FT: Marshall PA20, 1972, All Original, Re-Valved, Perfect Order, Sounds Amazing

surfguy13 · February 2014

Hi Guys

I have more than one of these early '70s PA20s and as I'm only really using one of them I decided to see if anyone is interested in trading a lightweight and decent quality strat or tele (or possibly something similar). Looking for something like a Haar, along those lines anyway. Not interested in Jap or Mex and probably not AVRIs as they tend to be heavy.

OK, this is a completely original amp in pretty amazing condition and working absolutely perfectly. It was serviced by Marshall last year. It was also re-valved last year with a new set of Mesa Boogie output and preamp valves. In my opinion these valves are amazing relative to other valves I've used in these heads like JJs. However, I have a new set of JJs I can install if you'd prefer those.

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Marshall have reissued these little 20 watt amps as they were so popular (possibly because EC said it was the best recording amp he'd ever used!). They reissued the Lead and Bass (2061X) which has an identical circuit to the PA20 I believe, other than one resistor or capacitor. This is it:

http://www.marshallamps.com/product/amplifier/handwired-series/2061x/

These amps retail for £1249 and GAK are doing them for £900.

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I use the amps jumpered at all times simply because this increases available volume. Both channels are identical, unlike the JMP and Plexi 50 and 100 watt heads, but jumpered there is a definite boost in volume. Break up depends on whether you're using single coils or humbuckers; the amp will start to break up just past 12 o'clock with single coils and earlier with humbuckers.

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I use a treble booster pedal in front of my amps and the PA20s really benefits from a treble booster. It dramatically increases output/volume to the point where they cease to be a 'studio' amp and start to become an option for gigs. I have a spare Flynn treble boost I may consider parting with if required.

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The EQ sweep on the tone controls (treble and bass) is excellent, unlike many JMP amps, and you really do get a usable range of sounds by using the EQ. I use a Weber Mass attenuator on one of them, a 25 watt job, and that works really well too. Wind the volumes right up and just back it off a touch with the attenuator and the amp sounds superb.

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When the amp is driving hard it is very similar to a JMP 50 with just a little less power! Personally I prefer it. The JMPs can be quite harsh sounding, certainly compared to the 60s Marshalls, and the PA20s are much sweeter and warmer. However, with a les paul through it or any guitar with humbuckers it really screams....this is not a well behaved PA amp. The drive is astonishingly good.

The amp has a 4, 8 or 16 ohm tap from the transformer which makes it really versatile. The photos show it with an 8 ohm tap but it is now 16 ohm. It takes 30 seconds to solder from one tab to another and I can re-solder to whatever impedance is required.

My other PA20s have Bulgin plugs and this one has an original factory hardwired mains lead with a voltage selector on the top of the chassis.....a much more sensible setup. I have no problem with Bulgins but if you're carting the amp back and forward a hardwired lead makes much more sense.

There are more photos here and please feel free to ask for more photos if you need them:
https://imageshack.com/a/RcDb/1

Please feel free to come and try it, or pick it up, if you're in the Cambridgeshire area, I'm in Ely. I'm also happy to ship it via UPS on a next day....this would cost £10 but only includes £50 insurance. I never buy insurance but if required it's available at 2% of the sum insured.

Any questions please ask........

Cheers

Guy