Marshall Amplification just announced the Signature YJM100 - a 100-watt, valve head that was developed in close conjunction with the legendary Swedish shredder, Yngwie Malmsteen.
The YJM claims to offer the perfect balance of vintage tone and looks, along with some more modern features.
I know that Yngwie has always liked old 50 watt Plexi Marshall, and then he just uses a DODF 250. He has used that set up for many years.
Based on the power and tone of the so-called Holy Grail 1959 Plexi head, the YJM100 provides the following features:
- Footswitchable* Boost with controls for Volume and Gain on the rear panel.
- Footswitchable* Noise Gate with rear panel Threshold control.
- Footswitchable* studio quality Digital Reverb with rear panel Level control.
- Footswitchable* Series FX Loop
- Half power switch which takes the output power from 100W to 50W when engaged.
- Built-in, infinitely variable Attenuator control which can take the output stage from 100% to 0.01% and anywhere in-between, while retaining the all-important tone and feel of the all-valve power section. This means the output power can be reduced to a staggering low of 0.05 Watts when in 50W power mode.
- Valve Failure Circuitry: meaning that if one of the output valves develops a fault, a visual indicator on the rear of the amplifier shows which one is working incorrectly. This "roadie friendly feature" will save valuable time getting the amplifier back up and running again, should a valve failure occur.
- Self-biasing circuitry to ensure proper power valve operation each time valves are changed.
* A four-way Footcontroller (PEDL-00046) comes supplied with the YJM100, facilitating switching of Booster, Gate, Reverb and FX Loop features. This Footcontroller has been designed using Marshall Amplification's patented STOMPWARE Technology, allowing the user to connect it to the amp using a standard 1/4" guitar cable.
The limited edition YJM100 was launched at NAMM 2011. Quantity, Price and ETA, To Be Announced.
I didn't get to hear it myself when I was there, but I took some photos and I really like the look. Here is a demo, but I would have liked to hear Yngwie himself demo this amp. The demo below sounds nothing like Yngwie's tone, in my opinion.