JTM45 or 36 Watt

[tomjackson]

Following my purchase of a WEM Dominator I've decided to look into a more powerfull Marshall type amp.
I've always been into fender amps so need some Marshall education.

JTM45 clips sound great, chimey cleans to Free to Angus (almost)

Don't know much about the 36W type amps though , are they just the 18W with a double power stage?

How do they compare?

Was the 36watt amp actually a Marshall model?

Is the JTM45 the the same as the 'Bluesbreaker'?

[martinw]

Most "36 Watt" amps (including mine) are based on a double 18 watt output stage, hence the name. They use either 4 x EL84 or 4 x 6V6. Each of these has a slightly different take on the sound.

They're ususually cathode biased and have no negative feedback (as against fixed bias with NFB on the JTM45). In short, this gives them a crisper, rawer distortion tone, and a chimier clean. Imagine a Vox crossed with a Marshall, and that gets you most of the way there, although it isn't as clear as that.
The 36 has a slightly different sound to the 18 Watter, being a bit fuller, not just louder.

Compared with that, the JTM45 is warmer, more rounded, and smoother.
Both sound great, and which you prefer is entirely subjective.

I've nearly finished my Roadstar 36 demonstrator, and could have it ready for the 8th if you're inteterested. Matt's also lending me his Roadstar 18.  :D

[tomjackson]

Yes, can't wait Martin definitely want to audition that amp :D

I think I'd be leaning towards the 36 watter as presumably it is a little more versatile?  Do like the look of the JTM45 in your gallery though.  Is that a MJW / Ceriatone?

[martinw]

I don't think there's much in it for versatility; each has their strengths and weaknesses, but they're both as versatile as any single channel amp.
I used to think the 18 and 36 Watt amps were not that versatile, as they break up very readily and lend themselves to blues and rock, but I then heard Adrian Ingram playing jazz through my 36 Watt prototype, and he loved it.
Possibly the JTM45 has less distortion available, and has a more "60's" feel which limits it a tad more (unless of course that's the tone you're after.

Both amps are quite loud and require master volumes or Power Scaling to make them flexible for lower volumes, and both respond very well to pedals.

[Twinfan]

I can lend Martin my M45 for the 8th so you can try it out???

Me, I love the JTM45 circuit fir it's Fender/Marshall crossover.  It's very well respected for a reason!

The 18w was a Marshall model, but not the 36w which has come about from small builders.  The JTM45 head is the same as a Bluesbreaker except the BB has tremolo in the circuit (the head doesn't).

[HTH AMPS]

the closest amp made commercially (in a historical sense, no boutique 'takes' on the theme) to the 36w amp is an AC30's normal channel.  the 36w is crisper though due to the way the gain stage is set up compared to an AC30's normal channel.

[Alex]

There is a Hughes & Kettner Puretone head which gets rave reviews all the time. I was able to play one shortly and loved it. I would own one if I could justify owning a 2000£ amp while being only a mediocre amateur/bedroom player.

[FELINEGUITARS]

There is a Hughes & Kettner Puretone head which gets rave reviews all the time. I was able to play one shortly and loved it. I would own one if I could justify owning a 2000£ amp while being only a mediocre amateur/bedroom player.

Why dont you enter the competition to win one in this months guitarist mag :o

[tomjackson]

I can lend Martin my M45 for the 8th so you can try it out???

Me, I love the JTM45 circuit fir it's Fender/Marshall crossover.  It's very well respected for a reason!

The 18w was a Marshall model, but not the 36w which has come about from small builders.  The JTM45 head is the same as a Bluesbreaker except the BB has tremolo in the circuit (the head doesn't).

Yeah that would be great!  I can compare them side by side them.  I think I tried it briefly then but there was a lot going on that day :D

[martinw]

There is a Hughes & Kettner Puretone head...

Isn't that 2 x EL34?

[Ted 'N' Leo]

There is a Hughes & Kettner Puretone head which gets rave reviews all the time. I was able to play one shortly and loved it. I would own one if I could justify owning a 2000£ amp while being only a mediocre amateur/bedroom player.

Why dont you enter the competition to win one in this months guitarist mag :o

I quite liked the look of that one too.

Also, curse you and your new Guitarist mag! Mine is delayed due to postal strikes!

[sgmypod]

Am I missing something whats happening on the 8th

[Twinfan]

Martin and Tom are meeting up.  Nothing too exciting!  :lol: