Jim Marshall was born on July 29, 1923 in Kensington, England. Jim suffered tuberculosis of the bones, and spent most of his school years in a plaster cast up to his arms. He was only in school for three months and left at the age of 13 1/2. From here he started a variety of jobs, including working for his dad at a fish and chip shop, a scrap metal yard, a builder's merchant, a bakery, and was a salesman. Because of tuberculosis, he wasn't able to go into the forces for World War II. Instead he went to work at Cramic Engineering. He was able to explore his interest in engineering and electronics and used this engineering experience by working at Heston Aircraft in Middlesex as a tool maker in the late '40s.
Jim's interest in music started when he was 14, when he learned how to tap dance. Originally, Jim was a drummer and played in a band around 1942. In 1946, he started to take lessons to sharpen up his skills. By 1949, he felt he had learned enough and he started teaching drums to people including Mitch Mitchell of Jimi Hendrix fame. By 1960, Jim had made enough money to start his own business called Marshall's Music. Initially, Jim's shop was just for drums/drummers, but shortly thereafter Jim started to stock guitars and amps due to popularity in American instruments especially Fenders and Gibsons.
In 1960, Jim started to build bass and PA cabinets in his garage, because of the demand for a good bass amp. The first amps Jim built were 25W amps with either a 12 in., 15 in. or 18 in. speaker. Since Marshall's Music was buying other amplifiers and selling them, Ken Bran, the new service engineer, suggested that they start building their own amplifiers. Jim and Ken looked at Fenders since they were their favorites, and were going to try to make them better. The first Marshall amp was a 2-12 in. 50W lead. Speakers kept blowing on these first models, so they decided to add more speakers. This lead to the 4-12 in. cabinet, which became an industry standard.
Once these amps became available, orders began to pour in. By 1964 Marshall Amplifiers had expanded three times! The Marshall Amplifier factory in Hayes was 6,000 square feet with 16 people making 20 amplifiers a week. In order to distribute his amps beyond England, Jim signed an exclusive world-wide distribution agreement with Rose-Morris in 1965, which was to last for 15 years. Jim had been distributing to his friend Johnny Jones for some time, but this was lost after the exclusive contract with Rose-Morris. Jim then introduced Park, a new line of amplifiers, for Johnny to distribute. This led to a number of amps being built with different names (but the same Marshall chassis) during the late 1960s and early 1970s (see Park, Narb, Kitchen Marshall, CMI). In 1966, the factory was moved to Milton Keynes, England.
By the mid- to late 1960s, The British Invasion was in full swing, and bigger amps were becoming the hottest fad. Pete Townshend was an early customer for Marshall when he requested more power for a louder sound. Jim sent Ken to built a 100W amp and an 8-12 in. speaker cabinet. Jim built both of these but Townshend's roadies complained of achy backs (8 speaker cabinets are not light). Pete suggested cutting the 8-12 in. in half. Marshall took the 8-12 in. cabinet and split it into two 4-12 in. cabinets. The head-unit was then set on top to create the infamous Marshall stack, which is one of the most famous icons in rock amplification to date.
As Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Cream, Roy Orbison, and many others started to use Marshall Amplifiers, sales went through the roof. In just a few short years, Marshall had established themeselves as king of the rock guitar amplfier. By the 1970s, Marshall was experimenting with all kinds of products including bass amps, PA cabinets, and mixer designs. In 1981, Jim ended the 15 year deal with Rose-Morris and started to distribute on his own. The early 1980s presented a tough time for Marshall, as Britain was in a recession and they had been producing essentially the same model for over 15 years. In 1981, Marshall pulled around and released the JCM-800 series, which was an entirely new design but based on the original Marshall. In 1982, they released their 20th anniversary amplifiers. In 1984, Marshall was presented with the Queen's award for export, which meant they could use the Queen's Award logo on letterheads and any advertising. In 1985, Jim was invited to put his handprints in the sidewalk of Hollywood, along with him was Les Paul, Leo Fender, and Eddie Van Halen. In 1987, Marshall celebrated 25 years in amplification and 50 years in music by releasing the Silver Jubilee Series. In 1990, Marshall announced the long-awaited JCM-900 series. In 1992, Marshall celebrated 30 years of business with the 30th Anniversary Series.
Amplifiers currently produced in Milton Keynes, England, China, India, and Korea. Marshall is distributed in the U.S. by Marshall Amplification USA. U.S. The Marshall trademark was established circa 1962 in Hanwell, England.

MARSHALL Guitar Amplifiers Models

MARSHALL CODE 25 COMBO Image

MARSHALL CODE 25 COMBO

- 25W, 1-10 in. speaker, digital guitar combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, reverb, 14 preamp models, four power amp models, eight speaker emulations, 24 digital effects, 3-band EQ, top gold control panel, single input, seven knobs...

