UNLEASH Your Marshall Handwired 1974X!

I'm playing a Marshall Model 1974X Hand wired 18W Combo Reissue and I'm replacing the stock Celestion Heritage G12M20 Reissue with an original 1968 Celestion G12M25 75Hz Pre Rola Pulsonic Greenback, and I'm completely BLOWN AWAY by the resulting tone and playability.

[@ukaeyfvkfiayuvefyiu]

Wow Johan actually sounds excited in the intro. I mean this is probably as fired up as he gets.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hahaha! I’m way less balanced off screen I assure you 😂

[@ukaeyfvkfiayuvefyiu]

@@JohanSegeborn “who moved my greenbacks?!?! Where’s my sm57?!? Aagggh” I’m just messing with you man. Thanks for the reply. Love the channel!

[@rocknrollboise]

Your micing techniques have always intrigued me! Sounds super unique and organic!

[@eddieholmes3236]

That’s the tone! Dirty but clean, with an acoustic guitar response. Fabulous. Thanks Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Eddie! Yeah that’s a great characterisation of the tone and response. Cheers!

[@ac81017]

It's my most favourite Marshall sound yet. Great demo 👌😎

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Glad to hear it!

[@lauterpopmusic5284]

My favorite amp of all time. Sounds great with my LP custom, a rat, and analog delay

[@tomcage5414]

I've a 1974x with a '68 G12M, a bunch of old Mullards and the EC Collins cloth just for that tonal heaven. Fine taste sir, and a perfect vid 👍

[@tomasvanecek8626]

EC Collins cloth ? wow, what a waste for this thing .. sure it wasnt the real stuff, right ? :) I for one love my speakers exposed as they can be... why would I like to get the sound muffled.. now, maybe just for the bragging rights .. yeah, whos got this EC Collins carpet hanging over my speakers, like I do 🤩

[@tomcage5414]

@@tomasvanecek8626 Don't put it on your amp then. Boom! One, of your problems solved.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

@@tomcage5414 What a stupid comment.. you WIN 😆 My oldest amps run like champs.. why ? cos they were made right, made to last. The oldest is 1946.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

@@tomcage5414 Not my problem. I want to hear the amp, not some carpet thrown around it.. is it so hard to understand...

[@bengtjohansson6364]

There's definitely something magical with these old Celestions. They perfectly translate the electrical signal from Marshall circuits into sound. This sounds so good!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Bengt! Glad you like it!

[@DannyDKNYC]

This channel is great ! Lol It’s great to see how impressed you were. Considering how many vintage amps you test this is very cool

[@stefftrim]

Hejsan Johan. That was extremely well defined sound even channel separation; every single note was picked up and I listened on an iPad. Congratulations

[@davidstephens1097]

Fantastic demo once again Johan! The 1974x has been my main amp since they were first reissued. I recently changed my power tubes to the new Mullard EL84. Those new Mullards addd some great compression and even earlier breakup.

[@Java8427]

Ohh those bold, sweet, rich and chewy tones -Johan you have really landed in the gold tone nirvana with this combination! Thank you for always bringing the best in tonal amp and guitar discoveries to the world. My ears will always appreciate.

[@themetallicat86]

This might be the most distilled 'rock and roll' noise I've ever heard. Love it!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! So good to hear that!

[@pauldavis5489]

Sounds great John, I love the tone your getting. It sounds bigger than an 18 watt amp, Thank you for sharing!!

[@roncarter2188]

I'm starting to gather all the parts I'm going to need to build a clone of this amp. Your demo has given me the push to put it in high gear. I love the drive of this amp but the cleans are great and that's what made me to decide to build one. Great demo my friend, cheers.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks my friend! Makes my day to hear that!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Do a video when you finish building and testing it ans we can enjoy comparing it to this one. The speaker is the "King-pin", it can make it sound awful or perfect as in every amp but those old Greenbacks seem to work well in any amp from a Fender twin to a Vox AC30 . The only 12" speaker that is truly versatile.

