Marshall Bluesbreaker
Encyclopedia
The Marshall Bluesbreaker is the popular name given to the Models 1961 and 1962 guitar amplifier
s made by Marshall
from 1964/1965 to 1972. The Bluesbreaker, which derives its nickname from being used by Eric Clapton
with John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
, is credited with delivering "the sound that launched British blues-rock in the mid-1960s." It was Marshall's first combo amplifier, and was described as "arguably the most important [amplifier] in the company's history" and "the definitive rock amplifier."
he frequented) to make him a combo amp powerful enough to use on stage. According to Robb Lawrence's The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy, Jim Marshall initially gave Clapton a Model 1961 with 4x10" speakers, which was soon replaced with a 2x12" Model 1962. Clapton used the combo amplifier with his 1960 Gibson Les Paul
Standard, allegedly in combination with a Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster, which resulted in the creation of a texture of sound that would become regarded as iconic in the realm of blues oriented rock.
Marshall's Model 1961/1962 combo amplifier entered the market at an affordable price–one third cheaper than a Vox AC30
and half the price of a Fender Bassman
combo. Its reputation was cemented when Clapton, who had rejoined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
, used one to record Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton–a set of sessions now widely regarded as "historic". After that, the combo became known as the "Bluesbreaker." The model was discontinued in 1972.
Due to its iconic status amongst collectors, the Bluesbreaker has become one of the most collectible and valuable vintage guitar amplifiers. According to a 2011 Vintage Guitar article ranking the twenty-five "most valuable amplifiers," the 1966/1967 Bluesbreaker is seventh on the list, with solid original examples fetching prices between $8,300 and $10,000 USD.
tubes. In 1991, Marshall began making a guitar effect
pedal that was intended to emulate the sound of the original combo. In 1999, a second version of the amplifier, the Bluesbreaker II, was released, with 5881 tubes.
, fitted with tremolo and installed into an open backed speaker cabinet, while Model 1962 was the bass version of the JTM 45 (Model 1986), also fitted with tremolo and open backed cabinet. These amplifiers both feature the basic JTM 45 modified Fender Bassman
circuit, which provided the origin of what became known as the "Marshall sound". The first versions of these combo amplifiers were made in 1964-1965, with Models 1961 and 1962 being fitted with 4x10" and 2x12" Celestion
speakers respectively. An extremely rare 2x12" extension cabinet was also offered. A later model had a slightly thinner cabinet with different acoustics. Production JTM45 amplifiers used KT66
output tubes, which are credited with providing "a round, bell like tone with soft distortion character." Also contributing to the overall sound picture of the JTM45 series amplifiers was a GZ34 rectifier tube.
Marshall also made an 18-watt combo amplifier with 2x10" speakers (Model 1958) that looked like a smaller version of the Bluesbreaker, and is sometimes referred to as its "little brother."
is credited with allowing Clapton to play in the studio as if he were playing live, and to improvise his "solos played at full volume through a Marshall JTM 45 (nicknamed the Bluesbreaker)."
In comparison with the Marshall JTM45 half-stacks of the time, the open-back combo amps had less low and a bit more crisp high-end response, which suits the Les Paul well, especially when recording blues
.
magazine published a "Bluesbreaker modification" to the Bassman.
Guitar amplifier
A guitar amplifier is an electronic amplifier designed to make the signal of an electric or acoustic guitar louder so that it will produce sound through a loudspeaker...
s made by Marshall
Marshall Amplification
Marshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
from 1964/1965 to 1972. The Bluesbreaker, which derives its nickname from being used by Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
with John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are a pioneering English blues band, led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist John Mayall, OBE. Mayall used the band name between 1963 and 1967, but then dropped it for some fifteen years. However, in 1982 a 'Return of the Bluesbreakers' was announced and...
, is credited with delivering "the sound that launched British blues-rock in the mid-1960s." It was Marshall's first combo amplifier, and was described as "arguably the most important [amplifier] in the company's history" and "the definitive rock amplifier."
History
According to the most widely accepted story, Eric Clapton wanted an amp that would fit in the boot of his car, so he asked Jim Marshall (whose store in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
he frequented) to make him a combo amp powerful enough to use on stage. According to Robb Lawrence's The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy, Jim Marshall initially gave Clapton a Model 1961 with 4x10" speakers, which was soon replaced with a 2x12" Model 1962. Clapton used the combo amplifier with his 1960 Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
Standard, allegedly in combination with a Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster, which resulted in the creation of a texture of sound that would become regarded as iconic in the realm of blues oriented rock.
Marshall's Model 1961/1962 combo amplifier entered the market at an affordable price–one third cheaper than a Vox AC30
Vox AC30
The Vox AC30 is a guitar amplifier manufactured by Vox and known for its "jangly" high-end sound. First introduced in 1958 due to the growing demand for higher-wattage amplifiers, it became an iconic amplifier for British musicians and soon for others....
and half the price of a Fender Bassman
Fender Bassman
The Fender Bassman was a bass amplifier introduced by Fender in 1952. Although it was originally designed for bass guitars, it was frequently used for normal electric guitar in rock and roll, blues, and country bands.-History:...
combo. Its reputation was cemented when Clapton, who had rejoined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are a pioneering English blues band, led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist John Mayall, OBE. Mayall used the band name between 1963 and 1967, but then dropped it for some fifteen years. However, in 1982 a 'Return of the Bluesbreakers' was announced and...
