1987 vs Jtm 45 (30w) tone

guitarpjmike · Post by **guitarpjmike** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:56 am

WOW... im really stuck.... im going to but one of these amps, but dont konw which way to go. I have played a jtm 45 a couple times at a local shop, and loved it, but am worried about 30W being enough power. 1987 i have not had a great deal of chances to play, but know that amp is pleanty loud.

are there large tone differences... does the 1987 sound as good as the 45?

Mike

BashCoder · Post by **BashCoder** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:20 am

Hi Mike,

I depends on what you like, honestly. If you like a fuller sound, then the JTM45 might feel more musical to you. Personally, I think a lot of music lives in the low mids - a lot of the gut feel, figuratively and literally. So I gravitate towards the more balanced, fuller-bodied sounds. Of course, you rarely hear me spending two minutes solid messing around around the 20th fret either, and I don't play VH-style rock.

The 45 has some "sag" because they use a tube rectifier, which to some people sounds like cool tube compression. To others it feels too soft.

If you like a tighter, more aggressive sound - one that's more midrangy and edgy, one that can cut over a loud band, you'll probably want to look towards the other circuits. Read the threads going on now in the 50W forum about the 50W/100W comparisons.

For me, the answer is easy: Build both! I built the 45 and the 45/100 first, but I have the other circuits ont the bench right now.

908ssp · Post by **908ssp** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:40 am

Or build one in the middle. I have all three and honestly find my 50 bass head the most pleasant and the most usable. And it gets terrific high end when pushed with a treble booster or distorsion pedal which makes it cut for solos.

awangotango · Post by **awangotango** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:07 pm

mike, we'd really need to have more info from you to make a suggestion. What kind of music do you play, who are your influences, etc. But to add to the above posters, you can think of the 45 and early 50's as being the same, except for 3 things (this is simplified a little) :

1)tube rectifier/diodes
2)Output tranny
3)Output tubes

Now those are three huge factors, and as a result, the two amps are quite different. If you can build your own, your options are greatly increased, as is your likelihood of getting an amp you like, and can easily tweek over the coming years. For example, i am currently doing a '67 style 50w crossed with a jtm-45 and will use a bit from each to suit my tastes. If you can't do this option, for lack of time etc, why not just grab that jtm-45 you mentioned playing. If it sounds good and inspries you, it Is good. End of story. I'm thinking back about 10 years ago when i played a 50w i loved and didn't buy it and still hear the tone in my head as if it was yesterday. In fact, i now recall two other times when i played a marshall in a store and regret not taking it home. I still can hear the tones and riffs i played on them. It's remarkable to recall actually.thanks. In any case, good luck with your choice(s)

Gunner · Post by **Gunner** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:21 pm

I have both, a JMP 1987 (ptp converted) and a JTM45 Clone. I think they are the best. Both of them. I can't live/play without any of them. Before every rehearsal I'm standing in front of the amps and try to choose. The mood of the day decides.

One important question is also if you intend to play with distortion mainly from the amp? If so, there's some difference between a 1987 and a JTM45. I think BashCoder describes the sound and feel better then I can. I agree in every sense.

If you play with a rather clean sound from the amp, and get your distortion from a pedal, then you can choose either of this amps. I maybe would go for the JTM45 as it might be a little more useful. And the tube rectifier looks so cool...

How are you going to use your amp? A JTM45 with a 4x12 is loud enough for most situations. I play basic rock from the 70' at clubs and partys with up to a couple of hundred people in the audience. I can easily blow them of... And even my hard hitting drummer sometimes tells me it's rather loud. Then it is loud.

/G

bluze81 · Post by **bluze81** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:09 pm

Hi I have both models as well and play classic rock and some fusion style rock ,the 45 is plenty loud and very sweet warm toned the 1987 has more edge and power ,once the 45 is turned up to about 7 or8 vol.its plenty loud . try them both .some of the posts before me really decribed the amps well. good luck,bluze

Gunner · Post by **Gunner** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 1:11 am

And if you should get a JTM45, and after a while don't feel it's perfect, then it's rather simple to tweak the amp into more 1987 sounding. Some mods are even possible to make with switches.
/G