[@bobs1988]

I should never have sold mine off! Thanks for making me realize some of my big "regrets" Johan. I had forgotten how good the 1974X sounded 😊.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks man! Hope you find a new one

[@Gma7788]

​@JohanSegeborn Any Marshall is a rare sight these days. The chances of finding this amp for sale is not going to happen, for half the world. Greenbacks second hand used to be everywhere, but I haven't seen 1 for sale in 7 years. All this stuff gets squirreled away and it never gets seen again. Brand new music retailer might have 1 tiny practice Marshall offered for sale. Your community is still trading products but Marshall is forgotten about in large parts of the world.

[@mbach1187]

Am I alone here in thinking that this channel shows basically what matters is the speaker? I think this guy plugs a toaster into a pre roll Celestion and we'll all want to buy it.

[@jasonlevey5164]

and the pu's those two are the most important

[@JoeAugello]

Great Video!! My favorite Marshall and maybe my favorite amp! The Greenback makes all the difference!!! You're videos are the best! The sound of Rock n Roll the way its supposed to sound!!!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Joe! Great to hear that!

[@kurtweiand7086]

I agree about the speakers, l have an AC15 with EL84's and green back. Recently tried a vintage 30 in it and prefer the greenback!

[@jojogun1957]

I was using one of these once to try out vintage strats at Chicago Music Exchange and was blown away by the tone.The clean tones have great chime and sparkle and the light overdrive is very punchy. Your demo here takes the overdrive tone to another level.Almost jtm100 to me.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Yeah it’s definitely reminiscent of that. Cheers

[@CosmicXRay]

I''ve had mine for 15 years (with matching ext cab.) It really shines among my other Marshalls.

[@markhoskins]

Great video! I've got one of these amps and it's definitely a favourite! I change the speaker out every now and then. I have a G12M 25w from the early 90's with a 6402 cone. I'm partial to dumping a reissue Vox T530 in there too. 😁

[@jeffmatz8674]

Damn, that sounds awesome! Great playing as always, Johan!

[@mst646]

No kidding, what a sound! Distorted but yet so dynamic but of course in the hands of you Johan, I got to say I dig your playing so much from a guitarist to a guitarist I know you're improvising and that makes the videos fun to watch!

[@brianwood7237]

Johan I can easily see how much you're digging this incredible tone by how well you're playing this is the best I've heard you play in any of your awesome demos. And I wanted to thank you again for making me look at my Marshall Artist 3203 30 watt head in a different light after watching your demo... the person I got the head from held on to the 1965 4X10 cab, so I've been piecing together different cabs using the different impedances. I typically run it through a vintage 30 style closed back 1x12 at 8 ohms But I picked up 2 x 12 semi open back cab with reconed 70s G12m reissues wired to 4 ohms it is very loud and breathy Keep making these amazing videos and we will keep watching them greetings from Northern California

[@patrickhay2561]

This is the best 1974x tone I’ve heard! I’d ask you to try a G12H in it sometime but I can’t imagine it would be better than this.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Patrick! That can definitely be arranged too!

[@darrellminx5459]

Nice sound Johan. Great miking set up. I can hear a big difference. Sounds more dimensional even on a phone.aloha from Hawaii. Cheers Darrell

[@vautrain]

Wonderful warm and woody, yet punchy rock and roll tones right there! I keep wanting to categorize the 1974 and 2061 amps as either JTM or JMP sounding but I think they do have elements of both eras. Cheers, Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, that’s a good characterisation. Cheers!

[@tyremanguitars]

this has always been one of my favourite amps ever.

