Marshall Plexi Clone 68' or 71' Specs?

[Catalyst77]

Once ive managed to sell my 5150 and Cab I'm looking to get a metroamp plexi kit.  Ive listening to a few clips on YouTube and when cranked they sound truly awesome and toneful.  Being a lover of van halen (music not the man and merchandise)

I'm torn between the 68 specs and the 71 specs.  They both sound great but via youtube I struggle to tell the difference.

Does anyone know how these two differ in sound and which one would you go for?

My main axes these days are all les pauls, either mules/Riff Raffs or Cold Sweats, depending on mood!

Cheers

[Twinfan]

I would say the difference is pretty subtle on the ears.  Check out the specs and see which you prefer the look of/which is cheaper etc.  I'm guessing the differences will be minor circuit components and transformer spec

[PPPMAT]

I would have thought that a 71 will have a higher value bright cap amongst other things which means it dirties up quicker - makes not much difference when cranked. A little more gain maybe and slightly tighter bass?

I don't think there would be a great deal in it. Those circuits are easily tweakable anyway (by someone who knows what they are doing obviously)

Matt

[jpfamps]

Well a '71 isn't a "Plexi".....

The main difference between these amps is that the '71 probably used a higher plate voltage. I say probably because these do tend to be a bit all over the shop in the examples I've seen, however from my experience of original examples, a '68 would have a plate voltage in the 480 region and a '71 will have plate voltage in the 530 region although 10% either way is not uncommon. A higher plate voltage will give more headroom.

The later model will have slightly higher value of the filter caps, however given the very poor tolerance of electrolyic caps of that era (typically +100% -50%!!) this is probably inconsequential.

Other than this there might be some small changes in the pre-amp circuit, however I've seen several different factory stock circuits.

I've played excellent examples of both style of amps, although there really is nothing to compare with the sound of a 100 W Plexi Superlead.

[Catalyst77]

I've played excellent examples of both style of amps, although there really is nothing to compare with the sound of a 100 W Plexi Superlead.

True but to i'd like to preserve what little hearing i have left!

[jpfamps]

I've played excellent examples of both style of amps, although there really is nothing to compare with the sound of a 100 W Plexi Superlead.

True but to i'd like to preserve what little hearing i have left!

Indeed!

From a practical point of view, 50W are more useful, although this is often still way too loud for many bands (although it doesn't stop people using them!!).

[PPPMAT]

I know its not exactly what you want but if you type in '335 plexi' into youtube - have a listen to the guy playing his 68 plexi superbass/74 jmp and also superlead.

Gives a reasonable idea of the differences you can get with different years and circuits. Also they are really great clips that pretty much made my mind up on a power scaled jmp50 from martin

enjoy :)

[HTH AMPS]

here's two youtube clips by the same guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_ae1P9w4Hw&feature=related ('68 SLP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL2LEzAieuc&feature=related ('71 SLP)

the '71 Aluminium panel spec has more fatness and crunch in the midrange to my ears which fits in with what I'd expect from the subtle circuit differences.  oh, and the bottom end should be tighter and more agressive with the '71 specs.

go for the Mercury Magnetics transformers too - they're worth the extra.

which attenuator are you buying to run the amp with?

[Matt77]

sounds like a monster

[Catalyst77]

here's two youtube clips by the same guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_ae1P9w4Hw&feature=related ('68 SLP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL2LEzAieuc&feature=related ('71 SLP)

the '71 Aluminium panel spec has more fatness and crunch in the midrange to my ears which fits in with what I'd expect from the subtle circuit differences.  oh, and the bottom end should be tighter and more agressive with the '71 specs.

go for the Mercury Magnetics transformers too - they're worth the extra.

which attenuator are you buying to run the amp with?

I checked out both those clips, they were different but i think ultimately to my ears its a pretty subtle difference especially when you throw in different guitars, players etc into the mix.


I think all  things being equal the 71 sounded a tad tigher and had a bit more attack, but i take it that if i were to go with 71 then want to revert to 68 it would be a few small component changes rather than a re-wiring job?

Not sure what attenuator, in all honesty i havent thought that far ahead yet!

But i obviously will be needing someone to build it for me :lol:

[Twinfan]

But i obviously will be needing someone to build it for me :lol:

If that's the case, why not just speak to Martin at Martamp?  Do you REALLY need the Metroamp kit?  Martin can build you something of equal quality, and probably at a cheaper cost?

[FELINEGUITARS]

Thanks for that Ian
I really liked the tone of the 100w one - with the tubes at 500v sounded better to my ears even if the reduced voltage maybe sounded more Van Halen

Now can we build one that is just 10watts for home studio use? :o

here's two youtube clips by the same guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_ae1P9w4Hw&feature=related ('68 SLP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL2LEzAieuc&feature=related ('71 SLP)

the '71 Aluminium panel spec has more fatness and crunch in the midrange to my ears which fits in with what I'd expect from the subtle circuit differences.  oh, and the bottom end should be tighter and more agressive with the '71 specs.

go for the Mercury Magnetics transformers too - they're worth the extra.

which attenuator are you buying to run the amp with?