? Alright the model I have chosen is the 100 watt version with Master Volume. They were still making the four input version non master amps at this time but that's not what this review is for. Model 2203. These amps were released in the early eighties and are getting rather collectable. ALL older Marshalls are really growing in value and are great amps sure to go up in value which makes for a win win situation for everyone .

? The best versions are the earliest and this is the one with the vertical inputs one above another not from side to side.There was a slight circuit change in the later versions and they are a bit more sterile sounding. Pretty much a straight away Marshall with Master Volume. One channel only with no switching.

?How does she sound? ?Well this amp is definately "Voiced" different than the earlier "Plexi" amps. The best way to desrcibe it would be to say bigger headroom with a "metallic" type sound to it. You need to remember these circuits were changed to the players needs and Metal music was big then and that's how they revoiced the amp. I would say tougher sounding, ?a bit more harsher than previous Marshalls but also more AGGRESIVE with a GREAT?BIG?low end. These amps really bridged the gap between older Marshall tones and the need to update the sound for?more modern music.

? The clean sound was improved because of the increased headroom, so it's passable but not Fender clean in any way.? That's not what this amp was designed to do.?The improved?master volume circuit was also boosted for?a?touch more gain?and really has a great crunchy aggresive almost scary?overdrive to it. To get the amp really going for the metal tones you'll need to boost the amp a bit with a good overdrive like Zak Wylde does. These amps can cover all the modern era tones while still having a great?Marshall tone. Personally I find the amp a bit too harsh when using the regular celestion speakers in?JCM 800 cabs.?I find running a JCM 800 thru vintage type celestion speakers, 25 watters or 30 watters really is the ticket. You get the best of the amps tones and shave off a bit of the harsher high end. The amp comes stock with 6550 output tubes which is a big reason the headroom is improved. Switch to El34's for a smoother sounding amp but you'll need to take it to a tech for the conversion. This conversion?is pretty cheap and will change the tones?for a more compressed , smoother sound..

? So there you go. If your looking for a aggressive sounding Marshall with bigger headroom voiced for modern music this could be the ticket. These amps will almost scare you with the aggresivesness and attack. Great full volume and improved clean tones. Add a great overdrive and you can pretty much cover all styles of modern rock. And for all the drop D guys out there just plug in one of these babies and it will rip up the Recto's with a stronger tighter bottom end and TONE.

Guitar Guru