Closest amp brand to Marshall
- Thread starter Wayne27
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
blackstar was founded by a group of ex marshall folks apparently.
blackstar was founded by a group of ex marshall folks apparently.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
Blackstar is the quick and easy answer. You might also want to also look at the Fender Bassbreaker line. It really depends on what model Marshall you are talking about. Marshall was designed by reverse engineering the Fender Bassman. If you were looking for an early 60's Marshall tone a Fender would be the best way to go. What kind of music are you playing what is your end game? When you say Marshall tone are you talking Clapton, Hendrix, Slash, Kerry King?
Blackstar is the quick and easy answer. You might also want to also look at the Fender Bassbreaker line. It really depends on what model Marshall you are talking about. Marshall was designed by reverse engineering the Fender Bassman. If you were looking for an early 60's Marshall tone a Fender would be the best way to go. What kind of music are you playing what is your end game? When you say Marshall tone are you talking Clapton, Hendrix, Slash, Kerry King?
Jacew
New member
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
Blackstars approach is sort of "every mans Marshall" in my opinion. I think they're really aiming at having Marshall tones available in their amps, rather than just going for similar design.
Why are you asking? If you want Marshall tones at affordable price, Blackstar would be great option.
For as close as possible for classic Marshall tones I would make a call for a known builder of Marshall copies. There are at least two very good in Finland, so I guess there's hundreds around the world. They're not complex circuits.
Blackstars approach is sort of "every mans Marshall" in my opinion. I think they're really aiming at having Marshall tones available in their amps, rather than just going for similar design.
Why are you asking? If you want Marshall tones at affordable price, Blackstar would be great option.
For as close as possible for classic Marshall tones I would make a call for a known builder of Marshall copies. There are at least two very good in Finland, so I guess there's hundreds around the world. They're not complex circuits.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
Blackstar is like 90s Marshall. Tighter, higher gain.
Orange is like an improved 70s Marshall. Thicker lows, more gain. Turn the gain and bass down and it's Marshall all day.
The new Marshall Origin amps are awesome, too.
Blackstar is like 90s Marshall. Tighter, higher gain.
Orange is like an improved 70s Marshall. Thicker lows, more gain. Turn the gain and bass down and it's Marshall all day.
The new Marshall Origin amps are awesome, too.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
You can't improve on perfection. You can only modify it to suit your porpoises.
You can't improve on perfection. You can only modify it to suit your porpoises.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
Yeah. And i like to sound good, so Oranges are improved :smokin:
Yeah. And i like to sound good, so Oranges are improved :smokin:
Joey Voltage
New member
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
short answer is none. Long answer is that there are a plethora of companies across the board with marshallesque designs. The closest for the crunchier Marshall designs is probably Laney, the gh series are just 2203/4’s with a switchable stage in front for added gain. Same with the old ampeg VL series if you can find one of those used. I believe peavey’s mace or butcher was another jcm800 2203/4 rip.
There are tons and they are everywhere, but there’s only one Marshall.
That said, Marshall is statistically the most likely brand that is to be heavily modified after market. So there’s that too.
short answer is none. Long answer is that there are a plethora of companies across the board with marshallesque designs. The closest for the crunchier Marshall designs is probably Laney, the gh series are just 2203/4’s with a switchable stage in front for added gain. Same with the old ampeg VL series if you can find one of those used. I believe peavey’s mace or butcher was another jcm800 2203/4 rip.
There are tons and they are everywhere, but there’s only one Marshall.
That said, Marshall is statistically the most likely brand that is to be heavily modified after market. So there’s that too.
Diego
New member
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
Hey EP. Still haven't tried an Origin, no stock in Chile yet that I know of.
From what I've heard it seems more 70s than 90s Marshall, correct? I'd go for a head, 20 or 50 watts I don't know yet.
I'm really interested in one of those on paper, but I'd hate to have to rely on a dirt box to take it over the top, which is why despite not being even close to the same thing, I'm leaning towards the Jet City heads for my next purchase.
Hey EP. Still haven't tried an Origin, no stock in Chile yet that I know of.
From what I've heard it seems more 70s than 90s Marshall, correct? I'd go for a head, 20 or 50 watts I don't know yet.
I'm really interested in one of those on paper, but I'd hate to have to rely on a dirt box to take it over the top, which is why despite not being even close to the same thing, I'm leaning towards the Jet City heads for my next purchase.
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Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
The Peavey Butcher and Windsor are both essentially JCM800 clones. The Mace is an earlier hybrid design with a SS pre and 6L6 power amp. I'm not exactly sure what they sounded like, but the guys in Lynyrd Skynyrd liked them pretty well.
The Peavey Butcher and Windsor are both essentially JCM800 clones. The Mace is an earlier hybrid design with a SS pre and 6L6 power amp. I'm not exactly sure what they sounded like, but the guys in Lynyrd Skynyrd liked them pretty well.
Diego
New member
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
This is a nice bit from an interview with Bill Kelliher from Mastodon, a long time JCM800 lover who's now using Friedmans:
What amps did you start out with?
