Every time I get enamored with some new modern amp inevitably someone posts a vid of a plexi or 800 with a pedal in front of them and that's it. That's the sound.
Agreed. The old Marshalls just produce this glorious sonic, fast transient, pressure that is so immediate with so much "note". The way they break up with rich overtones... the karrraaaaanngg.... all of it is just so musical.
It should come as no surprise that I have lived all of these problems, just with a 1987x. Which is a Harsh Mistress in the same way that your 1959 is a Bastard. Great video.
I did a similar test many years ago before I had a lot of the boosts and drives I have have now- but I remember the CAE Boost and the Micro Amp almost always coming out on top for what I was looking for. That plexi sounds fantastic! I had a 79'/80 JMP NMV 1959 and I only tried to gig it once. Reactive Loads and impulse responses weren't a thing quite yet when I owned 4 or 5 Marshalls haha.
I boost my 70 super trem with a precision drive and it sounds killer. Another really cool under the radar boost that sounds incredible is the voodoo labs giggity for the plexi
I went with a 50 watt Metro-Plex MK II instead. It has a master volume it still sounds bad ass to me at volumes that won't make the leaning tower of Pisa fall over.
I have an old Soldano Hot Rod 50 that I love and I have actually been boosting it for the past couple years with an old DOD280 compressor with the comp at about 10:00 and the level at about 2:00 and it works really well.
If you want to tame the volume but keep the crunch, you can take out one power tube pair, like the two outer or inner tubes. Be sure they're both part of a push-pull pair though, or you might get in trouble.
Xotic EP booster or BB Preamp MB sound great into a plexi style amp, or any amp really. I have both, as well as the Buxom, and over time I really grew to dislike the buffer in the Buxom.
Two personal favorites Drybell Engine (right side, which is supposedly the same as the Unit 67 with the compression off) And my new favorite, the Origin Effects DCX!!! You oughta give that one a whirlski!!
@@BigHairyGuitars Right on… yeah the right side of the engine is based on a treble boost, but has some tweakability. It’s just great. Especially with the Dirty Shirley (Twin Sister) circuit. For the past year Ive been on the “best boost” hunt… those two are big standouts. Loads of fun!! Take care!
The boost I liked best was...just Michael straight into the Plexi. To me, that tone fits so well with a full band or in a track and leaves just a bit more room for everything else. (But it also sounds great boosted!)
I liked the EQ's for their versatility and the end tones, then the Micro Amp is just 'more' of the good shit but does something different yet cool in a late 70s feel way that you can almost smell it. Wonder how the Scream Honey, Xotic ep, Chase Tone Secret Preamp would sound against these. Awesome vid again bud
50 watt JCM, Boss yellow OD. Maybe a chorus. All good... 3 sets and a few beers as I am putting my guitar back in the case for the ride home. Oh, that J Rock was TIGHT...
Great video as usual Michael. I personally like the Wampler Tumnus in front of my plexi. On a similar note: have you tried the UA Lion 68 pedal? I think, it's real game changer when it comes to amazing plexi sounds. Records absolutely amazing.
nothing against old school amps. when that sweet spot hits, its like heaven. But....this is a classic reason why modeling is not only necessary, but getting better every year. Its hard to keep century old (literally!) technology going, and lets face these amps and all the peripherals necessary to use them in todays world is getting obscenely expensive. Still at the end of the day, its all about the tone, and that sounded great. thanks!
Cool vid. Now use overdrive pedals into the lower inputs of the super lead like Andy Timmons uses. Such as a BB PREamp into the lower input of your super lead. It sounds amazing man. Cheers
The squeals are insane. Why is it doing that? I've also never seen an attenuator do that? Do they all do that when they're driven with a 100 watt amp? I'm an AC30 guy, so I've never hit one that hard I guess.
Crispy and warm tones in the first part -TS9, not scooped, like the Friedman which becomes a little bit muddy in the first part of testing it ( my personale opinion ). Equalizers confuse my ears, always, i think less is more. Your channel is one of the best, your tones are always amazing like your playing!
I student of mine borrowed me a 1959hw for six months… i never heard nothing more loud and savage, even with a 1x12 with the master at 1 ( clean with pedals )… it was a monster
@@BigHairyGuitars bro, most people tuning into see a marshall head in action know the differences, the fact is it's not a plexi super lead, it's a metal face super lead, i've known that since i was a kid
Cool video, Michael. Just a heads up: the OX Box doesn't do the fuzzy thing your Fryette load box is doing. I just did a video with my 1970 Super Lead the other day and didn't have that issue. Check it out here! ua-cam.com/video/l4HhXe-YDaI/v-deo.htmlsi=evamrwaGlx7vOZMt
Thanks for the heads up! You sound great! I normally use the Palmer load box either the Plexi now, it’s a lot darker so it balances nicely with the Plexi. Although all my other amps sound way better through the Power Load. That OX is a nice piece!
