Uk Ant
New member
I have been leant a Marshall 100w Vintage Modern from a friend of mine as since they came out I've wanted to hear one as, on paper, it sounds like my ideal amp and possibly the one to get (although the 50w) when I have the money for a new amp.
So how does my trusty old Ashdown Fallen angel stack up against the true british might of Marshall.
Well so far I've not been able to crank the Marshall up so these are initial impressions at domestic levels.
I used the same cab for both heads (not at the same time) just to keep things fair.
First up on a clean setting I have to give it to the Marshall for being that bit warmer without going wooly, but it's by no means as good as the old JMP I cleaned up for a friend a few months back.
Twiddling with the detail and body preamp controls was interesting and is a nice feature for tailoring the sound rather than being stuck with one given sound. The problem for me occurs when you shift the dynamic range from low to high and this may be where I finally learn that the "marshall" sound is just not for me.
It does give you that big old growl you'd expect and as the VM is not designed as a high gain amp I was not surprised that the level of gain available was no where near that of the Ashdown.
But part of me expected it to be a bit smoother when the gain was up and it's just not.
Perhaps it will smooth out more when the power tubes are given more of a working but as it's a 100w that could be a little excessive on the old volume stakes.
I'll drag it's mighty weight along to band tomorrow to see how it fairs when giving some more beans but I suspect that it may well be taken off the desired acquisitions list, not sure what I'd go for instead; although I've been quite impressed with the Engls I've heard.
So how does my trusty old Ashdown Fallen angel stack up against the true british might of Marshall.
Well so far I've not been able to crank the Marshall up so these are initial impressions at domestic levels.
I used the same cab for both heads (not at the same time) just to keep things fair.
First up on a clean setting I have to give it to the Marshall for being that bit warmer without going wooly, but it's by no means as good as the old JMP I cleaned up for a friend a few months back.
Twiddling with the detail and body preamp controls was interesting and is a nice feature for tailoring the sound rather than being stuck with one given sound. The problem for me occurs when you shift the dynamic range from low to high and this may be where I finally learn that the "marshall" sound is just not for me.
It does give you that big old growl you'd expect and as the VM is not designed as a high gain amp I was not surprised that the level of gain available was no where near that of the Ashdown.
But part of me expected it to be a bit smoother when the gain was up and it's just not.
Perhaps it will smooth out more when the power tubes are given more of a working but as it's a 100w that could be a little excessive on the old volume stakes.
I'll drag it's mighty weight along to band tomorrow to see how it fairs when giving some more beans but I suspect that it may well be taken off the desired acquisitions list, not sure what I'd go for instead; although I've been quite impressed with the Engls I've heard.
