Good cleans from Marshall

[loudriver23]

Since my thoughts of converting left me thinking about selling the Mark IV and getting something I'll fall in love with.
Problem is, just what could that be..
I mean, I need a nice clean tone, but I also need some good crunch. Not metal, or Nu-metal levels of gain, but more, of a Janes Addiction level at the most, PJ Harvey, Pink Floyd, Boston, that level of gain would be just fine. I have no problem getting my gain from pedals if indeed it can get me to where I need to go.

I know this is strange to admit, but I've never played through a Marshall, or Marshall type of amp, or a Vox for that matter.
Can a Marshall amp produce nice shimmering, warm clean tones, or just gainey tones. Maybe i'm mistaken but when I think of Marshall I think Distortion, when I think clean I think Fender.

So, I guess I'm asking, should I even bother with trying to play a Marshall, or will I just be dissapointed with the cleans?
Thankx

 

[brit84]

Re: Good cleans from Marshall

some can sound good, you just have to tweak it. Some marshalls dont have a nice sparkling tone but others have sounded pretty good to me.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Good cleans from Marshall

It depends on the type of "clean" you're after. The DSL/TSL Marshalls have a nice "proper" clean channel, but the drive isn't to everybody's taste. Personally, I'm finding that I prefer to get my cleans from backing off the guitars volume. The best compromise of Fender cleans/Marshall crunch is probably found in something like a Rivera.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Good cleans from Marshall

Yes, some models have a very nice clean sound. No, none of them sound exactly like a Fender. However, since Marshall's are so readily available, there are many guys who can do mods on them, especially the two channel models. They can tweak, add, subtract some components and values and get some damn close to Fender cleans. This will give you great cleans and Marshall crunch.

Something else to look at is the Mesa Stilleto Ace. Phenonomal clean channel, very Marshall drive channel with even more gain on tap to get you wherever you need to go. It is nothing like Mesa makes in any other line. 50 watts, 2 channels and a boost, with tone shift toggles on each channel....amazing amp for $1500.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: Good cleans from Marshall

I actually like the cleans of Vox amps more then I like the cleans of Fenders. They are warmer...
I don't remmember the last time I plugged into a Marshall type tube amp and tried to play it clean. :6:

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Good cleans from Marshall

+1

marshall users tend to set everything on 11.

dont we? lol.

No but seriously...i have an AVT and an MG.
Maybe not the most expensive marshalls...but their clean channels are pretty good.

what may help, if you get an amp with a great crunch sound but a bad clean sound, get a treble booster and use it with the clean channel.