Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

[JeffB]

I was trying out the 100 Watt 1x12 combo today and was pretty impressed how far Solid State equipment has come in the last 10 years.

I was able to get some really good sounding modern high gain and vintage crunch sounds, and it even cleaned up fairly decent rolling down the guitar volume knob. Effects were just OK, but I prefer my Boss pedals anyways.

I'm not sure why that FDD switch is there though, IMO it should just be permanently "on".

Anyone have one..have any comments on longevity/durability, etc.?

 

[B2D]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

I would prefer a Line 6 Flextone II if i was to go a ss/digital route. To my ears those marshall MG's sound very tinny and thin, and are kind of weak power-wise for what they're rated at. Don't have any comments on durability or reliability of Marshalls newer SS stuff.

But with Valvestates... thats a different story.

 

[Fiber-Optics]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

They are pretty decent amps, when I was on the market for new amp I was thinking to buy one but I decide for that price I could buy a decent tube amp combo on ebay. Pretty nice tone for a SS amp though. I have heard of a couple "duds" being bought, but the warranty replaced them.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

not bad for a new marshall

the 100 watts is hard to believe tho, a fender stage 100 piledrives that thing, volume wise

but a lot of locals have them, no real complaints from them. They all got the halfstacks tho

 

[strat_master]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

hmmm do they capture that tube sound well at all?

 

[Biu]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

I used to have one. Basically gave it to my friend (he still has it). I hated that thing's sound. But maybe you should disregard my opinion as it is REALLY biased. I'm a tube-fiend!

 

[B2D]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

hmmm do they capture that tube sound well at all?

Not in the least.

 

[Biu]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

Not in the least.

+1

 

[JeffB]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

Thank you all for the feedback.

I'm not particularly worried about the volume as it will be used for practice @ home and jamming with friends once in a while.

The amp sounded pretty good to me, fairly tube-like..not as good as my 1987 reissue of course, nor as good as the Vox Valvetronix 60 watter I tried, but it's also $375 cheaper than the Vox.

But I know that amps don't always sound the same at home as they do in the store too.

Ughh...this is gonna be tough finding what I need/want....

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

I've got an MG250DFX and it's great for bedroom jam sessions with my stereo and also with some friends here and there. I agree about the FDD switch being a permanent thing (when wouldn't you want "tube-like" compression?) and maybe up the quality of the DFX, which in reality do kind of stink (except for chorus/delay option, I use it as a boost).
I set the gain to around five, put on the FDD, and I get gobs of that "modern" Marshall tone. When turning the volume control down it cleans up pretty nicely as well. The clean channel is also pretty effin' sweet sounding...
I've been in the market for a new amp for a long time, and I'd like to get a tube amp of some kind, but I've become so used to the sound of 250 that I don't really see that happening any time soon...

In closing the MG250 is really great and extremely underrated. It might not be comparable to tube amps but when you work with it and play it for quite some time you won't be disappointed.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

A buddy of mine recently retired his Peavey Prowler for the 100w head version of the new MG. When he told me, i thought the world fell off it's axis. I went to listen to his band play though, and it sounded great. he's running it through a Marshall 2x12 loaded with a V30 and an old peavey Scorpion speaker.

If it sounds that good, I don't see any prolems with it (except maybe durability).

 

[JeffB]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

This seems to be the general concensus everywhere. Some people think they sound awesome..some think they sound like total thin & screechy junk.

:sigh:

I think I'll have to defintely buy an amp at MF or similar just so I can return it if I don't like it.

Any more input on these amps would be welcome. For those who did not care for it, is it just because you prefer tubes so much that nothing else sounds good to you, or would you say for what it is, it's a decent replication/rendition of the Marshall sound?

I was pretty much set on the Randall G2 'til I played the MG..now I'm all confused again

 

[Forbes]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

I own one and am pretty pleased with it, not a great amp by any means but good for the money, i also keep the FDD on all the time and never use the FX.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

For me, the MG sounds like a tube Marshall - minus tubes

Really: it has a recognisable Marshall character but it lacks any smoothness. It is a pretty tight, aggressive, modern, raw amp. If your way is no-frills metal you can use it with a grinning smile but for anything smooth music it's not the best. I dig the sound but it's not really for me anymore because I have a better sounding M in the backline

Reliability is a pretty starnge thing. My 8080 Valvestate never (I mean, not a single time) turned me down in 12 years. Maybe once, I accidentally stepped on the master vol pot and it was ripped out but that's all. For years when I was pretty much on the budget and could not afford anything else it resisted heawy road tear&wear, it is beaten&battered by now but it still works pretty well. Now it's my practice amp and works perfectly for over 12 years so I'd say it's reliable. On the other side I know guys who had to bring their burnt-out 8080s to techies twice a month. I don't know... It is mainly up to luck I think.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

That amp is complete crap ...

