Northstage 987

The NS‑987 is my take on a definitive British valve amplifier — rooted in early Marshall designs, but with a twist that brings two legendary eras together in a single, cohesive circuit. Built from a deep appreciation of Hendrix-era tones and the evolution of Marshall amplification, this is an amp that moves seamlessly from open, dynamic vintage clarity to classic high-gain aggression without losing its identity.

Concept

The journey started with the JTM45, the circuit that laid the foundation for everything that followed. While studying original schematics and the evolution of early Marshalls, I came across a lesser-known but significant modification from the 1960s: converting the normal channel from a parallel input into an additional gain stage positioned in series after the lead channel. This simple idea — effectively cascading gain stages — was one of the stepping stones toward the higher-gain circuits that Marshall would later formalise in designs like the JCM800. That discovery became the basis of the NS‑987.

Two circuits, one amplifier

At its core, the NS‑987 delivers a pure JTM45 signal path — open, articulate, and responsive. At the flick of a switch, an additional stage is introduced, inspired by the cold-clipping stage of the JCM800, transforming the amp into something far more aggressive and saturated.

Mode 1: Classic JTM45-inspired tones

• Full, clear, and highly dynamic
• Rich harmonic response
• Exceptional touch sensitivity

Mode 2: Classic high-gain British voice

• Tighter low end
• Increased gain and sustain
• Focused, articulate drive character

The transition isn't just about adding gain — it fundamentally shifts the feel and response, giving you two distinct but historically connected voices in one amplifier.

Sound and feel

This is, quite simply, one of the best sounding amplifiers I've built.

In its lower-gain mode, it captures everything that makes early Marshall circuits so special — clarity, punch, and dimensionality. Push it harder, or engage the additional gain stage, and it moves into familiar classic-rock and early high-gain territory, retaining note definition and control.

It's an amplifier that responds to how you play:

• Clean up with your volume control
• Break up naturally under attack
• Sustain smoothly when pushed

Build and construction

Like all Northstage builds, the NS‑987 is entirely designed and built from the ground up.

• Circuit developed through schematic study and practical testing
• Hand-wired with careful attention to layout and lead dress
• Built using a curated selection of high-quality, proven components
• Fully tested stage-by-stage before final setup

This first batch consists of two amplifiers, each built to the same standard.

Cabinet

The NS‑987 is housed in a solid oak head cabinet, giving it a distinctive and premium feel that reflects the quality of the build inside.

A personal favourite

The NS‑987 brings together everything I admire about British valve amplifiers — from the earliest blues-driven tones through to the more aggressive sounds that followed. It's not a clone, and it's not trying to be. It's a considered evolution, built from understanding what made those original designs so good in the first place.