Marshall has unveiled its first artist signature amplifier in more than a decade, partnering with Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong to create the 1959BJA Artist Signature.
Inspired by the guitarist’s Dookie-era sound, the new handwired valve head blends one of rock’s most recognisable guitar tones with the British amplifier maker’s classic 1959HW platform.
The amplifier first caught the attention of fans during Green Day’s performance at the 2026 Super Bowl, where Armstrong appeared on stage with a striking baby-blue Marshall head that immediately fuelled speculation.
That mystery has now been resolved with the official launch of the 1959BJA, the company’s first artist signature amplifier since 2012.
Developed in close collaboration with the Green Day star, the 1959BJA builds on Marshall’s handwired 1959HW Plexi design but introduces a bespoke ‘Dookie Mod’. Inspired by the sound created with producer Rob Cavallo during the recording of Green Day’s breakthrough album Dookie, the revised circuit delivers increased gain, tighter low frequencies and a thicker, more saturated overdrive while retaining the dynamics that made the original amplifier a rock classic.
Built by hand in the UK, the 1959BJA delivers 100 watts of power…
Instantly recognisable Green Day sound
Finished in baby blue, the amplifier pays tribute to Armstrong’s first guitar, known simply as Blue. Brass and silver control panels, bespoke branding and the guitarist’s signature on both the front and rear complete the distinctive appearance.
Marshall has opted to release the amplifier as a head only, allowing musicians to pair it with the speaker cabinet of their choice.
Billie Joe Armstrong has enjoyed a long association with Marshall, most recently promoting the brand’s Monitor III ANC headphones. The 1959BJA represents the next stage in that relationship, bringing his signature sound into Marshall’s official product line.
“Billie Joe’s guitar sound is instantly recognisable,” said Steph Carter, Culture Marketing Director at Marshall. “From the moment you hear those opening chords on Dookie, you know exactly who it is. Working with Billie to create an amp that captures that punch, aggression and clarity was an incredible project for our team.”
Armstrong added: “I’m so overjoyed to have my own signature Marshall amp. These amps have been a part of my musical life, from my heroes down to little old me. Turn it the f**k up!!”
Built by hand in the UK, the 1959BJA delivers 100 watts of power through three ECC83 pre-amplifier valves and four EL34 output valves. A straightforward control layout comprises Presence, three-band equalisation, Master Volume and Gain, while two high and low sensitivity inputs cater for different playing styles.
Twin speaker outputs feature selectable 16, 8 and 4-ohm impedance, making the amplifier compatible with a wide variety of cabinets.
Measuring 741mm wide and weighing just over 20kg, the head retains the proportions of Marshall’s classic full-size valve amplifiers while incorporating the custom voicing developed specifically for Armstrong’s stage and studio sound.
The Marshall 1959BJA Billie Joe Armstrong Artist Signature amplifier will be available from July 21, priced at £3,099.99 (€3,699 / $3,999.99).
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Marshall has unveiled its first artist signature amplifier in more than a decade, partnering with Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong to create the 1959BJA Artist Signature.
Inspired by the guitarist’s Dookie-era sound, the new handwired valve head blends one of rock’s most recognisable guitar tones with the British amplifier maker’s classic 1959HW platform.
The amplifier first caught the attention of fans during Green Day’s performance at the 2026 Super Bowl, where Armstrong appeared on stage with a striking baby-blue Marshall head that immediately fuelled speculation.
That mystery has now been resolved with the official launch of the 1959BJA, the company’s first artist signature amplifier since 2012.
Developed in close collaboration with the Green Day star, the 1959BJA builds on Marshall’s handwired 1959HW Plexi design but introduces a bespoke ‘Dookie Mod’. Inspired by the sound created with producer Rob Cavallo during the recording of Green Day’s breakthrough album Dookie, the revised circuit delivers increased gain, tighter low frequencies and a thicker, more saturated overdrive while retaining the dynamics that made the original amplifier a rock classic.
Instantly recognisable Green Day sound
Finished in baby blue, the amplifier pays tribute to Armstrong’s first guitar, known simply as Blue. Brass and silver control panels, bespoke branding and the guitarist’s signature on both the front and rear complete the distinctive appearance.
Marshall has opted to release the amplifier as a head only, allowing musicians to pair it with the speaker cabinet of their choice.
Billie Joe Armstrong has enjoyed a long association with Marshall, most recently promoting the brand’s Monitor III ANC headphones. The 1959BJA represents the next stage in that relationship, bringing his signature sound into Marshall’s official product line.
“Billie Joe’s guitar sound is instantly recognisable,” said Steph Carter, Culture Marketing Director at Marshall. “From the moment you hear those opening chords on Dookie, you know exactly who it is. Working with Billie to create an amp that captures that punch, aggression and clarity was an incredible project for our team.”
Armstrong added: “I’m so overjoyed to have my own signature Marshall amp. These amps have been a part of my musical life, from my heroes down to little old me. Turn it the f**k up!!”
Built by hand in the UK, the 1959BJA delivers 100 watts of power through three ECC83 pre-amplifier valves and four EL34 output valves. A straightforward control layout comprises Presence, three-band equalisation, Master Volume and Gain, while two high and low sensitivity inputs cater for different playing styles.
Twin speaker outputs feature selectable 16, 8 and 4-ohm impedance, making the amplifier compatible with a wide variety of cabinets.
Measuring 741mm wide and weighing just over 20kg, the head retains the proportions of Marshall’s classic full-size valve amplifiers while incorporating the custom voicing developed specifically for Armstrong’s stage and studio sound.
The Marshall 1959BJA Billie Joe Armstrong Artist Signature amplifier will be available from July 21, priced at £3,099.99 (€3,699 / $3,999.99).
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