MGL50 PURPLE CIRCUIT

Now built on our new layout 50w chassis with an updated look & added tone shaping options. The MGL50 “Purple Circuit” is our hot rodded 2204 based amp. A versatile 50w 2- channel master volume amp that covers many tones, from ‘70’s classic rock to ‘80’s rock & metal. The hybrid Purple Circuit combines tones from “Plexi”, “Metal Panel” & “JCM” era amps that we all love. From the smooth and sweet distorted tones of a decked Plexi to the attitude & aggressiveness of JMP - JCM.  Very reactive and touch sensitive to your hands and even the dirty channel cleans up nicely by just rolling your guitar volume back.

Our amps incorporate an exclusive silent channel switching circuit designed by Evan Cantor, MGL engineer & builder. So, no noisy pops when switching channels, but even more important, this switching circuit has zero effect on tone. Many new amps incorporate switching circuits with solid state components that DO affect the tone.

Channel 1: Is the dirty channel, voiced with Marshall DNA throughout. Nothing is more authentic for that classic voice than real NOS mustard caps used in strategic positions in the circuit in each amp. The GAIN knob has a wide sweep of useable distortion levels for both humbucker and single coil pickups.

Channel 2: Is the clean channel that goes from total clean to minor break-up depending on where the GAIN knob is set. At low setting you get great clean tones with humbucker or single coil pickups, rich & full but still has nice sparkle in the top end.

 NOTE: Since each amp is built to order, you can choose to configure your amp with a dirty & clean channel or 2 dirty channels. The effects loop can also be assigned to only one of the channels if preferred.

There is also a Saturation (diode clipping) circuit that works on both channels and is engaged with a mini switch on the back panel.

PRICE $2,695.00 (High voltage version using our 100w transformer, $25.00 up-charge)

BUILD SPECS: 

• Custom.090" aluminum chassis w/ welded corners, gloss black powder coating and screened with metallic gold ink for the text
• Dagnall - MGL spec power transformer and filter choke
• Heyboer - MGL spec paper layer wound Plexi 784-139 output transformer
• NOS mustard caps used in strategic positions for authentic Marshall voicing along with SoZo caps in the rest of the circuit
• Belton power tube sockets
• Belton preamp tube sockets w/ gold anodized shields
• 18 AWG mil spec Teflon insulated wire
• 1 watt carbon film resistors
• Real UK Cliff jacks
• Brass shaft CTS pots
• ARS filter caps
• Metropoulos “Zero Loss” effects loop w/ true bypass switch
• 3 NOS square foil getter Chinese 12AX7 preamp tubes & matched pair of EH EL34 power tubes
• Matched pair of NOS Siemens EL34 power tubes upgrade available for $150.00
• Swanson Cabinets Baltic Birch plywood head cab, available in: 24" or 26" width along with many tolex color choices at no extra charge. Large box 29" cab in either Plexi or late '70's JMP style w/ plastic corners available at a $100.00 up-charge.

Mini Switches, Front Panel 

There are 4 mini switches along the lower part of the front panel. The first 3 from left to right are all labeled MOD/ VIN (modern/vintage), and here's what they do: The 1st switch chooses between 2 different types of caps for the Treble circuit voicing. In the VIN position, it's a ceramic disc cap that produces treble that is more aggressive w/ more sizzle & "hair" as in the JMP - JCM800 amps. In MOD position, it’s a silver Mica cap that has a bit less mids and is more glassy & transparent. The 2nd switch from the left chooses between 2 different tone caps for the first position in the circuit. In the VIN position it's an NOS mustard cap and in the MOD position it's a SoZo. Mustard cap keeps with the traditional Marshall voice, the SoZo has a little more gain and is a little more hollow in the mids for a more modern flavor. 3rd switch from the left chooses between 2 different preamp tube bias settings for the first gain stage. In the VIN position it's a hotter Plexi value with a little more gain and smooth feel and in the MOD position it's a colder metal panel-JCM value that's a little tighter and focused w/ a slight bump in the mids. The 4th switch from the left labeled 1 & 2 will switch between channels when no foot switch is being used.

Mini Switches, Back Panel

There are 3 mini switches on the back panel. The first switch from left to right is the ON/OFF true bypass switch for the FX loop. The 2nd switch labeled "SAT" engages the Saturation circuit when in the up "ON" position, in the down "OFF" position the Saturation is completely out of the circuit. The 3rd switch labeled "Voicing" has to do with the amount of negative feedback in the circuit. In the down "Vintage" setting you get more negative feedback for a more Plexi tone and feel that's warmer and has a smoother feel. In the up "Modern" setting you get less negative feedback for a more metal panel-JCM feel that's tighter, brighter and more aggressive.

Customer Amp Build Info

  By choice, we keep our amp production numbers low, so each customer gets a custom build. We spend as much time needed in detailed phone conversations and or emails to get you into the right model amp and the choice of aesthetic looks & appointments we offer. By building a lower number of amps, each build gets more detailed attention and we have the luxury of incorporating better components, including NOS parts & tubes in each build. The foundation, tonally for all our amp models is authentic Marshall voicings. And nothing has more Marshall DNA than real NOS mustard caps! All amps other than the 2204 model include 5-10 real mustard caps throughout the circuit. Larger production amp builders really can’t include these build appointments due to the difficulty locating and buying larger quantities of NOS parts. I’m constantly searching the world for NOS parts & tubes.