• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Marshall 2001

P

playitloudmutha

Jul 10, 2006
3
1
Oakland, CA
stormcrow.lidtoker.com
#1
Hey everyone,

Anybody know anything about the Marshall 2001 bass amps? From the info I've found online (not much), they were made shortly in the early 80s. I guess Fast Eddie (of motorhead) brought 3 over to the US for his then-new band Fastway.

Anyway, I've found one for sale for a good deal, and was hoping to get some more info, as he doesn't seem to know a great deal about what he has, or amps in general, really.

here's the original description:

"Marshall 2001 custom Model, 375 watts, dual chanel, 8 great working tubes, used three times at home never giged, come over and play it."

Pretty much the only info I've found online is a couple harmony reviews.
 

Attachments

  • marshall2001front.jpg
    marshall2001front.jpg
    24.5 KB · Views: 219
  • marshall2001rear.jpg
    marshall2001rear.jpg
    34.8 KB · Views: 384
#3
Thought I should say hi as this is my first post/thread. You'll probably see me here in the amp forum from time to time.

One thing, this should be a kt88/6550 amp, do those tubes look skinny to anybody else? Hard to tell with such a small picture.

Also, here's what he had to say via email when I asked him for more info:

"Im the original owner. On the back all it says is 'Model 2001' and all that good James Marshall made in England jazz. I know its a crazy looking thing. The transformers are huge and the 8 tubes are new Groove Tubes but Im not sure if thats what your asking Im not an amp afficionado, I just know its 375 watts, and Im selling it becasue Im going on tour with my band soon and Im going to need the money. I can part with the amp because I hardly use it, its too loud for anything I do, and besides I play drums. call me if youd like to come down and play it"

Original owner, played three times in house (since 80/81?!), sounds good to me. Somebody talk me out of this before I max out my credit.

I only hesitate because I've never played a marshall bass amp that I liked. Then again, I've never played a 300+ watt tube amp I didn't like...
 
  • Like
Reactions: elkkid2
#4
The tubes have been changed. If he is the original owner, then he changed them. If only played 3 times, why did he change the tubes. It should have 6550's or kt88's in there, those look like el34's. They probably won't last long, if you try it out, I wouldn't play it too loud because those tubes would probably die. If it is still working, the different tubes might be a good bargaining point to talk the price down more.
 
#5
If it hasn't been played in that long, the filter caps are probably dried out. If you turn it on and it's really humming, it needs new caps. Not sure on how much that'd be . . . probably around $150. But hey, if it's got the tone you're after and it's the right price, do it up.
 
#6
timv said:
The tubes have been changed. If he is the original owner, then he changed them. If only played 3 times, why did he change the tubes. It should have 6550's or kt88's in there, those look like el34's. They probably won't last long, if you try it out, I wouldn't play it too loud because those tubes would probably die. If it is still working, the different tubes might be a good bargaining point to talk the price down more.
Click to expand...


Exactly what I was thinking. Would some kind of mod have to be performed in order to even fit el34 tubes in a 6550/kt88 tube socket, or do they share a similar pin design?

The fact he retubed it all makes me worry. Although, in his ignorance, maybe he just bought a box of el34s and dropped 'em in (assuming they fit). The only other option I can think of is somebody actually perfoming whatever mods are needed to save on the costs of retubing, or to turn it into a guitar head.
 
#7
Those tubes in there are Groove Tubes, and that company didn't even exist when that amp was made. They are EL34's (which like most power tubes use octal sockets) so they are definite replacements. I believe that amp was on eBay a couple of years ago but never sold.

Those amps were never popular because they had LOTS of problems with faulty tubes and other parts. Marshall's QC in the early 80's was screwed by their distributor. It MIGHT be soemthing for someone who knows how to work on amps, but I wouldn't expect to buy it and gig it without sinking some serious money into it.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back