I've been playing for...MANY years, and I've owned many amps. Let's just say that I bought a MusicMan HD130 NEW. :) Marshalls inc, a JCM800 (2205), JVM210, Origin 20w head (and 2 Marshall 2x12s), as well as Orange, Mesa (combo), PRS, Fenders, Egnater (combo), Budda, and Sunn (Model T-RI) along w/ various 1x12s, 2x12, or '80s Marshall 4x12 (G75Ts) - I list those for perspective so it doesn't seem like I'm fawning over "my first tube amp!" or "my first real amp!" (of course you're going to love it). SO - when I say that my JTM45 is the best amp I've ever owned, I'VE OWNED A LOT OF AMPS and I don't say that lightly. My old (and new) Fenders do a different thing altogether, and don't compete with the Marshall.

Particulars: Yes, it is indeed quite loud - especially with a 4x12. My current 4x12 is non-Marshall replica 1960 cab with Hellatone 30w drivers. The cab in itself sounds fantastic and I don't know what the JTM would sound like through the 80s JCM. Like most plexis, the first 25% of the volume sweep makes a huge impact, and for lower-volume use, you need to jumper the channels. What helps me, and is essential, is running it with a Power Station to get the volume to where I can use it in my home studio. Many people don't consider the JTM a plexi. Strictly speaking, it's actually Marshall's first plexi, but in music circles, it's much different than its 50 and 100 watt younger brothers. It's rich, warm, dynamic, complex, and compresses easily, whereas the "plexis" are more of a sledgehammer and are much brighter and better suited to hard rock, AC/DC, Led Zepp, etc., etc. A lot of people 'think' they want a 50/100w plexi, like their heroes, but the JTM is much better suited for the mere mortals among us. The Pedal Show has a great comparo of them and they sum it up well.

Most of us play at home and in small clubs, or with others, but in a small setting. In such cases, this amp is better suited IMO. Let your ears be the judge. For me, it's the sound I've always had in my head - and I'm classic rock all the way.

A friend of mine strummed one chord and just said "that's the best amp I've ever heard!"

It really is a beautiful sounding (and looking) amp.

A great salesman and gives service beyond the norm

And it does not dissapoint!
What can I say about this amp that has not been said in the last 60 years? It is the most wonderful clean amp I've ever had, it completely matches and exceeds my expectations.

I've been after this tone for a long time now. I thought I had it with the Bassbreaker 45, but that amp is too gainy and it sounds more like a 1987 than to the 2245. The DSL, despite being an actual Marshall tube amp, was way more modern than this (a negative for my personal taste). My third try was going to be the Studio JTM, but that does not have the GZ34 tube rectifier, which without shooting them out, I wouldn't know if it did the job that I wanted it to do.

But I just bit the bullet and bought my dream amp, much to the chagrin of my wife. The JTM45 is definitely pricier than all those amps I just mentioned, but it is well worth the price!

It may be vain, but I absolutely how it looks in my music room. Just looking at it inspires me to play, and when I do, what a tone! It is perfect for what I wanted. Beautiful cleans that explode into amazing crunch when hit hard with a boost.

With the channels jumped and both volumes at half way, my Tele sings! Amazing clean sounds that are lush and expressive, and the feeling on the hands is perfectly soft. Hit it hard and it will compress and start to snarl giving you a hint of what it can do. Then just go to town with a boost hitting the amp's front end and it is probably the best sound in the world. In a word, dynamic. In two, epically dynamic!

I am also amazed with the sound pressure levels of this thing. Everywhere online it said that it was unusably loud, but I find it to be just right. Don't get me wrong, it is loud, but the way the internet made it sound, I was expecting it to be painful. Instead it is pretty manageable and not far away from any of my other tube amps. I kind of want to try a 1959 circuit now! But I am using it through a Marshall 2x12. I do want to acquire a 4x12 eventually to see if that is what people call unusable volumes.
I also need to add that I am using an attenuator on it at night time, I can play loud, but not THAT loud!

This is my dream amp, and it did not dissapoint, not one bit. I'm still learning it, as my time with it has been short. But I do not see myself ever parting with it, quite the opposite. I might get another and go wet/dry!

If you are holding off on a JTM, don't. The sound is amazing. And it's a little loud :-)

The gruff tone of the Marshall JTM-45 amp is so pleasing that I play through mine every day, all day long. This JTM-45 tone can be easily achieved at all volume levels, even at a low volume. This saves my hearing. I have around30 amps and most are tube amps. My new JTM-45 brings joy into my life.

Ok. You want that classic plexi sound. Go for it. It's clean and beautiful. But you want to crank it up to 8 or 10 for that Hendrix grit? Just prepare yourself. They rate it at 30 watts but it is crazy loud. I had a 50 watt plexi back in the day and--ok, I've lost some braincells over the years, but I'd swear this JTM45 is louder than my old 50 watt head was. Just so you know.

