Marshall Bluesbreaker
The Marshall Bluesbreaker is the popular name given to the Models 1961 and 1962 guitar amplifiers made by Marshall from 1964/65 to 1972.
The Bluesbreaker, which derives its nickname from being used by
History
According to Robb Lawrence's The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy, Jim Marshall initially gave Clapton a Model 1961 with 4×10" speakers, which was soon replaced with a 2×12" Model 1962.[2] Clapton used the combo amplifier with his 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard, allegedly.[5][6]
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.[1][7] 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".[8] After that, the combo became known as the "Bluesbreaker."[1] The model was discontinued in 1972.[7]
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 US$8,300 and US$10,000.[9]
Reissue
Marshall reissued the 2×12" Bluesbreaker
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
Marshall also made an 18-watt combo amplifier with 2×10" speakers (Model 1958) that looked like a smaller version of the Bluesbreaker, and is sometimes referred to as its "little brother".[1]
Eric Clapton and the Bluesbreaker sound
The output of a typical Bluesbreaker was only about 35 watts, and thus the sound would break up at more 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 mic the amplifier from across the room, because he intended to play it as loud as possible.
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.[15]
Modification
Since the Bluesbreaker ultimately derives from the Fender Bassman, it is possible to create an approximate reproduction of a Bluesbreaker by modifying a Bassman; in February 1993 Guitar Player magazine published this modification.[18]
Further reading
- John R. Wiley, The Marshall Bluesbreaker: The Story of Marshall's First Combo. Alfred: 2010. ISBN 978-1-936120-02-4.
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-87930-767-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-634-04861-6.
- ISBN 978-1-55862-507-5.
- ISBN 978-0-87930-428-7.
- ^ Hughes, Tom (September 2007). "Myth Busters, Stomp School Edition". Premier Guitar. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-87930-803-2.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7935-2509-6.
- ISBN 978-1-4234-3008-7.
- Vintage Guitar. pp. 38–40.
- ^ Wiley, John (February 2008). "The BluesBreaker Revisited". Premier Guitar. Archived from the original on 13 December 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-87930-806-3.
- ^ "1962 Bluesbreaker: Specifications". Marshall Amps. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ Childs, Zac (October 2014). "Bluesbreaker Redux: Marshall Handwired Series 2245THW head and 1960AHW Cabinet". Vintage Guitar. p. 130.
- ISBN 978-0-9641060-1-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-87930-851-3.
- ISBN 978-0-7546-6881-7.
- ^ Shapiro, Harry (May 2018). "John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton: The Making of 'the Beano album'". Classic Rock. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-9641060-1-7.