Marshall 1959HW
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Marshall 1959HW Overview:
Historical, Tone and Tech Talk
The 1959HW is a Class-A/B, all-valve, 100 Watt, two-channel
head. When building this handwired re-issue of an amazing
sounding, original Plexi head made in 1969, our goal was both
obvious and simple: to make it as close to the original as
possible in terms of components, circuitry, constructional
methods, materials, specifications, aesthetics, signal path,
performance, tonal characteristics and feel. We went to
incredible lengths to achieve maximum authenticity and are
delighted to report that our suppliers were equally as exacting
in their tasks - none-more-so than our long-time partner,
Dagnall Transformers.
As is now rock folklore, the 1959 came to be when The Who's
guitarist, Pete Townshend, approached Marshall in the mid
'60s and asked Jim to build him a 'weapon' that would allow
him to play so loud that he wouldn't be able to hear what the
members of the audience were saying, should they have the
sheer audacity to talk whilst he was performing! Jim and his
team obliged and within weeks of Pete's request one of rock's
most instantly recognisable icons was born - the 100 Watt
Marshall stack.
As Jim Marshall has already stated, the 1959 head first saw
the light of day in late 1965 and was affectionately dubbed the
Plexi because of the material used for its front panel. Although
we continued to build 1959s, the now legendary Plexi-era
came to an end in July 1969 when we started using gold
anodised aluminium panels instead of Plexiglas. While all
original Plexi 1959s are held in the highest esteem, several
subtly different but tonally significant circuit variations existed -
the most celebrated and revered versions being those made between 1967 and 1969.
The circuit we have revisited for the 1959HW boasts several of said 'tonally significant' variants when
compared to the slightly later circuit we use for our critically acclaimed, standard-production Plexi re-issue -
the 1959SLP. The most sonically relevant technical departures in question lie in the negative feedback
circuit. Where relevant, specific details concerning these 'deviations', and others, are inserted into the text
labelled as 'Tonal Notes'.
As you can see from its front panel layout, the 1959HW is an extremely straightforward amplifier. Its two
channels - Channel I and Channel II - each have two inputs (High and Low sensitivity) and separate Volume
controls, while sharing the amplifier's four tone controls: Presence, Bass, Middle and Treble. Like all
Marshall, all-valve amplifiers, the 1959 sounds at its very best when turned up full - and because of its
conservative power rating and astonishing projection, is a formidable live amplifier in even the largest of
venues. A truth its impressive history has proven time-and-time again, from the mid '60s to current day.
In keeping with its other non-master-volume, all-valve, Marshall brethren such as the JTM45 head and the
1962 'Bluesbreaker' combo, the 1959HW's aggressive yet sweetly distorted, harmonically rich, thick,
musical tones result from its power valves being overdriven. As a result, when 'cranked' the 1959HW's
instantly recognisable, guttural, 'punch you in the chest' roar is incredibly touch-sensitive, cleaning up or, if
desired, sitting right on the edge of distortion when the guitar's volume is turned down. Not surprisingly, it
responds well to picking dynamics too, indefatigably 'in-your-face' when you play like you really mean it and,
once again, cleaning up as you pull back on your picking attack.
Marshall 1959HW Front Panel Features:
1. POWER SWITCH
This is the On/Off switch for mains power to the
amplifier.
Note: Please ensure the amplifier is switched off
and unplugged from the mains electricity supply
whenever it is moved.
2. STANDBY SWITCH
The Standby Switch is used in conjunction with the
Power Switch (item 1) to 'warm up' the amplifier
before use and to prolong the life of the output
valves.
When powering up the amplifier always engage the
Power Switch first, leaving the Standby switch on
'Standby'. This allows the application of the voltage
required to heat the valves to their correct
operating temperature - hence the switches name.
After approximately two minutes the valves will
have reached the correct operating temperature
and the Standby Switch can be engaged.
In order to prolong valve life, the Standby Switch
alone should also be used to turn the amplifier on
and off during breaks in a performance. Also, when
switching off, always disengage the Standby Switch
prior to the main Power Switch.
3. INDICATOR
This 6.3 Volts incandescent filament indicator will
light up when your amplifier is receiving the correct
mains power and is switched on. It will not be lit
when the amplifier is switched off and/or is not
receiving mains power.
4. PRESENCE CONTROL
This control operates in the 1959HW's power
section and adds high frequencies to your sound
by altering the power amplifier's negative feedback.
Turning this control clockwise adds more edge and
'sparkle' to your sound, making it crisper and more
cutting.
5. BASS CONTROL
This adjusts the bottom end, turning it clockwise
increases the amount of low frequencies in the
sound.
6. MIDDLE CONTROL
This adjusts the level of those all-important midrange
frequencies. Turning it clockwise increases
the mids and fattens your sound, giving it more
punch. Turning it anticlockwise reduces the mids,
producing a more 'scooped' tone.
