Marshall 1987XL Head

My amp is a new model,2009
I play on a church worship team, played in bands for years.
This is a Straight forward amp. Presence, bass, mid, trebble, trebble volume normal volume. Has an effects loop, I never use them. I bridge the two separate channels. Blends nicely. this thing is loud. I was suprised how nice the clean tones are. Small amount of delay playing the neck pickup on my Les Paul Standard, very nice. I have read many reviews and inclined to agree that the trebble channel is a bit bright, may need to make a modification. Also Considering getting a hot plate.

I have two les paul standars, a 50's model and a 60's model, also a Fender fat strat, and an Ibanez as120. The les pauls and the strat sound great. If you want the classic rock sound this is the ticket. I run ad boss bd-2 with the h2o mod, morely steve via horsie wah, and line 6 delay modeler right thru the front of this thing. I have a marshall 1960 tv cabinet with 25 wt green backs. Sounds like the real deal. I have heard its a one trick pony, I dont agree. Even with pedals in front on lower volume, I can pull some nice tones. I love how I can crank this a bit for drive and then just roll my volume off on the guitar and get such a dynamic. Very sensitive to pick attack, gives the player a lot of control. Must warn you this thing cuts thru, better know your solo's cause if you don't everyone else will too.

Bought mine near new condition and it already needs tubes. The normal channel sounds like the power tube has gone bad after I have owned it a month.
Also the handles feel cheap. found a place on line that sells the metal replacement. There $20 each. I think itll be worth it.

have had to ask marshall for anything

Overall. Very happy with the tone. A few things to deal with like the tubes and the handles but sound is worth it.

I didn't give it the full 10 because you really have to learn how to use the amp to get the sounds you want. Experimentation is necessary with this thing. I don't like master volumes, but maybe you do and this amp doesn't have one. Mine is a 2005 (?) model. As far as versatility goes, it sounds good with every style of music I play (classic rock, blues, jazz, soul music, reggae). I usually plug into the second channel (there are 2 channels w/2 inputs each making a total of 4 inputs) and keep everything on ten (minus the volume for the inactive 1st channel [high treble]). I know that sounds pretty insane for a 50 watt head with no master volume, but it actually breaks up nicely when the guitar volume is low, more so than with the guitar volume all the way up and the amp at a low volume. You'd be surprised how much you can control the sound of this amp just with the volume and tone controls on the instrument. If you're looking for a super clean sound, keep it on 1 and it sounds great too. I have never used the effects loop. What's good about this amp is that it has a switch to completely deactivate the loop so it doesn't mess with the sound. I don't use the 1st channel either. Too much treble for me. If you jump the channels, you can get a ton of different sounds. I keep meaning to mess around with that, but the simplicity of the cranked 2nd channel keeps calling me back. This thing definitely has enough power. If you don't have a hot plate, be prepared to lose some hearing. I haven't heard in person if a hot plate affects the sound or not so I can't really suggest anything with that. The amp sounds great with no mods, and I'm sure it sounds even better if you restore everything to the original values.

Sounds amazing when it's recorded. Personally, I can't get the perfect lead sound through this amp without using a Fuzzface while playing a Stratocaster. With my SG, I've been able to get great rhythm and lead sounds without the use of any pedals while using this amp. But then again, my playing style is not the same as yours, so you should really test it out before buying it. I'm sure if you're partial to Stratocasters you'll be comfortable on this amp. They don't sound thin at all through the 1987XL, which is a big plus for me. As far as noise goes, I've never noticed anything annoying.
There's no "clean" channel, "overdrive" channel, or "gain". You must be aware of this if you buy it. If you're the type of player who likes a lot of distortion at low volumes, this amp is not for you. It's also very sensitive to picking. I have high action on my guitars and I can pick pretty hard at times, so this thing can get really expressive. I wouldn't suggest buying this amp if you are someone who likes using pedals to get all of your overdriven sounds. To me, the whole point of this thing is to turn it up. That's where the character really comes through. Again, if you're looking to buy this amp, you need to try it first.

No backup amp needed. Mine is very reliable. If you use it correctly, you won't have any problems.

Be sure you know the ohm ratings for your cabinets. I was misinformed about one of mine and I ended up blowing the transformer on my 1987XL twice. If you've ever had to switch out a transformer, you know it's not cheap to replace. I don't know how to do my own amp repairs, so add the cost of labor and you're talking at least $150 down the drain.

Also, don't forget to change the ohm selector switch if you use the head with other cabinets too.

If this is your first head/cabinet setup, be careful with that stuff.

I've never dealt with customer support.

