Anyone know how to get this tone these days...?

[Rich_S]

o ya...does the fact that it has a tube rectifier add to that compression you guys were talking about? I think I remember hearing that tube rectifiers compress the tone more than solid state ones...

Tube rectifiers do compress the sound, because their output voltage "sags" under load. The effect is less apparent on smaller amps since they draw less current, but still noticeable in 18 Watters. The later, 20 Watters had SS rectifiers, which was one of the reasons they sounded different.

More people seem to prefer the 18 Watter's tube rectifier, but taste is subjective. Guitar Player did a review of both of Marshall's reissues a few months back. See if you can locate that issue - it did a good job of describing the differences. Or, see if you can find a store with both the 18 and 20 in stock to try out.

Trinity might be willing to substitute a SS rectifier, or make it switchable. Can't hurt to ask....

[Sozos]

I learned a pretty good trick for increasing sustain. I didn't believe it until I tried it. To increase your sustain you can allways use a compressor but you can also increase headstock mass. The heavier the headstock, the longer you sound. A good idea is to change your headstock tuners to silver ones. It is pricey but thats what a lot of people do to sound longer. As for amps, check outthe Ashdown peacemakers or the Vox's with valve reactor tech.