Park 1210 Rock Head

A pair of '79 Park 1210's serial numbers 11 apart made on the same day in November 1979. These amps are absolute beasts, awesome rock amp, aptly named "Rockhead". A for runner of the Marshall JCM800, the rumour is that Marshall experimented and tried things out on amps with the Park name, the 1210 Rockhead stomps all over the JCM's I,ve tried, wilder and more insane, this really does go up to and beyond 11. Master volume, Edge (Presence), Bass, Middle, Treble, Channel B, Channel A, which is another gain stage cascading into channel B. Switch between the two with a stereo lead into channel A. Seriously loud as you would expect, awesome with a 4x12, increadable with a pair! Still very usable at low volumes thanks to MV - just don't expect to move as much air.

Devasting, a serious HEAVY rock amp, shakes the foundations, you don't use one of these to play clean country licks. Crunchy, creamy fluid distortion with any humbucker equipped axe. Screaming treble almost uncontrolable with a std Tele, back the treble way off on the amp to tame it and forget kicking in channel A. Fantastic with a Strat, nails that 70's/80's rock sound. Any P90 axe, juniors, SGs etc will really bring out the best in this amp, pure sleazy punky rock n roll, cut and balls in one! Put a tubescreamer in front for even more insanity and rock n roll heaven. Can do clean but why would you? Loads of classic "3D" character in the sound of these amps, rich overtones and harmonics, tone heaven.

Alternate between the two, gigged every week for last ten years, one used as a backup for the other. Both have original transformers and filter caps, running JJ EL34's with last of my original Mullard ECC83's. Both have had the original mains fuse holder smash off - it sticks out just a bit too far and is vulnerable , replaced with a shorter one, no problem. Other than that only the usual wear and tear of a regularly gigged amp, or pair in this case.

It's an ebay search for bits I would guess. Tubes as and when needed, repairs and servicing by local amp tech who loves em!

Irreplaceble, at the heart and soul of my sound. An awesome brute of an amp from the days before switching and modelling that delivers pure rock and roll mojo!

1982 Built by Marshall. 2 channels (Rhythm & Lead), has channel switching with a unique foot-switch. The guitar plugs into the footswitch and a stereo cable comes out of the foot switch into the Lead channel. Alternatively you can plug your guitar into the A or B channels normally. Not loads of features it's a Marshall, but gives me the sound I want.

I use Patrick Eggle guitars (UK equivilent to PRS). Master volume on this amplifier is done by post-phase-inverter, different to normal Marshal MV which is done by pre-phase inverter). Not the use MV distortion this sounds crisper and cuts through the mix better.

Do I use it yes, do I have a backup (yes a Marshall 2203 MV at home), do I take my backup to a gig (rarely). I changed the Power caps when I bought it, its 22 years old and solid as a rock (or Marshall). I have never had a Marshall amplifier fail during a gig.

Marshall are very helpful/friendly but some parts are scarce.

I've been playing since '74, have Marshall 2204 & 2203 & 1968 (100w PA head) amps. Also two Patrick Eggle guitars and a custom 12-string Explorer (body & neck by Bill Zola)