Marshall has pulled the wraps off its first artist signature amplifier in 14 years, teaming up with Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong for the new 1959BJA – a 100-watt Plexi-inspired head that recreates the tones behind Dookie while paying tribute to Armstrong’s legendary “Blue” Stratocaster.
The 1959BJA is based on the modified Marshall Super Lead that Armstrong used during the recording of Green Day’s breakthrough album Dookie. The original amplifier, nicknamed “Pete,” belonged to producer Rob Cavallo and featured the now-famous Bob Bradshaw “Dookie Mod,” which added extra gain while preserving the unmistakable bite and dynamics of a classic Plexi.
Armstrong was so impressed by the amp’s sound that it became a permanent fixture in his touring rig. A second version – dubbed “Meat” – was later built with even greater headroom, cementing the modified Plexi as the defining voice of Green Day’s explosive punk-rock guitar tone.
Classic Plexi DNA, Modern Refinements
Handcrafted in the UK, the 1959BJA retains the core architecture of Marshall’s legendary 1959 platform. It delivers 100 watts of all-valve power courtesy of three ECC83 preamp tubes and four EL34 power tubes, offering the massive volume and dynamic response expected from a traditional Super Lead.
Unlike a vintage Plexi, however, the signature model incorporates the cascaded gain stages of the Bradshaw modification. The original four-input layout has been streamlined into two inputs, while the addition of a Master Volume makes the amp far more manageable than its vintage counterpart without sacrificing the aggressive saturation.,
Control comes via dedicated Gain, Master, Presence, Bass, Middle, and Treble knobs.
Visually, the 1959BJA sports a Baby Blue finish inspired by Armstrong’s beloved “Blue” Stratocaster. Promotional images also show a matching speaker cabinet, though Marshall has currently announced only the amplifier head.
Availability and Pricing
The Marshall 1959BJA will be available beginning July 21, 2026. Marshall has announced an MSRP of $3,999.99.
