Marshall YJM100 Yngwie Malmsteen Amplifier Review
Probably the longest review of this amp anywhere in the world!
Firstly, I really want you to remember that I only mention things that do matter in my opinion in one way or another in this review. Remember that as you skip past things that might appear to be filler for the review. Nothing is filler. Its important to gain knowledge from this review - that's why its here!
Secondly, this review has been read by Santiago Alvarez, chief designer at Marshall Amplification PLC. Santiago kindly commented on a number of things which I have included in yellow - and any replies from myself in green.
Remember that those comments in colour were added after my review - hindsight sometimes is a great thing...
Heres the review of the YJM100 amp and note that at the end of the review is my latest update.
INTRODUCTION:
After the AFD100 amp from Marshall this is I guess the second most awaited amp in recent times. Its a behemoth of a product (just as the price is) but should come through with the goods now that Marshall has released this amp - even though they are currently coming from the Marshall factory in the UK slower than a snail in winter. This will change over time.
This amp offers some unique features over and above the AFD100 amp, but is it really worth the difference in money for the YJM100 amp?
This YJM100 is getting an even more in depth review than the Slash amp ever did... why, well if you have heard of Yngwie J Malmsteen, or better still seen him play and or heard the music then you will know that this amp is one of the most used and driven amp ever to hit this sunny land of the UK or anywhere else... and when it (if it) gets to the USA you guys had better be prepared... 'Yng' rules.
Yngwie takes absolutely no prisoners at all and if you are a 'Yng' clone good for you.. but really that's what you will remain, a clone of the real deal. One of the reasons why I don't typically play other peoples music.... I don't want to be a copy of some other guy who got his stuff together instead of copying someone else.. if you get what I mean... you might think about that in what you do with your music... ever heard of someone who copies a well known musician getting to make real money in the music business? of course not...
There's a lot on offer in this amp, the power reduction like on the AFD100, the 50/100 watts switch, the noise gate, the overdrive built right in to the amplifier and more, all boxed up to look like something from the very late 60's or early 70's. A very nice RED cover supplied too.
Whereas the AFD100 had a reasonably undefined era case, this YJM100 is exactly a specifically defined era case, so whether you like it or not, using one of these YJM amps is going to define you (at least that's what your audience will think) as a tone hound. FYI a tone hound is one of those guys always looking for 'that' tone but never actually finds it (it's not there to find and is a figment of the tone hounds mind) - and there is only one Malmsteen.
Whereas the AFD100 had a reasonably undefined era case, this YJM100 is exactly a specifically defined era case, so whether you like it or not, using one of these YJM amps is going to define you (at least that's what your audience will think) as a tone hound. FYI a tone hound is one of those guys always looking for 'that' tone but never actually finds it (it's not there to find and is a figment of the tone hounds mind) - and there is only one Malmsteen.
Actually this amp was not for the world to find out about yet... but someone let it slip out... so Marshall told the world in January NAMM 2011. And why not I say, we waited long enough for the AFD, so why not wait for this too? I'm actually getting used to it!
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The Marshall YJM100 arrived with me on the 28th July 2011 and I'm told its one of the first 25 units released (but who can believe that - they are all dealers selling things) - apparently these are coming out of the Marshall factory here in sunny England slower than the time it took to write this site (and that was a very long time).
But don't despair - the YJM100 for review is here now - and don't forget to visit my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/tonymckenziecom to see the videos - one inside the amp and one showing the tones.
This review covers inside and outside of the amp, a thorough check of exactly what you get, analysis and comparisons between this and other amps, and lastly some video of the sounds.
Just messing around after first switch on...
But don't forget that I'm no Malmsteen and never will be - and more likely than not - you are not either. But this amp is far more than just a 'Yngwie Malmsteen' amp so to see it in other modes or styles than 'Yng' plays should be a very useful thing - especially if YOU are no 'Yng' either. And if you ARE an 'Yngwie' - nice (I think he is awesome), I always wanted to do that but was told 'not to try this at home' so I didn't. If you can play as Malmsteen you must have been misled at some stage in your life :-)
Or maybe you grew up on a forum.... they are all the greatest everything... and the best thing to do about that...
is to stay there and hide behind some really pathetic name.
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NOW ON TO THE REVIEW OF THE YJM100 FROM MARSHALL AMPS
I had ordered this amp some months earlier on the basis that if it's good enough for Yngwie J Malmsteen, then its good enough for me! (Yngwie is pronounced 'ingvay' - I just thought I should say that in case you wander in to a shop or something and say the wrong thing :-) - don't worry - I did too once!
To continue reading this review please do visit www.tonymckenzie.com
