Park amps were initially produced between 1965 and 1982. Marshall used the Park name for another line of amps outside the Rose-Morris distribution deal. Jonny Jones was the man to sell most of the early Marshall amps through his shop, Jones and Crossland. He became the top distributor in North England, and Jim appreciated everything he had done. As Marshall began to expand business in 1964, Jim began looking for a big-time distributor, and in early 1965, Rose-Morris became the exclusive distributor of Marshall. Since no one else in England could distribute Marshall amps as of 1965, it left many large distributors out in the cold, including Johnny. As part of the new deal with Rose-Morris, Jim was allowed to build amps under different names for other distribution outlets. Originally, this new line of amps was going to be called Jones Amplifiers, but Jim didn't like the average Joe sound of the name. After having supper with Jones and his wife one night, Jim asked his wife what her maiden name was. She responded with Park and the name of the new line of amps was born. However, after a few months into the new Rose-Morris contract, Jim realized this deal with Jones wasn't as great as he had first thought. Jones sold these amps at wholesale and they were distributed by Cleartone Musical Instruments (CMI). Marshall grew in popularity throughout the 1960s, but people didn't associate the connection between Park and Marshall. Value in a brand name became very important as Marshall found out. Jones stopped wholesaling these amps in 1971, but Marshall continued to produce them as a brand for distributors outside of Rose-Morris. The Marshall/Rose-Morris exclusive distribution contract expired in 1981, and Jim took on distribution himself. Since there was no need for private branded amps anymore, Marshall discontinued producing Park models by 1982. The Park trademark was revived in 1992 on a line of solid-state budget amps built overseas for Marshall. Once again, Marshall noticed the importance in a brand name, and they introduced their own solid-state budget line in 2000 with the MG Series.
Park amplifiers were simply Marshall amps with different cosmetic features and a different logo on the front. The first Park amps were JTM 45s, and when Marshall started producing 50W and 100W models, Park followed suit. However, Marshall used Park to experiment with new designs throughout the 1970s, including some of the first solid-state models. Sources for Park History, Michael Doyle, The History of Marshall, and Rich Maloof, Jim Marshall: The Father of Loud.
Amplifiers previously produced by Marshall in England between circa 1965 and 1982, and in Asia from 1992 until 2000 in Asia. Distributed by Marshall.