Marshall Major

[Omar Suarez]

Has anybody actually played through a Marshall Major and compare to a super lead plexi ?

 

[Techdeth]

Idk but let’s all bug Marshall for Major reissue

 

[glpg80]

Has anybody actually played through a Marshall Major and compare to a super lead plexi ?

Yeah I have but it’s been a minute. I remember the volume control going from off to straight to jail immediately. I didn’t think the amp actually sounded all that great, big bottle sound but not as refined as a stock plexi. I didn’t find it all that inspiring myself, then again this was at a trade show many years ago so no real time with it or using pedals at all, just plugged straight in.

 

[DanTravis62]

It's less "Expensive" sounding than a stock plexi, but I dig them

If you have a couple nice drive pedals they can be fantastic but they need to played at stupid volume

 

[DanTravis62]

This youtube video intro sounds very much like a marshall major to me, including the wild feedback

 

[Racerxrated]

I think it depends on what year Major you're talking about. Later versions had I believe 'Ultra Linear' OTs which lead to more clean power up loud vs the the more recognizable Superlead compression/gain when you crank the SL. Also, some Majors you have to be careful about boosting them...they can literally go into the 'smoke on the water' effect. This is why they have to be modded if you want to get decent gain out of them.
I'd vote for a Superlead instead. Boost, crank do whatever you want to the SL without worry....except maybe your speakers with all that power lol

 

[midnightlaundry]

There was a forum member that was posting his mods on that amp I believe..
My experience with Ultra Linear is that it's very polite. I bought an UL Output Tranny and had a big switch that I could go back and forth with the Screen Supply..

 

[midnightlaundry]

https://schematicheaven.net/marshallamps/major_200w.pdf

 

[reignman454]

Has anybody actually played through a Marshall Major and compare to a super lead plexi ?

I have, stock and modded. Pointed questions would be better... As someone mentioned either way, they went from oh wow this thing is super quiet to "congratulations, you have lifelong tinnitus."

 

[Omar Suarez]

Idk but let’s all bug Marshall for Major reissue

Funny . I always wondered why Marshall never reissued the late 70’s Marshall JMP master amps . 77-early 80. I have a 82 JCM100 and a 78 JMP 100w master volume and honestly they sonically sound the same but there is something about the JCM 82’ that has this powerful sounding power amp .

 

[Omar Suarez]

I have, stock and modded. Pointed questions would be better... As someone mentioned either way, they went from oh wow this thing is super quiet to "congratulations, you have lifelong tinnitus."

so have you played a Marshall 1959 lead 100 w and can share your experience on the differences? Maybe the power tubes kt88 vs EL34 ?

 

[Omar Suarez]

I think it depends on what year Major you're talking about. Later versions had I believe 'Ultra Linear' OTs which lead to more clean power up loud vs the the more recognizable Superlead compression/gain when you crank the SL. Also, some Majors you have to be careful about boosting them...they can literally go into the 'smoke on the water' effect. This is why they have to be modded if you want to get decent gain out of them.
I'd vote for a Superlead instead. Boost, crank do whatever you want to the SL without worry....except maybe your speakers with all that power lol

Interesting. Thanks

 

[reignman454]

so have you played a Marshall 1959 lead 100 w and can share your experience on the differences? Maybe the power tubes kt88 vs EL34 ?

I have several 1959's... the majors were years ago... Way less "squish" on the major, definitely kt88 related. But, the modded one honestly sounded like you had 4 SLP's at bedroom volume in stereo o.... was huge sounding.