I can't stress enough that you really need to try this amp before buying it to know what you're getting into. Don't buy it just because it looks cool and says Marshall on it, or because it's a plexi and your favorite guitarists played through plexis. This is a very loud amplifier and works very differently from other amps. You might end up hating it. Here are some things that I've ran into while using the amp:

1. Live sound - If you're like me and don't use a hot plate, be prepared to take a lot of guff from the sound man. Since it's not the 1960's anymore, most venues mic the amps and put them through the P.A. system. However, I like hearing the actual band rather than mic-ing everything and putting it through the P.A. Yes, I am out of my mind and you probably don't agree with me. This amp definitely has enough power to fill a good medium sized room without the use of the P.A. Some sound guys can be flexible with this and others not so much. I won't go into details, but I've had many an argument over this.

2. Mic-ing (I'm not sure if I'm spelling that right) - This amp can end up sounding very brittle if run through certain cabinets and mic-ed certain ways. You must be aware of your cabinet and how it is being mic-ed. Experimentation is always a good idea. You don't want to spend $1200 on a new amp and then have it sound like a $70 practice amp when somebody puts a mic on it. What you hear on stage or in the room in the studio could be completely different than what is being fed through the house or put onto tape (or hard-disc or laquer or whatever you use). I've played it through many different cabs at many different venues and mic-ed it many different ways with varying results. Make sure you are aware of how it sounds in the house (or on tape) and change the mic or the position of the mic if you need to.

I would definitely buy this beast again if it was stolen or lost.

When comparing it to other products, I chose this one because it was loud and it sounded awesome. When I was in the store, I A/B-ed this one to a new Marshall Bluesbreaker combo. Aside from the fact that the Bluesbreaker was making a horrible screeching noise at any volume and needed some work done on it, the 1987XL sounded fuller.

Manufactured in 2003 this amp is versatile enough for the classic rock player. Has the 4 inputs, 2 per channel and many players love this so they can jump the channels. The XL reissue has the effects loop, very useful for delay & chorus/flanger pedals. I'm satisfied with the features here, I prefer the "plug & play" method anyway. I use this amp for practice & playing out. I soak it with a hotplate at home & run her wide open at gigs. Might be rated at 50 watts but she sounds more like 75 to me.

I use stock Gibson & Fender guitars, both sound great through this amp. Since I play in a classic rock band this amp is next to perfect for me. I was surprised that this amp is not as noisy as my other tube amps (and on 10 no less!). Of course the hiss/noise will sound different depending on where you plug it in. The number 2 inputs is cleaner but crank its volume up and it overdrives very nicely (smooth). I love attacking the strings when I play leads & of course channel one is great for this. If I want to play hard rock I run a tube screamer into it. I don't use the gain setting, only the volume for a boost (on about 3/4) and it works very well.

I own 3 Marshall's and they have all had very small issues. Good news here is they have never failed at a gig so I have faith in this head. I always have a backup amp just in case Murphy decides to rear his ugly head!

Never had to deal with Marshall. I always depend on my local tube guru for service (never had a problem while under the warranty).

I have been playing for over 30 years. If the amp were lost I might buy the same, might try the 100 watt reissue. I notice a very slight fuzziness out of this amp, I might try re-tubing it like the other post in here. I bought a solid state amp when I first started playing guitar. I moved up to a Carvin tube amp in the early 80's when I joined a band and it was then when I realized I had to become a better player as tube amps don't cover up your mistakes. I have owned 5 or 6 tube amps since then. I have always wanted a plexi, all my guitar heroes played through them. The circuitry in this amp is what created the magic in their playing style. I must say for a re-issue this amp comes close to those sounds. I would have loved a vintage one but this amp is new with an effects loop & I didn't have to take out a loan to own it!

My 1987XL is a NOS 2005 model. It's a 4 holer and it's not channel switching and it doesn't have a master volume and for me that's what I like the best in an amp. Didn't think I'd like the added effects loop but it sounds wonderful when I plug my Echohead pedal through it. It has plenty of power and sounds pretty decent out of the box.

This amp makes glorious clean sounds and frightfully good overdriven sounds. Ok first things first, I removed the bright cap for vol.1 at C5 on the board and that made the vol 1 knob useful since before it's removal the volume went literally from 0 to full blast at 1.2 and was waaayy to bright. Removing that cap got the amp working much smoother at lower volume and the overdrive now kicks in after reaching past 4 on that knob. I play the amp through a newer Marshall 425A VM cab with the Hendrix Greenbacks. The amp is a loud mofo so I picked up a 16ohm hotplate and play the amp mostly between 6 and 9.5, sometimes with both inputs bridged to fatten up the low end sometimes straight into the top left input only. The Hotplate probably gets used most at the -8db reduction setting although the -12db setting can be made to sound useable if the amp isn't driving too distorted. That really saves the ears although to be honest, they're still getting hammered! Mostly I use either of my stock Historic Les Pauls with Burstbuckers and this amp does NOT need any extra outboard overdrives to sound fantastic. I can go from clean dirty Bluesbreaker type tones through Frees warm grind and from Zeppelin on to Van Halen and Scorpions type drive with the amp wound up all the way

If anything breaks down other than tubes it would be fairly easily serviced. These bad boys are built to a very high standard however so I would be suprised if it failed for any reason other than tubes or a fuse here and then in less than 10 years.

