How can we explain that a drum teacher, who was also tinkering with bass amplifiers to try to connect two 12-inch speakers, became the symbol of electric guitar amplification?
Through the genius of Jim Marshall, of course, and his spirit of innovation that would revolutionize the history of early rock and roll. And thanks to the insistence of Pete Townshend, in particular, who complained about the overly clean sound of Fender amps and managed to convince Jim to start designing guitar amplifiers. These amps had a distinctive character, with a heavy, gritty sound and, above all, remarkable efficiency—whether in tube models, hybrid ranges, or solid-state amplifiers, all of which managed to retain the brand’s unique signature.

The story of Jim Marshall begins in England, in the small town of Hanwell, where he sold drums and related accessories. His business expanded, and soon he started selling guitars and amplifiers, particularly Fender models. However, these amps were expensive, and Jim quickly realized that he could manufacture amplifiers of the same quality at a much more affordable price. With the help of a friend, Ken Bran, he decided to produce a direct copy of the Fender Bassman, which was extremely popular at the time, even using the same original American components—except for the speakers, as Jim opted for 12-inch Celestions instead of the Jensens found in competing models. But to reduce costs, Jim sought out British suppliers and found what he needed at Dagnall and Drake (who also produced for Marconi). As a result, Marshall amplifiers acquired a unique sound texture that quickly captivated Pete Townshend and John Entwistle of The Who.

That was all it took to launch the brand worldwide—especially since, in the meantime, a certain James Marshall Hendrix came to try out the gear and instantly adopted it. The rest is rock and roll history, as any fan of powerful sound will tell you: nothing beats a Marshall!