Marshall Artist 30 Model 3203 30 Watt Head 1988

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The Marshall Artist 30 Model 3203 head is a "hybrid" amp, meaning that it has a solid state preamp section and a tube output section.  There is one 12AX7, but that is the phase inverter tube and is not used as a 12AX7 normally is in an amp.

The head is widely discussed online in forums as a "good amp for the money", while others bemoan the difference in tone as compared to an all-tube JCM800 or other.  But, if you work this amp a little you can dig some great stuff out of it.  

This forum commentary made a lot of sense, so I tried it, and it works!

"I realized what you could really do with this hybrid. The gain channel is labelled "boost"... Marshall was trying to tell the user something. What follows also works well on other 80s Marshall channel switchers... possibly on all channel switchers:

Dial in the best clean channel tone you want... on this amp (without the mods), surprise... it's a very warm Plexi clean.

MATCH that tone and volume over on the boost side, with just a hair more gain to add a slight volume "boost".

Now add your favorite OD/dirt pedal(s) to slam the CLEAN side... guess what happens when you click over to boost? You get a serious lead boost! (The "boost" channel concept showed again later in the 80s with the Jubilee models)

You now have at your disposal a great Marshall clean, a great Marshall crunch, AND a great Marshall lead boost... not to mention your guitar volume can get you anywhere in between. Now, is it only a two channel hybrid amp? You'll find it's so much more...

Back in the 80s, my jamming buddies and I all ran all our guitar volumes on 10 and expected channel switching amps to give good clean and good dirt. Wrong approach... but we didn't know it at the time. This amp (any amp) will frustrate you if you try to use it that way... and fail to meet its potential.

Treat this amp's boost as a boost, not a dirty channel, and you will unlock its secret... and find out why many folks (like me) gush about this amp, and dare to compare it to a the mighty Plexis."

The amp is in nice shape.  All tubes have been tested, pots and tube sockets cleaned, and the amp got a clean bill of health.

• Case/Cover?: No
• Color: Black
• Dimensions: L24.5" x H9.5" x D9.5"
• Weight: 26 lbs
• Watts: 30 Watts
• Date: 1988
• Where is Date Noted?: Transformers
• Power Transformer Brand/Codes: Drake 1961 112
• Output Transformer Brand/Codes: Drake 292 700
• Extension Speaker Out? Yes
• Effects Loop?: No
• Reverb or other effects?: Reverb
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL34
• Power Tube Brand: Ruby
• Preamp Tubes: Solid State Pre Amp Section, 12AX7 phase inverter
• Preamp Tube Brand: ?
• Filter Caps: Original
• Pedal: No
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Tolex/Tweed: Original
• Grille: Original
• Knobs: Original
• Handle: Original
• Power Cord: Included
• Notes:

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