The BEST MARSHALL SOUND EVER

[OlinMusic]

Just did the Wet/Dry mix for the first time.

Marshall Plexi + Variac + Hot Plate + (or -) OCD line out to TC Electronic G Major into Power amp (of my other amps FX return)

I tried BOTH running the Marshall into a cab AND the Wet Mix from the Power amp and JUST running the POWER AMP alone and using the

Tone, Harmonics, Bloom, Woody, Huge, Ballsy tone

This and the Bogner Ectasy Classic (Plexi mode and High Gain) are so far the grandest tones I have ever heard.

The "bloom" is the best part - notes just sort of morph in a very organic fashion after being struck.

ANYONE WANNA RECOMMEND A GOOD POWER AMP? HMMMMM? REASONABLY PRICED OF COURSE

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: The BEST MARSHALL SOUND EVER

bump

so now one has a comment on this or suggestions on a power amp? puh-leez

 

[ErikH]

Re: The BEST MARSHALL SOUND EVER

Marshall Dual Monoblock, 50/50 or 100/100. Unless you plan on playing in huge arenas or stadiums anytime soon, the 50/50 is the better choice, plus it has less tubes (4 EL34's instead of 8).

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: The BEST MARSHALL SOUND EVER

This is one of those cases where having a 1-12 combo amp w/FX loop, like your old Rivera, would come in handy. Any more than a halfstack and 1 combo amp at most gigs is just too much to haul.

Or, how about the Marshall and Framus on a stereo 4-12, with the Framus wet and the Marshall dry?

Or, a cheap solution would be a used Crate Powerblock.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: The BEST MARSHALL SOUND EVER

the only thing is do you think a solid state like a Rocktron or Crown, Crate, QSC etc will get the tone?

I have a powerblock for backups. I ran the Marshall thru my Shiva FX loop actually.

Then with tube power amps I dunno - Marshall / Mesa ? Someone has an ENGL on recycler for 450 - do tube power amps affect tone that much?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: The BEST MARSHALL SOUND EVER

It sounds like you're in need of nothing new. Just keep playing with combinations and have fun.

 

[ErikH]

Re: The BEST MARSHALL SOUND EVER

If you like power amp saturation, then yes, tubes vs. SS makes a difference. If you like the preamp to get all the saturation, then it won't be as much of a difference. There will be one, but with the power amp running clean, it's just amplifying what you're feeding it at that point.

Look at it this way, if you were to take your beloved '73 Marshall and splice it in to two separate components, what would you have? A tube preamp and a tube power amp.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: The BEST MARSHALL SOUND EVER

You know I've thought of it that way - as spliced

but this is all about the whole being greater than the sum of its parts

for example, I do not like several Mesa models, and never feel they nail the brit tone. However, the Bogner Fish into the Mesa 2:90 sounded amazing!

This is kinda new to me. I fear it bc I fear racks - they are complicated and only some people make em sound great. EVH used to use Crown Power amps, hmmmmmmmm I wonder.

 

[ErikH]

Re: The BEST MARSHALL SOUND EVER

I hear ya, man. I started down the rack path with a processor and ended up selling it just recently after it sat forever.

You could always try what you're doing with several power amps at a shop or two to see if there is much of a difference at all, then go from there.