In memoriam: Dr. Jim Marshall

Jim Marshall, the inventor of the 100 watt electric guitar amplifier, passed away yesterday at age 88.  Marshall's amps are instantly recognizable for their large sound and high volume capability that took rock and roll into the stratosphere during the 1960s and '70s.  Many bands I have come to know and love like Eric Clapton, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and The Allman Brothers, relied upon Marshall's amps for their sound.  There have been other companies to make and market successfully, 100 watt guitar amps.  But none of them have the aura of a Marshall. 

Some bands used a wall of them which in reality, were unloaded speaker cabinets.  Marshall is quoted as saying it would be a dumb idea to use more than three amplifiers and cabinets at a time.  I recall seeing in a documentary film about the band Cream (Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker), Marshall had said about his amps, "if an artist wears earplugs while they play, they will not go deaf.  I have listened to the amplification for a long time and it has not done more damage to my ears than my years of drumming did."

Marshall was also a drummer.  Now, the loudness of these amps is debatable.  As a guitarist, I would play through a Marshall if I ever have the chance to, albeit, while making absolutely sure I play through said amp at a comfortable volume setting, depending on the size of the room.  Nonetheless, the sound of these amps equate to what rock and roll is all about in all it's power, majesty and fury.  

Here (for those who may not be familiar), is a picture of a typical Marshall amplifier with the 4x12 cabinet, and, the 100 watt amp "head" which contains the mechanical inner workings of the amp (i.e. it's power vacuum tubes and circuitry).  Check out the image.  Dr. Jim Marshall, may you Rest In Peace.