7. TREBLE CONTROL
This adjusts the top-end. Turning it clockwise
increases the amount of high frequencies (treble)
present in the sound, making your guitar tone
brighter.
Note: The following four controls - PRESENCE
(item 4), BASS (item 5), MIDDLE (item 6) &
TREBLE (item 7) - are all shared, meaning that
they all work on both Channel I and Channel II.
They are highly interactive and altering one control
can change the way the other two behave. For this
reason, experimentation is recommended.
8. VOLUME I
This controls the overall output level of Channel I,
turning it clockwise increases the volume. This
channel is voiced for a higher treble response than
Channel II.
Tonal Note 5: The value of the capacitor across
Volume I is 0.005iF. This rather large value makes
this channel aggressive and bright at relatively low
settings. Many players bridge (see page 6 for
details) Channels I and II (which has a darker, less
aggressive tone) in order to have more control over
their overall tone. Many earlier versions of the 1959
(from 1965 to 1967) used a 100pf capacitor across
Volume I which gives a less aggressive sound at all
volume levels less than 8.
9. VOLUME II
This controls the overall output level of Channel II,
turning it clockwise increases the volume level.
This channel is voiced for a 'normal', flatter
response and is labelled as the 'Normal' Channel in
later versions of the 1959.
10. HIGH SENSITIVITY INPUT FOR
CHANNEL I
This is the 'high sensitivity' guitar input for Channel I
- the brighter of the two channels - and is the most
commonly used input. Always use a high quality
screened guitar lead.
Marshall 1959HW Rear Panel Features:
1. LOUDSPEAKER OUTPUTS
WARNING! Never use the amplifier without a load
attached!
There are two parallel loudspeaker output jacks
provided for connection to speaker extension
cabinet(s). Please always ensure that the
amplifier's output impedance selector is set
correctly (see item 2) and ALWAYS ensure you use
good quality speaker (unshielded) cables. NEVER
use guitar (shielded) cables.
Always use a non-screened Marshall approved
speaker lead when connecting an extension
cabinet to these units.
2. OUTPUT IMPEDANCE SELECTOR
Matches the amplifier's output to the load (speaker)
impedance.
Your 1959HW should be completely powered down
before the Output Impedance Selector is turned.
As is the case with any Marshall all-valve amplifier
it is imperative that: a) the amplifier is connected to
a load whilst in operation and b) the impedance
selected on the amplifier matches the total
impedance of the extension speaker cabinet(s)
being used.
1x16 Ohm cabinet - Selector on 16 Ohm
Use either speaker output
2x16 Ohm cabinets - Selector on 8 Ohm
Use both outputs
1x8 Ohm cabinet - Selector on 8 Ohm
Use either output
2x8 Ohm cabinets - Selector on 4 Ohm
Use both outputs
1x4 Ohm cabinet - Selector on 4 Ohm
Use either output
WARNING! Do NOT use any other combination of
cabinets and/or impedances. Doing so may result
in damage to the amplifier! An extension speaker
cabinet with an impedance of less than 4 Ohms, or
two extension cabinets of 4 Ohms or less should
NOT be used with this amplifier.
Failure to comply with any of the points raised in
this section will result in damage to the amplifier.
3. MAINS SELECTOR
Matches the amplifier's mains transformer to the
incoming mains voltage.
Your 1959HW should always be completely
powered down before the mains selector is turned.
WARNING! ALWAYS ensure that this rotary
selector is set to the correct mains voltage
applicable for the country where the 1959HW is
being used. If you do not know, consult your
authorized Marshall dealer.
Adjusting the selector from 230V to 120/100V or
vice-versa will require the mains fuse (item 5) to be
changed to the correct value as detailed on the
rear panel.
4. MAINS INPUT
Your amp is provided with a detachable mains
(power) lead, which is connected here. The specific
mains input voltage rating that your amplifier has
been built for is indicated on the back panel. Before
connecting for the first time, please ensure that
your amplifier is compatible with your electricity
supply. If you have any doubt, please get advice
from a qualified technician. Your Marshall dealer
will help you in this respect.
5. MAINS FUSE
The correct value of mains fuse is specified on the
rear panel of the amplifier. NEVER attempt to
bypass the fuse or fit one of the incorrect value.
6. H.T. FUSE
The correct value of this H.T. fuse is specified on
the rear panel of the amplifier. NEVER attempt to
bypass the fuse or fit one of the incorrect value.
Marshall 1959HW Specifications:
- Output (RMS): 100 Watt
- Pre-Amp Valves: 3 x ECC83
- Power Amp Valves: 4 x EL34
- Tube Rectifier: No
- Footswitch (supplied): No
- Dimensions (mm): 740 x 275 x 210 (approx. 29 x 11 x 8.3 inches)
- Weight (kg): 22 (approx. 48.4 lbs.)
Buy Today & We'll Throw In The Following Free Gifts!
Free Deluxe 20FT Instrument Cable, Free Korg GA30 Tuner!
This is a limited time offer so please act quickly!
Get your Marshall 1959HW today!
