Which Marshall (type) amp is "best" (most versatile)

[st.bede]

I think of Marshall's as more refined tweed amps. It's surprising that they are rarely used for jazz.

I think often the speaker choice can make a huge difference. I am not sure if pushing some V30s is going to sit well in a non rock context. However greenbacks are fat warm, just a great sound. (Those are the speakers I have most experience with in the land of Marshall). In a higher gain setting with a band, greens can lose the ability to be forward enough. Also there is the cab size. There is a difference between the smaller 4x12 and a bigger (oversized) one. That I do not know much about.

In my mind, with patience you can typically find what your looking for a better price then top of the line. Somewhere a used clone of amp x will show up at a price that will be less painful. I personally wait instead of buying something that I think is not going to do 100% what I want. Sometimes this works great, sometimes not.

Nice pic Rolijen… the white strat: visions of woodstock.

[rolijen]

I think often the speaker choice can make a huge difference. I am not sure if pushing some V30s is going to sit well in a non rock context. However greenbacks are fat warm, just a great sound…

Nice pic Rolijen… the white strat: visions of woodstock.

Thank you! I love that Strat (CS Trower Strat). I’m kind of a large headstock nerd.

And +1 on the Greenbacks. My faves. They are great sounding speakers.

[st.bede]

Thank you! I love that Strat (CS Trower Strat). I’m kind of a large headstock nerd.

And +1 on the Greenbacks. My faves. They are great sounding speakers.

Bridge of Sighs has been one of my favorite rock albums since I bought one, at used record store, unheard, in about 87.

(I used to buy used records (and cassettes) randomly, mostly in the jazz section. Some turned out to be excellent. Others not so much).

[rolijen]

Bridge of Sighs has been one of my favorite rock albums since I bought one, at used record store, unheard, in about 87.

Funny story: In 1974, I was a 6th grader. I was on the student council and one of the council’s responsibilities was planning after-school dances. I was in charge of the music. We had enough in the budget to purchase a few records so I did an informal poll of random 6th-8th graders asking for song/album suggestions. In addition to music known to me (think Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Bread, etc.), one student suggested Bridge of Sighs. I had never heard of Robin Trower but thought the album/song title sounded cool so I added it to the list and it ended up being one of the records I bought.

It didn’t get much appreciation from the other 6th and 7th graders, but that album hooked me instantly and I quickly became a big fan. Robin Trower remains one of my favorite guitarists.

[Rograt]

In my opinion this is by far not only the most versatile but the best amp period that Marshall have ever made.

4 x channels, 3 x gain structures on each and independent noise gate on each. The stack uses G12T-75 drives which I find more balanced than greenbacks or V30s but I can see why they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

[rolijen]

Black ‘n Blue. Nice! My buddy has a JVM410 and loves it, but it hisses like crazy. He told he the Satriani version has a noise gate built in to tame that hiss. Rograt, is that what yours has?

[Rograt]

Yes rolijen they replaced the reverb section with noisegate settings. You can set the sensitivity for each of the 4 channel but can further have it on or off for each of the 12 modes. I have this on the footswitch in case I switch in a fuzz on the crunch channels.



They made some other changes like adding a choke transformer and making the Clean/Green setting able to go squeaky clean. Does it do jazz? Not easily. However, put the ES-175 through the crunch channel and you get glorious early Yes!

[rolijen]

Nice! Thanks Rograt. I love that Steve Howe/175 tone on the whole Close to the Edge album.

[st.bede]

(H90, apparently you have made the decision already. I have often used 2 H9s, but I am still debating the hassle of selling them, and buying the H90).

[Rograt]

It was a bit easier for me st.bede. I had a Pitchfactor, Boss RV500/DD500/MD500. All great but a real mess. The dual routing on the H90 is a revelation. I do wish the phone app would come out though - as good as the PC/Mac app is.

[bluejaybill]

In my opinion this is by far not only the most versatile but the best amp period that Marshall have ever made.

4 x channels, 3 x gain structures on each and independent noise gate on each. The stack uses G12T-75 drives which I find more balanced than greenbacks or V30s but I can see why they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Looks great! But this is how many knobs a Marshall is supposed to have:


'67 JTM45, great for jazz, blues and classic rock. One of my all-time favorites!

[rolijen]

5 tubes, 4 holes (input jacks), 3 prongs, 2 switches, 1 amp to rule them all!

[Cavalier]

Funny story: In 1974, I was a 6th grader. I was on the student council and one of the council’s responsibilities was planning after-school dances. I was in charge of the music. We had enough in the budget to purchase a few records so I did an informal poll of random 6th-8th graders asking for song/album suggestions. In addition to music known to me (think Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Bread, etc.), one student suggested Bridge of Sighs. I had never heard of Robin Trower but thought the album/song title sounded cool so I added it to the list and it ended up being one of the records I bought.

It didn’t get much appreciation from the other 6th and 7th graders, but that album hooked me instantly and I quickly became a big fan. Robin Trower remains one of my favorite guitarists.

I opened for Robin Trower once in a club in Seattle and it was the loudest gig I've ever been at, I had to leave to preserve my hearing, outside it was still bone shaking. He must have had a coliseum worth of Marshalls in that room..... They need lots of space.