marshall 1987XL reissue ptp mod question

misterjim · Post by **misterjim** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 12:41 pm

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and have been reading posts and thought I'd jump in and say hello. I've been playing for about 35 years and am a self confessed tone junky (much to my wife's chagrin). I am a constant tinkerer/tweaker, forever thinking well that sounds good but......

Anyway, I am usually replacing pickups, modifying pedals and enjoy doing my own work. For me the final frontier is amp mods. Hence my interest in these forums. I recently bought a Marshall 1987xl reissue on ebay that I'm interested in a project or two with. Before anything I'm replacing the tubes with JJ's but I'm also interested in the 50w PTP boards. Since this amp has an effects loop (haven't opened it up yet but I believe there is a separate PCB board for the loop) my question would be is (are) the 50w lead ptp boards compatable? If any one has done this mod how has the character of the amp changed? I also plan on running it with an attenuator to get the full cranked sound (BTW, I've tried it without an attenuator and although it sounds delicious I'm afraid I would become very unpopular very fast in my neighborhood)

Any replies appreciated

Jim Dimenno

Flames1950 · Post by **Flames1950** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 5:28 pm

George has had a version of his 50 watt board that will fit the hole spacing in a reissue. And yes, the FX card is seperate. We can help you leave that hooked up if you wish.

Keep in mind that many don't care for the stock output tranny, and the easiest time to replace it and wire a new one neatly is when the board is out. But it does complicate the project somewhat to replace too much at once.

Rexplex · Post by **Rexplex** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:47 pm

Hi I thought I would ring in here George insyalled the PTP board with the zoso caps. and effects card. After it sounded warmer and beefier like night & day!! I use the Mass 150 attenater and it sounds much better than the Marshall Powerbrake. I would just send the amp to him and also get the Heybour output transfomer. Thats what I plan on doind with my 50 watt 1987xl just my two cents!

bluze81 · Post by **bluze81** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:36 pm

hello, I have the same model 1987x had metro ptp board installed and upgraded output tranny, huge difference in mine way way more better! I left the effects loop in it I dont use it though. its gotten a bit expensive cause I added a set of orig mustard caps and orig muulard el34 tubes and preamp tubes but the sound is great. do yours up and you wont have any regrets. bluze

Bad Kitty · Post by **Bad Kitty** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:44 pm

bluze81 wrote:its gotten a bit expensive cause I added a set of orig mustard caps and orig muulard el34 tubes and preamp tubes but the sound is great.

I know the feeling. I just wanted to power scale my amp and ended up spending over $2000.

New amp, new tone though, so I guess I can't complain.

Mike

misterjim · Post by **misterjim** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:56 pm

Thanks for the info everyone! As this is going to be an ongoing (costly) project for me I'm going slow. I just retubed with JJ's and I've got a weber mass150 arriving in the next couple of days. Can't wait to really crank it up!

Jucciz · Post by **Jucciz** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:09 am

Now that we're talking... I actually finished my 50 watt Lead project last week. I have a topic about it here just in case my pics or observations would be of any help for you:
http://www.metroamp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6751

I built mine inside a somewhat rare Marshall 1987S (the first reissue from 1988 with no effects loop or other bells and whistles) head case. The installation was simpler than I thought: just desoldered the wires and replaced them with new ones. If you're accurate and careful, you won't fail.

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marshall 1987XL reissue ptp mod question

marshall 1987XL reissue ptp mod question

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