is marshall overrated?

[shogunlegend]

i've tried several marshall amps, but can't seem to find a reason to spend a small fortune for one. i think my vox sounds better than any of the marshalls i've tried.

i know marshalls are legendary amps, but i can't seem to get that great tone everyone talks about. how do they do it? are they typically using stomp boxes, preamps, or what? how do they get marshalls to sound so good?

 

[Pierre]

Re: is marshall overrated?

They're very cheap in the UK for one.
The key is to crank them up. Like for most valve amps. It's not rocket science.
You may also not like the sound, simply enough.

 

[krall]

Re: is marshall overrated?

Which models did you try? All models throughout the years sound different..Also depends on what kinda of sound/style you're going for.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: is marshall overrated?

You crank them. That's how they sound that good. You can also run pedals through them to get more gain and that can be "better" too if you like that sort of thing.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: is marshall overrated?

I think Marshalls are great and aren't overated....Been playing through Marshalls for alot of years! You do need the right Marshalls though!

 

[shogunlegend]

Re: is marshall overrated?

honestly, i never "cranked" one before. i just think their distortions are fuzzy and kind of weak. i tried many, but the dsl and jcm models were recommended and i didn't think they were that hot. then again, i never hooked up any effects.

what do people do; do they use them just for the speakers or something?

 

[StratTom]

Re: is marshall overrated?

i've tried several marshall amps, but can't seem to find a reason to spend a small fortune for one. i think my vox sounds better than any of the marshalls i've tried.

i know marshalls are legendary amps, but i can't seem to get that great tone everyone talks about. how do they do it? are they typically using stomp boxes, preamps, or what? how do they get marshalls to sound so good?

It's all about personal preference.

I've only owned one Marshall so far and it was one of those AVT's. I probably would still have it but it started having problems shortly after I got it so I took it back. It wasn't a bad practice amp and I got some tones I liked out of it.

There are people out there that don't like the AVT's. Again, it's all about preference. If the Vox works for you, then that's great. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: is marshall overrated?

It's all about personal preference.

I've only owned one Marshall so far and it was one of those AVT's. I probably would still have it but it started having problems shortly after I got it so I took it back. It wasn't a bad practice amp and I got some tones I liked out of it.

There are people out there that don't like the AVT's. Again, it's all about preference. If the Vox works for you, then that's great. Nothing wrong with that.

"The" Marshall tone though,is a tube Marshall cranked up to 11....You need more output tube gain and not just all low volume preamp gain to get the fat tone.The right cab and the right Marshall are the key though.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: is marshall overrated?

I think Marshalls are great and aren't overated....Been playing through Marshalls for alot of years! You do need the right Marshalls though!

+1

 

[ErikH]

Re: is marshall overrated?

Heck no, they're not overrated. I hear so many people saying they want a Marshall tone but look at other amps for it, not just here but in stores too. There's only one amp that sounds like a Marshall, and that is a Marshall. I don't care how many clones there are. Nothing sounds like a Marshall.

The key is cranking them up. My MkIII sounds great with the MV around 4-5. Granted, that's not cranked, but those power tubes are getting hit pretty good at that point. It even sounds pretty nice with the MV around 3. The sweet spot with a single 4x12 is around 4 on the MV though. It's also a 100 watt model so I can't push it too hard without getting calls from the next zip code.

 

[wixedmords]

Re: is marshall overrated?

You do need the right Marshalls though!

SD97 nailed it. Every Marshall isn't created equal. Even among the same model, there can be good ones, bad ones, and a whole herd in between. They pretty much all give you that Marshall sound, the key is finding that special one.

The key would be that you need to initially like that signature Marshall sound though. If you don't, don't continue trying.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: is marshall overrated?

Heck no, they're not overrated. I hear so many people saying they want a Marshall tone but look at other amps for it, not just here but in stores too. There's only one amp that sounds like a Marshall, and that is a Marshall. I don't care how many clones there are. Nothing sounds like a Marshall.

The key is cranking them up. My MkIII sounds great with the MV around 4-5. Granted, that's not cranked, but those power tubes are getting hit pretty good at that point. It even sounds pretty nice with the MV around 3. The sweet spot with a single 4x12 is around 4 on the MV though. It's also a 100 watt model so I can't push it too hard without getting calls from the next zip code.