, used one to record Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton–a set of sessions now widely regarded as "historic". After that, the combo became known as the "Bluesbreaker." The model was discontinued in 1972.
Due to its iconic status amongst collectors, the Bluesbreaker has become one of the most collectible and valuable vintage guitar amplifiers. According to a 2011 Vintage Guitar article ranking the twenty-five "most valuable amplifiers," the 1966/1967 Bluesbreaker is seventh on the list, with solid original examples fetching prices between $8,300 and $10,000 USD.
Reissue
Marshall reissued the 2x12" Bluesbreaker in 1989; the 4x10" was never reissued. This version used 6L66L6
6L6 is the designator for a vacuum tube introduced by Radio Corporation of America in July 1936. At the time Philips had already developed and patented power pentode designs, which were fast replacing power triodes due to their greater efficiency...
tubes. In 1991, Marshall began making a guitar effect
Effects unit
Effects units are electronic devices that alter how a musical instrument or other audio source sounds. Some effects subtly "color" a sound, while others transform it dramatically. Effects are used during live performances or in the studio, typically with electric guitar, keyboard and bass...
pedal that was intended to emulate the sound of the original combo. In 1999, a second version of the amplifier, the Bluesbreaker II, was released, with 5881 tubes.
Description, specifications and sound
Marshall's original Model 1961 and 1962 were basically JTM 45 combo amplifiers. Model 1961 was essentially the lead version of the Model 1987 JTM 45Marshall JTM 45
The Marshall JTM 45 is the first guitar amplifier made by Marshall. First produced in 1962, it has been called a "seminal" amplifier, and is praised as the most desirable of all the company's amplifiers.-History:...
, fitted with tremolo and installed into an open backed speaker cabinet, while Model 1962 was the bass version of the JTM 45 (Model 1986), also fitted with tremolo and open backed cabinet. These amplifiers both feature the basic JTM 45 modified Fender Bassman
Fender Bassman
The Fender Bassman was a bass amplifier introduced by Fender in 1952. Although it was originally designed for bass guitars, it was frequently used for normal electric guitar in rock and roll, blues, and country bands.-History:...
circuit, which provided the origin of what became known as the "Marshall sound". The first versions of these combo amplifiers were made in 1964-1965, with Models 1961 and 1962 being fitted with 4x10" and 2x12" Celestion
Celestion
Celestion is a British maker of loudspeakers.-History:The work of what would become Celestion started in Hampton Wick in 1924. Celestion Radio Company and Celestion Limited were formed in 1927, and two years later the company moved across the Thames to Kingston. The company grew rapidly, but was...
speakers respectively. An extremely rare 2x12" extension cabinet was also offered. A later model had a slightly thinner cabinet with different acoustics. Production JTM45 amplifiers used KT66
KT66
The KT66 is a beam tetrode/kinkless tetrode vacuum tube for audio amplification.KT66 is the designator for a vacuum tube introduced by Marconi-Osram Valve Co. Ltd. of Britain in 1937....
output tubes, which are credited with providing "a round, bell like tone with soft distortion character." Also contributing to the overall sound picture of the JTM45 series amplifiers was a GZ34 rectifier tube.
Marshall also made an 18-watt combo amplifier with 2x10" speakers (Model 1958) that looked like a smaller version of the Bluesbreaker, and is sometimes referred to as its "little brother."
Eric Clapton and the Bluesbreaker sound
The output of a typical Bluesbreaker was only about 35 watts, and thus the sound would break up quicker at moderate volumes as compared to larger amplifiers. It was precisely this distortion that Eric Clapton was after. Reportedly, Clapton told the engineer during the Bluesbreakers sessions that he should mike the amplifier from across the room, because he intended to play it as loud as possible. Producer Mike VernonMike Vernon (producer)
Mike Vernon is an English record producer. He produced albums for British blues artists and groups during the late 1960s, working with the Bluesbreakers, David Bowie, Duster Bennett, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, John Mayall, Christine McVie and...
is credited with allowing Clapton to play in the studio as if he were playing live, and to improvise his "solos played at full volume through a Marshall JTM 45 (nicknamed the Bluesbreaker)."
In comparison with the Marshall JTM45 half-stacks of the time, the open-back combo amps had less low and a bit more crisp high-end response, which suits the Les Paul well, especially when recording blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
.
Modification
Since the Bluesbreaker ultimately derives from the Fender Bassman, it is possible to modify a Bassman appropriately; in February 1993 Guitar PlayerGuitar Player
Guitar Player is a popular magazine for guitarists founded in 1967. It contains articles, interviews, reviews and lessons of an eclectic collection of artists, genres and products. It has been in print since the late 1960s and during the 1980s, under editor Tom Wheeler, the publication was...
magazine published a "Bluesbreaker modification" to the Bassman.
Further reading
- John R. Wiley, The Marshall Bluesbreaker: The Story of Marshall's First Combo. Alfred: 2010. ISBN 9781936120024.