Marshall 1962 Bluesbreaker

it does what an amp should do... sound amazing

only minus for me would be the lack of an FX-loop.. even though the need is'nt to big, because almost all of the distortion comes from the power-amp section

i use this amp with a Gibson SG.. but mainly my ibanez JS-2000 split-coils)

i play mainly hard rock like Van halen AC/DC and some Ozzy
of course a bit of blues too
personaly i think it's amazing for that. i sounds a lot like a plexi, just less treble and volume. of course i use pedals for distortion. my chain is. dunlop Cry baby, boss NS-2, Mxr ZW44, Xotic BB preamp, T-rex Michael Angelo distortion, Mxr EVH phaser, T-rex Replica delay. i would deffiniatly buy an attenuator, so you can crank it.. it seems to distort on very low settings on the low input(1-2) and around 4 on the high input. i usualy patches the 2 channels to create my sound. the key to my sound is loudness

no problems so far

as said,, no problems

I love it, it's that simple, only thing to hate about it, is it's weight

if it was stolen, i would buy another,or maybe af 1959rr

This amp is from 1962. Old, maybe, but amazing.
The amp is very limited when it comes to features, but it makes up for that in the amazing quality of what it does give. I'm 16 and I listen to Tool, Korn, and Nine Inch Nails. It doesn't seem like this would be my type of amp to suit these styles, but I would have no other (except for maybe a mesa/boogie stack). There's no overdrive, but turn it up and you blues players have got it made. I use a couple of pedals and I've got a near perfect setup, even for my modern sound.

This amp is loud. I brag to all of my friends, even the one with the Line 6 SpiderIII stack. I know no one whose amp sounds better than mine. I brag to metal players, industrial players, classical rock players, and especially blues players. It doesn't get much better than this Marshall if you want real, good tube power.
My friend's dad is big on blues and even though he didn't know me at the time, once he saw this amp, he immediately started issuing death threats to me if I didn't let him play it.
Only thing for me is that the bass doesn't deliver quite as much for a distorted, A-tuned 7-string guitar (well...not enough to punch through a 5-piece band anyway), but I didn't expect it to. I doubt anyone even considered playing that low when this amp was made. It's still unbeatable for just about every other situation.

I've had it for about a year now and it obviously hasn't given me any trouble. It's hard as a rock and heavy as a boulder. This thing is a tank among combo amps.

Never dealt with any support.

If this thing was a full stack and delivered the bass and distortion I crave, I would never need to even glance at another amp.
I already know I'm keeping this for live. It's just so awesome.

Pretty simple. 4 inputs three band eq trem etc. Very vintage affair.

I brought this amp used. It was the 50watt version. For many years i really loved the sound of Paul Weller's Bluesbreaker. Trouble was that mine sounded nothing like his. The overdrive was ok but needed to blow the roof off to get it going. Even with my Les Paul it sounded pretty bland.

I think as a clean amp it sounded very good however the driven tone just did'nt cut it for me. I've been a pro player for a few years now and i love the look of the amp but it did'nt reach my high expectations. Used with an OD pedal it sounds much better.

I sold mine and got a DR Z. Much better tone (more expensive though).

Very very solid.

N/A

I sold mine. It's a good amp but the sound is a little hard, mild and tight. I think the little Marshall 18watt is much better sounding.
Looks very very cool but quite a large combo.

Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence and volume, it's all you should ever need. If you need more features then there's a pedal for everything. Or just buy a line 6 or something.
It is vesatile enough to do most styles because it just has a great inherent sound, but to do metal or whatever (which it actually does pretty well)you will need a pedal.

GREAT sound for rock/blues (as the name suggests) It is clean up to about 3/4 with a les paul, but about 5/6 with a strat or tele, after that it turns into fantastic blues overdrive, I then use a Boss OD-3 to boost it for heavy rock. All the stuff peaple say about wattage is complete bolocks, it's how loud it is, not what it's rated at this is the LOUDEST 30 watter I have ever heard and knock the head off of solid state 30 wattters. However, it is only a small amp, so anything louder than smallish clubs/pubs and you will have to mike it up.

