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Tune an Italian Tune-up

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Dman,

Get your Strat or Gibby out and air the baby out. Try it through a half-stack (4 x 12 inch Celestion loaded would be best).

Try some Hendrix riffs, maybe a little EC Blues, and some AC/DC or LZ power stuff. Then, you'll get a feel for what needs working on (if anything).

I'd played the thing for a good week or two---at volume, before even thinking about tube substitutions. What you have may be just dandy, as is. And that's the best way to go.

BTW---Marshall PT's always run hot. I wouldn't worry too much. If you go to over-sized PT's & OPT's---you'll lose a lot of that early crunchy "Marshall tone."

If the thing needs power tubes---JJ E34L comes very close to the Mullard tone. Front end tubes aren't that critical, in my opinion, as long as the voicing is cool. You can chase after THAT TONE, by subbing out expensive Mullard ECC81 and ECC83 tubes (in my opinion, the best in Marshalls). Or go after the coupling caps with SBE 716P Orange Drops or even Jensen oil-filled caps.

But, only do this after you've out some miles onto the unit. Try several different guitars. They make a big difference, especially with Marshalls. The pickups can make or break a tone.

And if you have one, plug a MXR Phase-90 effects stomp box into the amp. This effects box gives that bright phase shift tone most MArshall folks like best.


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