Marshall YJM really IS THAT GOOD!!!

[IceMan]

Ok - I've always wanted a 59 Plexi but was always concerned that I would never be able to really enjoy the amp in a 'real world' situation because of how incredibly loud they are. So, I've used my trusty DSL for most live situations and have been using my 50 watt Vintage/Modern lately. Enter the YJM - now, I enjoy Yngwie's playing and think his tone is pretty good, but I am in no way trying to emulate his tone. What really sparked my interest in the YJM was the added features that he added to this amp and the built-in attenuation really made this amp make more sense for someone like myself. Then you have built-in overdrive/boost and a noise gate and I was sold. So I picked one up a couple weeks ago and I have to say - this is the Marshall I've been waiting for!!! This thing is OUTSTANDING!! The attenuator is amazing in it's ability to bring the amp down to bedroom levels and still get the cranked Plexi drive sound. The drive/boost is ok, but since you can't adjust it's tone seperately from the overall amp eq, I'll be using my own boots/drives out front. It does work great for a volume boost for solos, though. I've tried almost every drive pedal I have and I have yet to find one that doesn't sound good in front of this amp and the effects loop is pretty good as well.

All in all, I have to say that if you've been wanting to get your hands on a vintage sounding Plexi but have shied away due to practicality concerns, try out the YJM. Even if you're not an Yngwie fan, there's more than enough to this amp to satisfy anyone looking for classic amp vibe with modern appointments.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

here is the thing about this amp.. i applaud all the features it comes with (noise gate, attenuation) etc.. but essentially, it is like the 2205 running diode clipping in the preamp. I am surprised that with all the talk of high gainers or modded amps, we all come back to the standard pushed marshall! I am not knocking it, i boost my lightly modded JCM800 and i am a fan of a simple boost to tighten and give me more crunch and lead tones. Just interesting how with all the rage of gainy amps, people come back to what just plain works. Almost as if running an overdrive into an amp was somehow like driving a ford escort in the amp world where everyone was rollin in Beemers.This amp would definitely be on my "to own" list down the line. Love the plexi crunch!

 

[carlygtr]

Played my YJM yersterday. I agree, it's an awesome amp. I get that clean/ dirty Strat sound with ease that eluded most of the clones I owned.

I also agree on the built-in boost. It's a primative thing based on Yngwie's DOD. It's almost like a treble booster and if you use it, you have to dial the amp around it.

I'd also rather use any number of outboard od's fuzz, etc.

Pedals driving a clean or distorted Marshall is something that has always worked

 

[Les Zombie]

I played the yjm and loved it.

 

[richedie]

I really like this amp buy don't think it works well for guys who need high gain. It works well with OD pedals but my band plays a lot of bands like Tool, Alice in Chains, etc. Sounded too thin with this amp. I thought the Mesa Boogie Electradyne which I have played in the same room with the YJM and found the ED thicker, more organic, more chewy and takes pedals as well or better. I found the YJM a bit too bright as well.

These days Splawn, PWE, Mesa Boogie and a lot of other companies do Marshall better than Marshall.

 

[IceMan]

I really like this amp buy don't think it works well for guys who need high gain. It works well with OD pedals but my band plays a lot of bands like Tool, Alice in Chains, etc. Sounded too thin with this amp. I thought the Mesa Boogie Electradyne which I have played in the same room with the YJM and found the ED thicker, more organic, more chewy and takes pedals as well or better. I found the YJM a bit too bright as well.

These days Splawn, PWE, Mesa Boogie and a lot of other companies do Marshall better than Marshall.

Well, yes - everything is subjective when it comes to sound/tone and for someone like yourself who needs/likes heavier-voiced amp for stuff like Tool, etc., this might not be ones first choice - especially if you don't like to mess with pedals. But with the right overdrive/boost, you can get as much gain as I would think anyone would need for most metal. But it can be a vibe thing and some amps just speak to you in different ways. But just think how many awesome tones have been recorded using a classic Marshall and some kind of overdrive like a Tube Screamer or similar. I'd be willing to bet most of the "holy grail" tones many rock players point to as examples of the ultimate tones were recorded with this or similar setup. Everybody from Jimmy Page to Richie Blackmore to Van Halen and then all his followers used old Marshalls and some pedals. So, for me, that's how I like to explore my tones. Not taking anything away from any of the other great amps and newer high-gainers out there. Just different strokes for different folks. It's just nice that Marshall finally put out an amp that captures that classic amp vibe, tone, and feel without having to hunt down some old, beat up, really EXPENSIVE, classic amp on the collectors market.

 

[jmpman]

Btw, I see that Musiciansfriend has lowered to 1799 plus they have 15% off as well until Monday with free shipping to boot, now would be a great time to get this amp.