It is a common myth that the les paul sounds best with this amp, i personally think that a strat or tele sounds just as good.

The amp has a powerful, warm sound with lots of bass and smooth highs, I think it's the best half-way point between a fender and a marshall.

It doesn't have much distortion, but it's not meant to. It's just a nice mild overdrive. Can I just say that it doesn't sound anything like a JTM45 head and cab (only two preamp valves, the other one is for the tremelo) so dont expect any AC DC sounds out of it.

I have only had it about 3/4 months but it has never failed me. I even accidentally turned it strait off at the plug and it didn't have any effect.

Havent dealt with them

It's just great.

4 inputs, 2 channels, sharing 3 band eq plus presence. Tremelo, depth and speed. No effects loop.

In the beginning, this is all we had. 40 or so years later, it is still all we need.

I understand that this is Jim Marshall's original amp design. He borrowed heavily from the Fender Bassman.

Used with a 2 humbucker type guitar, a mild overdrive unit to push the front end a little, and optional analog delay.

Unbelievably complex tone, clean to dirty.

It uses 6L6's, not EL34's, so it's got a Fender hi-fi type quality, rich low end, but Marshall attitude.

The best of both worlds. In my estimation, the absolute best amp ever made.

The amp is remarkably quiet.

Used without a backup for 12 years. Simple circuit. Any problem is likely going to be a tube.

Never needed them.

At this price, why not get two?

Amp made in 1999. Great for classic rock and blues, even a little country. This is strictly old-school... no effects loops or channel switching. Just keep cranking the volume until it starts breaking up around 5 to 7 based on guitar/pickup combination. The tremolo isn't really that good compared to Fender. You can bridge the inputs with a patch cable and that really opens up a number of tonal options. The amp doesn't have reverb - and you don't really notice it that much. Take that from a guy who lives off reverb, too!!! I do run a small reverb pedal in front of the amp for some situations. Sounds good either way. Lots of people liken this amp to early Eric Clapton Bluesbreaker sounds. I think it's closer to SRV's "Can't Stand the Weather" vibe/tone!!

I use Strats and various LP copies. I always mod my guitars with better pickups than necessarily come as stock. This amp works perfectly for me whether at home or on a small stage. There's always plenty of volume. The amp sounds really warm about 2 to 3 vol. It can shake the walls and peel paint when dimed. Best to open the amp and use the guitar volume control for coloring the sound. The overdrive is good-old fashioned breakup - not the typical Marshall crunch given this amp runs the 6L6 setup in the power section but something close to Fender Super Reverb breakup, albeit with more harmonally complexed mids. This amp doesn't have the high shrill of a newer Fender blackface but you can dial in a bunch of treble with the presence control. Only bad thing is that this amp has a little too much bass with the stock speakers. Best to turn down the bass to 0 or 1. There's still plenty of thump left.

I've owned this amp for a week and playing the living stuffings out of it. This is a little better than the typical Marshall production stuff, not quite as good as boutique quality. I'd expect it to do as well as other current production models.

Amp is no longer under warranty but the Internet has tons of forums with people knowledgable about this amp. I have no qualms about getting advice or finding someone to help with a problem.

I've been playing 25 years in small bands and as a hobbyist. I own several of the newer Fender reissue amps and play through a 68 Super Reverb (in excellent condition) on most occasions. The Marshall Bluesbreaker is excellent. You don't have any apologies with this amp. It can run with the best of amps for a small/mid-sized club gig. You'll have to turn things down considerably if mic'ed thru a PA. There's a lot of air coming out of this amp. My bottom line - This amp is a cross between the traditional Marshall "crunch" and the Fender "blackface" sound. Maybe 75 percent Marshall, 25 percent Fender - but you can get the best of both worlds - especially with the right reverb pedal.

I think it has enough features, after all we are not looking for a DSp filled with tons things that a real guitarist or an amatuer needs to be befuddled with.