[@guitarjediwarrior]

I once owned a 1974x, it was awesome sounding and had a nice feel to it, but was a tad too loud for playing with a band in a tiny-ish room. (Especially if you want to make it clipping without pedals!) My secret favorite Amp: Marshall 2525c / h+Speaker. (Yes, I own both) It can do clean / compressed / Dirty / Distorted, an all those at super-usable volumes. Like for a small room with band it would fit as much as for an outdoor stage (where you are miced up mostly anyways..). It is to me the best single amp for going for the Red Hot Chili Peppers Style Songs (so Funk, Rock, Funkrock). It's super-dynamic in every aspect still. (tight funk rhythms, but also does the "Wall of sound" or heavy distortion) Also it has just such a beautiful tone, I love the natural compression it produces, with just the perfect headroom. It takes pedales too. Marhall just scaled down the big Silver Jubilee without sacraficing any character, which blew me away. Cheers and thanks for your super-awesome gear reviews, always makes my mouth watering. B)

[@scotthutchens1556]

One of the best Marshall’s you’ve ever reviewed!

[@tomasvanecek8626]

No Marshall with EL 84s.. it is a Vox thing and maybe some of the Matchless stuff .. sounds like a crushing glass all the time

[@scotthutchens1556]

Maybe. I don’t think it sounded bad in this video but I noticed more mids in the sound. Plus, I didn’t know they had EL-84’s in this amp anyway. My Studio 15 uses 6V6’s and it’s not bad. I have more of a problem with there not being a full tone bank on this amp. ​@@tomasvanecek8626

[@soapboxearth2]

I built one of these last year. It's one of my favorites so far. I built mine using the ceriatone tmb layout diagram. I have reissiue greenback 20 watt. I keep coming back to it. Just beutiful. I think I'm about to sell it. A guy has been inquiring .God, I'm getting cold feet now, hahah

[@mrt7476]

Sounds great, Johan! Maybe a little to ‘blanket-covered’ for my taste, and I would also fear it might get lost in a band mix. But, as you said, great for recording and playing on your own. Very sweet tones 👍

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! It needs the (aggressive) Eddie Kramer EQ of course to fit in the mix

[@dinmentor]

Sweet toanz! 😃 1000 viewers from 100 000, keep up the great work Johan! 💪🏻👍🏻😎

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Glad you like it! And yeah soon 100k 😅

[@ITigerbaum]

I would like to hear you in a 3-piece with a drummer and bassist as good as you. That was KILLER tone and TASTY playing!

[@robertwoodhall4203]

I use mine with the stock heritage speaker but add my Marshall 1933 1x12 close back cab with a Celestion gold fitted. Beefs up the bottom end and gives more clarity but retains that classic tone with both speakers together.

[@jeffallen3382]

We need to get Johan over 100k subscribers!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers my friend!

[@danmartinazzi]

Had it ,sweet amp, sold for a twin 57 , clearly superior for many reason. Great great amp anyway, good job and demo!

[@andreasjohnson4502]

This sounds really good. The tone I search for...

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks great to hear that!

[@whiteninja2006]

Wow this sounds fantastic! Sounds like came directly from the late 60s!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Great to hear it!

[@tonelok]

Absolutely nails a great Zep tone right out of the chute and killer for basically every rock application. And that riff at 4:19 is so damn cool. 😎

[@tacmason]

You are not wrong about this being "the Grail" ! especially, I notice the simple "Tone stack" !

[@JohanSegeborn]

Glad to hear it!

[@curtevans838]

Excellent tone!

[@joeschlicht]

Sounds freakin fantastic. I just saw one of these used in a shop about an hour away from me for a pretty good price. I was seriously considering, but I already have some nice amps and I now have a toddler, ha ha.

[@nigel900]

Sounds very well rounded.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Nigel!

[@plonky17]

A lot of those samples reminded me of Danny Kirwan in ‘Then Play On’ Beautiful tones.

[@ro307805]

It sounds amazing, you are so right. I’ve got an original 1974 (1968) but just the chassis, the cab is missing. It works fine though and I’ve been using it with a 1922 cab with greenbacks from a 4x12 from 1972. I also use my 2061 with this cab and they both sound phenomenal. But I have a 1936 cab with two cream backs and it can sound harsh just as you are saying, though my newer SC20 JCM800 sounds great on that cab.

