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Marshall 1987 50W Plexi

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description Marshall 1987 50W Plexi Overview

The Marshall 1987 is a 50-watt all-tube guitar amplifier head introduced in the 1960s. Distinguished by its gold Plexiglass front panel, it provides two channels with four inputs, allowing players to patch them together for increased gain. Often referred to as the "Plexi," it became a foundational element of classic rock tone, used extensively by guitarists seeking punchy, distorted overdrive. It remains targeted at guitarists seeking vintage British amplifier tone.

help Marshall 1987 50W Plexi FAQ

What decade was the Marshall 1987 50W Plexi amplifier introduced?

The Marshall 1987 was introduced in the late 1960s as a 50-watt counterpart to the higher-powered 100-watt Marshall 1959 Super Lead. Both models featured the distinctive gold Plexiglass front panel that gave rise to the popular nickname 'Plexi.'

What is the difference between the Marshall 1987 and the 1959 model?

The primary difference is power output: the 1987 is rated at approximately 50 watts using two EL34 output tubes, while the 1959 is a 100-watt model using four EL34s. Both share the same cosmetic Plexi panel design and similar circuit topology, but the 1987 breaks up and overdrives at lower volume levels.

What famous guitarists are associated with the Marshall Plexi sound?

Jimi Hendrix famously used Marshall Plexi amplifiers throughout his career, and Eric Clapton's 'woman tone' on the 1966 Blues Breakers album was achieved with a Marshall combo. Other notable Plexi users include Jimmy Page, Angus Young, and Ritchie Blackmore during their classic recording periods.

How do the four inputs on the Marshall 1987 Plexi work?

The amp has two channels—Bright and Normal—each with a High and Low sensitivity input, for a total of four inputs. Players commonly used a short patch cable to jump the Bright channel Input I into the Normal channel Input I, blending the tonal characteristics of both channels for a thicker, richer sound.

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