Marshall tone on a budget?

B

Billy Gibbons

New member
Looking for a Marshall tone that won't break the bank. Budget is around $1000, but that's flexible.

I've looked at used Marshall DSL, TSL, and JVM heads. Leaning toward the TSL, as I don't like the shared EQ on both channels of the DSL, and the JVM is most likely out of my price range.

It doesn't have to be a Marshall, and I'm also looking at Blackstar, Orange, and possibly Jet City amps as well.

Playing various heavy blues, and rock, up to early heavy metal, such as Sabbath, Priest, early Metallica and AIC. I know it's a lot to ask for from one amp, but I've got a few OD's if needed.

Thanks for the input guys!
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

TSLs are good, go for it man!
Some of the complaints, well many really, of people complaining about 'modern' (early 90s onwards) high gain amps sounding fizzy come from people playing them in guitar stores at volumes that just aren't loud enough for them to sound the best.
Just because they are 'master volume' doesn't mean they don't have to be cranked to sound their best, it just means you don't have to crank up to Marshall Plexi volume of doom levels :laugh2:
When you open them up for live playing/rehearsing, the TSLs are GREAT amps and unlike many high gainers, actually have a fairly good clean channel. You'll be able to comfortably tackle all those styles, and even go more modern if you really wanted too.
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

Best deals I can think of would be for around $300 you can probably find an old school Peavey Butcher or Sovtek Mig60. Both can do decent JCM800 impersonations. I'd rather have either (and do) than a TSL myself.
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

If you want a marshall, get a marshall. You didn't mention what size you like your amp be? if it's just for playing by yourself a combo would be enough. Therefore I'd recommend you to check out the new dsl 40c (yes the 40, I never like 6v6s/el84 in a marshall) it also has the 20 watt option which is pretty neat then go get yourself a good 112 cab with greenback(s) (depending where you set you amp wattage) with the remaining money.

If you want to get stacks save more and get the JVM. I think, they're the creme de la creme
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

Why not a JVM 210 or 205 head? There's some on GC's used website in your price range. For a few bills more, they've some 410's on there as well. I wouldn't discount the the DSL's though. You can do everything you mentioned on them. You've already stated you've got some pedals to go with it. I've got one and w/ a couple dirt pedals, it's a pretty versatile amp. I've noticed the shared EQ only becomes a problem when going from clean to a lot of gain. From crunch breakup to pretty heavy gain, it's not as noticeable. I'll throw an EQ in the loop if I need a radical difference. Go out and try one. All your choices in that price range are pretty solid and hard to go wrong duder. Go play some and see which speaks to you the most.
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

DSL on the crunch channel, boosted with an OD and played really ****ing loud. DSL half stacks go for $800 all day round these parts.
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

Traynor YBA-1
It is essentially a solid-state rectified JTM45 / Plexi
Used can be had for under $600

I have a vintage used one. I had caps replaced, a couple leftover Marshall-branded Tesla EL-34s put in and biased, and it's now the Highway to Marshall for under $600.

New for 2013 there's a 50th Anniversary version with power selection from 2.5 - 40watts, if you want a new amp:
http://traynoramps.com/guitar/50th_anniversary_yba/product/yba-1/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zx96-qxZGo

"Well-known" outlets don't seem to sell Traynor, other than Full Compass right now. But there is a long list of Traynor sellers and distributors. (don't know the 50th Anniv. price yet, so don't know if new is within budget)
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

Erm...what KIND of Marshall tone?


There is a world of difference between a JTM45 a 1987, a 2203 and a DSL for example.

Also are you looking for Marshall like? Or Marshall? An orange or blackstar sounds nothing like a Marshall. Though they are both british toned and sound good in their own right.

I think that new DSL40 combo is the best sounding budget tube amp they have made in 20 years. If you can find an old 1990s JTM series they sound great too, but need some upgrading to make them reliable. They can be had for supacheap second hand.

Modern alternatives, I went HK...its not exactly Marshall but more of a modded plexi meets Hiwatt type of thing. Crunchy and smooth (like the peanut butter) with more clarity.
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

The Yorkville Traynor YCV 50 is a decent EL34 tone, just a little 1x12 combo with 50 watts but it's damn close to Marshall for around $400 for a used one. Canadians build good amps.
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

The new DSL 40c is only around 700 dollars new. That is cheap for today's market, and its a great EL34 based Marshall amp.
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

You could snag a JCM900 SL-X or its predecessor the MkIII for a decent price, definitely under $1K. They sound great! Plenty of Marshall roar!

Cole
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

JeffB said:
Erm...what KIND of Marshall tone?


There is a world of difference between a JTM45 a 1987, a 2203 and a DSL for example.

Also are you looking for Marshall like? Or Marshall? An orange or blackstar sounds nothing like a Marshall. Though they are both british toned and sound good in their own right.

I think that new DSL40 combo is the best sounding budget tube amp they have made in 20 years. If you can find an old 1990s JTM series they sound great too, but need some upgrading to make them reliable. They can be had for supacheap second hand.

Modern alternatives, I went HK...its not exactly Marshall but more of a modded plexi meets Hiwatt type of thing. Crunchy and smooth (like the peanut butter) with more clarity.
Click to expand...

I suppose British sounding would be a better way to describe the sound I'm looking for.

I prefer a head over a combo though. Preferably 50-100w.

What exactly is the difference tonally between a TSL and DSL?
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

Look for somebody selling a Ceriatone "plexi" clone.
Very well made amps.
Should be WELL within your budget.
Where do you live.?
good luck
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

You didn't mention what kind of amp you're currently using. IF you already have a decent amp and like it in a number of respects except for the "missing Marshall tone, buying the right overdrive pedal would be a legit (and budget-friensly) way to go. For example, Fender tube amp guys (like me) love the clean tones of those amps and don't want to give that up by going to some other amp. If that is your situation at all, you should check out pedals like the Hughes & Kettner Tubeman, the MI Audio Crunch Box, some pedals in the Radial Tone Bone series, the Carl Martin Plexitone, or a used Marshall Drive Master if you can find one.
 
Re: Marshall tone on a budget?

Billy Gibbons said:
I suppose British sounding would be a better way to describe the sound I'm looking for.

I prefer a head over a combo though. Preferably 50-100w.

What exactly is the difference tonally between a TSL and DSL?
Click to expand...

Quite simply- DSL sounds good, TSL not so much.

IDK what it is about the TSL, but it sounds more compressed, nasal, weak, and "fake" sounding than a DSL. I am sure some people like them but it is low on my list of Marshalls. It was not terribly popular..far less successful than the DSL was.

A DSL50 would be a good pick if you need a head. As mentioned the Vintage Modern is also agreat choice (my personal fave new design Marshall). Run a pedal as needed.
 
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