Marshall Law #1 Artwork

From Jim Marshall
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of
Marshall Law, the first in a new generation of Marshall publications.
Put together by musicians for musicians, the purpose of this
magazine is both to inform and entertain.
The information comes in the form of details of the most recently
released Marshall products such as the Slash Signature model, the JTM
60 Series [including the all-valve JTM600 amp head], the new range of
Valvestate guitar amplifiers and Bass-State bass equipment. All built
with the traditional Marshall hallmarks of quality, reliability and
flexibility, these new ranges cover styles and abilities across the whole
musical spectrum, from the complete beginner to the seasoned
professional.
The entertainment is provided by the profiles, interviews and
1 From Jim Marshall
2 Slash Profile
3 - 4 Slash Signature Range
5 Slash Interview
6 Slash 2555SL Reviews
7 - 8 The JTM Range
9 JTM600 Head
10 Def Leppard Profile
11 - 12 UK Marshall News
13 USA Marshall News
14 Dave Navarro Profile
15 - 16 New Valvestate Range
17 VS230 & VS265 Combos
18 J. White Zombie Profile
19 - 20 Steve Grindrod Interview
21 - 22 New Bass-State Range
1
Contents
photographs of many of today’s leading ‘Marshall Artists’ from the
widely ranging current musical genre. I know, having been a working
musician myself for many years, the keen interest with which musicians
view the lives, techniques and equipment of their fellow musicians. In
this latest issue of Marshall Law we have tried to cover as broad an area
of musical styles as possible - so I am sure that you will find something
or someone to interest you.
We are always pleased to hear the thoughts and ideas of musicians,
regardless of age and experience, so please feel free to write to us with
any comments or suggestions.
As I have built my company on the interaction between ourselves
and Marshall users, there can be no greater pleasure for me than to
introduce a publication dedicated to Marshall players doing what they
do best . . . that is playing Marshall. Long may it continue!
Editor
Steve Yelding
U.S. Contributing Editor
Nick Bowcott
Copywriter
Simon Alexander
Graphic Design & Production
Ivan Waldock
Product Photography
Rob Wyatt
Cover Photograph Credits
Chris Gill
Darren Young
Kristin Callahan
Eddie Malluk
Paul Harries
Justin Thomas
In addition to being one of the most popular
and instantly recognisable axemen on the face of
this planet, Slash is also one of the busiest. In
this exclusive interview, the man with the top
hat fills us in on what he’s been doing lately and
talks a little about his new amp too...
★ Slash ‘n’ Burn ★
“Why me?” That’s the question a somewhat bemused
Slash asked on more than one occasion as he watched a casual
backstage conversation about his beloved Jubilee head slowly but
surely metamorphose into the first ever Marshall signature series amp.
Such modesty is typical of this highly likable guy. Despite the fact he
can’t even go for a quick beer without getting mobbed; has won every guitar
magazine poll known to man; and has even been hailed by Guitar World as
being ‘the father of the‘back-to basics’ movement in rock guitar, Slash is as
down-to-earth as they get. “I’m extremely flattered that people think so
highly of me as a guitarist but there are so many brilliant players out there
who are so much more significant than me, it’s really hard for me to take
that kind of compliment,” he states with trademark humility, referring to the
Guitar World label just mentioned.
“If I’ve had any influence whatsoever that’s nice to know but I don’t
think I’ve changed anything. I mean, I like what I do, I know where it comes
from and I’m proud of the fact it’s for real. But, I’m not even close to being
the father of any movement. As far as I’m concerned I’m still learning.”
★ The ‘Guv’nor on Slash ★
Anyway, getting back to Slash’s “why me?” question, Jim Marshall
answers it superbly in his introduction to the manual that accompanies each
Ltd. Edition Slash Signature amp. Here’s just a small segment of what “the
Guv’nor” says [buy the amp if you wanna read the rest!]: “In addition to
being a truly great guitarist, Slash personifies the true spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.
Whenever he’s not on stage or in the studio with one of his own bands,
he can be found jamming with someone else - from recording ‘I Don’t Live
Today’ with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles [Band Of Gypsys] for the Stone
Free - Tribute to Jimi Hendrix album to performing live with Michael
Jackson at the 1995 MTV Awards.
In addition to appearing on Michael’s last two LPs, Slash has also
recorded with Carole King, Lenny Kravitz, Gilby Clarke, Iggy Pop, Paul
Rodgers and our old friends Spinal Tap.
And, if all that’s not enough,on October 27th, 1995, blues legend BB
King personally invited Slash to jam with him at his 70th birthday concert in
Memphis, Tennessee, USA.”
Phew! That’s a pretty impressive resume and it doesn’t take into
account anything Slash has done this year. So let’s take a quick peek at
what he’s been up to lately . . .
Slash Profile
★ Slash’s Diary Jan - June ★
Jan: Slash and Jim officially unveiled the Slash
Signature Stack and then signed autographs at the NAMM
show in Anaheim, California. The result was a mob scene
of epic proportions.
Before the
unveiling ceremony,
the gents gave a
private press conference
for journalists from the
world’s foremost guitar
magazines. One of the many
highlights came when one writer
asked, “Can we expect to see
another amp in the series?” Quick
as a flash Slash replied, “I guess we
could do a practice amp version. It would have three volume settings -
‘Wake-up the neighbourhood’, ‘Police called’ and ‘Evicted!”
Feb: By public demand based on a national popularity poll, Slash was
invited to India to ‘flip the switch’ to kick off MTV’s launch into India and
Southern China. While there he also jammed with Induscreed, one of the
country’s leading rock acts.
Slash then returned to America and appeared for Marshall at
Thoroughbred Music’s ‘1996 Florida Guitar Show’ in Clearwater, Florida.
Some 7,000 people turned-up and the line for Slash’s autograph was so
huge, the local Police and Fire Marshal stopped fans entering the complex
for over an hour! Then, that evening, Slash jammed with Rick Nielsen
[guitar] and Robin Zander [vocals] from Cheap Trick plus Billy Sheehan
from Mr. Big [bass], Rod Morgenstein of Dixie Dregs [drums] - surprise,
surprise, they brought the house down!
March: Slash travelled to Germany to attend the Frankfurt Music Fair.
While there he jammed with his old pal, Paul Rodgers [vocals, ex-Free &
Bad Co.] and blues legend, Peter Green [ex-Fleetwood Mac]. Slash and
Jim also signed autographs together at the Marshall stand and, once again,
absolute bedlam ensued!
April: Played 3 sold-out arena shows in Japan as a special guest on the
JT Super Producers Tribute To Nile Rogers tour. Slash performed with
Chic on Le Freak and with Steve Winwood on several songs including
Higher Ground and Stone Free.
May: The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, invites Slash to perform at
his 63rd birthday concert in Augusta Georgia along with Isaac Hayes and
Bootsy Collins. He then went to Miami to make a special guest appearance
at a Brother Cane charity concert for Muscular Dystrophy.
By Nick Bowcott
[ Cont. on page 5 ]
2
Photo : Sean Vennett