Sequoia China to acquire Marshall Group
- Thread starter Securb
- Start date
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
My thought is what can this new owner do with the brand that Marshall hasn't already done or tried?
Solid state - done
Digital preamps - done
Stompboxes - done
Lifestyle brand - done
Consumer electronics - done
Maybe they could add Gene Simmons to the BOD, and we would eventually get a Marshall coffin. Outside of that, I do not see much more they could do differently. The traditional Marshall is not going away, that is the bread and butter they bought the brand for.
Solid state - done
Digital preamps - done
Stompboxes - done
Lifestyle brand - done
Consumer electronics - done
Maybe they could add Gene Simmons to the BOD, and we would eventually get a Marshall coffin. Outside of that, I do not see much more they could do differently. The traditional Marshall is not going away, that is the bread and butter they bought the brand for.
Well, I think they'd have to fight their way back into the current market. Fender and Gibson does that, and it works well for them. Young players still want Fenders and Gibsons. But I've never heard a younger player say they wish they had a Marshall. I am sure they exist, but there are a lot more modern options out there.
xxxplorer
New member
Most young players don't even want a real amp. They play Quad Cortex or Lap Tops. There are some young guys that may grow up listening to their dad's music and like old stuff... but they won't keep the market alive. The older people with money that want the nostalgic stuff... we have Friedman now lol.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Just a little over a year ago they were sold to some Swedes
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I don't think it would be such a bad idea for them to do something like the Fender ToneMaster with a bunch of "official" Marshall models.
Something higher end than the entry level Codes they have.
Something higher end than the entry level Codes they have.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
They could update the MG line. USB. More effects, direct out, iOS & Android interface.....blah, blah, blah...
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Honestly, I don't think adding more features to the MG line would be the way to go, IMO.
If anything, they could use better cabinetry and/or speakers in the combos to GREATLY improve the sound of those. I've heard an MG100 head sound more than decent when run into a cab that's not undersized, made of compressed sawdust, and loaded with speakers powered by magnets that could be appropriately sized to power a guitar pickup rather than a speaker.
But then that would raise the price of the amps.
I think the downfall of the budget Marshall stuff is that: cheap speakers and cabinetry. The MX cabs aren't all that cheap, honestly. For the same amount of money, it's not so hard to find cabs from other companies made of plywood and loaded with better speakers. I hope they realize that under the new ownership.
Or even a bunch of small amp-in-a-box pedals to go right into your computer. But yeah, something like a Dirty Shirley sounds better than any Marshall I've ever tried. And many new players' exposure to Marshall sounds are from a modeler that has dozens. I haven't played all of the Marshall models in my Fractal in real life, but it doesn't matter to me. So the company itself has an uphill battle.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Yeah, you're right, that's the thing. I think a lot of today's players' experience with Marshall comes from using their models on their Axe FX/Quad Cortex/Helix/whatever.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
My " sawdust " MX 2x12 is the best-sounding cab I own, and I have a ton of cabs made of everything from birch to pine. High-end stereo speakers have been using engineered wood for years. Modern studio monitors are now made with plastic or engineered wood. The reason less expensive cabs sounded bad in the past was cheaper design and construction, not the materials. Most important in a cab is a rigid baffle that keeps the speaker from rattling the entire cab. If that is accomplished you are getting the true sound of the speaker. I do agree the lower-end Marshalls would benefit from a speaker upgrade.
80's_Thrash_Metal
Slightly_Glazed_Believer
Aw man.... You hurt my little feelings twice.
The mode 4 is an amazing amp. The only hate on it was because it tended to be finicky with speaker loads and blow up on occasion. And lots of old folks didn't like the numetal marketing of it .. It's kind of misunderstood by the masses and adored by those who know. Mine slays!
I've never really heard anyone hate on the JVM.... It's the best amp Marshall ever made. (Fact, not opinion ha ha ha)
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I know! That's what I meant to say. The Mode Four wasn't bad. I had one too. It was just not a traditional Marshall.... and to be honest, it was kind of expensive new for not being all-tube, but that's a whole other can of worms. I think those two factors influenced people and made it flop.
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to talk down on your cab. Maybe they sound good. But it is built and comes with materials and speakers that are less expensive than what most "higher-end" cabs are made out of. Wether they make it work or not and sound good is up to whoever buys it. But new, those MX's pricings are not far off from an EVH 2x12 which is made out of more expensive materials and comes with more expensive speakers. I'm not going to open the debate on wether MDF is better or not. If you like your cab, I'm not going to tell you you're wrong. But if you go up in price just within the Marshall realm, they don't make the more expensive 1936 out of MDF. So that speaks as to which material Marshall themselves consider "better".
Again, I apologize if I was condescending/sarcastic on my last post, but my point is, OK, maybe they do sound good. But I think they make them and then price in such a way that makes them not be all that competitive if you're buying one new.
I have a 1960A that sounds great mic'd up... but man, if you look inside, it's such an eyesore from how it's put together.
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Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Not condescending in any way, it is all good. This is a forum and a forum is about dialog. We are all going to have different opinions. I think Marshall and others use other materials due to tradition more than functionality. The marketing tells guitar players baltic birch demands a higher price because it is a better material. High-end woods are fantastic for guitar tops and furniture. Something that is covered in tolex in my opinion it just doesn't matter.