2061 and 1974X

[boost]

How would you describe the difference in sound between these two circiuts?

I have a 1974X TMB clone but I have a headshell that would fit a 2061 so I am thinking about getting one (a clone most likely). Clips can be hard to judge by sometimes.

Thanks.

[tw6t6]

The 2061 is a little more aggressive. It has a bit more gain and is a little tighter because of its solid state rectifier. Its a great amp.

[big mike]

Ditto.

Love the 2061X 1974 was only meh for me.

[solitaire]

The 1974 and 2061 amps should in some ways really be seen as a baby JTM and a baby JMP, respectively.

[big mike]

Disagree completely.

Neither has near the gain, nor cathode follower setup.

[mmunguia]

OK, I also kinda disagree, having owned 2 1974x, and 1 2061x for a few years I will tell you: 1- The 1974x has earlier break up, its smoother sounding - like butter. the 2061x is more aggressive sounding (not as smooth), and has more headroom, I hardly think it has more gain, the 1974x would probably have more gain in my mind. This demo isn't great (but its my demo). Anyway, I ended up keeping the 2061x longer, because I could easily have more cabinets to use it with, and it was a little louder for my needs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBnsMmVz2sA

[boost]

So far it seems everyone agrees on the 2061 being more agressive sounding. That works for me. Seriously thinking about a Ceriatone kit now.

[dsmc80]

Originally Posted by mmunguia

OK, I also kinda disagree, having owned 2 1974x, and 1 2061x for a few years I will tell you: 1- The 1974x has earlier break up, its smoother sounding - like butter. the 2061x is more aggressive sounding (not as smooth), and has more headroom, I hardly think it has more gain, the 1974x would probably have more gain in my mind. This demo isn't great (but its my demo). Anyway, I ended up keeping the 2061x longer, because I could easily have more cabinets to use it with, and it was a little louder for my needs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBnsMmVz2sA

You are spot on. I've owned two 1974x Marshalls and a few 2061s. Both 1974s had more gain, it was just a different type. Much smoother breakup and less headroom. The 2061 was more aggressive, but in a bad way for my tastes...and I love aggressive amps. (SLOs, Marhshas, etc.). Both are good amps though, you just need to pick what fits you.

[tw6t6]

maybe gain was the wrong word. Definitely more aggressive. More bite, more kerrang, more balls. Pretty much everything i love about Marshalls.

Hit the front end of a 2061 with some boost and thats all i needed to hear...game over. And it loved pedals.

Not that i didn't like the 1974...i did, but not enough to justify spending that kind of money. Just didnt blow me away the way the 2061 did. That amp just screamed classic Marshall to me. And yeah....the fact that it was a small, light and sounded great through 1, 2, and 4x12 cabs, was even better. and it was plenty loud to gig with.

[big mike]

Originally Posted by tw6t6

maybe gain was the wrong word. Definitely more aggressive. More bite, more kerrang, more balls. Pretty much everything i love about Marshalls.

Hit the front end of a 2061 with some boost and thats all i needed to hear...game over. And it loved pedals.

Not that i didn't like the 1974...i did, but not enough to justify spending that kind of money. Just didnt blow me away the way the 2061 did. That amp just screamed classic Marshall to me. And yeah....the fact that it was a small, light and sounded great through 1, 2, and 4x12 cabs, was even better. and it was plenty loud to gig with.

I'll agree with that. I pretty much just hit mine with a HBE Dos Mas and or a Klon and that was it. 2x12 with no attenuation, almost got kicked outta the club. 2 clicks on the hot plate made em happy.

[tw6t6]

Originally Posted by big mike

I'll agree with that. I pretty much just hit mine with a HBE Dos Mas and or a Klon and that was it. 2x12 with no attenuation, almost got kicked outta the club. 2 clicks on the hot plate made em happy.

LOL Yeah...i took the thing home (an apartment) i plugged it in, hit a chord and....I think i might have done structural damage to my building.
I had no idea it was gonna be that loud!

I actually bought it thinking it might not be giggable, but would make a good practice amp...

I used a Dr Z airbrake....this is one of those amps you just have to attenuate for anywhere that isnt huge. It sounded great though. I tried every boost/OD i could get my hands on (a lot) They pretty much all sounded great. It didn't take much.

[Tread]

Originally Posted by tw6t6

maybe gain was the wrong word. Definitely more aggressive. More bite, more kerrang, more balls. Pretty much everything i love about Marshalls.

Hit the front end of a 2061 with some boost and thats all i needed to hear...game over. And it loved pedals.

Not that i didn't like the 1974...i did, but not enough to justify spending that kind of money. Just didnt blow me away the way the 2061 did. That amp just screamed classic Marshall to me. And yeah....the fact that it was a small, light and sounded great through 1, 2, and 4x12 cabs, was even better. and it was plenty loud to gig with.

I hear ya ! (2061X)... I hit the front of mine with an ancient old MXR Micro Amp and dial in the amount of scream and roll off on the guitar volume to clean up .... and it does that very well. I never tried the '74X however.... but I like a little head room and read about them for about a year before they came out.

[schwa]

My favorite pedal with my 2061x is the Beano Boost (Rangemaster). I swear, Marshall should include one in the box with these amps.

[matchless]

I have both -my 2061 is a '71 and it sounds very plexi like-my favorite of the two for all around tone, the 1974x has a great grind, just does not have the head room of the 2061

[jp1977]

If u r going with a clone or kit then either one can be made to suit a higher gain then stock format. Basically stock they are very similiar except the 1974 is tube rectified and has a tremolo circuit, 2061 has 2 more watts due to solid state rectifiers. If u go with a clone check out trinity amps for various takes on 1974x and Soultone has a nice clone kit of a 2061 with nice parts etc on both and reasonable prices.