[@andischwarz2256]

Yes it is one of the best Amps... Ive got two of them with Greenbacks from the 87s and just killer. Thanks for sharing.

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha Johan! One of the infamous baby Marshall. Sometimes I think I should just buy all the good 12 to 22 watt amps. If I did this would be a good start.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Aloha Victor! Yeah it would ve interesting to compare it to a tweed deluxe

[@victorbeebe8372]

@@JohanSegeborn Tweed Deluxe would be one of them for sure.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

You can hear the Fender clarity but Marshall has more meaty backbone with a woody acoustic quality..was it designed as a small portable pub/club/ studio combo that is an all-in-1 mini Marshall? That speaker and that Guitar have been around for decades it takes a lot of luck (and a good ear) to get it all working so each part complements the sounds without it dominating the tone. PS, after 40 years I still go back to the simple basic tools that have always been there. A Valve head, a 2x12" and an Ibanez les paul custom( with di-Marzio) maybe because that was my 1st .

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Wow! Great tones!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@bluesful]

Really nice tone here. I think sometimes the lower wattage amps can be a bit of a mess as they flub out too much (although I suppose that's a tone on its own), but there's more clarity here than I was expecting. Very nice.

[@bristolfashion4421]

It is great with these people that have the get up and go... I think I used to have one but my mum didn't like the noise it make - I think it good though oh yes

[@rogerbourgeois5929]

Sounds great!! Marshall and Celestion is marriage made in heaven. A stratocaster should sound awesome also. Thanks!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Roger! Glad you like it!

[@DMSProduktions]

WHAT? NO compare & contrast? Sounded GOOD regardless! \m/

[@threecatclemmusic6560]

Love the tone🔥🎸!

[@AnthonySG0113]

I’ve got a 1974x, and have had a 1959 100w plexi.., love the tone versus using a power brake..

[@wayney-boy8195]

Hi Johan, one thing I've done with my 1974x is put EC Collins True Bluesbreaker grill cloth onto the amp, and that really changed the sound and gave the amp a real 60s look also.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cool! I’ll probably do that too soon!

[@Gma7788]

You like a bit of DOUBLING OF THE NOTE in your sound. Cause you've linked the inputs it's more than just DOUBLING the notes. When you first played, I thought that's unusual sound. Then I looked at it closely and I noticed it's a TREMOLO circuit and that's what's causing the multiple things as you play 1. I thought it was going to be just a simple case of low impedance versus high impedance but it's more complex than that. I thought it could be replicated by simply swapping out the guitar and amp for a Jtm/jmp and a Gibson STUDIO guitar, cause that's what they're designed for... but the TREMOLO circuit has added some extra notes where there shouldn't be extra notes. Did you know that your Super Distortion Pickup has MORE ability? You're going to find adjusting those pole pieces is a great thing to do.

[@kronus513]

At around the 5:30 mark, the volume roll-off sounds so damn good!

[@lucavendrame1044]

It sounds amazingly good even on my poor PC speakers!🤩

[@singersonspeakerphone2421]

I think it sounds like a great blend between a mic on a great amp and going old school direct into a pro console

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cool! Yeah there’s a touch of Black Dog and No Quarter on it

[@aleksik4028]

Great tones. Looks bit like what Clapton used with Bluesbreakers.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Clapton used a Bluesbreaker which basically is a standard 50W Lead (EL34)in a 2x12 format. This one is actually based on a WEM circuit using EL84s

[@markusfinkler9625]

That's the Marshall sound to go for ❤. Though You have it in Your hands❤. Totally honest 👍 Thanks Johan for this beautifull sounds, and Yes YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR HANDS.

[@crankshaft383]

Sounds great. always wonder if I can cheap out and get close to that sound on a budget, with a class 5... Another option: There are a lot of reasonable 18w builders/clones, and even kits out there, if someone looks hard enough

[@stevehughes1510]

I put a '69 T1088 alnico in mine and that gave it a little more oomph compared to the stock G12M20. Will try a G12C now and let you know, cheers Johan.

