Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

[Young Angus]

My friend is going into an Iron Maiden tribute band and the only amp he has is a Roland Cube 30. He needs an amp for gigging.

Now naturally being the valve head that I am when I hear the word "gig" I straight away think "valves"...but he is on a pretty cheap budget and while he might be able to snag something like a JCM800 or 900 rig cheap enough, I just thought that for even less money he would be able to pick up a Marshall AVT halfstack. Now I usually think these things are garbage, but I remember seeing a band gig with a couple of them once and to be quite honest for the small venues they were playing it sounded okay.

So what do you think about that idea?

 

[SeraphimTN]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

Ditch it and go for something like a Peavey VTM. There are many many better amps for even cheaper.

 

[Young Angus]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

Well what about a Peavey Classic 50 head and box...one of the heads has come up for sale pretty cheap...?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

Pick a Vox Modeller, and Mic it if need be. The 800 model will do ANY classic Maiden tone. I know cos I've psent most of the past year chasing those tones and with the right guitar and a DiMarzio SuperD in the bridge (CRITICAL CRITCAL CRITICAL) the 800 model on the Vox you will find any classic Maiden tones up to and including Live After Death. Dave and Adrian used 1987s from with Celestion 75s and EV speakers. The Vox 800 model is based on a 2203 and 75w celestions and its as close as you'll get barring the real thing (i.e. an expensive tube amp whether vintage marshall or boutique)

That said, with the right speakers (i.e. not the AVT cabs) the AVTs are not bad amps at all.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

Well what about a Peavey Classic 50 head and box...

they sound nothing like a Marshall....

 

[Young Angus]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

Not trying to emulate a tone here, just looking for a decent high gain saturated tone that would be passable for maiden tone...the other guitarist uses a XXX which sounds great!

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

If he's on a budget, I'd be inclined to recommend a good modeling amp as well. There will be plenty of models that will help him get the tones he's after..and more.

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

I'd stay as far away from the AVT series as possible. I've never been able to make one of those things sound good.

 

[taphappy]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

Really good for the money IMO. Theyre kinda buzzy amps which is their main down fall.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

Not trying to emulate a tone here, just looking for a decent high gain saturated tone that would be passable for maiden tone...the other guitarist uses a XXX which sounds great!

VOX 50w AD50VT. Sells for $380 here in the states. Has 4 higher gain models (800, TSL, Recto, Soldano) to play with. Closed back cab, variable wattage, decent array of effects.

Plenty o clips at my soundclick page of the 15W

www.soundclick.com/litrtrdnck

The AVT will do what he needs though too..again with a better cab..or rather, better speakers. I heard a guy one time at a local shop playing one, and I thought it was a 2205/2210 or possibly a 900. Went over and it was an AVT50 head running through a 900 series cab w/ 75w celstions. Sounded really good. Better preamp tubes will tighten/fatten them up further.

The PV classic is really not high gain...its more like a hot rod Vox with the treble nearly off. Lead voicing is kinda dark, and very smooth...

 

[Mephis]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

If it was me I'd just get an RG80 halfstack...

Avoid peavey classic for high gain, as others have said. They work good for medium gain and cleans, that's about it.

 

[Stratovarious]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

If it was me I'd just get an RG80 halfstack...

yeah they RG80's sound and LOOK awesome (I love the look of those heads!)

But George himself said that he chose his marshalls over it because it lacked the dynamics of the tubes , ive played through one though...kicked ANUS!


may I suggest

http://www.ceriatone.com

just need a few od pedals or somethin

 

[ErikH]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

VOX 50w AD50VT. Sells for $380 here in the states. Has 4 higher gain models (800, TSL, Recto, Soldano) to play with. Closed back cab, variable wattage, decent array of effects.

Plenty o clips at my soundclick page of the 15W

www.soundclick.com/litrtrdnck

The AVT will do what he needs though too..again with a better cab..or rather, better speakers. I heard a guy one time at a local shop playing one, and I thought it was a 2205/2210 or possibly a 900. Went over and it was an AVT50 head running through a 900 series cab w/ 75w celstions. Sounded really good. Better preamp tubes will tighten/fatten them up further.

The PV classic is really not high gain...its more like a hot rod Vox with the treble nearly off. Lead voicing is kinda dark, and very smooth...

Absolutely 100% agreement. Of course I would be, I own an AD50VT. No problem getting Maiden tones out of it, and tons of others for whatever else I want/need. And it's LOUD to boot. With the wattage selector up full, I have to put the Master Volume at 2 or I'm drowning others out.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

For the same a mount of money as one of those avt half stack, i would spend my hard earned money on a Peavey ValveKing unstead !!!

IMHO, even the 1x12 ValveKing sounds better and more versatile than the AVT !

My 2 cents

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

they sound nothing like a Marshall....

Just add a Marshall stomp-box . . . or two !


Gibbo LP -->BB2 -->Guv'nor -->Peavey Classic 50 / ...or ValveKing :smokin:

 

[Young Angus]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

Surely a Valveking would be much more than an AVT!??!

There really aren't many of the Vox modellers around here in Australia, none second hand at least. The AVT is looking kind of good at the moment though, just for a quick cheap fix anyway...and maybe with a cheap 900 75watt celestion cab.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

Surely a Valveking would be much more than an AVT!??!

There really aren't many of the Vox modellers around here in Australia, none second hand at least. The AVT is looking kind of good at the moment though, just for a quick cheap fix anyway...and maybe with a cheap 900 75watt celestion cab.

Ermm, nope !

Just look at this !
All prices from your local, friendly MF !


Marshall ATV Half Stack = $1 130.00

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-AVT150HX-Half-Stack?sku=482639

Even just the head is $700.00 - Eeeeek !

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-AVT150HX-150W-Amp-Head?sku=482630



. . . and . . .


Peavey ValveKing

VK Head = $530.00

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-ValveKing-100-Head?sku=481170



1x12 Combo = $430.00

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-ValveKing-112-Combo-Amp?sku=481442

2x12 Combo = $620.00

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-ValveKing-212-Combo-Amp?sku=481443


The ValveKings are wayyyy cheaper !

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

i see some of those AVT half stacks selling for cheap.... even worse is the MG half stack the local shop is selling for $600 for the head and 4x12... My biggest complaint with the new Marshall and Fender SS type cheaper stuff is the extra noise they have.... the AVT as well.... they just seem extremely noisey to me... so much HUM and stuff i could imagine how they sound mic'd in a bar.... HMMMMMMM!!!!!

 

[MVI]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

AVT's suck really, really badly. I had one for about twenty seconds before taking it back. Damn did it suck. I went out and spent more than I should have on a really sweet 4X12 to make myself feel better. Damn did that thing suck. Marshall should be ashamed of that thing.

Buy a used Marshall 1960 or similar DECENT one for $500 to $600. I see them all the time on Craigslist. Hold out for a bit, and look around. They're out there. Don't buy on eBay, cuz you'll get killed in shipping charges.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: Are Marshall AVT Halfstacks really that bad?

i played with the AVT 1/2 stack about 3 months ago.. very very difficult to sound nice. the cleans are terrible, gain is just ok. i would personally say dont bother with it.

i'd stick with JeffB's and ErikH's recommendation of the Vox AD50