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

[Fat Fingers]

I was looking at adding something different than to my current amp line-up. I was thinking something with some growl and edge to it, maybe a marshall? So I wanted to get opinions from you all.

-Plexi or JCM800 type amp, (or others)?

-Which one is more versatile?

-Is one "better" than the other (loaded word I know)?

-Is it possible to run these types of amp (like the SV20h) at bedroom volumes without defeating the tone?

-Other brands or ideas you recommend?

I'd like some classic rock/bluesy crunch (SRV, AC/DC, maybe even GNR). **I've also heard a plexi played "clean" (for example) and it really sounded nice, besides the point a bit I have "pretty" clean amps**

-Should I consider an amp modeler instead since I want that tone at lower volumes?

I know its a jazz forum but you all are gear WIZARDS! I always get straight forward un-biased advice here! Thanks ahead of time. Here are some links to ones I'm considering...

I was thinking one of these "studio series" Marshall amps:...
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(seems like they each are a reissue of other famous marshall amps, plexi, jubilee, and JCM)

Or an origin 20?
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Or a nice modeler like this Line 6 Helix:...
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Or maybe even a nice pedal with my 12 inch "sweetwater version" Princeton Reverb, like this Wampler Plexi Drive Deluxe...
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I already have a 57' custom champ, and this Princeton Reverb I mentioned earlier (if that's helpful regarding the pedal above)...
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If you have any other ideas I'd love to hear them. Attenuators? Friedmans? Please advise me as you see fit, I have a bad habit of falling into the trap of buying a name instead of a product (if that makes sense) so I was drawn to Marshall, but I know there are other options as well.

thanks!

[st.bede]

Jtm45

[marcwhy]

Check out Jim Frenzel's amps; most have separate inputs with "F" and "M" pre-amps -- excellent value, too, for a hand-wired amp!

[Alter]

For cleanish/bluesy/rock Marshall sounds, you can go Origin or Classic series, depending on budget. No Marshall is at its best in low volumes by itself though. I have a Helix also. In my opinion the only reason to buy a Marshall over a multi effect for home is if you really like the sound of the brand or of tubes in general, otherwise the Helix or another amp that's more voiced for home playing (like a Blackstar for example) might be a better solution. I have never really enjoyed Marshalls at low volume..

The Wampler Plexi drive is killer at low volume at home, but live i didn't like it at all, sold it after a few gigs. Something in the mids was way wrong and it just didn't cut through live, les paul, strat and tele alike.

[Zhahn]

I actually like the generally fuller low-mids of Marshall over BF for jazz.
Having said that, I don’t particularly like modern/high gain Marshalls (like jcm800, etc,.); I prefer simpler JTM45 type big/fat sound.
I also like 1974x for its hairy, mid-rangey low-gain sound at reasonable volumes and touch sensitivity. (Sounds great with germanium fuzz, too).

For heavier sound with more gain I prefer Orange over Marshall, though.

[DawgBone]

I used to have a Plexi. You can do anything you want with and it definitely will give you the SRV tone if you have a strat with it. It has extremely powerful preamp controls and an incredible clean sound that isn't mentioned that often. It would function as a good jazz amp but not exactly convenient for gigs, lol. It also has power that makes a Twin seem like a toy by comparison. I actually don't think most people understand just how powerful a plexi and half/full stack is. INSANE volume even side by side to most other 100 watt amps.

All tone will suffer at bedroom volumes. Speakers being pushed is part of the equation especially for gain tones.

I don't like modeling equipment so I have no advice there other than "wouldn't do it".

My experience with attenuators is they are a waste of time. Shop for a smaller amp instead.

The JTM45 st bede mentioned is a good suggestion for an all around gigging amp in terms of a Marshall, because it is more sane in terms of power output and gain tones are more accessible at lower volumes. I would probably get a bluesbreaker because the combos are more convenient IME. The JTM-45 isn't a bedroom amp either. You'd need a pedal for overdrive in that case. A tubescreamer of some kind and you have the basic SRV sound with a strat which is very loud, punchy, and mostly clean. That is basically the Texas tone people talk about, it's very common to hear players with that general sound here whether they are playing a Fender or Gibson style guitar. Strangely there are more SRV soundalike players in other states than there are here in Texas, lol

I wouldn't bother with the newer Marshall amps. I would def stick with the classics like Plexi, JTM45, or JCM800 mentioned.

You need to consider the cab with your purchase. Marshall makes really good cabs but they are pricey. You need a good cab/speakers to get the most out of one of those amps.

I will add that a good Fender Bassman would also get it done as it is similar amp design to the JTM.

Best of fortunes with your search.

[st.bede]

My Bluesbreaker takes attenuation well. There is a little lose of tone, but I am using a THD hotplate. I have been told some of the high end newer attenuators do a better job.

Nonetheless a Marshall attenuated to mellower levels is still getting that rich (especially with greenbacks) Marshall sound.

I have not liked the Origin series… IDK. My friend loves them. Maybe I have not given them a honest try.

