Guitar ComboThe Marshall 1x 12″ combo with the model number” 1974 “is one of the most coveted collectors’ items ever to leave Jim Marshall’s Amp Factory. These probably most purist of marshals were made only from 1966 to 1968, and then replaced by richer equipped models. But the secret of their direct and defined sound character lies in their minimal equipment. Connoisseurs especially appreciate that this amp is not lacking in versatility, because its tube rectification enables the 1974 in conjunction with the 18 watt EL84 power amplifier, if necessary, to become a boldly overdriven Bluescombo, as soon as the volume controller is properly cranked.
Of course, the rare Celestion Greenback T1221 15 Ohm / 20 Watt Speaker (with ceramic magnet) had a big part in the characteristic sound of the 1974 Combos. For the 2004 HandwiredReissue of the classic, the model 1974X, this Celestion Speaker was reproduced exactly according to historical specifications. The hand-wired reissues of the old classics perfectly reproduce the sound of their originals. There are small differences in some equipment details:
In contrast to the 1974X the original had no impedance selector and the speakers and footswitches were hardwired. Additionally, the anodes and mains fuses were not accessible from the outside, but without these improvements the new 2004 edition would probably hardly be timely. Finally, the additional 1974CX did not exist at that time. Furthermore, the original was of course not provided with the relevant features such as a euro mains plug, flame retardant fabrics, fibreglass soldering strip and aluminium protective grid for tube cover. The reissue thus represents an authentic reproduction with user-oriented improvements. In terms of sound, equipment, production process and materials used (for example the classic aluminum chassis), both device variants are of course exactly identical.
Tube amplifier (3x ECC83, 2x EL84, 1x EZ8)
- Completely handwired
- Original reproduction of the 1974 Combos
- 1 x 12″ Greenback Special Edition Speaker
- 18 Watt amplifier
- Tube rectification
- Two input channels
- Tube tremolo
- Includes vintage footswitch
