Marshall Launches Jimi Hendrix 60th Anniversary Collection

To commemorate the six-decade milestone of a partnership that defined the sound of rock, Marshall has unveiled a special-edition range of audio hardware. The collection, which pays tribute to the moment Hendrix first plugged into a Marshall amplifier in 1966, was designed to mirror the guitarist’s personal style, incorporating textures and imagery inspired by his legacy.

The Hendrix 60th Anniversary Acton III Speaker

The centerpiece for casual listeners is the Acton III Bluetooth speaker, which has been reimagined with a heavy emphasis on tactile design. The cabinet is wrapped in crushed purple velvet, a material Hendrix was known to favor. The aesthetic is further detailed with silver controls, purple lighting, and an Eye of God symbol stamped into the side panel.

While the exterior is a departure from the standard model, the internal hardware remains consistent. It utilizes a 30W woofer and two 15W tweeters, supported by an updated waveguide designed to widen the sound field. The speaker supports Bluetooth 5.2 and Auracast for multi-speaker streaming, though it lacks built-in Wi-Fi and a microphone. According to the brand’s announcement, the unit is PVC-free and constructed from 70% recycled plastic and vegan materials.

In a unique touch for this edition, powering on the device triggers a rare instrumental version of Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland) from The Jimi Hendrix Experience deluxe box set, replacing the standard power-on chime.

The 1959 JMH Half Stack and Fuzz Face Pedal

For those seeking the professional-grade sound that defined Hendrix’s career, Marshall is offering the 1959 JMH Half Stack. This unit is hand-crafted at the Bletchley Marshall factory in the UK. The stack pairs a 1959 Handwired Head with a 1960 AJMH 4×12 handwired angled cabinet, featuring a distinct black-and-purple cosmic swirl effect on the fret and control panel.

The stack is engineered to deliver what the company describes as tight low-end frequencies, a mid-range punch and stunning highs. Available exclusively alongside this amplifier is a limited-edition Dunlop Fuzz Face distortion pedal, finished in the same oil-on-water design as the speaker and cabinet.

Pricing and Design Philosophy

The design process was led by Emma Rydahl, Marshall Group’s senior industrial designer. Rydahl noted that the team conducted extensive material and pattern exploration to capture the essence of the sixties psychedelic era.

“We started with materials and pattern exploration, looking at different fabrics and running test prints with a psychedelic track in mind. We spent a lot of time adjusting the final design to get it just right across the whole collection.”

Emma Rydahl, senior industrial designer at Marshall Group

Terry Marshall, co-founder of the company, reflected on the historical significance of the collaboration, noting the emotional impact Hendrix had on musicians of that era. When he played, it was an emotional time for everybody because everyone was thinking: ‘If he can do it, I could maybe do it.’ And: ‘He’s using Marshall, therefore we want Marshall,’ he said. The speaker is currently available to order via the official website, while the Half Stack and pedal bundle are scheduled to begin shipping from June 1.