Marshal Plexi

The Marshall Plexi is one of the most iconic guitar amplifiers in rock history, known for its powerful sound and significant influence on the music scene.

History of the Marshall Plexi

• Origins (1965): The Marshall Plexi, officially known as the Marshall Super Lead 1959, was introduced in 1965. The name "Plexi" comes from the clear plastic faceplate used on early models, which gave it a distinctive look. The amp was designed to meet the demands of rock musicians seeking higher power and volume for larger venues.
• Design Features: The Plexi is powered by four EL34 tubes in a Class AB configuration, producing approximately 100 watts of output. It features two channels—Normal and High Treble—each with separate volume controls and a shared EQ section consisting of Bass, Mid, Treble, and Presence controls. This simple yet effective design allowed players to achieve a wide range of tones.
• Popularity and Legacy: The Plexi quickly gained popularity among rock musicians in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to its ability to produce rich overdriven tones and powerful clean sounds. It became synonymous with the sound of classic rock, used by many legendary guitarists during this era.
• Cultural Impact: The Plexi played a crucial role in shaping the sound of rock music, being favored by iconic artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page. Its use in live performances and recordings helped solidify its status as a cornerstone of rock tone.
• Reissues: Although production of the original Plexi models ceased in the early 1980s, Marshall has since released various reissues that capture the essence of the original design while incorporating modern features.

Popular Settings

• Clean Tones:
  • Use the Normal channel with Volume set around 4-5 for warm, clean sounds.
  • Treble at about 6-7, Mid at 5-6, and Bass at 4 for balanced clarity.
  • Ideal for classic rock or blues styles.
• Overdriven Tones:
  • Increase Volume to 7-8 on the High Treble channel for rich tube saturation.
  • Set Treble around 6-8 to enhance brightness while keeping Mid at 4-5.
  • Excellent for hard rock or metal tones.
• Channel Jumping:
  • Many players prefer to bridge both channels using a jumper cable for added tonal complexity; this allows blending between the Normal and High Treble channels.
  • Experimenting with different input combinations can yield unique sounds.
• Dynamic Playability:
  • The amp responds well to guitar volume adjustments; rolling back on the guitar can yield cleaner tones while pushing it forward brings out overdrive.
  • Players often find that subtle changes in picking dynamics result in significant tonal shifts.

Notable Players

• Jimi Hendrix: Hendrix famously used Marshall amplifiers, including the Plexi, during his performances at iconic venues like Woodstock, contributing to his signature sound.
• Eric Clapton: Clapton transitioned from his Fender Bluesbreaker to a Marshall Plexi during his time with Cream, helping define the band's powerful blues-rock tone.
• Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin): Page's use of the Plexi during live performances and recordings helped shape the hard rock sound that defined Led Zeppelin's music.
• Pete Townshend (The Who): Townshend was instrumental in developing the Plexi's design; he famously used it to achieve his loud, aggressive sound during The Who's performances.
• Gary Moore: Moore utilized the Plexi for its rich overdrive characteristics, contributing to his expressive blues-rock playing style.

Summary

The Marshall Plexi remains an enduring symbol of rock music history, celebrated for its unique design and exceptional tonal capabilities. Its legacy continues to inspire guitarists seeking classic sounds from a reliable platform that blends vintage design with modern performance standards.