MARSHALL JCM600 HEAD (JCM600) Image

MARSHALL JCM600 HEAD (JCM600)

- 60W, guitar head-unit, six-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front gold control panel, single input, 13 knobs (Clean Ch.: v, b, m, t, OD Ch.: g, v, b, m, t, All: effects mix, cl...

MARSHALL JTM30 1-12 COMBO (JTM312) Image

MARSHALL JTM30 1-12 COMBO (JTM312)

- 30W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, five-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83, power: 2 X 5881, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front gold control panel, single input, eight knobs (Ch. 1: v, Ch. 2: g, v, b, m, t, r, MV), channel...

MARSHALL ASTORIA CLASSIC COMBO Image

MARSHALL ASTORIA CLASSIC COMBO

- 30W, 1-12 in. Celestion G12H-75 Creamback speaker combo, all-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83, power: 2 X KT66, rectifier: GZ34, single channel, 3-band EQ, top gray control panel, two inputs (high, low), six knobs (MV, sensitivity, t, m, b...

MARSHALL MODEL 1958X COMBO Image

MARSHALL MODEL 1958X COMBO

-18W, 2-10 in. Celestion G10-F15 Greenback speakers, guitar combo, five-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83, power: 2 X EL84, EZ81 rectifier, two channels, tremolo, top gold control panel, two inputs, six knobs (tone 1, tone 2, v1, v2, s, i), p...

MARSHALL VBA 400 HEAD  Image

MARSHALL VBA 400 HEAD

- 400W, head-unit only, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83, 1 X ECC82, power: 8 X 6550, single channel, front black control panel, two inputs (passive, active), six knobs (MV, t, m, c, b, g), deep switch, bright switch, effects loop, fan coole...

MARSHALL DSL15C COMBO Image

MARSHALL DSL15C COMBO

- 15W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, six-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83, power: 2 X 6V6, two channels, digital reverb, tone shift, front gold control panel, single input, nine gold knobs (Clean Ch.: g, v, OD Ch.: g, v, t All: t, m, b, pr...

MARSHALL G10MKII Image

MARSHALL G10MKII

- 10W, 1-6.5 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, single channels, front gold control panel, single input, three knobs (g, contour, v), boost switch, headphone jack, power switch, black covering, black grille cloth with white scr...

MARSHALL AS50D Image

MARSHALL AS50D

- 50W, 2-8 in. speakers with a tweeter, acoustic guitar combo, solid-state chassis, two channels, reverb, chorus, front cream control panel, three inputs, 12 knobs, Ch. 1 controls: 1/4 in. input, three knobs ( v, b, t) Ch. 2 controls: 1/4 i...

MARSHALL HAZE MHZ 15 HEAD Image

MARSHALL HAZE MHZ 15 HEAD

- 15W, guitar head-unit, five-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83, power: 2 X 6V6, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, echo, vibe, chorus, front gold control panel, single input, nine knobs (effects adjust, effects depth, r, b, m, t, O...

MARSHALL MODEL 5002 "LEAD 20" Image

MARSHALL MODEL 5002 "LEAD 20"

- 20W, 1-10 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, front gold control panel, two inputs, five knobs (g, v, t, m, b), headphone jack, power switch, black covering, black grille, mfg. 1984-1991.

MARSHALL JVM205H HEAD Image

MARSHALL JVM205H HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, seven-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X ECC83, power: 2 X EL34, two independent channels (three modes per channel), reverb, front gold control panel, single input, 16 black and gold knobs (Clean/Crunch Ch.: v, b, m, t, g, r...

MARSHALL MG2FX Image

MARSHALL MG2FX

- 2W, 1-6.5 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, single channel with ten voices, top gold control panel, single input, four dual purpose knobs (mode/bass, gain/treble, FX/reverb, volume/delay), tap/shift switch, MP3/line in, blac...

MARSHALL MG10CF Image

MARSHALL MG10CF

- 10W, 1-6.5 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, two channels (clean and overdrive), front chrome control panel, single input, four knobs (clean v, g, OD v, contour), power switch, overdrive switch, MP3/line in, emulated headpho...

MARSHALL STUDIO CLASSIC COMBO SC20C Image

MARSHALL STUDIO CLASSIC COMBO SC20C

- 20/5W, 1-10 in. Celestion V-type speaker combo, all-tube chassis, preamp: 3 x 12AX7, power: 2 x EL34, single channel, 3-band EQ, front gold control panel, two inputs (high, low), six knobs (preamp volume, MV, t, m, b, presence), standby s...

