Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

B

bjb281

New member
I've been a part of the user group for about 5 months now but haven't posted much. I'm friends with Stratdeluxer97 (John Spina) and I've ordered some pickups from Lewsguitars. I would like to ask a question. Can you recommend an alternative (less expensive) amp brand or type that has that british el34 sound? I'm looking for a combo rather than a head/stack. I would appreciate any advice you could give. TIA, Brian
 
Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

Laney LC15R

15w combo, british made, british sound, cheaper than marshall, very good. in britain marshall are one of the best value for money and cheapest amp companies i know, laney are cheaper and sound very simular. i didnt realise that marshall would be classed as expensive over the sea's. did you know that a Mesa trippe rectifier would cost me £2000 or more, a Marshall Tsl would cost me about £600-£700.
 
Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

Hey Brian, welcome to the forum (well, officially anyhow ;) ). Just out of curiosity, what price range or wattage are you looking for?

I remember Scott was posting about an Ampeg that he said could do Marshall type tones at low volumes and I know Ampeg amps aren't that expensive.
 
Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

BigBazz said:
Laney
Click to expand...
+1 A used PRO TUBE 50 (AOR) can be had for around $300. Use the search
feature of the forum for Laney info. There's a few posts on Laney's floating
around here somewhere. Some amazing sound clips where posted by Kevlar
a month or 2 ago. :)
 
Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

i just played an ampeg v2 that was loaded with el34's and it sounded great. i dont think they came with those tubes but its an easy mod. the one i saw was $350 used and was in good shape
 
Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

I know that paul gilbert uses the Laney GH100. the 50watt version is just as good and even cheaper, laney are a secret in guitar amps that nobody seems to know about. they sound REALLY good and cost a lot less than other top amps.
 
Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

All what have been said before: Laney AOR or GH50L both mean cheaper yet sure EL34 solution. Compared to Marshalls they have a somewhat "narrower" sonic spectrum and slower bite but that kind of mid-range is most definitely there.

edit:

I have found an MP3 here. It is a 50W AOR head through Greenback 4X12":

www.wackor.hu/laney1.mp3
 
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Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

An old Traynor Bassmate combo will get you 20 watt Brit rock tones. The 6V6 is a bit more pure Marshall and the El84 version is a Vox/Marsh hybrid. Still affordable and handwired PTP that are loaded with mustard caps. Among the sturdiest amps ever built. My Bassmate and Bassmaster are among the best sounding amps I have ever played. My Laney Pro Tube on the low gain is very close to my Plexi RI. I don't care for those amps in the hi gain input but dimed in the low gain it is really spectacular provided you can dime em. An attenuator is a must cause it won't breakup w/o being loud. There are combos floating around but you gotta search a harder for them.

Thanks for remembering KMC!! Here is one of the clips of my Laney.

http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamM3U.m3u?ID=2012753&q=Hi
 
Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

Welcome to the Forum.

ALthough many people have a negative view of Crate amps, the new VFX5212 series is great. All tube (EL34's) and they get some great Marshall tone. They go for around $750. Great buy IMO.

Jeff

see Xeromus' response. He's got the Crate link.
 
Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

HI!
I just saw a Lee Jackson Ampeg w/el34's on ebay for 350 bin, i think the action ended with out a bid but it was probably relisted and maybe cheaper now. I believe it is a 2x12 combo amp as well.
DJM
 
Re: Marshall/EL34 -- British Sound

thanks for all the advice. This gives me some great direction to start my search.
 
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