MARSHALL Plexi Comparison: 1959HW vs 1987X

[@RiffsAndBeards]

1987x for me.

[@mbgmail5911]

Shut up, every tone you dial in sucks.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks Fluff! Nice to see you here 🤟. I’ve been a long time subscriber and fan so really happy about this 🙏🕺.

[@ChrisHariis]

Man the cleans on the 59 were quite special

[@attetanskanen7001]

Cool video! 1959HW for me. It's cleaner.

[@221b-l3t]

That's the point. More Watts means more headroom. So if you play clean 100 W is better. If you play high gain with volunöme at 10, then you need a 1987x and an attenuator and hearing protection.

[@craigharrison5406]

They both have that classic 80's metal sound I grew up with and love. The 1987x has a bit more saturation and bass response to my ears. I would be happy with either of these to be honest.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Exactly 🤟.

[@christianboddum8783]

I think Michael Schenker was big on 50 watters in the UFO/MSG era

[@craigharrison5406]

My main amp is a 50 watt EVH Stealth. It gets more play time then my Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa F100. I find the 50 watters are a little tighter in the low end and less boomy which I prefer.@@christianboddum8783

[@ronnierazor4302]

The 1987x sounds too compressed! 1959HW is kickin' it here, lots of balls!

[@guitarlair]

it sounds too compressed because of the way he's pushing the power tubes and EQing the amp....I have a mini plexi and it doesn't sound like that at all if you dial it properly, you can make it sound VERY open..

[@badcat3817]

1959 for me. Thx a lot Euge. Killer demo!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

You’re welcome. Thanks!

[@OperationEndGame]

1959SLP = winning at every facet.

[@juleslacrapule]

did not expectthat there would be so much difference. 1959 all day for me. thanks for uploading so mucn content recently its really cool.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear! Thanks!

[@american_psycho1147]

Great video! I have the 20 watt SV20H and for me, that's all I need, but it's cool to see its bigger brothers and get an idea how they all compare

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@johnmarshall3903]

I liked them both. Would have liked to hear the 1987x without the jumper though.

[@lovingpeace9715]

Just Say No to Jumpers

[@Tonneback]

I've been waiting for this one. I'm owning the 1987x

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear!

[@dinohendrajacob7992]

Yes I own the 1987x and glas to hear how it sounded thank you brother 👍👍🤘🤘

[@primaballerina84]

Right here the 1959 sound a bit more clear in my face! But I have a feeling I would have a long relationship with the 1987 if I set it up a bit differently! Somethings with the fuller bass that I like about the 1987 🙌🏻

[@tah5w]

Right on. Great video! I agree, 100 watt is noticeably better with that variac. They should reissue the 1959 with a variac built in. I think Friedman is essentially doing this now.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Agreed! Thanks!

[@Czexi]

Currently my third output transformer in my 1987x. Such expensive repairs :( If it didn't sound so good, I would get rid of it. I was surprised at how muffled and nasal it sounded compared the 100HW!

[@leonardblack1375]

1959 clearly a winner here, not just on the riffs, but single note leads also sound better (to my ears)..

[@christianboddum8783]

I have gone 1987X lately and it will fit my need for years to come, but the extra punch a 100w gives is not to ignore, it is just hard to find a place for when you do not play hard and loud music... I wish you could buy a 1986X today as I was raised with Super Bass mk. 2 1973 (with a pre phase inverter master vol).

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Both sound glorious but now I need a 1987x

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Check out my Reverb shop 😉.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

@@EugeValovirta230V I'm in troubleeeee

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎

[@ioannisstavropoulos4319]

I got an ENGL Artist Edition 50 Blackout after your review and now I think I am again into new troubles with this one. Both amps are great. Anyone of those would do the job. From classic rock to 80s hair metal stuff they are perfect! Does thhis mean I have to get one too???... Show mercy Euge! You rock man! Keep doing what you do!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yes 😁. Thanks man!