 

[mentoneman]

Played my YJM yersterday. I agree, it's an awesome amp. I get that clean/ dirty Strat sound with ease that eluded most of the clones I owned.

I also agree on the built-in boost. It's a primative thing based on Yngwie's DOD. It's almost like a treble booster and if you use it, you have to dial the amp around it.

I'd also rather use any number of outboard od's fuzz, etc.

Pedals driving a clean or distorted Marshall is something that has always worked

would be cool to hear you compare the yjm with the satch jvm with like a quick ac/dc back in black opening riff, then a quick single note thing like the opening melody line from all along the watchtower...

just saying

ps have you ever tried the quinn fuzz? for some reason although i'm not a fuzz guy at all, that one sounds really cool on the clips.

 

[carlygtr]

Played my YJM yersterday. I agree, it's an awesome amp. I get that clean/ dirty Strat sound with ease that eluded most of the clones I owned.

I also agree on the built-in boost. It's a primative thing based on Yngwie's DOD. It's almost like a treble booster and if you use it, you have to dial the amp around it.

I'd also rather use any number of outboard od's fuzz, etc.

Pedals driving a clean or distorted Marshall is something that has always worked

would be cool to hear you compare the yjm with the satch jvm with like a quick ac/dc back in black opening riff, then a quick single note thing like the opening melody line from all along the watchtower...

just saying

ps have you ever tried the quinn fuzz? for some reason although i'm not a fuzz guy at all, that one sounds really cool on the clips.

Never heard of the Quinn Fuzz, I'll have to look it up.

I've been hacking away on the Satch JVM, my fingers are sore! and I played the YJM last night.

They are two different animals but I'm sure I could approximate the YJM's clean/ dirty Strat tone I like with the Satch head.

As far as gain, if you use the YJM's built in booster, I could approximate that with the Satch.

The Satriani is very versatile, does alot of things well. The YJM is essentially a '72 era Marshall, IMO Pure deal. It's the purity that would set it apart from trying to grock it's tones with the Satch.

I'll get to some vids soon.

 

[IceMan]

Btw, I see that Musiciansfriend has lowered to 1799 plus they have 15% off as well until Monday with free shipping to boot, now would be a great time to get this amp.

...and this also made the decision to pull the trigger on the YJM all the more easier.

 

[richedie]

I really like this amp buy don't think it works well for guys who need high gain. It works well with OD pedals but my band plays a lot of bands like Tool, Alice in Chains, etc. Sounded too thin with this amp. I thought the Mesa Boogie Electradyne which I have played in the same room with the YJM and found the ED thicker, more organic, more chewy and takes pedals as well or better. I found the YJM a bit too bright as well.

These days Splawn, PWE, Mesa Boogie and a lot of other companies do Marshall better than Marshall.

Well, yes - everything is subjective when it comes to sound/tone and for someone like yourself who needs/likes heavier-voiced amp for stuff like Tool, etc., this might not be ones first choice - especially if you don't like to mess with pedals. But with the right overdrive/boost, you can get as much gain as I would think anyone would need for most metal. But it can be a vibe thing and some amps just speak to you in different ways. But just think how many awesome tones have been recorded using a classic Marshall and some kind of overdrive like a Tube Screamer or similar. I'd be willing to bet most of the "holy grail" tones many rock players point to as examples of the ultimate tones were recorded with this or similar setup. Everybody from Jimmy Page to Richie Blackmore to Van Halen and then all his followers used
old Marshalls and some pedals. So, for me, that's how I like to explore my tones. Not taking anything away from any of the other great amps and newer high-gainers out there. Just different strokes for different folks. It's just nice that Marshall finally put out an amp that captures that classic amp vibe, tone, and feel without having to hunt down some old, beat up, really EXPENSIVE, classic amp on the collectors market.

Very well said. I agree with you. Maybe with the right pedal, I could get what I want out of the YJM

 

[lolzgreg]

I have a '69 Plexi here now, and it is a freakin' monster for metal; it just doesn't have that sub thump. There is nothing wrong with the lack of "ass" in my opinion. I actually like when the bass guitar carries the bass.

The Plexi amps have an incredible chime and immediacy to the notes. They really jump out of the speakers like no other amp I have ever used before. Also, I really recommend using Greenbacks (love those EVH Greenbacks) with any Plexi-style head. They really pair well with vintage styled speakers rather than V30s.

 

[Devilinside]

Yeah Ive had my YJM for almost 2 months now and I'm still playing with tone settings. I cannot imagine this head not being heavy enough for almost anything except maybe death metal. I'm not a fan of overly compressed tone or an amp that sounds like a high gain bass amp but to each his own, tone is subjective. Of course boost's or OD pedals are required unless you are using the on board boost which is ok for some things. I'm just using a suhr koko boost to hit the tubes hard and an Analogman Beano Boost for some added gain but it's very natural just like adding a tube gain stage.