I've played off and on since the late 1970s and I own currently 2 Les Paul Historics, a '57 Goldtop and a '58 sunburst as well as a newer American Series Stratocaster with a SD Little 59 in the bridge position. My other amp is a Mojo JTM45 handwired clone that was specced out like an original JTM45. That amp sound's really good with both inputs briged and dimed to get the KT66s singin. It's mushy in the low end like it's supposed to be but it does have a unique early Marshall tone. The 1987XL has a more solid and massive low end with a lot more gain and drive on tap, like it's supposed to. It does a wider variety of music more convincingly than the JTM and I would buy another in a second. Gobs of good tone and I wouldn't change a thing on it. Marshall still makes a killer amp!

I've had the thing for a week and can't do anything with it.

Disappointing. Okay, it sounds good clean. So what. Turn it up and the low end sounds are like something from a bad fuzzbox. No raw Marshall sound, just muffled garbage as far as I'm concerned. I tried my Strat, Ibanez Roadstar, and Jackson SL1. Let's see... crap, crap, and more crap. I'm running it through a 1960TV cab, but that's not the problem, it's the head. I tried a couple of the mods posted here, namely, adding a 100k resistor to NFB resistor R21 (in parallel resulting in 50k), and adding a cap in parallel with R9. The extra 100k resistor cut the treble quite a bit for me, but the low end still sounded fuzzy when set at 4 and up, and it just gets worse after 4. The cap in parallel with R9 just made it sound like crap a little quicker.
I don't know if the amp is supposed to sound like this or not, because I haven't found audio files anywhere for comparison.

Like I said, it's disappointing. All these great reviews led me to believe that I would be happy with it. I'm not happy. I'm hoping to find something that I can do to make it sound better.

No opinion.

I'm just starting to do some research to see what I can find.

Bought this amp a month ago as "New/Old Stock" from 2005. This "features" category is somewhat misleading because although it's a single channel amp, by controlling the volume on the guitar you can get a very good clean sound similar to amps with multiple channels. The effects loop is a nice addition and my reverb works nicely through it. Not having a master volume takes some getting used to, but being able to bridge the inputs and that Marshall sound more than make up for it.

Hendrix, Townshend, Page, Clapton. I can't play like them, but I can now get their sound. It really is hard to make this amp sound poorly. (aside from poor playing). It's exceptionally loud for a 50 Watt head. I use a Hot Plate and a Tube Screamer to keep my marriage and my childrens hearing intact. Great for Classic Rock and Blues. A noise gate would be the only thing I'd add, but I can live with some buzz given the tone it produces with my PRS, Les Paul's and my Strat.

Seems rugged enough, but I've only owned it a month.

See above.

I've been playing about 5 years. I own three Gibsons, a Fender, PRS and a Peavey. A 4x12 loaded with Celestions. I'm not a pedal freak as I only use a Electro Harmonix reverb and a Ibenez Tube Screamer re-issue. If it were lost or stolen I'd replace it for sure. I love the tone, it defined the rock I grew up with. The price was a little stout, but a few licks of Zepp or Cream and I tend to forget about the price. I wish it had a master volume, but then it wouldn't be a plexi.

Is tone a feature? If so, this amplifier has the best feature ever!

Ok, it's got an effects loop! Really does need one however. I'd prefer the amp without the effects loop.

Is it versitile? It's great for blues, rock, metal or grunge so I guess it covers all good styles of music.

I've been a Marshall snob since 1980 when I bought my first Marshall, a 1973 50 Watt head. Since then, I've bought and sold another ten or more.
I was at Guitar Center yesterday and plugged into one of these guys and I am amazed at how good it sounds. Really does sound like my friends old Marshall 1969 50 watt head. There are no bad setting on the amp. It has tons of compression and sustain (something amps have been missing since 1973). I think it sounds better than a 1972 small box 50 watter!

I like it way better than the JTM 45 reissue!

I guess it's the best sounding stock Marshall I've ever heard!

I spoke to Jim Marshall at the Namm show back in the mid 80's and told Jim Marshall that I hated his new amps! (LOL) He must of listened to me because he started his reissue line of amps and cabs the next year. There's some customer support!

The price tag of over $1600 is a bit overwhelming but I guess Marshalls have always been pricey (for the good ones).

2004 model, being able to strap the channels is a feature in itself and a must to get the most out of it. It's got a true bypass effects loop on the back but i havent used it yet, i hear a chorus or delay sounds great there. This amp would be good for almost any style of music if you spend enough time tweaking it to suit your needs. You'd need a distortion pedal for metal, but it responds well to pedals. It responds well to anything you plug into it! It's a very loud 50 watts with the most headroom i've ever heard from a 50 watt amp. I'm giving a 10, not because it's loaded with features but you can do alot with what it does have.

