Marshall Amps and the legendary mock-rockers Spinal Tap have amplified their 40-year collaboration to Infinity, officially announcing a highly exclusive run of special-edition Marshall JVM410H amp heads inspired by the band’s upcoming sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Dubbed “the loudest amp ever made,” this collector’s piece is a must-have for guitar enthusiasts and Spinal Tap fans alike, solidifying a beloved piece of rock and roll culture in physical form.
From “Goes to 11” to Infinity: A Marshall-Spinal Tap Legacy
The enduring image of Marshall amps and the quintessential rock sound is inextricably linked to one iconic movie line: Nigel Tufnel’s proclamation that his amps “go to 11” in the original 1984 film. As Marshall Director of Culture Marketing, Steph Carter, notes, this single moment has become a cultural touchstone.
“People love our amps because they’re loud. That one line has cemented itself as kind of a tagline for the company, and it came as an off-the-cuff thing in a film.”
Now, to celebrate the band’s return in Spinal Tap II, Marshall is taking the volume a crucial step further. Tufnel (played by Christopher Guest) specifically requested an amp that transcended 11 for the reunion. The result is the new, ultra-limited edition Marshall JVM410H, where the master output knob extends, literally, to Infinity!
Exclusive Features of the Spinal Tap JVM410H Head
While technically a dressed-up 100W JVM410H, which provides ample tube amp power, its spiritual loudness is unmatched. Only 20 of these special-edition amp heads will be produced, exclusively available in the US.
- The Infinity Knob: The centerpiece is the master output control featuring the symbolic infinity sign, reflecting the amp seen in the Spinal Tap II teaser and the film itself.
- Goes to 11: As a nod to the original film, all other control knobs on the panel retain the classic “goes to 11” volume range.
- Spinal Tap Nomenclature: Two channels have been uniquely renamed in honor of the band’s guitarists: St. Hubbins (for David St. Hubbins) and Tufnel (for Nigel Tufnel). A keen eye will also spot that the bass knobs have been renamed Smalls for bassist Derek Smalls.
A Collaborative Sound: Guest’s Specific Request
The journey to the Infinity amp was a true partnership, involving months of effort by the Marshall team, including Artist Relations manager Hugh Gilmartin. Whispers started with the movie teaser, but the concept was a long-term goal.
“When having one of these chats with Christopher [Guest], he knew exactly what he wanted,” Gilmartin recalls. Guest, a true connoisseur of Marshall amplifiers, specified the JVM410 head as the base model, rattling off technical reasons for his preference.
The physical amps for the movie—constructed in Milton Keynes, England, and shipped to the US for filming—had to be perfect before this special batch could be authorized.
Charity & Availability
True to the spirit of rock, 11 of the 20 limited-edition amps will be sold through Sweetwater’s Gear Exchange, with all profits donated to charities chosen by the members of Spinal Tap. This release not only brings a cinematic joke to life but ensures the legacy continues to give back.
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