Marshall 1987X MK II Reissue 2-Channel 50-Watt vs Marshall 2245 JTM45 MK II Reissue 2-Channel 30-Watt

The Marshall 1987X MK II Reissue 2-Channel 50-Watt and the Marshall 2245 JTM45 MK II Reissue 2-Channel 30-Watt are both amplifiers sharing mid-forward, dynamic, full. The Marshall 1987X MK II Reissue 2-Channel 50-Watt leans crunchy. The Marshall 2245 JTM45 MK II Reissue 2-Channel 30-Watt leans warm and smooth. Current prices: $2299.99 vs $1453.78.

Similarity
citedBlended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.

54% — moderately similar

Shared genres
citedGenres both listings are associated with.
  • Classic Rock
  • Blues Rock
  • Rock
  • Blues
Shared tone character
citedDerived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.
  • mid-forward
  • dynamic
  • full
Citation fame
citedCitation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.
0%
0%
Price

$2299.99via Reverb

$1453.78via Reverb

Description

The Marshall 1987X is a hand-wired reissue of the 50-watt Plexi, the lead head that sat between the 18-watt combos and the 100-watt Super Lead. With EL34 power valves and no master volume, it produces open cleans that bloom into a focused, aggressive crunch when pushed, often described as tighter and more cutting than the 100-watt version. Four inputs and two jumperable channels deliver the classic late-1960s British stack voicing favored across rock.

The Marshall 2245 JTM45 is a faithful reissue of Marshall's first amplifier, a roughly 30-watt head built around a KT66 power section that gives it a warmer, tweed-influenced character distinct from later EL34 Plexis. It delivers smooth, bluesy breakup, rich harmonics, and a slightly loose vintage feel through its classic four-input panel. The warm cleans and creamy overdrive made the original a foundation of 1960s British blues-rock.

Genres
citedGenres this gear is documented as being used in.
  • Hard Rock
—
Tonal lean
  • crunchy
  • warm
  • smooth
  • harmonically rich
  • transparent
  • edge of breakup
Good for
citedOccasions this gear suits — judged per model, or derived from its wattage, connectivity and category.
  • Live
  • Studio
  • Live
  • Studio
Full page →
Full page →

Related searches