The Marshall 1987X (aka MK II) 50 watt head

The Marshall 1987X (aka MK II) 50 watt head
A little demo of a 50 watt Plexi style Marshall. This is the reissue model, but I also compare it (verbally) to the original.

I've used this amp for quite some time, and it's a real workhorse. It's a Plexi, so it's loud, and it basically goes to 11. I use it to play metal, blues, rock, and all sorts, together with an overdrive pedal.

0:00 Intro
1:07 The amp
1:47 The sound
2:30 How I get the sound
2:50 Amp without overdrive
2:57 Amp settings

Gear used:

[drkaplin]

My MKII from '73 had a master volume put in when I bought it. It was the best sounding amp I've ever owned. The wierd thing was I'd put both jumped channels on ten, and the master was on zero, but it was still loud enough for practice, and I only needed the master on about 2 for stage volume. I also used a MXR distorion+ from the early 80s and it was awesome.

[Germinalx]

Ok, the video is 2 years old but you talked me into it. I bought one last weekend. $2, 700 CDN! Unbeatable.

[stevegardiner]

I had an original one. Sold it around 1995. It's the one piece of gear I regret not having anymore.

[wattrecords]

Elmo, what tubes would you recommend? I have the 1997 anniversary 1987X WSP head. Not sure the original tubes are in it.

[bobbybowers]

If a person knows how to use the amp, you can get any sound from it. They produce some of the best distortion as well as some of the best cleans of any amp. Dickey Betts is one that comes to mind. These have been his main amps for most of his career, and he is well known for his sweet clean tones. And Jimmy Page also got killer clean tones with them.

[goldtop]

Sounding tuff Elmo, you’re 100% right on about the one sound and it being better than anything else =] thx for a great demo man!

[arosalesmusic]

Legendary guitarist Robin Trower uses this amp!

[Nebulozny]

I crank it through Torpedo Live unit, and came to same conclusion...that Volume knob is a deception :) It makes the amp sound from distorted without attitude to distorted that makes grown men cry.

One sound, but that is THE sound!

Great demo!

[EXTIQUE]

Rob Beach uses these maps. And at low volume, , they got a ton of hair. I highly recommend this amp!!!

[emilianopressacco]

Hi Elmo, with Intellifex in the loop how do you set level the back of the head? -10 or +4 db?

[KvPN]

Elmo what is it that you use the tame the volume of your amp? I just bought a 1987x and would like to know what it is you use.

[nigel]

I have the Marshall 50 watt 1987x, and will agree that it shines it’s brightest at full volume. I’m using the Rocktron Rock Crusher attenuator to tame the deafening howl. With a (quality) attenuator set at no greater than -3db to -8db, you can lower the the volume without affecting the tone and bite. Fantastic amp.

[bloodypura]

Hi @ElmoKarjalainen ! question : do you put the overdrive pedal on the clean chanel ? or the "crunch" chanel ? :) Thanks !

[iSdtea]

1:59 was all I needed to know, I'm sold

[GuillaumeVrac]

Like you said it’s better to have one really good tone like with a Marshall plexi than many tones that don’t make it like this one !

[SuperOsmosi]

Hi Elmo, you're a great :)
A piece of advice from you : Do you use the NS2 noisegate in front or in the send and return of the ampli ?
which is the best solution for you?
Thanks

[nendokan]

Thank you Elmo for the amplifier demonstration. You're very lucky to be able to afford such a prestigious amplifier. In Australia, where I'm from (Tasmania to be precise) the are unbelievably expensive. Way beyond my price range. I definitely like the sound of the amp, may I suggest more playing. Good video. Thank you

[migueldelatorre]

Hi Elmo! Thanks for the review. Have you ever tested the 1987x with the ironman II attenuator?

[Ottonic]

That's the same one Robin Trower has... That's what brought me here... Thanks for the review.

[t-boog]

Hey Elmo, I have a chance to get a 50 watt Plexi clone at a great price but I probably wont be able to crank it very often. Do you think with the right overdrive or distortion pedal that I could get a great sound at a reasonable volume? Thanks a lot