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How to Setup a Marshall Half Stack

Marshall amplifiers have powered many of the most famous names in rock music, such as The Who, the Small Faces, Led Zeppelin and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It's natural that many budding electric guitarists find themselves drawn to the company's classic British valve sound, and the Marshall 'half-stack' is therefore an extremely attractive proposition. The half-stack utilizes just one speaker cabinet, and while this set-up still provides plenty of volume and range of tone, it is not as expensive or as difficult to transport as the unwieldy, bulky, 'full stack' set-up, which is best left to those stadium-rocking professionals.

Things You'll Need

  • Marshall loudspeaker cabinet
  • Marshall amplifier head
  • Power cord
  • Speaker cable
  • Jack-to-jack guitar cable
  • Electric guitar
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Instructions

  1. Connecting the loudspeaker cabinet to the amplifier head

    • 1

      Ensure that the power and standby switches on the amplifier head are turned off and that the master volume knob is turned down to zero. Place the head on top of the loudspeaker cabinet. Use the speaker cable to connect the socket on the back of the cabinet to either of the two 'loudspeaker' sockets on the back of the head. Be aware that two output sockets are provided on Marshall heads because some musicians will be using a 'full-stack' set-up of two speaker cabinets.

    • 2

      Connect the amplifier head to the main electricity supply with the power cord. Use the jack-to-jack instrument cable to connect your electric guitar to the 'input' socket on the front of the amplifier head. Turn on the standby switch on the front of the amplifier head before turning on the main power switch.

    • 3

      Gradually turn up the master volume knob until you have reached the required level. You may now also use the equalization ('EQ') controls to ensure that the half-stack produces the sound you desire. The range of EQ control available to you will depend upon the model of Marshall amplifier head you own.

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