Marshall MG50 is going back!

[Mikelamury]

I just bought a new Marshall MG50 solid state amp because my DSL40 is way too loud to play inside so I am looking for a good but quieter amp for inside practice. The gain on this amp was weak. I think Marshall calls it classic or whatever but the OD1 channel with gain cranked wasn't enough for my medium gain needs. The OD2 with the gain cranked was barely enough for SOME of my playing. I play mostly punk rock and classic rock so I don't need ultra death metal distortion but this amp wasn't cutting it for me. I questioned was this a bad amp from the factory but have found other reviews complaining about the gain. I'm waiting on a return shipping label to send this back to proaudiostar. If anyone else has tried this amp I would like to hear your opinion. I don't have any complaints other than the gain. Like I said it's more if a classic Marshall gain sound than a more aggressive modern one. I've already ordered an Orange crush 35rt for replacement and I hope I don't have to return this one, this will be my first orange amp.

 

[dave74]

I have always considered those to be pedal-platform amps, and fairly good ones for that. What I mean is distortion pedal into clean channel.
Did you try hitting it's gain channel with a boost in front? Might be OK like that.

 

[Demanic]

I have always considered those to be pedal-platform amps, and fairly good ones for that. What I mean is distortion pedal into clean channel.
Did you try hitting it's gain channel with a boost in front? Might be OK like that.

I bet a top boost would work wonders.

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[Mikelamury]

I bet a top boost would work wonders.

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I bet it would but if I'm paying $500 for an amp I want to be able to use the amp gain if needed. I mean my katana at half the price can get mean with just amp gain. I get the sense the MG50 was a platform for effects just not what I was looking for. The cleans sounded good and the tone stack sounded good, my only complaint was the gain(but that's a deal breaker) I'm really hoping this orange amp is more more what I'm looking for ( a decent practice amp that can take pedals or use it's own Gain)

 

[Securb]

KK and Glenn Tipton used these amps in the studio to record many Judas Priest albums. They are great amps.

 

[Mikelamury]

KK and Glenn Tipton used these amps in the studio to record many Judas Priest albums. They are great amps.

Maybe they changed the circuit or maybe I just got ca lemon but I bet they were using distortion pedals in which case that is very believable.

 

[Securb]

Maybe they changed the circuit or maybe I just got ca lemon but I bet they were using distortion pedals in which case that is very believable.

No, they plugged straight into them. There is a thread on here somewhere about JP using the MGs in the studio, and there is a video clip of Glenn in the studio with one using it directly. As far as Marshall changing the circuit that is entirely possible. Supply chains have changed drastically over the past 10 years manufacturers have changed many components and designs based on the availability of components.

 

[dave74]

Priest guys use their emg pickups into the marshall? That alone can make them sound like there is much more gain.

 

[Demanic]

I bet it would but if I'm paying $500 for an amp I want to be able to use the amp gain if needed. I mean my katana at half the price can get mean with just amp gain. I get the sense the MG50 was a platform for effects just not what I was looking for. The cleans sounded good and the tone stack sounded good, my only complaint was the gain(but that's a deal breaker) I'm really hoping this orange amp is more more what I'm looking for ( a decent practice amp that can take pedals or use it's own Gain)

Point taken. I tend to always get gain from pedals so that influences my perspective.

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[80's_Thrash_Metal]

KK and Glenn Tipton used these amps in the studio to record many Judas Priest albums. They are great amps.

I'm sitting here batting my eyes in disbelief. Not that I don't believe you, but the mighty Priest using MG's you say??? Wow... Mind blown.

 

[Securb]

I'm sitting here batting my eyes in disbelief. Not that I don't believe you, but the mighty Priest using MG's you say??? Wow... Mind blown.

Yeah, I read it in an article right after KK left. When I first mentioned it here, it started a "spirited debate" then someone found a video of Glenn being interviewed in the studio, and there was a Marshall MG he was plugged into.

 

[Demanic]

I always keep an eye out for MG's or Valvestates when I go to pawn shops. One of these days I'll find a combo for short money. That will be my gateway to the Marshall sound.

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[80's_Thrash_Metal]

I always keep an eye out for MG's or Valvestates when I go to pawn shops. One of these days I'll find a combo for short money. That will be my gateway to the Marshall sound.

