Vintage Marshall prices (as of 2023)

[john l]

When you see rocker switch era super leads selling for $2-2.5k. Not just asking, but actually selling for that you know stuff like the amp above is going to happen more and more frequently. Theyre definitely leaving some bargaining margin but the truth is that theres probably a guy out there that will bite for not worlds less than that. I wouldnt be surprised to see it go for $15k.

Dont get me wrong....That price is bonkers to me but its the world we live in at this time

 

[Derrick111]

If given the choice most will go with the hand wired versions, maybe they don’t sound better, but I know my tech prefers to work on them and says they are easier to maintain.

Sure... but by that logic, most people will go with a custom color Marshall over the standard black one, but they do not sound better and are much more expensive. Marshalls don't sound particularly good only up through a magic cut off of 1973 or 1974, and that is the myth I'm pointing out to others. Along those lines, most people don't realize that the change to the new look in 1976 and then again in 1981 was purely cosmetic... a '75 with older head box and a '76 with newer head box have the same circuit. Same with a late JMP and a '81 JCM800.

 

[stickyfinger]

Sure... but by that logic, most people will go with a custom color Marshall over the standard black one, but they do not sound better and are much more expensive. Marshalls don't sound particularly good only up through a magic cut off of 1973 or 1974, and that is the myth I'm pointing out to others. Along those lines, most people don't realize that the change to the new look in 1976 and then again in 1981 was purely cosmetic... a '75 with older head box and a '76 with newer head box have the same circuit. Same with a late JMP and a '81 JCM800.

Mostly correct. Small changes like the Presance cap went from .1uf to .68uf and back to .1uf quite possibly due to speakers available from Celsestion. Some time in the 80s the ,0022 went to .022 and who exactly knows the introduction date of the low volt power transformer

 

[Derrick111]

Mostly correct. Small changes like the Presance cap went from .1uf to .68uf and back to .1uf quite possibly due to speakers available from Celsestion. Some time in the 80s the ,0022 went to .022 and who exactly knows the introduction date of the low volt power transformer

They used both values, and if it makes you happy to argue that a change in a presence cap value is a circuit change, more power to you. But neither the year 1974 nor a presence cap value change makes a cutoff for "particularly good" sounding Marshalls.

 

[Scumback Speakers]

They would need to get an anvil case for that amp to ship safely.

 

[DaDoc]

I never noticed any division in Marshall at 1974. I thnik that's a myth. I don't see why a '75' or '76 shouldn't sound just as fantastic as a '73 or '74... Apart from moving to PC from hand wired sometime in '73, they will all have the same circuits and transformers...

Probably not much difference in sound, but the earlier '73's, and everything before that, were hand-wired, and therefore easier to work on.

 

[stratburst]

Welcome to Nashville. Carters is a destination stop for touring musicians and wealthy professionals. Great place to visit and their their tech Zach is the only guy in town I will let touch my vintage Marshall’s. Not a place to find a deal on gear though.

 

[tidbit]

If given the choice most will go with the hand wired versions, maybe they don’t sound better, but I know my tech prefers to work on them and says they are easier to maintain.

My tech never had a lick of trouble with my 1980 JMP. Ever. In fact, he has commented on its well laid out PCB board.

 

[London John]

… and their their tech Zach is the only guy in town I will let touch my vintage Marshall’s.

Was he there when they had the bunch of consignment fakes.

 

[Derrick111]

My tech never had a lick of trouble with my 1980 JMP. Ever. In fact, he has commented on its well laid out PCB board.

Yea, having to remove a few nuts form the PC board, and the wires that can be a small hassle when trying to desolder/solder under there is about it. I say if PCBs are too much for a tech, you might have the wrong tech. At the very least, they are lazy/grumpy.

 

[stickyfinger]

They used both values, and if it makes you happy to argue that a change in a presence cap value is a circuit change, more power to you. But neither the year 1974 nor a presence cap value change makes a cutoff for "particularly good" sounding Marshalls.

Id agree that you can't go wrong with any old JMP.

 

[stratburst]

Was he there when they had the bunch of consignment fakeI’m confident he wasn’t

Was he there when they had the bunch of consignment fakes.

I really don’t know but he’s been straight up with me and and has always been very conservative when he has worked on any of my vintage amps. Don’t fix what ain’t broke… Exactly what I look for.