I've had a Ton of high end amps and with the right pedals this hangs right with them, and its a lot easier to drop $ on a new pedal for flavor and experimenting becomes a lot more fun but most of all much cheaper. I'm not trying to sell the YJM as the ultimate amp, but I have had amps that cost twice what I paid for this Marshall that simply could not do what this amp does. I'm just a sucker for plexi crunch!!

 

[mfriedman]

I really like this amp buy don't think it works well for guys who need high gain. It works well with OD pedals but my band plays a lot of bands like Tool, Alice in Chains, etc. Sounded too thin with this amp. I thought the Mesa Boogie Electradyne which I have played in the same room with the YJM and found the ED thicker, more organic, more chewy and takes pedals as well or better. I found the YJM a bit too bright as well.

These days Splawn, PWE, Mesa Boogie and a lot of other companies do Marshall better than Marshall.

I am going to guess that bit too bright in the room would shine in a band mix. That is the thing about amps that are higher in gain, they sound great alone, but just IMHO not so good in a band mix. These raw Plexi type amps can cut through a mix or sit back if desired. Also the bands you listed could easily be reached with any boosted Plexi, again just my .02

 

[Devilinside]

I really like this amp buy don't think it works well for guys who need high gain. It works well with OD pedals but my band plays a lot of bands like Tool, Alice in Chains, etc. Sounded too thin with this amp. I thought the Mesa Boogie Electradyne which I have played in the same room with the YJM and found the ED thicker, more organic, more chewy and takes pedals as well or better. I found the YJM a bit too bright as well.

These days Splawn, PWE, Mesa Boogie and a lot of other companies do Marshall better than Marshall.

I am going to guess that bit too bright in the room would shine in a band mix. That is the thing about amps that are higher in gain, they sound great alone, but just IMHO not so good in a band mix. These raw Plexi type amps can cut through a mix or sit back if desired. Also the bands you listed could easily be reached with any boosted Plexi, again just my .02

Totally Agree!

 

[Buckeyedog]

I really like this amp buy don't think it works well for guys who need high gain. It works well with OD pedals but my band plays a lot of bands like Tool, Alice in Chains, etc. Sounded too thin with this amp. I thought the Mesa Boogie Electradyne which I have played in the same room with the YJM and found the ED thicker, more organic, more chewy and takes pedals as well or better. I found the YJM a bit too bright as well.

These days Splawn, PWE, Mesa Boogie and a lot of other companies do Marshall better than Marshall.

Out of the many reviews/opinions out there on this amp, have never heard it referred to as bright/thin.......

That being said, I'd sure love to try one out.

 

[carlygtr]

I really like this amp buy don't think it works well for guys who need high gain. It works well with OD pedals but my band plays a lot of bands like Tool, Alice in Chains, etc. Sounded too thin with this amp. I thought the Mesa Boogie Electradyne which I have played in the same room with the YJM and found the ED thicker, more organic, more chewy and takes pedals as well or better. I found the YJM a bit too bright as well.

These days Splawn, PWE, Mesa Boogie and a lot of other companies do Marshall better than Marshall.

Out of the many reviews/opinions out there on this amp, have never heard it referred to as bright/thin.......

That being said, I'd sure love to try one out.

If you use the built-in booster with just the high treble input, it's pretty bright. Any time I use the built-in booster i jump the channels and it's thick with great cut.

 

[Buckeyedog]

I really like this amp buy don't think it works well for guys who need high gain. It works well with OD pedals but my band plays a lot of bands like Tool, Alice in Chains, etc. Sounded too thin with this amp. I thought the Mesa Boogie Electradyne which I have played in the same room with the YJM and found the ED thicker, more organic, more chewy and takes pedals as well or better. I found the YJM a bit too bright as well.

These days Splawn, PWE, Mesa Boogie and a lot of other companies do Marshall better than Marshall.

Out of the many reviews/opinions out there on this amp, have never heard it referred to as bright/thin.......

That being said, I'd sure love to try one out.

If you use the built-in booster with just the high treble input, it's pretty bright. Any time I use the built-in booster i jump the channels and it's thick with great cut.

Makes sense.

 

[aftec]

it is like the 2205 running diode clipping in the preamp

WTF?
Who runs what?
That's a bone stock 1959 with a swithchable built in DOD circuit, reverb, a proper loop and attenuator.
Definately not for the faint at heart, it neeeeeeeds chops, if you are grown on high gainers and modellers, it will be a nasty surprise.
If you have them chops it rules.
This thing is the best amp Marshall put put in a long long time, (I mean since the JCM800)
Grab one still you can since they are limited.

 

[carlygtr]

Old demo w/ Yngwie Strat. BSM Treble Booster into an XTS OD into the YJM. Y-yacked, both Volumes full, tones at noon. loud TV volume-