The MPL 50 amplifier is our tribute to the handwired, Marshall Plexi and Metal paneled JMP 50 amplifiers offered from the later half of the 60s through 1973. Like the 6L6 tube based JTM 45, the EL34 equipped JMP 50 has a long legacy of famous users. Guitarist and bands who have played and recorded with Marshall EL34 equipped amps includes; Eddie Van Halen (EVH), AC/DC, Richie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Pete Townshend of The Who, Jeff Beck, Zakk Wylde, Randy Rhoads, and Slash of Guns and Roses. The tone from the EL34 tubes defines the sound of classic, hard and contemporary rock.
From the mid 60s and through each decade since, the EL34 power tube has been Marshall's preferred power tube. Amps based around the EL34 power tubes are known to break up earlier than amps equipped with the 6L6 power tubes, while providing a tighter distortion. A majority of the Marshall JMP 50 amplifiers provided to North America were supplied with the less popular 6550 power amp tubes which produced a much different sound than the EL34 equipped JMPs. Most guitarist agree that the 6550 tubes provide a tone that is more metallic sounding and less smooth when cranked up than compared to the rich, thick distortion offered by the EL34s.
Like an original JMP amplifier, the ARACOM MPL 50 is a straight forward amp without a lot of extra features and effects. The MPL 50 provides a rich, powerful tone that is dynamic and responsive to the guitars volume control and pick attack. Like our PLX series of amplifiers, the MPL 50 is a “back to basics” amp, where tone is everything. Just plug in, turn it up and play. Crank it up and the amp rewards you with a nice tight distortion, roll back on the volume or reduce your pick attack, and the amp responds with warm cleaner tones.
Like our PLX Series of amplifiers, the ARACOM MPL 50 is sonic tested against our in-house, original, 1968 plexiglass paneled JMP 50 amplifier, to ensure the original awesome tone is duplicated. In addition to the carefully tune circuit, critical components such as; reissue Mustard style capacitors, vintage spec'd resistors and custom wound transformers, ensures the awesome tone of the original JMP 50 is obtained. The impedance of our custom wound output transformer is designed around a pair of EL34 power tubes.
The tone of the MPL 50 is pure rock; it is responsive and has plenty of crunch, which is perfect for classic rock, hard rock, and contemporary rock from the 70s through today.
For those who prefer a tube rectified 50 watt EL 34 equipped amplifier, please check out our PLX 50 amplifier.
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