PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: (615) 662-1616
Fax: (615) 662-1636
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARSHALL INTRODUCES NEW LIMITED EDITION
RANDY RHOADS TRIBUTE HEAD
WINTER NAMM SHOW, ANAHEIM, CA, January 17, 2008
— Marshall Amplification, in conjunction with the estate of the
late, great Randy Rhoads, is pleased to introduce the new Limited Edition
Randy Rhoads Tribute 100-watt head. Crafted to harness the now-legendary
tones which continue to inspire generations of guitar players, the signature
1959RR is a fitting tribute to Rhoads’ unique musical persona
which has rocked the music world for over 25 years.
The 1959RR boasts the exact circuitry and Marshall factory
“mod” that Rhoads’ original, iconic white Marshall
1959 houses. When he first joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band, Rhoads
had Marshall custom-build his white head and also had it modified at
the factory for more gain – which involved cascading the two halves
of the first ECC83 valve in the preamp section. With the blessing and
help of the Rhoads family, a Marshall design engineer traveled to California
and opened up Randy’s original amp head (kept under lock and key)
to confirm the modification and circuitry to ensure it was duplicated
exactly in the tribute model.
This all-valve head (3 x ECC83 in the preamp, 4 x EL34s
in the power amp) features two channels, I and II, each with two inputs
– high sensitivity and low sensitivity. Both channels share passive
tone-shaping controls for Bass, Middle, Treble and Presence. Its white
vinyl covering, black corners and large black script logo make it instantly
recognizable as “Randy’s head” to all hard rock fans.
The back panel features the signatures of Dr. Jim Marshall OBE and Randy
Rhoads.
The 1959RR owner’s manual features a handwritten
introduction from Ozzy’s current guitarist and fellow-signature-Marshall
user, Zakk Wylde. In it, Wylde says, “Without Randy I wouldn’t
be the player I am today – the chops, the writing and that amazing,
father Marshall tone. There can only be one father Marshall and Randy
Rhoads.”
When Rhoads was posthumously inducted into the Hollywood
Rockwalk of Fame in 2004, Dr. Jim Marshall OBE, founder and CEO of Marshall
Amplification, wrote the following in a letter to Rhoads’ mother
Delores: “I was and still am delighted that Randy played through
Marshalls and consider him to be one of the finest ambassadors of my
amplifiers to this very day – the fact that he is still rightfully
held in such high regard by so many musicians speaks volumes regarding
the tremendous impact he had on the world of rock guitar.”
The new Marshall Limited Edition Randy Rhoads Tribute
Head will be available in spring ’08. U.S. MSRP TBD.
About Randy Rhoads
Randy was a founding member of the band Quiet Riot and later rose to
true guitar hero status during his career with Ozzy Osbourne, creating
some of the best-known rock riffs and solos of all time, including “Crazy
Train,” “I Don’t Know” and “Mr. Crowley”
– songs that remain rock radio staples to this day. Combining
strong classical influences with his own style of aggressive yet melodic
playing, in the space of a mere two albums, Randy’s guitar playing
genius set a new standard and left an indelible stamp on the genre.
His song writing, deft arrangements and soloing skills continue to inspire
and influence countless players even 26 years after his tragic passing.
...ends 526 words
—For more information, please contact Marshall Amplification
USA, 316 South Service Rd, Melville, NY 11747. Tel: (631) 390-6500;
Fax: (631) 390-6501; Web: www.marshallamps.com