Anyone tried gigging the SV20H?

[playas]

For anyone who has played/owned the Marshall 20w plexi, has it held up to rehearsal and gigging volume? Particularly with a 2x12.

I've heard it's loud for bedroom playing but also not loud enough for gigging, so what gives?

Also what speakers did you use with it... greenbacks, the V series that Marshall put in the matching cab?

 

[Ewizard]

As always, it depends. I feel 15 watts of anything is loud enough for a band situation. Where the depends comes in is if you want true cleans, or how loud your band is as a whole. Try and find one in your area to rent or borrow, I think if you already have reservations, it won't suit your fancy.

For example. I have an 18 watt design of my own that is designed for cleans. It stays really clean and loud enough that I don't want to be near it, but it probably won't do true cleans in a band setting. It will do edge of breakup all day though.

 

[jeremy]

a buddy of mine has one and uses it with a marshall 2x12, not sure what speakers, and he gigs it all the time and it sounds fantastic. he plays in a bluesy rock band with a heavy hitting drummer

 

[playas]

a buddy of mine has one and uses it with a marshall 2x12, not sure what speakers, and he gigs it all the time and it sounds fantastic. he plays in a bluesy rock band with a heavy hitting drummer

Sounds interesting.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Those SV's are SUPER loud. Louder than a Tiny Terror for sure. Especially since the last thing you want out of those is like a modern tight but chest-thumping low-end.

Don't expect cleans, though.

 

[playas]

Don't expect cleans, though.

Not even rolling off the volume pot?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Not even rolling off the volume pot?

Certainly not pristine.

 

[playas]

That's fair enough, thanks

 

[GuitarDoc]

I gigged with a 20 watt tube amp (not that model Marshall, though) all the time and never had a problem being loud or clean enough. I also gigged with an Egnater Rebel 30 (30 is not much more than a 20 watter) and barely had the volume knob turned on. I was always being told to "turn down". That amp has exceptional cleans. But Marshall is a different story. Mine is a Vintage Modern 50 watt. I can get cleans from it but it's a bit tricky to do so...it also needed some tube changes. I imagine with the SV20 it would be even harder to find cleans that I would consider "pristine", especially at gigging volumes. But it should be "loud" enough to gig.

 

[Sirion]

Not the SV, but I own an SC20C and has gigged with it. Not a problem at all in my experience.

 

[NegativeEase]

I had BOTH the SV (Plexi) and SC (JCM800) at the same time for A/B tests I had to run both wide open to keep up with drums, bass, and another guitar. so elected not to use it, since running at %100 with no head room wasnt the best for me.

Much to my surprise, I preferred the JCM800 (SC20H) over the SV20H -even when using a OD or distortion pedal. It had a little more Marshallyness to it.

Great amps though -especially for recording.

 

[JMP/HBE]

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I see your 20 watts and raise you 80 more watts >

 

[NegativeEase]

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I see your 20 watts and raise you 80 more watts >

I think Marhsall should make the SV/SC sized head -but a 40 or 50 Watt head. -to me that would be perfect -if'n i aint pulling out the 100 watter.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

2

I gigged with a 20 watt tube amp (not that model Marshall, though) all the time and never had a problem being loud or clean enough. I also gigged with an Egnater Rebel 30 (30 is not much more than a 20 watter) and barely had the volume knob turned on. I was always being told to "turn down". That amp has exceptional cleans. But Marshall is a different story. Mine is a Vintage Modern 50 watt. I can get cleans from it but it's a bit tricky to do so...it also needed some tube changes. I imagine with the SV20 it would be even harder to find cleans that I would consider "pristine", especially at gigging volumes. But it should be "loud" enough to gig.

Yeah, not all 20W amps sound as loud as each other, TBH.

I used to have a 20W Krank Rev Jr. which ran on 6L6's, but wasn't as loud as my 15W EVH 5150III which ran on EL84's. I've read the 15W PRS MT15 is even louder. But TBH, both the Krank and EVH were technically loud enough. But good enough? I don't think so. At full-band volume levels, both sounded mega farty, brittle, and thin. But then if you're getting a Plexi, you're probably not going for a huge, tight, metal low-end, so that's why I thought it'd work. The Krank on the clean channel cranked actually did a pretty decent Plexi impersonation which my bandmates insisted I turned down, LOL.

But I personally feel if someone is trying to get clean headroom out of a 20W Plexi, they're kinda missing the point of the amp, IMO.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I think Marhsall should make the SV/SC sized head -but a 40 or 50 Watt head. -to me that would be perfect -if'n i aint pulling out the 100 watter.

Isn't that basically what the 1987X is?

 

[NegativeEase]

Isn't that basically what the 1987X is?

It is except it's twice the size (also twice the price) -which was my point -I want the SV/SX size but a bit louder

 

[Rex_Rocker]

It is except it's twice the size (also twice the price) -which was my point -I want the SV/SX size but a bit louder

I'm sure someone savy could mod the SV20 to 50W specs, much like people are modding the MT15 to be MT50. I mean, after all, an SV20 circuit is VERY simple.

That would mean new trannies for sure, though. So I'm sure it can get pricy.

 

[NegativeEase]

I'm sure someone savy could mod the SV20 to 50W specs, much like people are modding the MT15 to be MT50. I mean, after all, an SV20 circuit is VERY simple.

That would mean new trannies for sure, though. So I'm sure it can get pricy.

yeah, agreed, Im sure it can be done well -considering I know 10 companies making incredible classic Marshall knock offs in the smaller size and 40 or 50w

 

[Ewizard]

Tell me what your goal is and what circuit you are looking to replicate, and I can build you an amp that SLAYS. It won't be cheaper than buying a Marshall or other available model though, but it will be an amp made to your desire

That being said, there is always the reality check. You can't get a 20-watt amp to stay as clean as a 50-watt would, at the volume a 50-watt will do it. You can get it close, but it won't have the same feel or punch.

I prefer cathode-biased amp feel and response, with no feedback loops, but fixed bias amps with a feedback loop are going to be louder while still being clean, but they do lose that touch and feel in my opinion.

So you are going to be more suited to looking for an amp that has both fixed bias and a feedback loop. The SV20 is cathode-biased, but it does have a feedback loop. So it won't quite have the level that a fixed bias version of it would. The SV20 is pretty much a Marshall 1987 that is cathode biased.

 

[soulforger]

My son has a Studio Vintage and you definitely don't need to worry about volume/power whatsoever with that amp, it's f'n LOUD. Of course he is playing it through an old 4x12 Carvin cab with the Eminence/Carvin "British" 100w speakers but he's always turning down, not up!