I started out with Peavey Butcher and the VTM60 from the 80s, amazing amps. It was basically like a JCM800 but way cheaper. I also had a Chandler Tube Driver, the big yellow thing, for just a tiny extra overdrive. The thing is that after 20 years i the business I saw one of these VTMs on craigslist and bought one just out of curiosity to hear how it sounds today as myself and technology has developed. I was surprised that it still sound amazing... It struck me that I´ve had my tone since beginning and still chase for better all the time and I actually returned to the same spot.
This is a nice bit from an interview with Bill Kelliher from Mastodon, a long time JCM800 lover who's now using Friedmans:
What amps did you start out with?
I started out with Peavey Butcher and the VTM60 from the 80s, amazing amps. It was basically like a JCM800 but way cheaper. I also had a Chandler Tube Driver, the big yellow thing, for just a tiny extra overdrive. The thing is that after 20 years i the business I saw one of these VTMs on craigslist and bought one just out of curiosity to hear how it sounds today as myself and technology has developed. I was surprised that it still sound amazing... It struck me that I´ve had my tone since beginning and still chase for better all the time and I actually returned to the same spot.
mechanic1908
New member
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
Morris makes great Marshall clones or even custom mod versions of same.
Expensive but worth it.
Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Tapatalk
Morris makes great Marshall clones or even custom mod versions of same.
Expensive but worth it.
Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Tapatalk
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
The Chandler Tube Driver is amazing. I use one with my JC120 and it sounds like a Marshall when I hit the switch.
The Chandler Tube Driver is amazing. I use one with my JC120 and it sounds like a Marshall when I hit the switch.
GoldenVulture
Braindeadologist
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
I had to mod my new JCA50H pretty heavily to get it into actual Marshall territory, although I probably could have left it with the first gain stage plus power-amp to EL34 screen grid mod for close-enough. I went ahead and modded the rest of the preamp to SLO-100 specs too because, well, SLO-100.
I had to mod my new JCA50H pretty heavily to get it into actual Marshall territory, although I probably could have left it with the first gain stage plus power-amp to EL34 screen grid mod for close-enough. I went ahead and modded the rest of the preamp to SLO-100 specs too because, well, SLO-100.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Closest amp brand to Marshall
Dude, they nail 70s Marshall tone. I had a customer today going back and forth between the 20 and the 50 with a Strat playing Hendrix riffs for like 2 hours today.
They compare about how you'd think they would. The 20 gets a bit crunchier, is more focused on the mids, and doesn't have a ton of lowend. The 50 gives you more headroom, more bass, and brighter highs. Same vibe as going from a 50w to a 100w, yknow?
I'm drowning in amps that do the 70s crunchy rock vibe, but they do it for twice or four times the price. For full retail, these Marshalls compete with the used Orange heads I've been looking at as 'stunt amps.'
That said, my first thought when i pulled them out of their boxes was that they felt a little too light, and they don't look as nice as older Marshalls or even the recent DSLs. I wonder if they'll hold up to the rigors of touring and abuse by the careless, clueless or otherwise rocknroll types that want this sound these days.
As far as how it compares to the Jet City? Jet City is a little more of that tight, smoothe 80s vibe, but i know they're built well and know pro touring musicians who have used theirs for years. I think if you just want an amp that will be a useful tool for the job, the Jet City is a clear winner for even less money, unless you really need the specific 70s look and style that the Marshall gives.
tl;dr? They're exactly what they sound like on paper. Affordable 70s Marshall tone that works for rock and the blues. Would require pedals to go any heavier. You might prefer the sound of other amps but it looks and sounds like a 70s Marshall and its only like $600USD new.
The customer who compared them for hours bought the 20w. A buddy of mine bought the 50w right after that. Certainly cool amps for the money.
Dude, they nail 70s Marshall tone. I had a customer today going back and forth between the 20 and the 50 with a Strat playing Hendrix riffs for like 2 hours today.
They compare about how you'd think they would. The 20 gets a bit crunchier, is more focused on the mids, and doesn't have a ton of lowend. The 50 gives you more headroom, more bass, and brighter highs. Same vibe as going from a 50w to a 100w, yknow?
I'm drowning in amps that do the 70s crunchy rock vibe, but they do it for twice or four times the price. For full retail, these Marshalls compete with the used Orange heads I've been looking at as 'stunt amps.'
That said, my first thought when i pulled them out of their boxes was that they felt a little too light, and they don't look as nice as older Marshalls or even the recent DSLs. I wonder if they'll hold up to the rigors of touring and abuse by the careless, clueless or otherwise rocknroll types that want this sound these days.
As far as how it compares to the Jet City? Jet City is a little more of that tight, smoothe 80s vibe, but i know they're built well and know pro touring musicians who have used theirs for years. I think if you just want an amp that will be a useful tool for the job, the Jet City is a clear winner for even less money, unless you really need the specific 70s look and style that the Marshall gives.
tl;dr? They're exactly what they sound like on paper. Affordable 70s Marshall tone that works for rock and the blues. Would require pedals to go any heavier. You might prefer the sound of other amps but it looks and sounds like a 70s Marshall and its only like $600USD new.
The customer who compared them for hours bought the 20w. A buddy of mine bought the 50w right after that. Certainly cool amps for the money.
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