[@haydenpimm8857]

Sounds good John.

[@LPCustom3]

I put a late 1940’s Alnico Rola in mine along with a replica RS output tranny and the Iskra/ Mullard-Phillips (real) mustard caps along with EC Collins grill cloth. The speaker is a late 40’s G12

[@JohanSegeborn]

Really cool!

[@bluesbenganblues]

Absolutely fabulous! Just like my Woodhead! 😀

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hi Bengan! Glad to hear from you! Yeah the Woodhead is a killer amp

[@RulgertGhostalker]

unfortunately, i don't have one of those. the sound is very holy grail though...the type of sound that would trigger someone's mind, "I have arrived, finally." amp, speaker, settings ....any combination doesn't always come out that nice, magic.

[@Funkybassuk]

I like to run my Studio Vintage into a 1974CX cab with its stock Heritage Greenback, alongside a 1x12” Studio Vintage cab with a 70s G12H 30W 55Hz. I absolutely adore that tone! Perhaps try another 1x12” alongside with one of your vintage G12H 55Hz? You may end up loving it too.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah H and M sounds huge together

[@tfrost33elkhunter]

I love these amps! My big dilemma is I have 100 watt plexis. And they do everything I need. Maybe some day!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Always room for one more Marshall

[@tfrost33elkhunter]

@@JohanSegeborn you make a convincing argument!!! 😁

[@superman-el9jd]

Amazing

[@robertthompson6302]

This is the amp I play. I use an extension speaker.

[@pedraw]

outstanding tone. I feel like it would be a sin to ask for more of an amp.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Yeah this is certainly sufficient for me

[@slipbeat]

"... and some beer, also".

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah, crucial ingredient

[@adamwatson6916]

3:45 to 4;20 is spot on mid 1969 to December 69 Jimmy Page tone . It's Pages live tone on the mid to late 69 versions of I can't quit you and his tone during the acapella solo on the early live versions of Heartbreaker from fall 69 .

[@str8shooter159]

5:15 sounds like 70s Aerosmith. Great tone.

[@ghairmichaud5765]

Once played a gig with my 74x, a boss od-3 and a Gretsch 6120, nothing else..the guitarist from the opening act said, to his ears, it was the best tone he’s ever heard..personally, I’m more of a 1987x kinda guy but the 1974x is a stellar amp

[@Ridgeback65]

Tasty licks and great tone! Wonder what that speaker would sound like in a 5E3 circuit?

[@ScottWalker-uw3rp]

Sounds great. Some definitive Jimmy Page middle position tones for sure.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Scott! Great to hear that!

[@adamwatson6916]

The key to the Page middle tone is to have 1 of the pickups be a Gibson T top . Which this guitar has in the neck . Page had a T top in the bridge and PAF in the neck and that is his famous middle tone was formed. When his number 1 had 2 PAFs his middle tone was just a typical Les Paul middle tone but when his bridge PAF went dead he replaced it with the fastest option avaliable which was a T top and the Page middle postion was born which was a complete accident. It also helps if the bridge pickup has a stronger grade magnet than the neck pickup

[@youngandrew66]

Johannes shorts are so short I did worry that the Marshall induced excitement might earn him a lifelong ban from KZbin 😂

[@benallmark9671]

That's it , the tone that most are hunting for.

[@BcBaxley]

Use that Sennheiser e609 for Dead center...its designed for that... not harsh at all. I'm obsessed with my EVH Green Back speakers, and this one sounds very similar to my EVH 1x12 / Orange Rocker 15 setup 😎🍻🤘

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

Fredman Technique. Two microphones, one straight, the other at 45 degrees. It cancels out harsh frequencies. In Flames ‘Clayman’ sound.

[@KurtBryan]

That Greenback definitely put some stank on it. These can be harsh but this sounded great!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Kurt, glad to hear it!