I would 2nd the 1974x. That is my second favorite Marshall. I just need at least two 12 to get into what I want out of a Marshall. Strange but there are many 1x12 or even 1x10 amps I like but not so much the 1974x… however it is one of the best sounding Marshals I have ever heard. I could easily live with the 1x12.

I did play a Victoria Bassman type amp. Wow. I think it had a 15.

(I used a jcm800 for years during my whole Cream/Hendrix phase. I do not think it was a wise decision for my hearing health. Youth is so wasted on the young. LP through a Marshal=happy ).

[Fat Fingers]

Hi, I'm not sure why it says "Access to page denied", it works when i click on the links. Thanks for the advice guys, my concern with the JTM45 is at 30 watts it still is going to rattle my teeth at home (99% of my playing is at home). that's why I linked the SV20, it supposed to be a "baby" Jtm45 at 20 watts switchable to 5 watts.

I hadn't even considered the 1974x (in fact i really didn't even know it existed til now TBH). Thanks for the tips guys, always a lot to think about when I visit here.

[burchyk]

The volume difference between 30w and 20w is miniscule. I'd recommend looking for an amp with a good master volume instead of trying to go low power non master, which will just not have the bass extension while being deafening at the same time.

[jim777]

Get a Kemper Profiler

[st.bede]

.. or attenuation

(sometimes even 10watt amps can be loud, given the environment and how well you want to take care hearing)

[SandChannel]

The DSL40CR is versatile. It can go from clean through Plexi on the first channel and all out hi-gain on the second channel. Most of the Marshall amps listed above do certain tones better than the DSL line, but none of them are versatile based on being single channel, crank until deafening, classic Marshalls.

[John A.]

What's wrong with cranking your Champ or putting an OD in front of a Princeton? What do you think you'd get out of a Marshall in your bedroom that you can't get out of those options?

[st.bede]

I own a handful AITB pedals. My experience suggest that you can get close enough for live work, and some level of personal satisfaction… but not as close as the hype would suggest.

(I am still on the fence about the high end modeling. I have never come across a really well set up modeler to have enough of a personal experience. The ones I have come across, seem to lack some of the depth when you set them up to be in the zone of on the edge: clean and dirty type of sound. … maybe one day I will get a chance to play one that has been dialed in… but I live in the backwoods and a trek away from urbanity).

I was really interested in the new UA AITB pedals. I watched the 30 minute long video filmed in the professional studio. I had the money out for the UA Tweed… then I started noticing the differences between the excellent UA pedal and the tweed… I bought a tweed deluxe clone.

It all depends on how close you want to get. Often close is good enough, but sometimes you just have to eat the cake.

[Fat Fingers]

Im going to reply to numerous posts at once here...

...John A... I do crank the Champ, but even at 5 watts it is still kinda loud, anyway as you know that is a unique tweed tone, not quite the same as a Marshall"ish" crunch to my ear. As far as the pedal in front of the Princeton, YES I'd totally consider that, I linked the Wampler Plexi drive deluxe as an option.

...SandChannel... I considered the DSL5Cr as well. Master volume and everything, but reviewers seemed disappointed in its tone, maybe is I ran it into a 12' inch speaker instead of the 10, I wish there was a place to try this equipment out before I commit.

...st. bede... I have similar reservations about high-end modelers as well. Looks like many of them are just TOO complex as well, takes a long time to set up even a simple chain. Again if I could try one out for a while without commitment, oh well. I would consider attenuators for sure, is there one that still sound "true" to the amp at low volume?

my big wish is a quiet way to get a nice "marshally" overdriven tone at a volume that wont bug my wife when she is working from home, maybe that' a tall order. I even considered headphone amps like the Boss Gt pocket or fender micro mustang.

[whiskey02]

Peavey Classic 30. Not kidding.

[John A.]

Im going to reply to numerous posts at once here...

...John A... I do crank the Champ, but even at 5 watts it is still kinda loud, anyway as you know that is a unique tweed tone, not quite the same as a Marshall"ish" crunch to my ear. As far as the pedal in front of the Princeton, YES I'd totally consider that, I linked the Wampler Plexi drive deluxe as an option.

...SandChannel... I considered the DSL5Cr as well. Master volume and everything, but reviewers seemed disappointed in its tone, maybe is I ran it into a 12' inch speaker instead of the 10, I wish there was a place to try this equipment out before I commit.

...st. bede... I have similar reservations about high-end modelers as well. Looks like many of them are just TOO complex as well, takes a long time to set up even a simple chain. Again if I could try one out for a while without commitment, oh well. I would consider attenuators for sure, is there one that still sound "true" to the amp at low volume?

my big wish is a quiet way to get a nice "marshally" overdriven tone at a volume that wont bug my wife when she is working from home, maybe that' a tall order. I even considered headphone amps like the Boss Gt pocket or fender micro mustang.

Much of what most people think of the Marshall sound is a function of the cabinet(s) resonating and thumping at high volume and the speaker(s) distorting. You can't get that at a volume that someone in the next room won't hear out of any amp, period. Not gonna happen. For that, the only real option is modeling (or an attenuator that has I/R models of raging cabinets). Many, many, people have gone down this rabbit hole. That's the tried and true answer. You can get mostly there at non-insanely-loud volumes by cranking a smaller amp (with or without an OD in front of it, depending on the amp), but not truly quietly unless you can isolate the speaker.