@@BigHairyGuitars Thanks Michael! That means a lot coming from you. :) Agree 100 that the Fryette stuff sounds amazing. I love my Power Stations. I should check out the Power Load.
Boosting a Plexi style amp takes the sexy into pornographic and the tasty meal into straight up gluttony but.... it's so enjoyable! I prefer to use an old parametric EQ pedal from Aria/ very sinful
The Ibanez tube screamer is the most overrated pedal of all time. Nothing sounds better with it on. The Buxom Boost and the custom audio for me. The amp sounds amazing on its own but at least these pedals added a lil sumpin.
Every time I get enamored with some new modern amp inevitably someone posts a vid of a plexi or 800 with a pedal in front of them and that's it. That's the sound.
Agreed. The old Marshalls just produce this glorious sonic, fast transient, pressure that is so immediate with so much "note". The way they break up with rich overtones... the karrraaaaanngg.... all of it is just so musical.
Too right, mate.
I liked the first three...SD-1,Klone,or treble booster would be great too
The Rockaway is just killer with Marshalls. It bonds with the amp so well, kinda chewy. And the EQ is great for fitting a sound into a mix.
the Metropoulos Supa-Boost pedal is a great extra gain stage for a vintage Marshall
I like the Micro Amp and the Rockaway! I have a feeling a Friedman Plex demo is coming.......😉
It should come as no surprise that I have lived all of these problems, just with a 1987x. Which is a Harsh Mistress in the same way that your 1959 is a Bastard. Great video.
As a very wise man once said: "The Plexi is a harsh mistress..."
The 2 AMs and the 2 MXRs, for mine 😎 … Cheers! 🙏🏼 SD-1, Klon, TB would all be good comparisons.
I did a similar test many years ago before I had a lot of the boosts and drives I have have now- but I remember the CAE Boost and the Micro Amp almost always coming out on top for what I was looking for. That plexi sounds fantastic! I had a 79'/80 JMP NMV 1959 and I only tried to gig it once. Reactive Loads and impulse responses weren't a thing quite yet when I owned 4 or 5 Marshalls haha.
I boost my 70 super trem with a precision drive and it sounds killer. Another really cool under the radar boost that sounds incredible is the voodoo labs giggity for the plexi
Looking forward to the plex from Dave!
13:00 is the tone in my head.
Great vid! I personally like the sound of the Rockaway which I have and noted your settings.
I went with a 50 watt Metro-Plex MK II instead. It has a master volume it still sounds bad ass to me at volumes that won't make the leaning tower of Pisa fall over.
They all sounded good.
I have an old Soldano Hot Rod 50 that I love and I have actually been boosting it for the past couple years with an old DOD280 compressor with the comp at about 10:00 and the level at about 2:00 and it works really well.
MXR and CAE the winners for me and Steve Stevens for a different sound. Great demo thanks.
If you want to tame the volume but keep the crunch, you can take out one power tube pair, like the two outer or inner tubes. Be sure they're both part of a push-pull pair though, or you might get in trouble.
Xotic EP booster or BB Preamp MB sound great into a plexi style amp, or any amp really. I have both, as well as the Buxom, and over time I really grew to dislike the buffer in the Buxom.
Analogman EQ did it for me. Killer tonez as always mate.
+1
OMG what is that hi pitched sqill!???? I sometimes get that from my TWO NOTES REVOLT crunch channel/plexi channel, drives me up the way!
@@officialpoa3171 in my case, it’s feedback from being too closed to 100w head cranked to 10. Even though it’s going through a load box.
Two personal favorites
Drybell Engine (right side, which is supposedly the same as the Unit 67 with the compression off)
And my new favorite, the Origin Effects DCX!!!
You oughta give that one a whirlski!!
NICE! Since this video, I have bought a DCX, it's REALLY good! Gotta try the Drybell
@@BigHairyGuitars
Right on… yeah the right side of the engine is based on a treble boost, but has some tweakability. It’s just great. Especially with the Dirty Shirley (Twin Sister) circuit.
For the past year Ive been on the “best boost” hunt… those two are big standouts.
Loads of fun!! Take care!
The boost I liked best was...just Michael straight into the Plexi. To me, that tone fits so well with a full band or in a track and leaves just a bit more room for everything else. (But it also sounds great boosted!)
I love the plexi sound, but I also like to play metal and so boost is definitely an option Id like to have!
@@Squall6575 Totally! Options are good :-)
This is exactly how I use my Plexi. Seven is the magic number for gain, plus a Boss DS-1.
My fav's were the BOSS and Rockaway EQ's.