[@siegfriedwashburn3484]

Hi, Johan! Yeah, LP is perfect for Marshall. This is my conclusion after more, than 5 years of following your channel! "Played together" with Fender St. by Valvestat. See you!))) S.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Siegfried! Cheers

[@leftmyhands]

The vintage speakers sounds amazing!! I have the stock speaker in mine, with Mullard tubes. 1974x is my favourite amp of all time. I’ve owned and played over ten others (different brands,etc.) over the years… Marshall always wins for me personally. Next one I’d love to try is the 1959HW! Would you say it’s a completely different beast and worth getting if I already have the 1974x?

[@dejannovisad3590]

Thanks 🍓

[@Jacobcfuller]

Sounds great, especially liked the middle position spanky sounds around 4 min and at the end. sounded a bit Page-y to me

[@danielhelderman5228]

That is the sound!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers!

[@danielhelderman5228]

@@JohanSegeborn how well does that amp take an attenuator?

[@cowabungaw9958]

Would've like a before after, but great tones. Got the 1974x reissue per recommendation from one of David Bowie's guitarists back then. As Pulsonic cones are unobtainium, what's the next best? Love my 70's 4x12 cab with pulsonic G12M 55Hz pulsonic cones; very woody.

[@tommartin7824]

I thought the amp sounded great but lacked the output. I seemed to like the ac30 over the 1974 because of the tone and thicker output, it really cuts into the mix better. I would wonder how it would sound with 2 1974 amps. I really love those harmonics that roll off those 1974's, so similar to the ac30.

[@Tools_and_Guitars]

Funny you mentioned Vox, because I was thinking this 1974X reminded me of an AC15.

[@user-xc4gq1dp6v]

Good job, Johan. Very interesting amp with that speaker. How would you think it would fare in a band setting? Attenuator probably? As the standard speaker is kinda harsh, I guess a current creamback will have similar results.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks it’s surprisingly loud actually. I think H75 cream back would sound great in it

[@alanst.4417]

Would be great to hear the H creamback and maybe a pulsonic G12H greenback as well for comparison.

[@robertthompson6302]

This amp is one of those you just have to be in the room with… super touch sensitive. Super loud for their size too.

[@blakjack3053]

Whole Lotta wow!

[@alex241]

Yes please!!!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers Alex

[@hoboroadie4623]

Got to unleash the tone from my 6101, which someone thought should be made maybe more strident with an EVM12L (At least use the EVM12S, ffs!) I have a pair of T1134s (pre-greenback) and some old T0652s that I am going to mix in a 4X12 with an open back, and I have three other 4X12s with reissue T652s so I can ease the load from the large heads that I am running. Gotta try, right?

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cool! Yeah I bet the 6101 can be tweaked to really flatter those speakers. Cheers

[@bluesoverlord]

Most good guitars get better with age, especially acoustics. Most good speakers break in and get better with age to a point, before they start breaking down. Most amps don’t get better with age, with one caveat I can think of. Some amps get better with age because they degrade out of spec in a random but sometime magical way. Those amps are worth blueprinting their specs (as a lot of Dumbles have been done). Some good pickups get better with age, also by degrading their specs, like PAFs as their magnets get weaker.

[@Voxac101]

I made one about 20 yrs ago and hated it- right too harsh. i made another recently and put a Brit made greenback that was worn in and wow it sounded excellent.

[@SouvenirsdeLemamba]

Juicy ! Yay !

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

I bet if you were in the same room you would want to play it too , sounds a bit special. Is it a Di-Marzio super distortion bridge pick-up? Whatever it is it suits the combo , lucky there was a spare Celestion Greenback for it because it is exactly matched for the 18watts. No need to plug it into a bigger cabinet , it sounds perfect.

[@what1864]

i thought i was the only guy that used alligator clips for temporary speaker wire , nope , amp sounds great ..

[@JohanSegeborn]

😂 I’m ashamed of it. Glad you like the tone!