[@rikm2625]

I liked the 100, but I would like to compared the 50watt without the jumper. i think its too much lowmid/bass with the jumper. Man you Rocked and as always great video!!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! I like the low end - mid thump I get from jumpering the channels but personal prefences are personal preferences 👌.

[@panagiotisexplorer213]

Now I really want a comparison between jcm800 aka the bad boy vs 1959hw.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌😎

[@brucetaylor1753]

You could make a case for either one depending on the song but man I like the 1987x 🤘🏻

[@univalve1]

SLP for lead 1987 for rythme think angus and malcom type mix whats so cool about the circuits are there are not that many differences, but the two amps can not do what the other one does. i have a1959HW with NOS mustard caps i put throughout and that amp is front and center. it will not get lost in the mix. however, i plan on building me a 1987 because i do love the sound of those. it just has a little of the aggressiveness rolled off from the SLP.

[@pmkrak]

In the Hot Rodding world there's a saying "there's no replacement for cubic inch displacement". The same can be said for tube amplifiers as well. The 1959 was just cruising along and just had more of everything compared to the 1987.

[@riangarianga]

I'll take both, haha! 🤟 At higher gain settings without the variac they sounded so close, I'm not sure if they felt any different. At lower gain settings, regardless of the variac being used or not, I preferred the 1959, it was just «it». But as a player I know I would probably feel more comfortable making the softer 1987 work, since I pick light.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟

[@jean-philippemorin1176]

I think I agree with you. 100w with variac was the best sound. I think there is maybetoo much happening with the 50w with variac. Too compressed and undefined, it kills the amp a bit too much I think, the 50w may need less voltage reduction to be in the sweet spot maybe? Without the variac the 50w sounds a lot better imo. The 100 w lacks a nice push without the variac, it needs more.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah my sweet spot for the 50w is usually a bit higher like 170-180V but I just decided to use the same with both for this comparison.

[@PascalM-ld9xn]

Oh man ! I want to have impulses resonses of your Cab great Playing 🎸 😉

[@davidgerlach1132]

On the 1987x, I'd put an MXR-6 in the loop, crank the mids just a bit, it sounds a little underwhelmed at 1.4K. Plus, as you said, the comparison is a little misleading comparing a 100W to a 50W, physics.

[@damienvanhalen]

So glad you got the 100W. I had been going back and forth when you did the JTM 45 and your 87X 50W Plexi. I ended up getting the 100W Plexi your probably keeping I hope and the JTM45 Handwired. These amps are the bomb. Very cool to see how your operating them. I will try out the variac on mine. I have been using it but not as low as you are. I am going to try it. Awesome videos and comparison here Euge. RockNRoll

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah I’ll keep only the 1959HW. That’s the ultimate Plexi to me 💪. Thanks!

[@acbenitez3614]

If you want more headroom at louder projection, the 100w if you want harder crunch at the same (relative) volume with tighter breakup, 50w. Who plays a 100w Marshall for more clean projection, these days?

[@07dhiraj]

59 had rich high ends ... The other sounded dark 🎉🎉😊😊

[@marcomartino4555]

Ehi man, thanks for the great reviews. For a purely early Yngwie tone (strat, a dod booster), with much focus on pick response like in the early records, would you suggest 1959 or 1987x (both recorded with attenuator, so duly cranked)? Keep it going!

[@curtisprice9806]

1959 MUCH, MUCH CLEARER CLEAN, ALSO SOUNDED BETTER DISTORTED( on no variac and i am tuned in and switching back n forth) TO ME OVER MY PHONE IMHO! But each amp just has to be dialed in you know etc., etc. MARSHALL IS THE BOMB FOR NEARLY ALL ROCK THROUGH THE AGES....NO CONTESTING THAT!.👍💪🧨

[@jcmmnx]

1959 sounded better to me, but the 1987 still sounds pretty great.

[@timmbosliice]

How is the low end on the 1987x compared to the 1959? Is there a big difference in the room?

