for now i'm still waiting for a couple of parts for my 45/100 build that i should be able to get started in 1 or 2 months from now. As i have many parts left for another build and would only need to buy the chassis and transformers + some small stuff, i've decided to build another Marshall - 100w or 50w, but this time with el34's.
I know this has been discussed over and over again in many iterations, but i'm still having my doubts. Primarily i want the amp to cover the mid and later Hendrix stuff - from 67-69 (especially BOG tone). Also Led Zep, Free, Cream and lots of other classic stuff. I'm not into VH - so i don't need it to have that much gain as a 68 necessarily. I think what i'm most after is the classic el34 tone that is punchy but not too stiff, that sounds organic and not harsh like some of the later Marshalls do. It's probably quite clear that Hendrix used 69 SL's for Bog, but i heard many people say that they actually don't like how their strat sounds through a 69 and that they often have to fight with harshness, especially when it's a strat. I'm sure Hendrix knew how to deal the amps in right to get the tone he was after and i assume he rolled off lots of the treble and presence in these. Hence i'm wondering if the earlier SL's (67, 68) might have a more "useable" range to the controls without getting harsh when these are dimed and still be able to fork out just as convincing BOG tones as the 69 SL?
I'm also considering even a JMP-50, as i've heard very convincing tones coming from these in lots of clips - for later Hendrix and for Led Zep for example. It seems to be a tad less open and a bit more compressed, bnut in the recordings the difference isn't that great - i suppose live they sound much more different. In a recording, i wouldn't even say the 50w sounds "smaller" or thinner - do you agree guys? The JMP-50 has it's own appeal - it's also somewhat more practical.
So i've decided on an el34 amp, but, my first question is about the transformers - Drake vs. Dagnall (PT and OT)? I've read most of 67 is Drake, end of 67 and upwards is usually Dagnall. I'm curious though if also in 68 Drake 2" trannies were used or if these were only a few exceptions (as typical with Marshall who used what they had at hand)? I suppose 69 is clear - it's Dagnall OT + PT, right? - the C1998 and the T something... something... It's just that i'm somewhat "afraid" of the 69 due to the reasons mentioned above and i also have some doubts about the Dagnall transformers - i think they might be a big part of the more high-gain Marshall tones that i'm not into and that the Drakes would give out a much more "organic", natural tone that fits Hendrix and Led Zep tones better than the 69 and metal panels that Zep used, despite not being the "correct" model - it might be easier to get great tones without fighting the brightness ,etc. Also, from the clips on Metro that i have heard, i think i prefer the 67 to the 68 (at least for a Les Paul) and hence i think i wouldn't be a big fan of a 69 (compared to the earlier iterations of a 100w), as in the 68 i already hear more of a "grainyness" and fizz than i would like to.
My 45/100 will be a very authentic build, but i plan to make the el34 amp mostly from modern parts, except some vintage stuff in the signal path, where it really matters for sure - i intend to tweak around with it and i don't want to feel scared to touch it, as it will be with the 45/100
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I will probably include also some mods. One of them might be a switchable lead/bass spec.
In essence i'm after an el34 amp that covers most of Hendrix's later year tones, especially BOG, but i'm wondering if the 69 SL is the only way for this or would a 67 or 68 do an equally good job there (also, if a 50w could be thrown in to the equation), while giving out simply more "useable" tones for my needs and preferences that i tried to describe here?
Thanks a lot in advance for any input!
Best regards,
VintageCharlie