinets at this year's Summer NAMM show. This ongoing series will feature
some of the world's most sought after, vintage, all-valve Marshalls. Other
than the limited edition Offset JTM45 Halfstack available in 1999 (only 300
were produced worldwide), this represents the first time Marshall has offered
a handwired product in recent years. Like the originals, these new amps share
simplicity of operation and natural valve tone.

"This new series was created to meet growing public demand, and to pay homage
to models that, for many players, represent the ultimate in organic, all-valve
guitar tone," explains Marshall Amplification U.S. Product Manager Nick Bowcott. "Our
primary objective was to achieve maximum authenticity in terms of components,
circuitry, construction methods, materials, specifications, aesthetics, signal
path, performance, tonal characteristics and feel," he notes. "All of the original
components and materials were used or reproduced, and the original methods
of construction employed in the late 1960s were revisited. All transformers
-- output and power -- have been meticulously re-created by Dagnall Electronics,
and each amplifier's handwired tag-board lives up to the slogan, 'Point-to-Point
Perfection'."

The initial handwired sereis models are:

1974X Combo with Tremolo

The original versions of this 18 Watt Amplifier (made from 1966--1968) are
now extremely rare and highly sought after. The new, all-valve combo (3 x ECC83/12AX7s*
in preamp, 1 x EZ81 rectifier, 2 x EL84s in power amp) features two channels
and a valve-driven Tremolo circuit (on Channel 2). Each channel offers two
inputs plus volume and tone controls. Channel 2 also has Speed and Depth controls
for the Tremolo.

A contributing sonic factor in the original 1974 is the way the sound of the
Celestion Greenback speaker softens with age. For the 1974X, Celestion revisited
the recipe for the original 20 Watt, ceramic magnet, 15 Ohm, Greenback T1221
speaker, and "aged" it. The result is a new speaker proprietary to Marshall.

Newly added, user-friendly features on the rear panel include two speaker
output jacks (the original internal speaker was hardwired to the output transformer)
and an impedance selector. In addition, both the Mains and H.T. fuses are now
accessible via the rear panel (in the original, fuses were internal and difficult
to access and change). Most importantly, these new features have no tonal impact
on the amplifier, according to Marshall.

1974CX 1x12" Speaker Cabinet

Designed to partner with the 1974X combo, the 1974CX is also loaded with the
proprietary, "aged," 20 Watt Celestion Greenback T1221 speaker.

2061X Head

The original versions of this new 20 Watt, all-valve (2 x ECC83s in preamp,
2 x EL84s in power amp) Lead and Bass 20 Head (made from 1967--1973) are now
highly collectable. Its two channels -- Lead and Bass -- both boast the same,
simple features: two inputs (High and Low Sensitivity) and controls for volume
and tone.

To enhance the user-friendliness of the 2061X, an impedance selector has been
added to the rear panel and both the Mains and H.T. fuses are now accessible
via the rear panel.

2061CX 2x12" Speaker Cabinet

This compact, 60 Watt, mono 2x12" cabinet has an angled front and is the perfect
partner for the 2061X head. It sports Salt and Pepper (a.k.a. Grey Basket Weave)
grille cloth, metal handles and two 30 Watt, Celestion G12H reissue speakers.

Pricing and Availability:

All four of the introductory models in this handwired series will be available
in September 2004, with US MSRPs as follows:

• 1974X -- $3200 (average street price $2299)
  
• 1974CX -- $850 (average street price $599)
  
• 2061X -- $2300 (average street price $1699)
  
• 2061CX -- $1100 (average street price $799)

For more information, visit their web site at www.marshallamps.com