Name that is a User
New member
I'v heard different things about Marshalls these days. Looking for a possible amp upgrade.
Are used amps a good option??
Are used amps a good option??
Are Marshall amps still good??
- Thread starter Name that is a User
- Start date
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
Yes, yes, and yes.
But the more important question is why are you looking for a new amp to begin with? What are you hoping to change about the amp you have now? What amp do you have now? What kind of music do you play, and what kind of tones do you like? What kind of guitars do you play? How many channels do you want/need? What other features are you looking for? Do you gig regularly? Do you want a combo or a head? If you want a head, what kind of cab do you have now, with what kind of speakers?
All of these questions need to be answered before anyone here can even begin to help you on your amp search.
Yes, yes, and yes.
But the more important question is why are you looking for a new amp to begin with? What are you hoping to change about the amp you have now? What amp do you have now? What kind of music do you play, and what kind of tones do you like? What kind of guitars do you play? How many channels do you want/need? What other features are you looking for? Do you gig regularly? Do you want a combo or a head? If you want a head, what kind of cab do you have now, with what kind of speakers?
All of these questions need to be answered before anyone here can even begin to help you on your amp search.
stevie_bees
Cat In The Hatministrator
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
I guess it depends what you're after? I sold my TSL 601 as it wasn't working for me and bought a reissue JTM 45 which I love. Depending on your budget, there's a lot of choice out there. One man's crappy tone is another's tonal nirvana!
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I guess it depends what you're after? I sold my TSL 601 as it wasn't working for me and bought a reissue JTM 45 which I love. Depending on your budget, there's a lot of choice out there. One man's crappy tone is another's tonal nirvana!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
The name Marshall means different things to different guitarists. They make so many diverse products.
A friend of mine is the archetypal Les Paul into a Plexi Blues/Rock player. He is considering a Cornell Plexi 45 model. (I do not know how readily available these hand-made amps are in the United States of America.) My friend prefers the idea of a boutique clone over the Milton Keynes re-issue of the same design.
The name Marshall means different things to different guitarists. They make so many diverse products.
A friend of mine is the archetypal Les Paul into a Plexi Blues/Rock player. He is considering a Cornell Plexi 45 model. (I do not know how readily available these hand-made amps are in the United States of America.) My friend prefers the idea of a boutique clone over the Milton Keynes re-issue of the same design.
Name that is a User
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
Right now I have a Vox AC30, honestly, i never use any other channel other than the default clean. I play Mostly Blues Rock, Hard Rock and 80s Metal. I typically use humbuckers but like to switch depending on the genre. I rely on Distortion and overdrive pedals for the metal tones. Im just not sure if the Vox is the best choice in the long run, I want to start/join a band anytime.
Right now I have a Vox AC30, honestly, i never use any other channel other than the default clean. I play Mostly Blues Rock, Hard Rock and 80s Metal. I typically use humbuckers but like to switch depending on the genre. I rely on Distortion and overdrive pedals for the metal tones. Im just not sure if the Vox is the best choice in the long run, I want to start/join a band anytime.
Shooter.556
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
The new DSL 40 is a nice little combo for the money if you are looking at a combo for home.
The new DSL 40 is a nice little combo for the money if you are looking at a combo for home.
Name that is a User
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
How do the marshall combos compare to the Vox combos??????????
How do the marshall combos compare to the Vox combos??????????
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
If getting the tones of those genres is important (particularly the 80s tones), then you'll want to look at a Marshall that most-closely gets those tones where a Marshall was used. Not all did use a Marshall, but I'd say the vast majority of albums from the time used a Marshall of some sort.
Then you get into the nit-picky details about who used a Plexi, who used a JCM, who used this model or that model.
It also depends on how you want to look on stage, if your gear will even be visible. Seeing a Marshall head on a Marshall 4x12 on a stage fits with the imagery that classic 80s Metal fans associate with their youth, but if you're not playing for people who were there back in the day, I'd say the visibility is of no consequence.