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The avt 150 is no joke, that amp wails for not being all "chock full o tubes."

 

[Demanic]

The avt 150 is no joke, that amp wails for not being all "chock full o tubes."

I really haven't "needed" another anp since you sold me that Randall.
Here it is on top of a 300 watt 2x12 cab. Texas Heat and Swamp Thang.

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[Top-L]

I just bought a new Marshall MG50 solid state amp because my DSL40 is way too loud to play inside so I am looking for a good but quieter amp for inside practice. The gain on this amp was weak. I think Marshall calls it classic or whatever but the OD1 channel with gain cranked wasn't enough for my medium gain needs. The OD2 with the gain cranked was barely enough for SOME of my playing. I play mostly punk rock and classic rock so I don't need ultra death metal distortion but this amp wasn't cutting it for me. I questioned was this a bad amp from the factory but have found other reviews complaining about the gain. I'm waiting on a return shipping label to send this back to proaudiostar. If anyone else has tried this amp I would like to hear your opinion. I don't have any complaints other than the gain. Like I said it's more if a classic Marshall gain sound than a more aggressive modern one. I've already ordered an Orange crush 35rt for replacement and I hope I don't have to return this one, this will be my first orange amp.

All accounts are that the tone is good at lower volume. You could run a patch cable in the loop if the loops has adjustable level, to take some volume out. If the loops doesnt have a level, you can put an EQ pedal in there.

Will make amp much quieter.

Also, it may be some weak preamp tubes. Get a GT ECC83, its a graded high gain preamp tube, and put it in V1. Some amps tube swaps can make appreciable difference in gain level.

I remember recommending this amp. Punk rock doesnt typically require face melting gain, but the DSL is considered a high gainer.

And finally, you will need a basic boost to use with tube amps. Either a tube screamer or Boss SD-1. That will give you another gain stage. Sometimes its better that the amp itself doesnt have the extra gain stage, which means it will get great low and mid gain tones too.

If you return this, once you learn more about gear in another five years (if you are still playing) you will probably re-buy this amp or something similar.

 

[Mikelamury]

All accounts are that the tone is good at lower volume. You could run a patch cable in the loop if the loops has adjustable level, to take some volume out. If the loops doesnt have a level, you can put an EQ pedal in there.

Will make amp much quieter.

Also, it may be some weak preamp tubes. Get a GT ECC83, its a graded high gain preamp tube, and put it in V1. Some amps tube swaps can make appreciable difference in gain level.

I remember recommending this amp. Punk rock doesnt typically require face melting gain, but the DSL is considered a high gainer.

And finally, you will need a basic boost to use with tube amps. Either a tube screamer or Boss SD-1. That will give you another gain stage. Sometimes its better that the amp itself doesnt have the extra gain stage, which means it will get great low and mid gain tones too.

If you return this, once you learn more about gear in another five years (if you are still playing) you will probably re-buy this amp or something similar.

I'm not returning my DSL40 I'm returning this solid state MG50 because the gain was more like an overdrive than distortion. I am going to put an EQ in the effects loop of the DSL40 to bring down the volume. The gain on the DSL is great. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[ErikH]

I had a MG30 for a couple years. Sold it when I was purging a bunch of gear to pay stuff off. It was a cool amp. I got the footswitch that works with it which also has a tuner. Programmed it how I wanted it. The amp had the Carbon Fiber finish. Super light and super loud too. It was used mostly at rehearsals. I might get another one down the line, but probably the 50 for the 12" speaker.

 

[devastone]

I had to use an MG (may have been a valvestate) in a practice room once back in the early 90s, sounds like they have come a long way, that amp was a dog.

Or, maybe more specifically, I did not have an enjoyable experience playing through it.

 

[Top-L]

I'm not returning my DSL40 I'm returning this solid state MG50 because the gain was more like an overdrive than distortion. I am going to put an EQ in the effects loop of the DSL40 to bring down the volume. The gain on the DSL is great. Thanks for the suggestion.

OK, gotcha.

Yeah, just put an EQ in the loop, you won't really need the smaller amp.

 

[Aceman]

Marshall solid states and hybrids get a lot of flack for not being tube amps. But everyone of them I have heard/played I went "Yep - sounds like a Marshall"

I'd like to explore the whole "Paid $500 for an MG50" thing.