Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

S

Screaming In Digital

New member
mg100hdfxfeature.jpg


I am currently gigging with a metal band and my 25 watt practice amp is going to get the job done. I figure my budget is capped around $600.00. The Marshall MG100HDFX head/cab combo is looking awfully attractive. I just need a good sound and to be heard at practice.

A good buddy of mine had the Combo amp version of this head. I've played it and I like it alot. Love the drive channel and the effects.

Can you guys give me your thoughts on the head? Can you reccomend anything better for the price? I'm planning on hitting up a music shop soon to test the actual thing in person.
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

I dont really like the MG series. It seems to me the only reason they are selling is that have a marshall written on them. If you really need a halfstack crate has one out thats like 500 dollars. I heard people say b52 is decent for the money. But my metal friends like the AVT head. I like my crates cleans for a SS and with a OD pedal out front it would be decent. Metals not really my bag so somebody else will probably chime in saying I am full of ****.
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

The MG series seems pretty darn noisey..... Everyone i ever tried had tons of hiss and hum.....
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

I think with anything Marshall puts out, we're paying for the name :smack: .

I've played an AVT combo and loved it. I was never a big fan on Crate OD. And I'm trying to avoid using distortion pedals.

Thanks for the comments. :6:
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

All I've ever heard out of the MG's IS FEEDBACK- mostly uncontrollable squealing and squawking.
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

IME, MGs sound okay but are built like doo doo.
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

A guy I know has one. He used to play in my band, so I have a good idea of what it sounds like.

For one thing, It would always break down. I remember that he had to take it back to Guitar Center and get a new head becuase the little fan in the back kept braking down.
Another thing. It never had enough cut. This amp could never get through the mix when we played songs. And you can totally forget about leads/solos. I played through it, just for fun, and it had a scooped tone - Such that when playing with a full band it, of course, sounded like very muddy. I also played the head through my cab, because this guy had the matching cab; but it was still the same result.
I am not sure what kind of tone you're looking for, but I would not suggest buying this amp, even when on the smallest of budgets. You can always save and get something better. DSS just bought a Mesa Single channel head for $900; that's only 400 dollars more - and it makes a world of difference in tone.
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

The biggest thing I've noticed about the MG's are that the users tend to go crazy with the onboard effects, making the sound mushy- and compounding the sound of a transistor amp- sounds like a swarm of bees
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

I have never tried the MG series. Nevertheless, I would recommend you to get an AVT50. Don't get attracted by the built-in FX in Marshall amps.
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

I thought that AVT50 was cheaper than a triple XXX combo.

I second that peavey combo! :burnout:
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

Don't count out the tried-and-true cheap Fender tube amp (like a sivlerface Bassman) into whatever speaker cabinet...crank that thing and add an OD and you're more than metal bro.

-X
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

For a gigging amp steer clear, i own the 100watt combo version and in a band mix all you hear from it is hiss, it doesn't cut through at all. I can tell you that it is impossible to coax a really great tone out of this thing AND even if you could you probbaly won't even be heard in the mix, id suggest a lower wattage tube amp. (the XXX taphappy suggests would be high on my list to try out, even more so if i played metal like you)
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

Dude,

the new marshal MG line sucks.

there are so many more amps that sound way better´.

check out the Vox valveatronix, Crate GTX212, Line6
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

I have a non DFX 50watt combo version. It can do passable metal tones ok, but Jimmy is dead on about it not cutting through. In old rehearsals with my old band i would play through a 5150 (niiiice) and my other guitarist played a zoom pedal into the marshall and he couldnt be heard over me.

Go 2nd hand and get yourself a nice tube amp. Thats what i did and i now have my Laney that will stay with me for a long time. The leap in tone quality is huge without much money difference.
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

+1 on mr wolf, for a nice, versatile metal tone that'll sit well in a mix, it's all about tube amps! there is something weird though -

a valve amp is much louder than a solid state amp, watt per watt.

it's pretty noticable as well - i have the 40w DSL combo (tube), and that would always be heard over the mg100 at practice, gigs, anything. you could have someone flaying away with everything on 10 on the MG head, and a hard clean chord from the valve amp will still come through!

trying to play metal for a long time on the MG head will leave your ears ringing for days, as well.. marshalls as a whole these days are quite buzzy and 'jar of bees'-like because of their 'modern' voicing.. they're basically trying to emulate the best metal amps out there - the peavey 5150, a few of the mesa-boogie range, and to some extent the larger laney heads.. it'll sound great in your bedroom, but it wont transfer to the stage too well!

if you try the sound of the MG and like the voicing, i'd say look at the DSL401.. it's still a bit buzzy for me, but it'll sound a lot better!

otherwise, a used peavey XXX combo or half-stack would do you well :)

tom
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

Me and my buddy had some of the 1st combo versions of the mg series. We both had the 25 watt 12'' combo and the only effect it had was reverb. My amp sucked hard. His amp sounded pretty cool. Mine broke in about a year. His is still working 6+ years later and its just now starting to go. Try them before you buy and good luck finding somthing.

Also check out some Randalls if you are wanting to go a SS route.
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

If you're set on getting SS from Marshall, find an old VS100 head. Much better than the MG and AVT series IMHO.
 
Re: Looking for feedback on Marshall MG100HDFX

People always criticise these amps as they compare them to valve amps or high end modelling ones. I think the MG100HDFX puts out a great classic rock sound for a solid state amp, but I'm not that keen on the metal sound (could benefit from more gain maybe?)

If you liked the sound of the combo version, you'd love the sound of it with a 4x12 of G12T-75's, it sounds a LOT better with a decent 4x12 cab.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Butch Snyder
PRS DGT-15 vs Peavey Classic 20 MH Guitar Mini Amp Head
2
Replies
20
Views
284
Ascension
Ascension
S
Crate Stealth GT-50C Combo to head conversion
Replies
2
Views
77
Masta' C
Masta' C
Ascension
Praise for my first gen PRS Archon after blowing a power tube
Replies
5
Views
112
Ascension
Ascension
Sirion
I Now Own All The Amps!
Replies
15
Views
235
PS412
PS412
Ascension
New amp day PRS Sonsera 20 combo
Replies
0
Views
67
Ascension
Ascension
Back
Top