If your are not a clapton fiend then you will still really appreciate this beast. It has THE sound for hard rock and blues and you can almoist smell the fish and chips on it, British indeed. It is loud but not nearly as loud as my 60 watt and it starts to break up at about 4 and 1/2, Yes no Master volume So crank the son of a B%$#H. As the saleperson at the guitar store said it sounds like god, and if you are willing to hear god then it is amazing. I am very Glad ther is no master volume because that take the sound away and replaces it with thin-sounding slop!But Do wear ear plugs because it is loud! Lets just say i have learned from my mistakes with sound!

By the way i usae a '97 les paul classic goldtop through and it sound some what like angus young, i haven't fool with it much but it sounded like god right out of the box, so why mess with a good thing.
also used my strat, it sounds hendrixy. Both were used through a fulltone Full-drive 2, but i cranked it first, the full drive is perfect when operating at lower volumes.

I instantly notice the difference bettween my solid state junkfest and this baby, IT IS THE TONE IT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY!

just got it so it's a marshall it should stand up pretty well with certain amounts of babying that it crys out for. It is delicate so you can't and wont be able to throw it around, it is very heavy. I gave it seven because as all expensive amps it is delicate and that doesn't mean it isn't realiable its just very presious and could easily be broken unlike solid state that take a licking and keep on ticking. BUt otherwise for the craftmanship it would be a 10

never had to yet and hopefully i won't

IT is the classic sound and it is damn If ever lose it i will most definitely replace it!

Its My dream amp and I definitely am a convert to Marshall!

The features are standard Marshall of this era, no more no less, and it didn't seem to matter to Page, Beck, Green, Clapton, and a zillion other rock gods.

I use a variety of reissue strats from the 80's or frankenstrats. Pickups are Van Zandts, Lindy Fralin, Custom Shop Fat 54's, Custom Shop 'AY' 69, and Orville by Gibson 58 reissue stocked with WCR Coils
(www.crcoils.com) darkburst. I use a tube screamer for crunch when needed. I use it for recording mainly. Style wise I am grounded in early british blues, ala Green, Beck, Clapton and Page. At least with this amp. I have jumped it to two channel but prefer channel 1 for the LP. I have really played with this amp converting it over to G.E.C. KT66's and dropping the voltage by changing out the rectifier to a GZ32 to get a browned out sound. All stock preamp tubes have been switched out as well. The original tube compliment sounded nasty to my ears and I have been using valves for 35 years. Volume is usually cranked between 5 and 10, relying on the guitar pots to bring down the volume. Bass is usually set low around 2, midrange and treble usually somewhere between 5 & 6, nor more than 7. Pres is down to 0. The sound is quite good though I am in the process of doing a PtP conversion and switching out to alnico speakers. The greenbacks are nice but to get into that creamy distortion you are going to need those little alnico magnets. Changing out to a Mercury Magnetics transformer may be in the works. We'll see when I get the other components installed. The cabinet is stock. Now if you want to go to a full size cabinet then MOJO was making them. I don't know if they still are. The true test of tone that I was looking for was on John Mayall's "It's a Hard Road" with Peter Green. On the song "Someday After Awhile Green has this incredible sound and tone thing going on. Also, there was a song recorded by Rod Stuart, Ansley Dunsbar, Jack Bruce and Jeff Beck, called "Stone Cold Crazy" If you have never heard this song look for it on Rod Stuart 64 - 69 cd compilation. Beck has this incredible solo and tone that will not quit, not to mention that Rod's vocals are simply the best recording I have ever heard of him. This Japanese Orville and BB capture that tone to a T.

I would use this amp anywhere, until I found out it was a load of crap, which I am sure that it is not. I have never had an issue with any marshall that I have owned, except for the 73 50 watter that I purchased new. That era amp had a real difficult time with the tube sockets becoming unstable and shorting out the amp.