It seems a little silly to do a review of a JTM45. What is there to say about one of the most iconic amps ever built? Maybe "Put on a Peter Green song. That's a JTM45. Or the Beano album. Yeah. It's THAT sound."

But here goes.

I paired it with an Orange 2X12 that I loaded with Celestion Gold speakers.

This is, hands down, the best amp I've ever plugged into. Sweet, sweet cleans, with great note articulation. And a wonderful overdrive sound. Not metal. (Although Angus Young might disagree.) I keep it cranked to about 8 or 9--which is as loud as I can stand even with my Weber attenuator.)It's just on the verge of breakup and is the prettiest tone I've ever found. I find myself using the volume knobs on the guitar way more than any dirt pedal. It just doesn't need them. (But, can be used at lower volumes as a great pedal platform.)

Kick on a decent reverb pedal and Peter Green's "I Loved Another Woman" is right there. Crank the volume knobs on the Les Paul and roll the tone back--yep, sounds like the woman tone to me.

The build is first-rate. Not a flaw on the head at all.

And for 30 watts, it is super, super loud. If you are playing at home, get an attenuator because you are going to want to crank it. If you can't cut through in a band with this amp, there is something wrong with your drummer.

And a note about my sales rep. If every company on the planet provided the kind of customer service that Simon provides, the world would be a much better place. His professionalism is flawless.

I purchased this amp from Sweetwater a couple years ago. I rate this amp a perfect 5 stars. The amp sounds very warm, clean, and versatile. The amps ability to play all the spectrums of clean to distorted makes this amp a desert island piece. I have used every type of guitar while playing the JTM and I have not found a mismatch yet. My favorite is a Les Paul, these two were made for each other. I own many amazing vintage and boutique amps, this amp at 2K is by far the best value in the new reissue amp market.

To get that amazing Marshall break up tone you have to run it about 7-10. Well going through even a 2x12 this is amazingly loud (doesn't even go to 11!).

That being said, this amp is amazing. I was debating on swapping the 5881s for KT88s but I love it as is. I may still try it just for fun but it needs no mods or upgrades. Just unbelievably good tone.

I also didn't understand why people would jump the channels, but after fiddling around for a few days it's really a good combo of channel 1 & 2 that you can get. Not quite as bright but not too dark either, just right!

Ryan Clapper is my rockin sales guy, don't be afraid to ask for him as he's always on the ball for me and my gear needs. I never understood why people would comment about their sales guy, well once you've got your own, it feels like 1970s levels of service instead of what you typically get today.

this is the amp the i was searching for�.. over the years JTM45 is the best!!!!

I bought this amp from Sweetwater a couple of years ago, so I've had time to assess its true value. I own several high-quality amps, including a vintage Fender Twin Reverb, a Mesa Boogie, and another Marshall (JCM 900). While all of these amps have their own character and each provides a unique tone that I love, none of them can stand up to the JTM45--my absolute favorite! This amp gives all the tone, all the sound, all the power of classic rock from the 60s (Hendrix) to today (Black Keys). If you like vintage AC/DC, this is your amp! No need for pedals, gadgets, and software--this compact monster will take you everywhere you need to go. Want choice? Switch guitars. Playing a telecaster will get you that solid beefy 70s tone or a good country twang with the volume backed down. Strap on a humbucker-equipped Les Paul and you'll find Skynyrd, AC/DC, and even a little late 80s hair band rock. If you plug a boost, distortion, or fuzz into the chain, watch out! This amp will take you as far into heavy metal and thrash as you can stand. One warning: no master volume, so this baby is LOUD. I actually use the volume control of my RAT pedal to keep the overall volume in check so I don't aggravate the neighbors. I will part with this amp only when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers!

My rating had to be a 5 "wow blown away" ..how could it not? The JTM45 is the amp Hendrix used, and Peter Green, and BB KING. Do you want to know what the JTM45 sounds like? Listen to Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival, or Peter Green Playing '"The Stumble" live in 1967 with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, or to John Til, of Big Brother and the Holding Company backing Janis Joplin at Woodstock.. What could I possibly say about this amp to add anything to that?. I hope Marshall goes right on Making them. If they ever stop then it would be like fender replacing the Twin Reverb with a software program..then we would know even the memory of rock n roll is dead.

I have to say this amp sings! Play a strat through it and get that classic strat tone that is round, full, and chewy! Play a tele through it and it barks and bites but always maintains the body you want playing at this volume! I have an Orange AD30 single CHannel head that may be louder and may be fuzzier...but it does not have the charm of this amp. The JTM is the amp man. The only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is due to the fact that a hand built hand wired amp deserves 5 stars when it cost over 1,300. Play anything through a JTM45 pushing greenbacks and if it doesn't make you tingle a bit, you are either not doing it right or you have no soul.