[GuyBoden]

Tone Stacks are very important to creating a certain sound.

	RS	CT	RT	CM	RM	CB	RB
VOX	100k	56p	B250K	223	B20K	223	A1M
Marshall	33K	470p	B250K	223	B20K	223	A1M
Fender	56K	270p	B250K	223	B20K	223	A1M

[rolijen]

My holy grail favorite Marshall is my 1987x (50-watt Plexi). You can get every sound you’re looking for. I run mine through a 1960B loaded with 25watt Greenbacks. It’s the tone of angels. However, as others have said, you will go deaf if you don’t use an attenuator. I have tried most of them and most affect the sound. Some are horrible, others are passable. Even with the SV20H you’ll need an attenuator for use at home. These are hellishly load amps, even at 20 watts.

I gigged for years with a 1959slp 100-watt Marshall into 4-12s or 8-12s and that classic tone is there in spades with the 1987x.

The attenuators I recommend are the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander (TAE) and the Fryette Power Station. Not the OX, and not any of the passive attenuators (power soak, hot plate, and various others). Be aware, these higher-end attenuators/re-ampers are spendy but oh so worth it (but in effects, effects loop, usb connections, direct line out, etc.

Ali that said, if I were looking for a more affordable, all around Marshall amp with lots of tonal options from pristine clean to overdriven to scooped metal distortion, with built-in reverb, and a master volume that can reduce the need for an outboard attenuator, I’d buy the DSL 20CR combo or the DSL 40CR combo. The DSL20 is also available as a head DSL20HR if you prefer that. These amps nail most of the classic Marshall tones for much less money than the plexis, JTMs, and JCMs and won’t destroy your hearing. Check out Johan Segeborn’s videos on YouTube before you buy.

[TedBPhx]

Peavey Classic 30. Not kidding.

For the win.

[Fat Fingers]

Thanks again guys... I actually considered the DSL amps as well, I guess my "cork sniffer" alter ego got the best of me and I originally discounted them because they are made in Vietnam, so not a "real" Marshall, which is stupid, I have to catch myself when I start thinking like that. The DSLs are well reviewed and seem to be well liked.

If I go DSL, aren't the 40 and 20 both still going to be loud? I actually thought about going for the 5 watt DSL also. I really like the 1974x you guys recommended too but DANG that hand-wiring is expensive lol (worth it if it works as a forever amp, but 18 watts no master volume might still be loud)! If i went DSL20 head, what cabinet would you recommend?

rolijen... do you use attenuation with your 1987x? You listed some but which do you use?

John A... is there a modeler that you like?

i will check out the peavey Classic I think my local GC actually has that one in stock to demo.

[Alter]

The Dsls are good for modern metal Marshall sounds, but almost all other Marshalls will do Rock sounds better. Depends on taste of course.

[rolijen]

If I go DSL, aren't the 40 and 20 both still going to be loud? I actually thought about going for the 5 watt DSL also. I really like the 1974x you guys recommended too but DANG that hand-wiring is expensive lol (worth it if it works as a forever amp, but 18 watts no master volume might still be loud)! If i went DSL20 head, what cabinet would you recommend?

rolijen... do you use attenuation with your 1987x? You listed some but which do you use?

Over the years, I’ve owned and gigged a 100 watt Plexi (1959SLP), a 50 watt Plexi, a 100 watt JCM800, both the 50 watt and 20 watt Origin heads, a DSL40C, a DSL40CR, a DSL20H, and many others. One thing I’ve learned is that Marshalls sound best cranked up. DSLs have master volume controls and, for the most part, sound good without attenuation. When it comes to favorites, I‘ll never part with my 1987x. I highly recommend it as well as the SV20H and SC20H. You would be happy with any of them. But the plexis (being non master volume amps) require attenuation for home and small venues.

To answer your question to me: I use a Boss Waza TAE for both my 1987x and my SV20H.



The TAEs are in the rack cabinet between the two plexis.

But again, if I were just getting into Marshall amps, I would get a DSL. Watch Johan Segeborn on YouTube. He gets DSLs to sound like plexis and JCM 800s and whatever you want. Used, they can be purchased very reasonably whereas the UK made gear is much more spendy (at least for those of us in the USA). My opinion is the DSLs are great amps regardless of being made in Vietnam. I like the versatility they offer at a low price entry point.

[Tal_175]

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

[John A.]

John A... is there a modeler that you like?

I don’t use one of the high end modelers, though I’ve played around a little with the AXE FX. I’m happy with the amp plug-ins in GarageBand for recording (or if I’m recording with someone else’s DAW, whatever they have).

I also have a Roland MicroCube and a Fender Champion 20. I don’t find either to be especially convincing replicas of what they purport to simulate (though the Fender comes closer), but they sound good for small amps. The MicroCube is especially useful for bedroom-level playing; the Fender is great for smaller jams and gigs.