(love your avatar, btw, Jeff!)

Edit: I realize that this is an unsubstantiated claim. I will go into detail if you want.

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

Thank you all for the feedback.

I'm not particularly worried about the volume as it will be used for practice @ home and jamming with friends once in a while.

The amp sounded pretty good to me, fairly tube-like..not as good as my 1987 reissue of course, nor as good as the Vox Valvetronix 60 watter I tried, but it's also $375 cheaper than the Vox.

But I know that amps don't always sound the same at home as they do in the store too.

Ughh...this is gonna be tough finding what I need/want....

Get The ValveTronix!!!!

I had one of the older MG series at home for a good while (borrowed from a friend) G80CD , It wasn't a bad amp for practising and jamming but honestly the Vox Valvetronix kicks its a$$..You wont regret it if you spend that little extra on the Vox!!

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

A buddy of mine recently retired his Peavey Prowler for the 100w head version of the new MG. When he told me, i thought the world fell off it's axis. I went to listen to his band play though, and it sounded great. he's running it through a Marshall 2x12 loaded with a V30 and an old peavey Scorpion speaker.

If it sounds that good, I don't see any prolems with it (except maybe durability).

Yeah, the 100W head version is pretty great. I like the addition of the "crunch" channel, which takes it away from the more "modern" tones and into the mid to light gain stuff, something (to me) a little more classic sounding.

----

I'm not really that big of a tone hound though [but I can tell good gear from bad gear], and I'm very utilitarian in terms of what I buy/play since I don't have cash to throw around nor do I have a car to surf the pawn shops for something "better". So, you may to take my opinion with a grain of salt...

On a related note: Dosen't BB King use a SS amp?

 

[B2D]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

Thank you all for the feedback.

I'm not particularly worried about the volume as it will be used for practice @ home and jamming with friends once in a while.

The amp sounded pretty good to me, fairly tube-like..not as good as my 1987 reissue of course, nor as good as the Vox Valvetronix 60 watter I tried, but it's also $375 cheaper than the Vox.

Scuse me tounge but HOW THE F*** do you put a 1987 RI even in the same PLANET of quality and tone as an MG100 or a Valvetronix?

As far as the price... you get what you pay for. If volume is not an issue then you shan't be worried but even with vulome the amp just lacks punch and presence and character.

 

[B2D]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

Any more input on these amps would be welcome. For those who did not care for it, is it just because you prefer tubes so much that nothing else sounds good to you, or would you say for what it is, it's a decent replication/rendition of the Marshall sound?

I did not care for it because as i said, it sounds thin, tinny and doesn't seem as powerful as it should be for what it's rated at. The sound is buzzy, hollow, and lacks character and the effects are abrasive. If you need to leave the FDD switch on for better tone then that probably says somthing about the amp itself right there... saying that this amp sounds like a Marshall is like saying your Crate GX15 can compete with a Peavey Classic 30.

Yes, i prefer tubes but i also like a few SS amps for what they have to offer. And usually those SS amps are outstanding examples of what you can do with good engineering of SS stuff for tones. My favorite SS amp is the Line 6 Flextone II series because I think it's easy to get good, usable tones out of them for recording and practice. They're powerful enough to jam with as well and they sound very good. In a raw shootout the Flextone II's will blow the MG off the stage in every category.

For practice, demo recording, jamming with smaller groups with medium volume I'd use a flextone II... But if you called me to do a live gig right now I'd haul my Boogie Rectoverb up on stage, turn it up loud where the tubes like to be, and leave the chips at home.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Who is using a Marshall MG series Amp?

That amp is complete crap ...

Straight and to the point, eh?

(love your avatar, btw, Jeff!)

Strongbad RAWKS!

Edit: I realize that this is an unsubstantiated claim. I will go into detail if you want.

I definitely am curious about everyone's opinions. If you have the time a short summary would be much appreciated. This is a very important investment for me, and I'd really like to make the best possible choice. I've been out of the guitar loop for nearly 10 years and am not up on all the latest equipment. Heck if money weren't an issue I'd buy a VHT combo and be done with it