Sujet Matez moi ça les gars! (arrrgh)

Citation : The model 1974X is an all-tube 1 x 12 combo that puts out 18 watts RMS through a single 12-inch speaker. Many people affectionately refer to this model as the “Mini Bluesbreaker.” It has two channels that can be operated individually or linked together. Channel one has controls for Volume, Tone, and Tremolo Speed and Intensity. Channel two has controls for Volume and Tone but otherwise shares the same circuitry.

The 1974X uses three 12AX7 (ECC83) tubes in the preamp stage and a pair of EL84 power tubes. It also is tube rectified, using a single EZ81. The EL84s are run in a push-pull configuration and are cathode biased (to the layman’s point of view the important area to note is that the amp is “self-biasing” when installing new tubes).

The handwired 1974X amp uses a tag board with turrets to mount the components. The dimensions, thickness and look of the board are exactly like the original and beautifully laid out.

The power transformer as well as the output transformer chosen (the final link between the output tubes and the speaker) have a tremendous impact on the overall tone and feel of an amp. At the time of the original 1974 model, which was produced between 1966 and 1968, the transformers used were off-the-shelf units provided by a general electronic component supplier. Dagnall, one of Marshall’s major suppliers of transformers today, spent a great deal of time with Marshall studying and analyzing the construction methods and materials used in both transformers so that they could be matched as closely as possible and therefore perform identically to the originals.

The other critical area for any amp design is the speaker that is used. In the case of the 1974X, the team at Marshall examined and listened to many original 20-watt speakers as used in the original combo. They then selected a speaker to match and then asked Celestion to revisit and reissue their early design of the original 20-watt ceramic Greenback used. Celestion investigated the magnetic properties and cone make-up of the vintage speakers, and affectively duplicated the tone that is ultimately warmer on the low end and less aggressive on the top end.

The amp is housed in a void-free Baltic birch cabinet with vinyl and gold piping just like the original. The top panel is a “plexi” type, with appropriate ‘Bluesbreaker’ type speaker cloth material. The cloth is a bit different from the original in material since it doesn’t have any of the rubber composition (apparently it wouldn’t pass electrical safety codes), but otherwise has the correct look.

Moving on to the 20-watt 2061X “Lead and Bass 20” head and accompanying cabinet, the 2061 is similar to the 1974 in that it also uses EL84 tubes for power, but is diode-rectified instead of using a tube. The difference is that the power supply is more consistently regulated in the Lead and Bass 20 and so there is little or no “sag” in the feel of the amp like a tube rectified model would produce when driven hard.

Also similar to the 1974X “Mini Bluesbreaker”, the 2061X has two channels that can be linked. However, in the case of the 2061X, channel one is specifically voiced as the “Lead” channel, while channel two is voiced for “Bass”. This allows for even a bit more flexibility tone-wise than from what can be obtained from the 1974X. Each channel includes its own Tone and Volume controls and there is no tremolo on this model. As a result, there are just two preamp tubes used instead of three within the chassis.

Designed to match the earliest post-plexi designs, the front panel is authentic brushed aluminum with the proper layout of controls and screened “JMP”. Just like the 1974x, special detail was made in replicating not only the cosmetic aspects of the amplifier, but all the internal parts as well. This includes the transformers, which were supplied by Dagnall, both in the earliest version of the amp as well as the new reissue.

And again, just like the 1974x, certain improvements were made in the areas that do not affect tone, and are very much welcome. These include a variable impedance switch (not available on the original), as well as a detachable power cable, and externally-mounted fuses.