Excellent point buddy! Alot of guys want the Marshall tone,but they try to get it with a non-Marshall amp...Might as well have a Marshall if you really want the Marshall tone!

 

[wixedmords]

Re: is marshall overrated?

I gotta agree with Erik and SD97 again here. You see it all the time in forums and at music stores, people ask for amps that are "marshallesque". I usually tell them just get a Marshall, it saves you time in the end, because even though other amps get close, they still aren't exactly the same. I do think some are looking for a cheaper version of a Marshall, and to them I say it would be better to save up for the real thing new or used. If they buy something else, they will always be left wondering.

Now if they are looking for Marshall qualities but delivered a bit differently, then there are quite a few options.

I just think it is sad to hear "I wish my Peavey etc. sounded more like a Marshall". Well it's a Peavey. It should sound like a Peavey. When I want a Peavey I want it to sound like that. Buy the amp you want, not one to sound like something else.

Are we digressing?

 

[ErikH]

Re: is marshall overrated?

Excellent point buddy! Alot of guys want the Marshall tone,but they try to get it with a non-Marshall amp...Might as well have a Marshall if you really want the Marshall tone!

Exactly......unless (see below).

Now if they are looking for Marshall qualities but delivered a bit differently, then there are quite a few options.

Right. There are options that provide the "flavor" you could say. Some with a little more spice than others. For me, this is where the Valvetronix amps come in. I can play at lower volume and still have this big sound with their Marshall models. Sure, they're not *exact* and it's not a Marshall, and I never expected that, but it gets me the best "flavors" of Marshall that I've heard from a modeller for what I want. Surprisingly, or not....lol, I use the UK80's model pretty much exclusively with different gain level settings.

If my MkIII was up and running, I'd probably be using that as well with an A/B switch to go between amps. Then I'd dial the Valvetronix to different patches, say a Vox patch and a Fender patch.

 

[StratTom]

Re: is marshall overrated?

"The" Marshall tone though,is a tube Marshall cranked up to 11....You need more output tube gain and not just all low volume preamp gain to get the fat tone.The right cab and the right Marshall are the key though.

I completely took the question the wrong way. :doh: Sorry SD97.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: is marshall overrated?

honestly, i never "cranked" one before. i just think their distortions are fuzzy and kind of weak. i tried many, but the dsl and jcm models were recommended and i didn't think they were that hot. then again, i never hooked up any effects.

what do people do; do they use them just for the speakers or something?

Marshall's reputation is based on the mid 60's through early 70's plexi and metal faced amps. I have 3 of them and they are killer. The TSL / DSL / 2000 series etc they have today aren't that great on the high gain channels. I would look elsewhere if thats what you want.

 

[34029324079]

Re: is marshall overrated?

you gotta crank the marshall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the JCM800 2203 half stack I had sounded sweet! keep the signal line free of all those pedals and muck y muck!

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: is marshall overrated?

The difference between the right Marshall and the wrong Marshall ofton boil down to the quality of tubes, and the bias. While this is true to some extent with any tube amp, it seems to be crucial with Marshalls. This may be because a lot of the classic Marshall thing, is the interaction of the power tubes, the OPT, and the speakers. The guys that seem to get along with Marshalls the best, and usually have the best sounding Marshalls, are the guys that can handle these type of maintience and fine tuning matters themselves.

 

[lex666]

Re: is marshall overrated?

Marshall's reputation is based on the mid 60's through early 70's plexi and metal faced amps. I have 3 of them and they are killer. The TSL / DSL / 2000 series etc they have today aren't that great on the high gain channels. I would look elsewhere if thats what you want.

I've got a TSL combo and I think it does the Marshall sound just perfectly. Admittedly, you've got to spend some time to dial in the right sound.

...Nothing sounds like a Marshall.
...Nothing sounds like a Mesa.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: is marshall overrated?

So you're not a Marshall type of guy.

I like Carlton, BB King and Scofield and I've never played an ES-335 (original or replica) that sounded right in my hands.

I have no idea how people produce the right tone from some types of high rated gear.

That says nothing about the gear. So enjoy playing a Vox (my favorite amps so far).