I won't say you can't use a TripleRec or Fender RocPro to play Run To The Hills. It won't have that Marshall tone of the original, but you have to decide if that's important to you.
If getting the tones of those genres is important (particularly the 80s tones), then you'll want to look at a Marshall that most-closely gets those tones where a Marshall was used. Not all did use a Marshall, but I'd say the vast majority of albums from the time used a Marshall of some sort.
Then you get into the nit-picky details about who used a Plexi, who used a JCM, who used this model or that model.
It also depends on how you want to look on stage, if your gear will even be visible. Seeing a Marshall head on a Marshall 4x12 on a stage fits with the imagery that classic 80s Metal fans associate with their youth, but if you're not playing for people who were there back in the day, I'd say the visibility is of no consequence.
I won't say you can't use a TripleRec or Fender RocPro to play Run To The Hills. It won't have that Marshall tone of the original, but you have to decide if that's important to you.
Name that is a User
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
I'd say getting the right tone is very important to me, i don't want to start a JP cover band and then sound like Poo.
I saw Judas priest use marshalls in a live performance although i'm not sure which model it was. I' just looking for something that is very versatile, for anything from blues to metal.
I'd say getting the right tone is very important to me, i don't want to start a JP cover band and then sound like Poo.
I saw Judas priest use marshalls in a live performance although i'm not sure which model it was. I' just looking for something that is very versatile, for anything from blues to metal.
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DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
Marshall Bluesbreaker is a popular Blues amp, and Angus Young has used Marshalls for decades. However, when you start talking about "Metal", there's a wide range of tones that people think of, from Sad Wings Of Destiny to Vulgar Display Of Power to the most recent Arch Enemy or Immortal release.
Since you reference 80s Metal and Judas Priest, you're going to want to focus your attention on and around the tone of a JCM800 head and 4x12 with Celestions. While early British Metal like JP and IM used many different Marshall models, as long as you stick with one that aims for "classic Marshall tone", you'll be good. If you want exact as-recorded tones, you're looking at winning the lottery first, as those vintage 60s and 70s Marshalls are now way over-priced. The JCM800 will get you believable JP tones all the way up to Defenders of the Faith, maybe Turbo. At Painkiller, you'll want to look into Mesa or Line6.
It will also do AC/DC quite well IMO.
You're also going to want to get your tonal variety from various pedals rather than the amp itself, so you'll be looking at a BOSS SuperOverDrive, Distortion, and MetalZone at least. Then of course there's the MXR Distortion+, a compressor, and an EQ pedal.
Marshall Bluesbreaker is a popular Blues amp, and Angus Young has used Marshalls for decades. However, when you start talking about "Metal", there's a wide range of tones that people think of, from Sad Wings Of Destiny to Vulgar Display Of Power to the most recent Arch Enemy or Immortal release.
Since you reference 80s Metal and Judas Priest, you're going to want to focus your attention on and around the tone of a JCM800 head and 4x12 with Celestions. While early British Metal like JP and IM used many different Marshall models, as long as you stick with one that aims for "classic Marshall tone", you'll be good. If you want exact as-recorded tones, you're looking at winning the lottery first, as those vintage 60s and 70s Marshalls are now way over-priced. The JCM800 will get you believable JP tones all the way up to Defenders of the Faith, maybe Turbo. At Painkiller, you'll want to look into Mesa or Line6.
It will also do AC/DC quite well IMO.
You're also going to want to get your tonal variety from various pedals rather than the amp itself, so you'll be looking at a BOSS SuperOverDrive, Distortion, and MetalZone at least. Then of course there's the MXR Distortion+, a compressor, and an EQ pedal.
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
Marshall's are still great, overpriced on alot of the re-issues though. If you decide to go the 800 route go used, no question. half the price easy.
Marshall's are still great, overpriced on alot of the re-issues though. If you decide to go the 800 route go used, no question. half the price easy.
Brandenburg
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
80's metal.. 80's RANDALL RG 100es
quite a few bands used this amp in the 80's besides the already mentioned marshalls..
