The Marshall Plexi is, without doubt, one of the most iconic amplifiers ever produced by the British amp manufacturer and remains a bona fide classic to this day. The unmistakable sound of the Plexi amp can be heard on countless recordings throughout the history of music – a tradition that Marshall is rigorously maintaining today in the form of the 1959 HW. Hand-wired at the parent plant in Milton Keynes, this reissue transports the authentic sound and sublime dynamics that came to prominence from 1967 to 1969 into the present day. Three ECC83 tubes in the preamp and four EL34 tubes in the power amplifier form the basis of this characteristic sound, which can be shaped to the desired effect using the typical three-band EQ and presence control. The four categorised inputs provide slightly more flexibility, while speaker connection is enabled courtesy of two sockets at the rear.
Who isn't familiar with the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, AC/DC, or Iron Maiden – to name just a small proportion of the artists who have used the iconic amp? The sound of the Plexi is an indispensable part of Rock history, and one that has featured in the recording of numerous albums – a sound that is precisely replicated by the Marshall 1959 HW as a detailed reissue of the series. The amp also remains easy to operate thanks to its extremely well arranged front panel featuring a three-band EQ, a pair of volume controls, and a presence knob. The inputs complete with their different impedances can also be found in the usual spot and ensure flexible adjustment of the input signal. With an output of 100W, the 1959 HW also packs immense power into its compact frame, with plenty of volume in reserve.
The Marshall 1959 HW is the perfect amp for fans of the classic Marshall sound, delivering the same crunch, distinctive singing midrange, and tight bass response. The use of hand-wired electronics complete with select components ensures that the connected instrument retains its unique character, with the result that Blues fans (who oftentimes favour SC or DC-style guitars) and Metal afficionados using ST-style instruments with correspondingly powerful pickups and a booster in front of the amp will all see a good return on their investment. The 1959 HW amplifier is clearly not intended for home use - on stage and in the rehearsal room, however, players will be able to fully tap into this amplifier's potential, particularly at higher volume.
Marshall, the manufacturer from Milton Keynes in Great Britain, is an indispensable figure in the world of electric guitar. The tube amplifiers of company founder Jim Marshall († 2012) have been writing Rock music history since 1962 with names like Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton. The classics of the JTM, JMP, and JCM 800 series are still highly sought-after today, as they shaped the sound of overdriven and distorted electric guitar more than any other product. To this day, the combination of the amp and 4x12" cabinet - the "Marshall stack" - is synonymous with the energy and power of the Rock music genre. Alongside these landmark achievements, however, Marshall has always kept its finger on the pulse of the times and a close eye on the needs of up-and-coming musicians.
A true Marshall Plexi makes quite an impact anywhere, as countless recordings made over the course of modern music history will testify. A particularly astonishing feature of the amplifier is the plethora of ways in which the three-band EQ and presence control can shape the sound, especially since the available control options may seem somewhat rudimentary at first glance. The 1959 HW enables flexible use, delivering a range of sounds from crystal clean to rich and lush, while the dynamic range leaves nothing to be desired. Users will also continue to benefit from the option of using the 1959 HW with overdrive and boost pedals – an option commonly taken when using the Plexi in the past – and just another reason why the amplifier excels in the fields of Hard Rock and Metal, where it has always felt particularly at home.