MARSHALL MODEL 2266 50W LEAD Image

MARSHALL MODEL 2266 50W LEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X KT66, single channel, digital plate reverb, extra gain stage, front gold control panel, single input, eight gold and black knobs (r, MV, p, b, m, t, preamp detail, p...

MARSHALL JMD50 HEAD Image

MARSHALL JMD50 HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, hybrid chassis with a digital preamp and 2 X EL34 power tubes, solid-state rectifier, four channels, 16 preamp digital selections, four digital delays, four digital mods, front gold brushed aluminum control panel, s...

MARSHALL JMP-1 PREAMP Image

MARSHALL JMP-1 PREAMP

- preamp only, one-space rack-mount guitar head-unit, two-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X ECC83, four channels (clean 1, clean 2, OD1, OD2), 100 programmable settings, front gold control panel, single input, output level knob, two two-digit digit...

MARSHALL MB15 COMBO Image

MARSHALL MB15 COMBO

- 15W, 1-8 in. speaker bass combo, solid-state chassis, two channels (modern/classic), front black control panel, single input, seven chrome knobs (Modern Ch.: v, compressor, Classic Ch.: g, v, All: b, voice, t), compression switch, CD inpu...

MARSHALL DAVE MUSTAINE MEGASTACK (MG15XFMSDM) Image

MARSHALL DAVE MUSTAINE MEGASTACK (MG15XFMSDM)

- 15W, 2-10 in. speakers, mini-stack with a head unit and two speaker cabinets each containing 1-10 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, four channels, reverb, four digital effects (chorus, phaser, flanger, delay), front gold control panel, si...

MARSHALL 2555X HEAD SILVER JUBILEE REISSUE Image

MARSHALL 2555X HEAD SILVER JUBILEE REISSUE

- 100W (switchable to 50W), head-unit only, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83, power: 4 X EL34, two channels, 3-band EQ, pentode/triode output section, gain switching, front chrome control panel, one input, seven silver knobs (presence, b, m,...

MARSHALL MA50H HEAD Image

MARSHALL MA50H HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, five-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83, power 2 X EL34, two channels, reverb, front gold brushed aluminum control panel, single input, 13 knobs (Clean Ch.: b, m, t, v, OD Ch.: crunch balance, g, b, m, t, v, All: r, re...

MARSHALL MODEL 1966 200W PA Image

MARSHALL MODEL 1966 200W PA

- 200W, head unit only, PA application, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83/7025, power: 4 X KT88/6550, solid-state rectifier, four channels, small gold control panel, eight inputs, seven knobs (t, m, b, v1, v2, v3, v4), passive tone contr...

MARSHALL 2000 LEAD Image

MARSHALL 2000 LEAD

- 200W, head-unit only, lead application, tube chassis, preamp: 6 X ECC83/7025, power: 6 X 6550, two channels, two inputs, front control panel, eleven knobs (Ch. A: p, b, m, t, v, Ch. B: preamp g, t, m, m sweep, b, MV), effects loops on bac...

MARSHALL JCM-800 MODEL 1959 100W LEAD Image

MARSHALL JCM-800 MODEL 1959 100W LEAD

- 100W, head-unit only, lead application, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83/7025, power: 4 X EL34/6550 two channels, four inputs, six knobs (p, b, m, t, v1, v2), black covering, black cloth grille, mfg. 1981-1991.

MARSHALL MODEL 1917 20W PA Image

MARSHALL MODEL 1917 20W PA

- 20W, 2-10 in. or 2-13 in. X 8 in. elliptical speakers, separate head and two cabinets, tube chassis, preamp: 2 X ECC83, power: 2 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front gold control panel, four inputs, four knobs (Ch. 1: v, ton...

MARSHALL MODE FOUR (MF 350) Image

MARSHALL MODE FOUR (MF 350)

- 350W, head-unit only, hybrid chassis, single ECC83 tube in each amp, MF350 power section, reverb, front gold control panel, single input, 19 silver knobs (Ch. 1: g, v, r, FX, b, m, t, Ch. 2: g, v, r, FX, Tone Matrix, b, m, t, Both: resona...

MARSHALL MG10CD Image

MARSHALL MG10CD

- 10W, 1-6.5 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, two channels, front gold control panel, single input, four knobs (Ch. 1: v, Ch. 2: g, v, contour), overdrive switch, CD input, headphone jack, power switch, black covering, black...

MARSHALL AVT 20(X) Image

MARSHALL AVT 20(X)

- 20W, 1-10 in. speaker, guitar combo, hybrid chassis with an ECC83 preamp and Valvestate power section, single channel, overdrive, reverb, front gold control panel, one input, six gold knobs (g, v, b, m, t, d), CD input, DI emulation input...

