Marshall 1974X 1 x 12-inch 18-watt Tube Combo Amp Reviews
Back in 1968, Marshall built the now-legendary 1974. Considered akin to a pint-sized Bluesbreaker, this exquisitely handwired 18-watt tube combo amplifier delivered a rich, British-inflected sound that was tailor-made for the studio. The Marshall 1974X is a hand-soldered, tube-fueled re-creation of this vaunted classic. This 2-channel, non-master-volume combo produces harmonically rich, vintage-tinged Marshall tones with amazing touch sensitivity and flawless note articulation. You also get tube-driven, footswitchable tremolo with dedicated Speed and Intensity knobs. To top it off, the amp's Celestion G12M-20 Greenback has been "aged" for true-to-life vintage tone. If you've coveted the one-of-a-kind sound of a worn-in 1974, you'll really dig the Marshall 1974X — it's the real deal.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Marshall 1974X and extension cabinet
The most amazing tone you will hear. People are astounded when I gig with this amp. They use adjectives like "flawless tone". Worth every penny and simply gorgeous, takes pedals well. It is unique, you hear what each guitar sounds like. I prefer my Les Pauls through this amp and a strat will give you the classic Hendrix sound. This is the best amp I have ever heard or owned. (I have four vintage full Marshall stacks to compare it to as well as several Marshall combos, including a 1969 super lead 100 watt plexi full stack) I rarely gig with full stacks these days, I love the size and it is light weight and super portable. My desert island amp. The best sounding amp you can buy. MARSHALL #1 Get the extension cabinet too! Most people have never even seen one in real life, or heard one. I love it!! Special thanks to Drew my sales rep at Sweetwater, He's been a big help over the years.
Amazing Marshall Tone
I actually got to play an original 1974. I am sure this new 1974 is every bit as good. The louder it gets the better it sounds. Price kinda crazy but hey why not.
Marshall 1974X
Imagine vintage Marshall tone in a portable package, that won't overpower your band mates, and yet get you to that sweet spot that Marshall's are loved for without ripping your head off. The 1974X is the answer. Think tones like Duane Allman, Hendrix, Free, etc. It won't chug like an 800, but that's not what it's meant to do. It does Vintage Marshall tone all day.
I've had mine since they were first released
I'll never sell it.
An excellent Amp..Just what I thought it would be..
great sound
The Quintessential Tube Amp Tone Barre None!
Words really cannot express the complexity and beauty of the pure tone that exudes from this baby. The early Marshalls were based on Fender tube amps of the day and this amp has plenty of Fender influence, more than any other Marshall that I've heard or played. Now, let me say that I also own real black faces from the sixties along with a few Fender "Vintage Reissues" such as the '65 Twin. I was disappointed to discover (on a gig) that my '65 reissue had circuit boards and I had a heck of a time finding a cold solder joint that was causing some extremely unmusical honking at arbitrary intervals! I had it fixed and put it up immediately on eBay! The 1974x, on the other hand, is all hand-wired. No circuit boards, which is what we guitarists expect in a vintage reissue. Simplicity, reliability, and tone up the yin-yang. The 1974x has a thick, warm, and round tone that has a creamy edge - Not chimey like Vox (which I also love) but focused, distinct, warm, with that edge, that can be controlled by the way the guitarist plays and by the level of the volume control on the amp. Very responsive to your playing style and loud for 18 watts. This amp can easily handle a small to medium sized room with no mic. The sound disperses nicely from the cabinet and fills the room evenly - This is a feature missing from my Mesa Mark III combo. My Mark III would decapitate anyone in the path of the speaker throw. I love this amp. You can hear my 1974x here on YouTube.
Wonderful Classic
I waited a long time to purchase this fabulous amp. This amp is outstanding. Simple layout, great sound.
Expensive, but if it's in your budget & you need modest power, you won't be disappointed.
Simple Perfection
I've been playing since the early '70s, through many amps. I've simply never (in my 32 years of playing) experienced so much sensitivity to playing style in my life. Pick hard and it's chime and bite. Play softly and it's round and warm. If you need a bunch of effects, you'll have to go to the pedal board, but all that does is dilute the absolutely ambrosiac intrinsic tone quality of this masterpiece of equipment.
This is a fantastic sounding, rock-style amp - I wouldn't suggest it for classic jazz as it gets dirty (yet still articulate) quickly. There are other choices out there, or you could build your own 18-watter. But if you want an out-of-the-box, no-brainer hit, this is it. In an age of modeling amps (which are convenient but fall woefully short of capturing the excitement and nuance of the originals) this amp will revolutionize the way you sound, and the way you play. It just makes you a better player.