80's metal.. 80's RANDALL RG 100es
quite a few bands used this amp in the 80's besides the already mentioned marshalls..
Shooter.556
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
I just bought an EVH 5150ii 1x12 combo and it's fanflippintastic!
It is tone for days! You want a good tone that amp is versatile with its power scaling.
I am gassing for a Boogie MarkIV combo now.. I love that amp too. I just play at home so a stack is useless to me.
I just bought an EVH 5150ii 1x12 combo and it's fanflippintastic!
It is tone for days! You want a good tone that amp is versatile with its power scaling.
I am gassing for a Boogie MarkIV combo now.. I love that amp too. I just play at home so a stack is useless to me.
Brandenburg
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
really.. i hear that alot around here.. i play through a halfstack in my bedroom and nothing else really comes close.. nothing in the world sounds like a 412 and you dont have to play it cranked to get that feeling..depending on the amp as some dont work well at lower volume with out help from a pedal
been thinking of getting a small combo though but thats just to play outside/livingroom.. 412 is set up in such away, it can easily be moved from its present spot.. I honestly cant even imagine NOT having a 412 .. lol
really.. i hear that alot around here.. i play through a halfstack in my bedroom and nothing else really comes close.. nothing in the world sounds like a 412 and you dont have to play it cranked to get that feeling..depending on the amp as some dont work well at lower volume with out help from a pedal
been thinking of getting a small combo though but thats just to play outside/livingroom.. 412 is set up in such away, it can easily be moved from its present spot.. I honestly cant even imagine NOT having a 412 .. lol
Name that is a User
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
What the Difference between a Plexi and a JCM model. I'm sure both are great choices but is there a significant tonal difference?
What the Difference between a Plexi and a JCM model. I'm sure both are great choices but is there a significant tonal difference?
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
The biggest difference is that a JCM800 (and later) will have a master volume control, so it'll be loud but possibly not insanely so. For the styles that you want to play any non-master Marshall (JTM/Plexi/JMP/etc) will probably be too loud as you've found out if you've ever really cranked your AC30. Other than that the character of the distortion is a bit different; the JCM will have a tighter feel and may be a bit brighter and more aggressive. It also depends on which version of non-master you're comparing to as a '73 metal panel is A LOT brighter (probably louder) and more aggressive than a '67 plexi.
The biggest difference is that a JCM800 (and later) will have a master volume control, so it'll be loud but possibly not insanely so. For the styles that you want to play any non-master Marshall (JTM/Plexi/JMP/etc) will probably be too loud as you've found out if you've ever really cranked your AC30. Other than that the character of the distortion is a bit different; the JCM will have a tighter feel and may be a bit brighter and more aggressive. It also depends on which version of non-master you're comparing to as a '73 metal panel is A LOT brighter (probably louder) and more aggressive than a '67 plexi.
Name that is a User
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
So a Plexi is full on volume all the time?? I'm still a noob in the world of amps, trying to learn as much as possible before the next purchase.
So a Plexi is full on volume all the time?? I'm still a noob in the world of amps, trying to learn as much as possible before the next purchase.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
A JMP is a good affordable compromise amp to cover all those areas, and they are a much better investment than a newer one. Not only are they better made, but they won't lose a cubic butt-ton of value almost immediately, like a new one will; in fact, they will gain value. The trick is finding one that hasn't been ****ed with. Most have been modded, had parts replaced, been tinkered with, etc. I hate that **** – having to dealing with other peoples' bad versions of mods that I don't want anyhow.
A JMP is a good affordable compromise amp to cover all those areas, and they are a much better investment than a newer one. Not only are they better made, but they won't lose a cubic butt-ton of value almost immediately, like a new one will; in fact, they will gain value. The trick is finding one that hasn't been ****ed with. Most have been modded, had parts replaced, been tinkered with, etc. I hate that **** – having to dealing with other peoples' bad versions of mods that I don't want anyhow.
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Name that is a User
New member
Re: Are Marshall amps still good??
Alright, Thanks.
Alright, Thanks.
