Marshall Model 1959 - 100 Watts of Pure Rock Power

              If there’s one amp that defines the sound of classic rock, it’s the Marshall Model 1959. This 100-watt lead head from the May 1971 catalog isn’t just an amp, it’s a statement. Loud, bold, and built to bring stadiums to their knees, the 1959 became the go-to rig for some of the most iconic guitarists in history.


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

What Is It?

At its core, the 1959 is a two-channel, all-valve (all-tube) amp head, designed to deliver massive volume and rich, harmonically complex overdrive. It’s powered by four EL34 tubes, with three ECC83s in the preamp section, and it doesn’t come with any modern conveniences — no master volume, no effects loop, just raw, unfiltered Marshall tone.

The control layout is classic Marshall: Volume I and II (one for each channel), plus shared Presence, Bass, Middle, and Treble knobs. And if you’ve been around vintage Marshalls, you know the trick: jump the inputs with a short patch cable to blend both channels and unlock more tonal flexibility.

How Loud Is It Really?

Let’s just say this: it was designed for full stacks on festival stages. If you want that sweet saturated tone, you’ve gotta crank it. And when you do, you’ll get the kind of overdrive that helped shape everything from blues rock to early metal.


Who Played It?

By the early ’70s, the 1959 was already legendary. Hendrix used them. Clapton and Townshend leaned on them. So did Jimmy Page, Blackmore, and countless others. If you’ve heard a classic rock riff that made your hair stand on end, chances are good it was pushing through one of these.

Matching Cabinet Setups

In the 1971 catalog, the 1959 was offered in a few killer configurations:

  • 100/1 Set-Up
    One head, two 4x12" cabs (Model 1960 and 1960B). That’s eight Celestion speakers moving serious air. This is the classic full stack — what you'd see behind Hendrix or Townshend.
  • 100/3 Set-Up
    A slightly more compact option: one 1959 head with a single Model 1982 cab, which housed four 12” high-power Celestions, good for up to 120 watts of output capacity. Big tone, less back strain.These setups weren’t just about volume — they were built to sound massive. Whether you wanted the tight punch of the 1982 or the aggressive midrange of the 1960 cabs, the 1959 delivered.

Why It Still Matters

Today, the 1959 isn’t just a vintage piece, it’s still a benchmark. Whether you’re a collector, player, or studio purist, there’s something timeless about its tone. Plug in a Les Paul, crank the volume, and you’re instantly transported to a louder, hairier era of rock history.

Dimensions

  • Height: 11" (27.94 cm)
  • Width: 29" (73.66 cm)
  • Depth: 8" (21.59 cm)


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