


The earliest Marshall amp models did not have model codes or any official serialization, though some models had a simple sequential four-digit numbering system inside the back panel. Letter-Ten Digits-Letter with barcode on a sticker.Nine-digit serial with barcode on a sticker.No model codes, some sequential four-digit numbering.Keep in mind that no reliable serial number information exists for pre-1969 Marshall amps, so if your amp doesn't have a number matching one of the formats below, it is likely pre-1969 and identifiable by features rather than serial number.Ĭlick on the links here to jump directly to the serial number style that matches your instrument: For models made between 1979 - 1981, the serial number will be on the front panel. To find the serial number on your Marshall amp, start by looking at the back panel of your amp.

MARSHALL AMP SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP SERIAL NUMBERS
Marshall JCM Buying Guide Find Your Perfect Amp Marshall Serial Numbers
MARSHALL AMP SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP SERIES
Some amps won't fit into these series (like the recent Class 5 Combo or various signature and limited edition models), so using the serial number will be your best bet to hone in on a specific date of manufacture. Hand-Wired Reissue Series: 2004 - present Production has continued there uninterrupted through today, though some lower-priced models are now made in China, India or Korea, depending on the series.įour-Digit Models (no series): 1965 - 1981 The first Marshall amps were made in England starting in 1962. It's also one more piece of evidence to pair with the serial number to corroborate the actual year. This will give you an approximate idea of the era during which your amp was manufactured. If you have absolutely no idea whether your Marshall is old or new, a good place to start is the model name or series. The guide for that is much simpler: be nice, ask questions, offer beer. Getting the correct year is one thing, but getting the story behind an amp is the fun part. The best approach is to cross-reference the serial number with known features for the model during different eras and the personal account of previous owners. As a result, dating cabs can be more art than science.

The guide below will help you quickly and clearly date Marshall amps and cabinets, without us waxing poetic about their influence. We recently wrote an article detailing that rich history (which you can read here), but for those simply looking to figure out how old their Marshall amp is, we offer this shortcut. Marshall amps had such precedent-setting wattage and tone that their history can hardly be separated from the history of rock itself. While Fender and Vox amps have their place in moving electrified guitar forward, the creations of Jim Marshall fostered an entirely new sound and allowed guitarists to fill stadiums with it. Marshall amplifiers made hard rock possible.
