Marshall Model 1986
The Marshall Model 1986 50-watt bass amp head introduced players to a slightly more portable alternative to the monstrous 100-watt rigs. But like many “bass” Marshalls from this era, the 1986 quickly found itself in the hands of guitarists who fell in love with its warm, fat, and rich tone.
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What Is It?
The Model 1986 is a 50-watt, all-valve bass amplifier head. It runs on two EL34 output tubes and three ECC83s in the preamp; just like its lead counterpart, the Model 1987. The circuit is slightly tweaked for low-end handling, offering a smoother treble response and tighter bass, making it ideal not just for bass, but for guitarists chasing a darker, vintage tone.
The control layout is standard fare for the era: dual channels (normal and bass), four inputs, volume for each channel, and shared EQ: Presence, Bass, Middle, and Treble.
Why Players Love It
While it’s marketed as a bass amp, the Model 1986’s real magic comes when you plug in a guitar. It delivers a thick, chewy overdrive at lower volumes than the 100-watt heads, and its smoother EQ curve makes it perfect for warm, classic rock tones or fuzz-heavy doom sounds.
It’s also got just the right amount of headroom; enough for clarity, but not so much that it never breaks up. Paired with the right cab, it can be downright nasty in the best possible way.
If you wanna sell your vintage Marshall from 1963-1974 click here
Matching Cabinet Setups
According to the 1971 catalog, the 1986 was available in the following setup:
- 50/3 Setup
Model 1986 head with a single 1935A or 1935B bass cabinet. Both loaded with four specially-voiced 12” Celestion bass speakers for 100 watts of output capacity and deep frequency response.
The 1935 cabs were tuned to extend down to 40 Hz, making them perfect for low-end detail. Guitarists who want thump and punch love this pairing, especially for rhythm work.
Who Was Using It?
While the 1986 didn’t have the stage presence of a 1959 or 1992, it found its place in smaller clubs and studios. Players who needed bass support without the bulk, and guitarists who wanted smoother breakup, discovered this amp’s hidden potential. Today, original 1986 heads are sought-after by collectors and studio engineers who appreciate their unique tone profile.
Why It Still Matters
The 1986 might’ve been designed for bass, but it's another case of “Marshall accidentally makes a great guitar amp.” It has all the vintage mojo, but with a slightly different attitude than the more famous lead heads.
If you’re into early blues rock, garage grit, or stoner-style riffage, the 1986 has all the right ingredients.
Dimensions
- Height: 8.25"
- Width: 26"
- Depth: 8.25"
If you wanna sell your vintage Marshall from 1963-1974 click here
Please note the photos used are for illustrations purposes.
