United Kingdom · Est. 1962
Marshall
The sound of rock. Marshall defined the tone of British and American rock for over six decades, and their heads remain the absolute reference of the genre.
About the brand
Marshall Amplification was founded in 1962 by Jim Marshall in Hanwell, London. Jim owned a music shop and began building amplifiers on commission from his customers, including Pete Townshend of The Who and Ritchie Blackmore. The first model, the JTM45, was inspired by the Fender Bassman but with a character of its own that quickly became the voice of British rock.
The Marshall Plexi of the 1960s and 70s, the 1959SLP and the JCM800 of the 80s are three of the most recorded amplifiers in the history of popular music. Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Slash and countless artists built their sound around a Marshall stack. The image of a wall of Marshalls on stage became the symbol of stadium rock.
Today Marshall offers a range from classic Plexi and JCM800 reissues to the modern DSL, JVM and Origin lines, as well as the CODE digital modelling series. The company remains British and continues to manufacture its high-end valve amplifiers in the UK.
Key facts
- Founded in 1962 by Jim Marshall in London
- JTM45, Plexi, JCM800 and JVM among the most recorded amplifiers in history
- Used by Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Slash and Eric Clapton
- Symbol of stadium rock for over six decades
Iconic models
JTM45
Marshall's first amplifier, based on the Fender Bassman, defined the British rock sound of the 1960s.
Plexi Super Lead 1959
The 100-watt amp with a plexiglass back panel that became synonymous with classic rock and was used by Hendrix and Page.
JCM800
The quintessential 80s amplifier, with its aggressive distortion and infinite sustain, set the standard for hard rock and metal of the era.
DSL100
The Dual Super Lead introduced two independent channels with individual gain control, modernizing the classic Marshall platform for the contemporary player.
Origin50
A modern reinterpretation of Marshall's vintage valve circuits with a built-in power attenuator, designed to deliver classic tone at any volume.