Mention the word Marshall and everyone knows you’re talking big-muscle gear that’s always ready for action. Since the company's inception, founder Jim Marshall has designed amps and speakers to match musicians’ needs. His ability to adapt—both to what musicians wanted and to the different music styles that have emerged since the 1960s—set Marshall amplifiers apart from other brands. They’ve withstood the test of time, delivering the trademark "Marshall roar" that hard rock and heavy metal guitarists need to produce big, bold sound. Check out the vast selection of Marshall amps, combos, amp heads, and speaker cabinets at Musician’s Friend where our dual 45-day Complete Satisfaction and Lowest Price guarantees insure every purchase.

Credited worldwide for the unmistakable sounds associated with guitar driven music, the Marshall legacy dates back to the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. Jim Marshall and his friend Ken Bran put their engineering talents to the test in 1962 and began building bass amps and speaker cabinets using the Fender Bassman as a starting point. At the time, Jim and his father ran a music shop in Hanwell, England. Privy to the latest music gear and the musicians who used it, the message was clear: musicians needed a thriftier alternative to shipping Fender amps overseas from California to England and bassists specifically needed amps made to suit their instrument’s specs. No bass cabs were on the market at that time so Jim and Ken set to work filling a niche that would change the course of the music industry forever.

The Marshall reputation grew along with the size of the company's amps and speaker cabs, meeting the demand for ever-louder sound by such artists as The Who, Cream, and Jimi Hendrix. Marshall enjoyed explosive success worldwide as artists discovered the raw classic tone found only in Marshall amps. During this period, the company outgrew six warehouses before settling in Milton Keynes, where it has been headquartered since 1984.

The materials, techniques, and components used in building Marshall amps have seen changes over the years along with minor cosmetic modifications, but despite those changes, reliable engineering has remained a constant. Many legendary lines like the Bluesbreaker (made famous by Eric Clapton), Handwired amps (known for their warm and pure sound), Vintage Modern and JVM Series (the ultimate overdrive tool), and commemorative Anniversary Series amplifiers are still available today and can be found at Musician’s Friend.


Through the years, Jim Marshall has been honored with numerous awards including the prestigious Queens Award, given twice by Queen Elizabeth II to acknowledge Marshall’s contributions to British exports. In addition, Jim Marshall, sometimes referred to as "The Father of Loud," has imprinted his hands in the Rock Walk Hall of Fame. The historic event took place in 1985 with other music icons including Leo Fender, Robert Moog, Frank Martin III, Les Paul, Bill Ludwig, Remo Belli, Eddie Van Halen, and Stevie Wonder also adding their handprints.

Musician’s Friend carries Marshall’s Handwired amps that feature point-to-point wiring just like the legendary amps of the 1960s and 1970s. Not only does Marshall make premier rock guitar amps, their extension cabinets are among the top sellers at Musician's Friend. Also check out Marshall effects pedals like the popular Marshall Gov’nor for scorching new tones in your arsenal. From smartly priced, full-featured amps like the MG and MB Series to all-valve and classic mainstays suck as the JCM and JVM series, check out the wide selection at Musician’s Friend and get the signature Marshall sound you seek.