I'm using a Les Paul with Burstbuckers, they seem to play well together. I play mostly classic rock type music but as i said before, this amp can do it all. It's the perfect foundation for many different types of music. It's not noisy at all, it could be turned up loud enough to blow your head off and you wouldnt know it until you hit the strings. It can go from clean and punchy Motown, Reggae and Jazz to Black Sabbath, AC/DC and Judas Priest. It's pretty much required to strap the channels to get a warm grind out of it. The distortion is not brutal but a distortion pedal can easily put it into Metallica territory or get you some crunch at lower volume levels.
My only gripe about it is that the stock tubes really dont do this amp any justice. I was actually worried about whether or not i was going to keep it until i put some different tubes in it, dialed it in and it gave me chills! Now i know i'll keep this one for a long long time. It sounded pretty good with the stock tubes but really REALLY nice with different tubes.

I would have a backup no matter what amp i was using just because sometimes poo happens. I wouldnt expect anything and would be shocked if i had any problems out of it for many years. The Mk2 circuit has been around since before Jimi, to Eddie, Alex Lifeson, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, the list goes on and on and on, it's a very classic amp that responds differently to each player. It's a time tested standard that's still kicking butt today!

These amps are very basic and tech friendly. I bought it newly used and dont expect to ever need Marshall customer support, i can get anything on this fixed by a tech.

Been playing 25 years, mostly Marshall Mk2 master volume models so i'm used to getting distorion at lower volume levels. This one sounds much better when you hit the spot though. I love it's massive sound, dont like the stock tubes and the particle board back panel is kind of cheesy, the rest of the cabinet is plywood, why couldnt they make the back panel plywood too? I'm glad i bought it used and didnt pay retail. I dont expect crappy tubes and a particle board back on a $2000 amplifier. If it was lost or stolen i would definately get another one. When i first bought this, i didnt have very high expectations since it was "new Marshall" and i've had mostly 1970's Marshalls. This may be a re-issue but it's definately got the old superlead characteristics but tighter all around.
Another thing about this amp, if your playing isnt that great, it will show. It forces you to play better but rewards you with sound that will give you chills. Awesome amp!

It's fairly new, 2004 probably. I was truly drawn to this amp, it defies logic as I like a lot of gadgets and features. This has no features,
no effects, nothing. It does have an effects loop tho.

This amp has caused me nothing but great joy and great sadness. I have truly tried very hard to get it to sound bad, dull, sterile, muddy.....
but alas it just sings and cries out with deep tones. It has completly ruined me for almost all of my other amps. I will never be the same.
It accepts pedals like a preacher on the proverbial rainy night. I can only wonder why the other amp companies refuse to make a simple devine
amp such as this, after all, it is a mere copy of the vintage Fender Bassman.
Jim Marshall or whomever makes the decisions in the company, just seems to get it right. The reissues are just lovely. Thanks Jim.

I don't know, do I? I'll get it fixed if it breaks!!!

Great and incredible! (in the UK) Shit in the USA
I never mess around with the corporate bastards. I want to talk to the guy what fixes my stuff.

Compared to the (boutique) wannabe's who charge three times more for this amp, it is a bargain!!! Buy a Marshall, don't waste money on a garage "boutique" amp, they have no resale value.

This amp is a marshall plexi reissue. It's exactly what?s its suppose to be, four input, three band eq, one presence control, and NO master volume. The fact that this amp has so few knobs, and no master volume gives the amp its amazing unique sounds. This amp will do anything you want it to, as long as you don't want it to give out mesa distortion.

I use a Gibson sg, and a squire strat. The amp is quiet as can be, and starts go get nice and crunch at 4 on the volumes. Please note that 3 on this amp will be loud enough to play with a drummer, higher volumes just get nice overdrive. 50 LOUD watts. I use to use a 65 watt solid-state Roland amp. id practice with it at around volume 3. with the Marshall i just tern it on, and slightly (about 1 mm) move the two volume controls up and its loud. Amazing high end sparkle. Other reviewers say that the channel one is to bright, and channel two is too muddy. well, that?s the way its suppose to be! For those of you who haven?t used Marshalls, bridge the inputs!!! That?s how you get the amazing Marshall sound!

Marshall=TANK. This guy is built to last. Only thing that may go are the tubes, but there suppose to do that so no worries.

Never needed.

Amazeing amp, won't need another in my life. If it broke, i'd buy two more! Its got the small box, nice and light, easy to move around. HUGE sounds, amazeing tone. Unless your into mega distortion, this is the way to go, every note has a harmonic ring, every chord is clear as can be. Truthfully an amazeing amp.