Marshall Model 1989 – The Forgotten Organ Crusher (That Guitarists Love)

               The Marshall Model 1989 might be one of the most overlooked amps in the 1971 catalog, and that’s kind of a shame. It’s a tone monster hiding in plain sight. Marketed as a 50-watt “organ amplifier,” this head was originally designed for use with electric organs, but like many early Marshall designs, it didn't take long for guitarists to discover what it was really capable of.


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What Is It?

The Model 1989 is a 50-watt, all-valve amp head intended for keyboards and organs, but its circuit and power section place it right in the ballpark of Marshall’s lead and bass amps of the time. It uses two EL34 output tubes and three ECC83s in the preamp section, just like the 1987 and 1986 models.

The tone controls are typical Marshall: shared Presence, Bass, Middle, and Treble EQ, with individual volume controls for each channel. Its voicing was meant to accommodate the wide frequency range of an organ, so it has a broader tonal spectrum, which turns out to be a huge advantage for guitarists looking for something off the beaten path.

Why Guitarists Should Care

Here’s the fun part: because the 1989 was designed to handle clean organ signals and complex harmonic content, it offers a tighter low end and a smoother high end than a standard lead head. Plug in a guitar and you’ll get an articulate, balanced tone that takes pedals like a champ.

Plus, it breaks up just right at mid-volume: think warm vintage crunch instead of the aggressive bark of a 1959.

Matching Cabinet Setups

Marshall paired the Model 1989 with several very unique cabs in the 1971 catalog:

  • ORG/1 Setup
    Model 1989 with a single 1960 cabinet — 4 x 12” Celestions, the same cab used in lead stacks. Great general-purpose pairing.
  • ORG/2 Setup
    Model 1989 with the massive 1990 cabinet, loaded with 8 x 10” Celestion speakers. Output capacity: 80 watts. This cab gave you fast response and punchy mids, perfect for fast organ stabs, odr tight, articulate guitar riffs.
  • ORG/3 Setup
    Model 1989 with the 1988 cabinet, housing a single 18” Celestion speaker. Designed to reach as low as 35Hz, this cab is a bass and doom guitarist’s dream. Huge, deep, and vintage to the core.

Each setup served a different sonic purpose, but all were designed to give the Model 1989 maximum projection and clarity.


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Who Was Using It?

You won’t see many famous names attached to the 1989, at least not in the usual Marshall lore. It was more of a utilitarian amp, found in clubs, organ rigs, and session setups. But guitarists in the know have been quietly snapping these up for years, modifying or re-voicing them slightly to unlock serious vintage magic.

Today, the 1989 has a cult following among players who want something a little different, but still unmistakably Marshall.

Why It Still Matters

The Model 1989 is proof that some of the best tones don’t come from the usual suspects. It’s got all the bones of a classic Plexi, with a bit more range and finesse baked in. Whether you’re playing heavy riffs, layered textures, or ambient fuzz-scapes, this amp has the headroom and character to do it all.

And let’s face it: how cool is it to tell someone you’re gigging with a 50-watt Marshall organ amp?



Dimensions

  • Height: 8.25" (27.94 cm)
  • Width: 29" (73.66 cm)
  • Depth: 8.25" (21.59 cm)


If you wanna sell your vintage Marshall from 1963-1974 click here