Marshall 1973 (18W)

Marshall marketed the 1973 as an 18-watt bass amplifier, although guitarists can also use vintage bass circuits for their different voicing and headroom. It belongs to the same small EL84-powered family as the celebrated model 1974 guitar combo.

Its output stage uses a pair of EL84 power valves, producing roughly 18 watts. That architecture gives it a different response from larger Marshall amplifiers built around EL34 valves.

Both are compact 18-watt amplifiers from Marshall's 1960s range and share the basic EL84 power platform. The 1973 was voiced and marketed for bass, while the 1974 became the better-known guitar combo.

Its 18-watt output is modest beside a 50-watt Marshall 1987 or a 100-watt Super Lead. It can work in a restrained ensemble or when miked, but clean bass headroom will disappear quickly beside a loud drummer.