MARSHALL VS15 Image

MARSHALL VS15

- 15W, 1-8 in. speaker, guitar combo, hybrid chassis with an ECC83 preamp and Valvestate power stage, single channel, front gold control panel, one input, six gold knobs (g1, g2, t, c, b, MV), headphone jack, line out jack, black covering,...

MARSHALL SILVER JUBILEE MODEL 2550 50W LEAD Image

MARSHALL SILVER JUBILEE MODEL 2550 50W LEAD

- 50W (switchable to 25W), head-unit only, lead application, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83/7025, power: 2 X EL34/6550, solid-state rectifier, pentode/triode output section, gain switching, front chrome control panel, one input, seven silv...

MARSHALL MODEL 1959 100W LEAD Image

MARSHALL MODEL 1959 100W LEAD

- 100W, head-unit only, lead application, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 7025, power: 4 X 6550/EL34, two channels, front gold control panel, four inputs, six knobs (p, b, m, t, v1, v2), black Levant covering, mfg. 1966-1981.

MARSHALL 85TH ANNIVERSARY HEAD (MODEL 1923) Image

MARSHALL 85TH ANNIVERSARY HEAD (MODEL 1923)

- 50W, guitar head-unit based on the DSL (Dual Super Lead) platform, six-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83, power: 2 X EL34, two channels, reverb, front gold control panel with faded British flag and Jim Marshall 85 logo, single input, 10 kno...

MARSHALL MODEL 1963 50W PA Image

MARSHALL MODEL 1963 50W PA

- 50W, head unit only, PA application, tube chassis: preamp: 3 X 7025, power: 2 X 6550/EL34, solid-state rectifier, four channels, front control panel, eight inputs, eight knobs (p, b, m, t, v1, v2, v3, v4), black levant covering, brow...

MARSHALL JTM-45 (NO MODEL NUMBER) 45W LEAD Image

MARSHALL JTM-45 (NO MODEL NUMBER) 45W LEAD

- 45W, head unit only, lead guitar application, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 7025, 2 X 6L6, GZ34 rectifier, two channels, front white control panel, 4 inputs, typically six knobs (p, b, m, t, high t (loudness 1), normal (loudness 2) black...

MARSHALL 40TH ANNIVERSARY STACK/JTM 45/100 Image

MARSHALL 40TH ANNIVERSARY STACK/JTM 45/100

- 100W (2 X 50W), guitar piggyback configuration with two 4-12 in. speaker cabinets, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83, power: 4 X KT66, two channels, front gold control panel, four inputs (two normal and two high treble), six knobs (p, b, m,...

MARSHALL BLUESBREAKER MODEL 1961 Image

MARSHALL BLUESBREAKER MODEL 1961

- 30-35W (1964-mid-1966) or 50W (late 1966-1972), 4-10 in. Ceramic magnet speakers, guitar combo, seven-tube chassis (1964-mid-1966) including preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 2 X KT66, rectifier: GZ34 or six-tube chassis (late 1966-1972) in...

MARSHALL VS15R Image

MARSHALL VS15R

- similar to the VS 15, except has reverb and a reverb control for a total of seven knobs, mfg. 1995-2000.

MARSHALL JTM-45 (MODEL 1963) 50W PA  Image

MARSHALL JTM-45 (MODEL 1963) 50W PA

- similar to the JTM-45 lead except Super PA version, 50W output, four channels, eight normal inputs, eight knobs (p, b, m, t, v1, v2, v3, v4), bears the name MK III on front panel, mfg. 1965-66.

MARSHALL MODEL 1967 200W LEAD Image

MARSHALL MODEL 1967 200W LEAD

- 200W, head unit only, lead application, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83/7025, power: 4 X KT88/6550, solid-state rectifier, one channel, small gold control panel, two inputs, three knobs (t, b, v), active tone controls, black covering...

MARSHALL 2001 BASS Image

MARSHALL 2001 BASS

- 300W, head-unit only, bass application, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83/7025, 3 X ECC81/12AT7, power: 8 X 6550, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front control panel, two inputs, eight knobs (Ch. A: gain, t, m, mid-frequecy select...

MARSHALL JCM-800 MODEL 1986 50W BASS  Image

MARSHALL JCM-800 MODEL 1986 50W BASS

- 50W, head-unit only, bass application, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83/7025, power: 2 X EL34/6550, front gold control panel, two inputs, six knobs (slope, b, m, mid-sweep, t, v), black covering, new black grille cloth, active tone circuit...

MARSHALL MODEL 1958 18W LEAD COMBO Image

MARSHALL MODEL 1958 18W LEAD COMBO

- 18W, 2-10 in. speakers, lead application, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83, power: 2 X EL84, EZ81 rectifier, two channels, tremolo on first channel, top control panel, four inputs, six knobs (s,i, v1, tone1, v2, tone 2), black covering, gr...