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I discarded 90% of my worldly goods when I moved to Berlin but the Marshall Stack came with me. Death Valley Surfers had a New Year’s Eve show there at the end of 2000, and it came along in the van (along with the other 10% of my worldly goods.) I’d never envisioned the Stack not being a part of my life, but my life changed. Gig requirements in my new home shifted from “band van” to “small car” or even “take the bus” shows. My last-century sound equipment was becoming more decorative than functional. It graced the minimally furnished front room of my first Berlin flat, but it didn’t get around much.
Marshall Stack and Ms Ruby Freeman, Berlin 2003
Eventually a move to a third floor apartment with no lift overtook all other considerations. Goodbye, Stack.
I was doing mainly salon and bar shows where a compact and minimal setup was the way to go. After one or two experiments with a Beringer and a custom made Michael Bender (cult Berlin amp inventor), I went for a double act of sturdy new generation VOX-es. They had precious little of the magic I remember from the AC 30 I played in the seventies (though the little pink one scores 10 for cuteness)
Big Vox and Little Vox
I didn’t give Marshalls much more thought to be honest, until I made a trip to Liverpool with my partner in 2005. We chanced to see a poster in a guitar shop, advertising none other than Jim Marshall, signing copies of his new CD that day . The total lack of fanfare was unbelievable. I’ve seen better publicity for a church jumble sale. Naturally we went in and he signed two posters for us. As can happen with meeting famous people, I could think of buggerall to say. This was compounded by my guilt for having ditched his creation the year before . But somehow I did manage a couple of pleasantries, and will never forget the impression he made – courteous, unassuming and a total gentleman – I’ll also never forget my astonishment on hearing his CD which was a million miles from the rock monster sound he’d created, more like granddad singing in the bath. Bless him.
Gentleman Jim Marshall, Liverpool 2005
Finally, a photo of the Stack on active service – at a Joyryde recording at Alaska studios, London in 1993. I think the corrugated iron was there to make it even louder. Scientific explanations welcome.
Marshall Stack at Alaska Studios 1993
Between Rock and a Hard Place 