[@MadMagicPaul]

I wonder if the tone would be more similar if the 1987x was also hand wired?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Probably not since they are two different amps with different transformers etc.

[@kalleheikkila6467]

Jäätävää sooloilua, niinku aina. Plussat paidasta. Käytätkö muuten Peltosissa pikavoiteita vai ihan old skuul kamaa?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Tänks! Sekä että; mulla on useampi pari 😎.

[@Hagstrom4ever]

Euge, sorry for the question. Do you have 230V in Finland, right? So you are simply using to Variac at 160V with a 230V amp? The '59 sounds impressive, the 1987X a bit darker and less detailed compared to the big sister, but I love both. I was searching for one of the two, or a 90s SLP because they were based on 70 spec super lead circuits, the 1959 HW if I recall is based on a '68. Confirm if I'm right. Great videos as always 🙂

[@EugeValovirta230V]

220-240 in Europe in general. I live in Switzerland and in my area / studio I’m getting 220-225 (depends on the day 😎). Yes the amp is set to 230V but I’m getting approx. 220 and just lowering it with a Variac. This time to 160. Sometimes I’ve gone as low as 140 and sometimes just a bit to 180-190. Depends on the day and what I’m looking for and feeling 🎼. Yeah if I remember correct the HW is based on a ’68 circuit. Or ’69 but the info is on Marshall’s website. Thanks!

[@Hagstrom4ever]

@@EugeValovirta230V oh ok, I live in Italy and here there are days when amps sound awesome and days where they sound like crap. I was thinking to the BrownBox, or a Variac too.

[@dtmateo]

The 1987 has a lot more sag. Almost like there is a delay between your pick attack and the notes.

[@iirolenkkari9564]

Did you ever do tapping with the middle finger, so that you don't have to move the pick? Not giving advice or anything 😄 Just wondering if there's some upside to tapping with the index finger.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I guess I'll do both. I don't really think about it. Just whatever comes naturally.

[@iirolenkkari9564]

@@EugeValovirta230V For me, what came naturally for picking was holding the pick between my thumb and middle finger. I quickly realised that the big boys don't do it like that. So I corrected myself. I guess what I'm trying to say is that my natural is different from your natural 😄

[@SadLonelyEmo161]

I guess you are the 90% + humbucker typ but whats you opinion on humbuckers they can sound like single coils? Like some of fishmann !?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Humbucker on bridge, single coil or humbucker on neck. Haven’t tried but I have a few passive Duncans that can be splitted but it’s not completely the same to me for some reason.

[@SadLonelyEmo161]

@@EugeValovirta230V My idea is change on a gitarr humbuckers to single coils. Is my thinking correct that is more easy make a single coill sound like humbucker than humbucker make sounds like single coil ?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

You can’t make a single coil sound like a humbucker. It’s physically impossible. Humbuckers have two coils (which one can, depending on the pickup, split) and single coils have one coil 😎.

[@MadMagicPaul]

Do you use the tone controls on the Fryette? Is the depth control turned up at all? Thank you.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

The small switches are both center and presence & depth just a hair up. Like that my amps are pretty much spot on the same than without it 👌. Well maybe a tiny bit more low end resonance when I go full blast to cabs but I’d cut that out anyway in the mix ’cos bass takes care of the really low end rumble.

[@MadMagicPaul]

@@EugeValovirta230V Thank you. I think I'm going to buy a Fryette. It seems to be an amazing product.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It is!

[@PS3271]

Do you rebias the amp when you go to 140 volts ?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I went down to 160 on this one. I haven't but will probably do that in the future when I've decided what is the actual voltage I'll mostly use.

[@nigel900]

Very nice. 🫡👍🏻

[@vespass225]

1959 much more articulate and punchy in the mids. Sexier simply put....

[@justinjackson3996]

*promo sm* 🎉

[@gregmcleish7220]

Too much talk goodbuy

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Both are good buys.