I have been playing since I was 13 and that was in 1969. I have let slip through my fingers far too many, now big money amps and guitars. My amplification consists of the BB around a 92, 66 Super Reverb(no those RI amps by fender do not sound the same, trust me on this one), 1970 Dual Showman Reverb head, 1969 Deluxe Reverb loaded with a JBL D120,(again the reissue eats crabgrass.)I would purchase this amp again What I love about it is that I can throw almost any type of music at it, with the right gear, and come up with an amazing array of sounds. Each guitar that I use has different color and tones and the marshall articulates them very clearly and with authority. I am rating this as fantastic value considering that you are going to pay the same price or more for just a reissue marshall head. In fact I just saw a BB guts taken and stuck into a head cabinet and it sold for more than I paid for the hole thing.

Mine is a 1999/2000? I play Rock/Punk Rock. This is the perfect Amp for me. I've had Hiwatt, Mesa, Fender, Sovtek - just about everything. For a 30 watt Amp this thing is loud with killer tone. I play medium to larger size rooms & I've yet to get this Amp above 3 with the channels bridged. I run a DOD 250 preamp or a DOD YJM 308 preamp in front of the Amp. It's like those pedals were made with this Amp in mind - Beyond transparent tone. This is a one channel Amp. If you want great tone instead of a couple channels with average tone, you can't go wrong with this Amp.

I play Teles & Strats w/Humbuckers. This Amp is great for cutting through live. If you don't run a pedal in front of the Amp & you want some dirt, then you'd better get a hot plate or something like it. The DOD pedals I mention before are the best to run in front of this Amp. It takes a bit of volume for this Amp to break up. You'd piss off many-a sound man if you ran the Amp at a volume hot enough to deliver the gain/dirt you may desire. I don't care for the tremolo so I had my Amp tech disconnect it. Marshall is not known for their tremolo.

The Amp is built like an older Marshall, nice and solid.
I only use the Amp for recording & live shows. I probably won't take it out on tour, only because it's still in good shape. And I have a great rehearsal set-up I can use.

I've never dealt with Marshall.

I've been playing 27 years and running. This is one incredible Amp.
It's almost like a Fender Bassman meets an AC30 with all the great Marshall tone in one combo. If you want total killer tone, then find one of these re-issues & Let there be Rock.

this amp has got just the right amount features for me. The tremelo system is fun tio muck around with but i hate effects so i never use it anyway. It's just a really simple no nonsense amp

i play old school rock (kind of led zeppelin meets ac/dc) and with the bridge humbucker on my strat selected i can those hard driven clean channel sound which made these bands famous , but when i select the neck pickup and put the temelo on i can get cool pink floyd / dire straits tone.i have been reading some of the other reviews and some say that the have changed quite alot about thier amps , I WOULDN'T CANGE A THING , i've got all the tone that i need , you can never improve an already great amp . i was originaly going to get a plexi but after reving myself from the heart attack that i endured after looking at the price i realised it was way too big so i went for , what i think , is an even smaller brother to the mighty plexi. this amp , when i looked at the cosmetics and the control panel on this amp it reminded me of an ac30 but this is a very different beast , its more crunchy , its more bluesy , its more 'rock'! its basicly JUST PLAIN BETTER

valves have always been dodgy in my book but as long as your extra careful you should be ok. and of course its got that valve rectifier so that increses your fears of a sudden amp explosion at your gig. but as ever marshall are always ready to help and the usual reliabilty you can expect from good old marshall

Marshall realy know how to deal with customers theyr're fast and efficent and very nice to all of thier customers.authorized marshall repairers are everywhere and always ready to listen to amp related problems. my amp is regestered on the 3 year warranty (for free i might add)

i have been playing for 2 years and am about to buy a gibson les paul (huge jimmy page fan , hence the gear)and own a fender standard fat strat.if it were lost or stolen then i would most certainly buy another one (but who would be able to steal anyway it weighs a tone , and you would be able to lose an amp that size anyway).its cranked up 'just dirty' tone suits me dwn to the ground. i considered an ac30 , a mesa nomad,an orange rockoverb and a fender twin but this was inexpensive and lets face it ITS A MARSHALL