marshall 1987 lead vs 1986 bass?

[Joe Tone]

I have a guy building me a plexi and he wants to know whether I want a marshall 1987 lead or 1986 bass. Anybody own/heard both? Which is one versatile but still authentic old school. I know the bass is more Allmanish but if I go that route will I miss the other?

[andyland6]

I've got both.

1987 seems .0001% sweeter.

But you can really go to town with the 1986. Strat quack with crunch please!

[TommyMambo]

I have a guy building me a plexi and he wants to know whether I want a marshall 1987 lead or 1986 bass. Anybody own/heard both? Which is one versatile but still authentic old school. I know the bass is more Allmanish but if I go that route will I miss the other?

I own both and I would say that the 1986 is a bit more bluesy, especially with a strat and the 1987 is a bit brighter, more rock.

My '69 1986 is my desert island amp - here's a pic (back right).
http://www.tomguerra.com/images/Mambo%20Sons%20Live.JPG

[Joe Tone]

Thanks guys, This is wild. I've got one opinion that the 1987 is sweeter and one basically that the 1986 is, I think. I def. wanna stay away from the JTM45 thing, Ive ben that route.
Too much Bassman for me.

[malabarmusic]

You may have already seen Greg Germino's comments on his own 1959/1992 variants, but I think they sum up the differences nicely:

The Super Lead version crunches quickly with the high value brite cap and hits the area of singing sustain around 6 on the volume control. For those who want a smoother transition into the sweet spot of the amplifier a lower value 100pf cap is used. This is recommended for strat players.

The Super Bass version is a cleaner amp with Bass circuit values and has a rounder tone/flat frequency response. This amp is great for a bold clean a/la SRV/Hendrix style with a strat. Very fitting for Malcom Young type riffing as well, bold, punchy and just the right amount of crunch.

I see the choice as purely a matter of taste. I would give the versatility nod to the Super Bass, as my experience suggests it can cop the classic Super Lead howl but the SL can't quite get the "bold clean" with the same degree of warmth and punch.

- DB

[ROKY]

If I had to choose I'd go with the 1986 and use a germanium treble/mid
booster [with it] when I wanted the more upper mid grind tones.

[Joe Tone]

Yes but it's not the "super" lead or the "super" bass. It's the 50 watt bass 1986 and the 1987 lead



You may have already seen Greg Germino's comments on his own 1959/1992 variants, but I think they sum up the differences nicely:

The Super Lead version crunches quickly with the high value brite cap and hits the area of singing sustain around 6 on the volume control. For those who want a smoother transition into the sweet spot of the amplifier a lower value 100pf cap is used. This is recommended for strat players.

The Super Bass version is a cleaner amp with Bass circuit values and has a rounder tone/flat frequency response. This amp is great for a bold clean a/la SRV/Hendrix style with a strat. Very fitting for Malcom Young type riffing as well, bold, punchy and just the right amount of crunch.

I see the choice as purely a matter of taste. I would give the versatility nod to the Super Bass, as my experience suggests it can cop the classic Super Lead howl but the SL can't quite get the "bold clean" with the same degree of warmth and punch.

- DB

[Joe Tone]

anybody else?

[908SSP]

I have a 68, 1986 and 69 and 72, 1987s. They are all different. The 68 is probably the most versatile. The 69 probably sounds the best by itself and the 72 really crunches. Marshall makes a great 50 watt amp.