The history of the JVM
Redefining rock
When Marshall released the DSL series in the late '90s, it signalled a new era. From the smooth, vintage tones of the JTM45 to the overdriven Plexi and the unmistakable grit of the JCM800 and 900, Marshall had long defined the sound of rock. But carrying multiple heads and cabs to cover every tone became a challenge. Guitarists wanted more from a single amp - flexibility, range, and power at their feet.
One amp, every sound
Released in 2007, the JVM410H was Marshall’s answer: a 100-watt all-valve head designed to deliver every iconic Marshall sound, and more. It pushed boundaries by introducing pristine cleans and tight modern high-gain tones into the Marshall sonic universe.
At the heart of the JVM410H are four independent channels: Clean, Crunch, OD1, and OD2 each with three switchable modes (Green, Orange, Red). That’s 12 unique voices from a single amp, each with their own character and gain structure. From vintage blues to modern metal, the JVM is built to adapt.
Gizz Butt
Despite its power, the JVM remains incredibly intuitive. Each channel includes its own EQ, gain, volume, and reverb controls. A global presence and resonance section plus dual master volumes give players further control. Shortly after the head, the JVM410C was introduced, loaded with a Celestion Vintage 30 and Celestion Heritage G12H, giving players the same power in a more portable format.
The JVM2 series
In 2008, the JVM2 series followed, offering the same tonal excellence with a simplified two-channel layout (Clean/Crunch and OD), available in 50W or 100W, as heads or combos.
Joe Satriani’s Signature JVM - The JVM410HJS
In 2012, guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani partnered with Marshall to create the JVM410HJS, a signature version refined through years of road testing and prototyping. While retaining the 4-channel, 12-mode versatility of the original, the HJS introduces:
Noise gates on each channel for superior high-gain control
Revoiced EQ with a shift toward a more organic rock tone
Digital reverb removed to streamline tone shaping
Voicing matched to a Marshall 1960A cabinet
Finishes in classic black or signature blue, nodding to Satriani’s vintage 6100
“I can honestly say that I’ve never had this much fun or derived this much inspiration from an amp before. It offers me total Rock ‘n’ Roll freedom.”
- Joe Satriani
A lasting legacy
Today, the JVM series still stands as one of Marshall’s most versatile and respected amp ranges, and the JVM lineup continues to power stages and studios across the globe. Artists like Megadeth, While She Sleeps and ‘Freaky’ Rob Gueringer (touring guitarist for Eminem and Kendrick Lamar) all rely on the JVM to deliver their tone, night after night, genre after genre.
