Marshall 1959HW 100W Handwired Tube Amp Head
The Marshall 1959HW is a 100-watt tube amp head hand-wired in the UK, a reissue of the late-1960s Super Lead: no master volume, no effects loop, just an amp that sounds better the more you turn it up.
What sets it apart
- Hand-wired at Marshall's UK factory
- 100 W from four EL34s
- Two channels that can be bridged
- Four inputs: high and low sensitivity on each channel
- Two speaker outputs: 16, 8 or 4 Ω
- No effects or loop: the shortest signal path
The Plexi as it was
Marshall tells how the first 100-watt 1959 came about when Pete Townshend asked Jim Marshall to make it louder. The 1959HW revives that circuit with authentic parts and construction, soldered by hand at the UK factory.
The result is the crunch and drive of late-1960s and early-1970s rock.
Controls stripped to the essentials
Two volumes, one per channel, then bass, middle, treble and presence. With no master, the drive comes from real volume. The two channels can be bridged to blend their colours.
Each channel has a high- and a low-sensitivity input, for four jacks on the front panel.
Specifications
| Format | Amp head, hand-wired |
|---|---|
| Power | 100 W |
| Preamp tubes | 2 x ECC83, 1 x ECC83 phase inverter |
| Power tubes | 4 x EL34 |
| Channels | 2, bridgeable |
| Controls | Volume I, Volume II, bass, middle, treble, presence |
| Inputs | 4 x 1/4" (high and low sensitivity) |
| Outputs | 2 speaker jacks (16, 8, 4 Ω) |
| Effects loop | None |
| Dimensions | 740 x 305 x 210 mm |
| Weight | 21.4 kg |
What it's for
- Big rooms, driving one or two 4x12 cabinets
- Classic rock at high volume
- Studio work with a mic in front of the cab
- Players who ride the guitar's volume knob for drive
Compared with other manufacturers
Other tube amps of period design, from these manufacturers:
| Maker | Model | Format and power | Distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 1959HW | Head, 100 W | Hand-wired, bridgeable channels |
| Vox | AC30 Hand-Wired | 2x12 combo, 30 W | Normal and Top Boost channels |
| Fender | '59 Bassman LTD | 4x10 combo, 45 W | Four inputs, two 6L6s |
| Orange | OR100 | Head, 100/70/50/30 W | Four EL34s, footswitchable boost |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 1959 Modified hand-wired?
- It's a different amp. The 1959HW is hand-wired; the 1959 Modified, built in Bletchley, adds a master volume and other controls.
- Will the amp work in other countries?
- Yes. A voltage selector sits on the back panel; Marshall says to swap the mains fuse too, to the rating shown on the panel.
- Do the EL34s need biasing when replaced?
- Yes, Marshall states that the 1959HW's power tubes must be biased.
Avis clients
Bridging the channels on your 1959HW? Tell us how you set it up.
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.