 

[Matthews Guitars]

I'm kind of shocked, I just learned that even an MG15MSII Microstack in excellent shape can bring 700 bucks on Reverb.
In the last two years I've bought two of them, neither cost me more than 200 bucks.

I really like mine, it's kiler when plugged into a 1960A full of Greenbacks or Creambacks, but if it will bring that much, I might sell it.

 

[AndyD]

And then there is the Uk/Europe market vs the US market. Prices over this side of the pond are definitely behind the US. However, prices do seem to be going up. Availability of good amps is poor, in my opinion, and the prices for those available seem high. I have a 2204 that I am thinking of selling and I haven't a clue where to pitch it!

 

[playloud]

And then there is the Uk/Europe market vs the US market. Prices over this side of the pond are definitely behind the US. However, prices do seem to be going up. Availability of good amps is poor, in my opinion, and the prices for those available seem high. I have a 2204 that I am thinking of selling and I haven't a clue where to pitch it!

The internet has definitely reduced overall differences in price between countries.

There are still plenty of anomalies though. ATB Guitars just listed these two JTM45s:
https://www.atbguitars.com/1965-marshall-jtm-45-block-logo
https://www.atbguitars.com/1965-marshall-jtm-45-script-logo

Why is the listing price for the block logo higher? Both OT and PT are replacements, and chassis has been gouged out horribly (not to mention the rusty choke and heaters!)

I would understand if the condition of the two amps was comparable, but this is clearly not even close to the case here.

And this is coming from a long-standing dealer...

 

[Derrick111]

The internet has definitely reduced overall differences in price between countries.

There are still plenty of anomalies though. ATB Guitars just listed these two JTM45s:
https://www.atbguitars.com/1965-marshall-jtm-45-block-logo
https://www.atbguitars.com/1965-marshall-jtm-45-script-logo

Why is the listing price for the block logo higher? Both OT and PT are replacements, and chassis has been gouged out horribly (not to mention the rusty choke and heaters!)

I would understand if the condition of the two amps was comparable, but this is clearly not even close to the case here.

And this is coming from a long-standing dealer...

They appear to have made a mistake... that second JTM-45 from '66 looks to have had a power transformer go at some point. Look at the off-gassing crud/stains on the chassis around the power transformer... tell tale sign. Transformer "LOOKS" original, but it likely is from another Marshall so this went undetected. I am of the opinion that the same/correct transformer as a replacement is pretty close to having the one the factory put in back in the day, but technically, I do think that is a factor that was missed by ATB.

 

[playloud]

They appear to have made a mistake... that second JTM-45 from '66 looks to have had a power transformer go at some point. Look at the off-gassing crud/stains on the chassis around the power transformer... tell tale sign. Transformer "LOOKS" original, but it likely is from another Marshall so this went undetected. I am of the opinion that the same/correct transformer as a replacement is pretty close to having the one the factory put in back in the day, but technically, I do think that is a factor that was missed by ATB.

True. They also used the weasel word "correct" (often used by MG), as opposed to "original".

They also said that about the PT on the block logo one though...

 

[London John]

The descriptions are embarrassing

 

[neikeel]

Came across this sale and the price is unbelievable. This amp isn't mint and the PT has been changed out.....

https://cartervintage.com/shop/marshall-jmp-50-watt-head-1987-circuit-1967-black/2KWk0GcPe34qqXIupmrOwHbwoQa?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=lnqx6dUCcq0hzqLMs50z28tKwIMDJWRHSw2wlwsq72M=.Un5QYE

I have only just seen this.
That is absolutely ridiculous.
Virtually nothing on that board (half dozen resistors) is as it cam from the factory. All the good stuff has been replaced with parts that I keep in my emergency junk drawer.
The replaced PT is the icing on the cake - why when there are plenty of good replacements available - if anyone can be arsed!
Just reflects very badly in whoever did the work and asking that price is a joke.
I think @gtomax is dead on the money (maybe pounds tho').
Four hours, £300 in parts I could have it back how it should be - not difficult but even a perfect one, with someone moderately famous is only worth half that.
Wonder if he has a certificate to say that is the one Duane used

I've just looked at the site and can see the 'block logo' with replaced PT and OT, lots of other replaced parts, and the script one both seem to be dumpster rescues - shame is neither done very well and then they ask top dollar. Hope people aren't buying.
That JTM50 with the late iron was an exception and quite reasonably has sold.