Just got a Marshall Silver Jubilee 1x12 combo

[57GoldTopAztec]

I paid a little more than I wanted to, but damn is this thing vintage cool sounding and a great investment. The 2554 model from 1987.

I'm mostly a Fender guy, but this is one fun new patina.

Anyone else own a Jube?

 

[11Bravo]

Congrats! I have the same amp. Heavy little thang, ain't it...

 

[57GoldTopAztec]

Like it's made out of some kinda precious metal or something.

How do you like the tone? I am digging everything, but the apparent lack of low end because of the small cab.

 

[11Bravo]

If all is in good order (tubes and such) you will will pick up more low end when you get the volume up around 11-12:00. Although it looked a little dorky, I gigged mine through a 4x12 Marshall. That helped a bit. I use it now at home now mostly because I could get a wider range of tones from a dsl 50 into 2x12s. Cranked the jubilee will smoke! One more thing, I tried swapping a bunch of speakers but the vintage 30 seems to be made just for that amp. YMMV of course. Enjoy!

 

[57GoldTopAztec]

Right on. I get the sense the Vintage 30 is just perfect. There are cheap Ruby EL34s in there now from the seller. I'm sure they are doing the amp a disservice. I have changed the preamp tubes to reissue Tung Sol, which helped.

Any thoughts on power tubes? Everyone seems to think NOS Mullard EL34s are the way to go, but they are spendy. I'm open to other preamp tubes too.

 

[wild.joz]

I have a 2555SL 100 watts head (the slash signature from 1996), which basically is a Jubilee RI. As 11Bravo said, nothing really happens before you get the master vol. around 4/5 at least. That amp (mine at least) definitely has a lot of bass in it, but you have to play it pretty loud or it will sound like a cheap fuzz. Once you get the master vol. past the 6 mark and up to the 8 mark, you will be entering a whole new dimension. Past 8 you will pretty much get nothing but more mud.
Don't hesitate to get the EQ fairly high. Like everything around between 5 to 7, and don't get the gain to high (i get best results with gain around 6). The rythm channel is shit. Just use the Lead channel, and use your guitar controls.

obligatory pic :

 

[wild.joz]

Any thoughts on power tubes? Everyone seems to think NOS Mullard EL34s are the way to go, but they are spendy. I'm open to other preamp tubes too.

I've been recommended here to use SED Winged =C= EL34 (tubestore.com for example) and couldn't be happier. :headbange

 

[71Rcode]

I bought one of these new (25/50 switchable) at Baker's Music Shop in Columbus, GA around '89 (unsold unit sitting around for awhile) for $325 or so. It wasn't "vintage" enough for me at the time, as all the heroes in the posters on my wall and pictured on my album covers, were playing through 4-holer heads.

So I sold it to a guy in a local band called "East Orange" and picked up a '73 Super Lead, which I sold a few months ago.

CRAZY -- who would've ever guessed the silver jubilee combo would have more value today than an old Super Lead. And yes, I wish I had never sold that combo...

 

[57GoldTopAztec]

Funny, wine, I had been looking at the Winged C and thinkin it might be the ticket.

Yup 71, these things have really taken off. It is a really nice sounding amp. I got to push it some last night, and me oh my. I'll post an obligatory pic when I get home from work tonight.

Any recommendations for the first preamp tube? I'm told the other two preamp tubes don't have much effect on sound.

 

[wild.joz]

from my old thread, this is what I used following forumites recommendations:

4 new SEDs EL34 =C=
1 Tungsol reissue for V1
1 JJ ECC83 for V2
1 JJ ECC83 (matched & balanced) for V3/PI

I started with the =C= el34s (amp still had the original Svetlanas from when I purchased it - they're cooked but I saved them as spares since they 'work' just fine), and right away, more clarity, more mids, MORE bass, more treble, more sparkle. Overall more open and tighter tone at the same time.
Then, changed the PI, and to my big surprise (always thought those balanced/matched triode 12AX7s were B.S.), it didn't really change the tone, but seemed to clean it up and make it work together better.
then, the V2 which apparently didn't change anything...
And last, i put the Tungsol in V1, which apparently reduced the gain a little (compared to the original Marshall ecc83s), smoothed out the highs a bit and apparently warmed things up a bit.

still going strong. I just ordered and received a new set of =C= that i'm about to install sometime this week.

 

[J.D.]

I like the =C= generally speaking. However in Jubilees I personally like G12T75 speakers over Vintage 30s. The Chinese 12AX7 preamp tubes seem to do well in these.

 

[wild.joz]

I can't comment for the V30s, but I definitely prefer the G12-65 in my old 800 cab, over the G12-75 of my bandmate...

 

[57GoldTopAztec]

I was toying with the idea of installing a Celestion Alnico Gold I have in my closet and haven't had the heart to sell.

Not really sure I want to mess with the fine tone I have now though, beyond tube upgrades of the stock stuff.

 

[zombiwoof]

I've got RFT/Siemens EL34's in my Jubilee 50 watt head, and they sound great. You can get matched pairs for around $100-150 these days, or less if you buy slightly used ones from a good seller. These are considered second only to original Mullards IMO, and cost substantially less. Going up in price as they become more scarce, so I say grab a matched quad now if you can afford it. You'll find them under several different brand names (Siemens, National, RFT, etc.), you can tell they are RFT by the slim bottle and "dimple" in the top of the glass.

Al

 

[11Bravo]

I may have to break out my tube stash this weekend. Funny thing, I have some Mullard EL34s I never tried. V1 is currently a Mullard but I really like the new Tung Sol in my DSL so I 'll try that out too.

 

[57GoldTopAztec]

Right on. I'll have to look into my stash too and see if I have a good matched and balanced 12ax7 for V3. Can't hurt to try it.

If I don't have one, I think I'll order one and the Winged C power tubes. Should be fun.

I already have a Tung Sol reissues in all preamp spots, including V1. So I'm in decent shape in that department.

 

[yeti]

...CRAZY -- who would've ever guessed the silver jubilee combo would have more value today than an old Super Lead. And yes, I wish I had never sold that combo...

Why are these amps so popular?

 

[57GoldTopAztec]

Slash, Frusciante, Bonamassa might have something to do with it.

Very rare, one year of production for the actual silver tolex amps. Great dirt channel. Very nice cleans if you ask me.

I bought mine because I liked what I heard on records and clips. Like it even more now that I play through it myself.

 

[J.D.]

Why are these amps so popular?

They have a unique and cool sound, they have 2 good and useful channels, they look cool, big names play them, and they are limited production. Perfect storm :jim

 

[yeti]

Slash, Frusciante, Bonamassa might have something to do with it.

Very rare, one year of production for the actual silver tolex amps. Great dirt channel. Very nice cleans if you ask me.

I bought mine because I liked what I heard on records and clips. Like it even more now that I play through it myself.

Thanks, are they different from regular mid-eighties Marshalls? If so, how?