That is the holy grail of rock right there. Does Dave Friedman's new Plex get close to that? I know his is a 50 watt, but still...
I liked the EQ's for their versatility and the end tones, then the Micro Amp is just 'more' of the good shit but does something different yet cool in a late 70s feel way that you can almost smell it. Wonder how the Scream Honey, Xotic ep, Chase Tone Secret Preamp would sound against these. Awesome vid again bud
50 watt JCM, Boss yellow OD. Maybe a chorus. All good... 3 sets and a few beers as I am putting my guitar back in the case for the ride home.
Oh, that J Rock was TIGHT...
Great video as usual Michael. I personally like the Wampler Tumnus in front of my plexi. On a similar note: have you tried the UA Lion 68 pedal? I think, it's real game changer when it comes to amazing plexi sounds. Records absolutely amazing.
I also have ‘71 Superlead. Check out the 3rd Power Love Drive if you get a chance. My favorite with that amp.
I liked the Tube Screamer and the Archer best
Hmmmm...I'm not usually a TS guy but the ts9 sounds good here.
Great video. Really liked the J Rocket Rockaway !
nothing against old school amps. when that sweet spot hits, its like heaven. But....this is a classic reason why modeling is not only necessary, but getting better every year. Its hard to keep century old (literally!) technology going, and lets face these amps and all the peripherals necessary to use them in todays world is getting obscenely expensive.
Still at the end of the day, its all about the tone, and that sounded great. thanks!
Cool vid. Now use overdrive pedals into the lower inputs of the super lead like Andy Timmons uses. Such as a BB PREamp into the lower input of your super lead. It sounds amazing man.
Cheers
Nice!!!!
*Michael, which do you think is functionally better the Decimator full size pedals or the TC Electronic Entry - using 4 cable method on both?*
The squeals are insane. Why is it doing that? I've also never seen an attenuator do that? Do they all do that when they're driven with a 100 watt amp? I'm an AC30 guy, so I've never hit one that hard I guess.
Crispy and warm tones in the first part -TS9, not scooped, like the Friedman which becomes a little bit muddy in the first part of testing it ( my personale opinion ).
Equalizers confuse my ears, always, i think less is more.
Your channel is one of the best, your tones are always amazing like your playing!
I student of mine borrowed me a 1959hw for six months… i never heard nothing more loud and savage, even with a 1x12 with the master at 1 ( clean with pedals )… it was a monster
Call me an old fart, but I've been boosting with a DOD 250. :D
Which of IR of yours were you using here?
Rockaway
Great job! Thanks! 🙏🏼
is that Flynn on your screen?
Try Qboost from Stone Deaf.
Ya, that pick attack can be addictive..
When are you doing friedman’s plex?
J rocket does it
That top right knob, of the TS9 turned into a joystick 😅
Just call it a superlead ✌️
Exactly
Just track with headphones and you won't hear the cranked amp tubes' sound.
The power load is adding power amp distortion , that’s why is seems to have more gain . With no power load there is less gain.
The CAE MXR made it sing.
"71 Super Lead"
It’s so special, I’ll take the risk of arrest… and a shower with Bubba… 😂 Great video, great playing as always.
call it a super lead bro
I KNOW the difference between a Plexi and a Super Lead, and what 1959 means, but the bulk of UA-cam does not.
@@BigHairyGuitars bro, most people tuning into see a marshall head in action know the differences, the fact is it's not a plexi super lead, it's a metal face super lead, i've known that since i was a kid
Cool video, Michael. Just a heads up: the OX Box doesn't do the fuzzy thing your Fryette load box is doing. I just did a video with my 1970 Super Lead the other day and didn't have that issue. Check it out here! ua-cam.com/video/l4HhXe-YDaI/v-deo.htmlsi=evamrwaGlx7vOZMt
Thanks for the heads up! You sound great! I normally use the Palmer load box either the Plexi now, it’s a lot darker so it balances nicely with the Plexi. Although all my other amps sound way better through the Power Load. That OX is a nice piece!
@@BigHairyGuitars Thanks Michael! That means a lot coming from you. :) Agree 100 that the Fryette stuff sounds amazing. I love my Power Stations. I should check out the Power Load.
Boosting a Plexi style amp takes the sexy into pornographic and the tasty meal into straight up gluttony but.... it's so enjoyable! I prefer to use an old parametric EQ pedal from Aria/ very sinful
There was a lot of sus phrasing in this one. You missed your place in Steel Panther.
Are you suffering with depression Michael?
The Ibanez tube screamer is the most overrated pedal of all time. Nothing sounds better with it on. The Buxom Boost and the custom audio for me. The amp sounds amazing on its own but at least these pedals added a lil sumpin.
In your opinion. It has been the go-to pedal for years by many professional artists with excellent results.