Absolutely , there's something just magical about a single channel Marshall absolutely roaring, 1959 or JCM800 and add in the Boss SD1....nothing better ...and in a band mix, it beats everything going...Expensive but how many do you buy in a lifetime
Friedman answered the bell and they have won me over. My Dirty Shirley is the most Marshall thing I've ever played. Having said that, there would be no Friedman without Marshall so, i still have love for the influence.
I'm thinking of going the Friedman route as well. I have a Marshall JVM205 and love it, but I want something lighter like a 20 watt head and a 1x12 for portability. Thinking of getting the Little Sister
@@AntmanFelixI picked up a Little Sister about two months ago. I’ve owned quite a few amps over the years and there’s something about the Little Sister that I just absolutely love. In the 20ish watt space I’m not sure you can do better for covering a broad range of vintage Marshall tones, but with a bit of its own thing going on.
@@VintageRadius that's what I been hearing a lot. It can cover Marshall like tones but still be it's own amp too. I think that is something I'm looking for.
And to be fair... there would also be no Marshall without Fender... and there would he no Fender without the RCA manual. Its all just huilding upon what the last guy did and trying ti move it forward just a little bit.
Only took so long spending time around Uncle Larry and crew in Nashville and he’s already back to real tube amps… Only a few weeks til the ox is gathering dust and you’re mic’ing up the cabs again… and I’m 100% here for it.
I have bought demo models from Sweetwater before and never had any problems with the items..most if not all look brand new and function properly. The Marshall head and your playing sound great.
Same. I alsobought a B stock 8 string Schecter from Zzounds and saved around 150 bucks, and it had a tiny scratch between the knobs that would probably easily buff out with some compound. It just isn't worth the time for me, it's barely noticeable unless you know where it is and are right on top of it.
I’m old and kind of old-school. My favorite setup would be a mid to late 1970s JMP 50 watt head with EL-34 tubes, a 1960 TV cabinet with 25 watt Greenbacks and a Gibson Les Paul.
The key to keeping Marshall relevant is to deliver their classic sounds in traditional platforms and most importantly at several different pricepoints so that the kids can by em. There’s no digital amp sim in the world that can replicate the power of a high wattage tube amp.
I agree but its tough to find a venue whether you’re a novice band or pros, that will let you open up a 100watt head onstage. Ive had to turn my dsl 20 head down before in a bar. The loud days are kinda over i think.
They have dont it ant then some, with the Studio Line, the new DSL Line, they brought back the Silver Jubilee 100 and Studio version, aforable JCM 800, and Studio version, also the Plexi HD is $1,100 cheaper than it was a few months ago I think they are kicking ass
I’ve owned a ton of tube amps and digital systems in the 43 years I’ve been playing, and with the exception of the Kemper, which was a game changer digitally, tube amps is where it’s at. I actually love the 1987x (model not year) 50 watt plexi. That was Jimmy Page’s “The Song Remains the Same” tone - breaks up sooner, has a sweeter tone. I’m really impressed with the UK made 20 watt versions.
I’ve written Marshall kooky emails for years. Since 2015 to be exact. Things I’ve requested: Amp heads with built in attenuation/load and cabsim. Pedalboard based preamps and power amps. Stuff that came out, after the fact: Revv G20, Engl Fireball 25, AMT bricks series, Friedman IR-X.
The last amp I bought is a Marshall JVM 210H. I love the tone, the flexibility, the power. I really appreciate that they got the volume control tamed. My old JCM 900 goes from whisper quiet to full on destruction in just the tiniest movement of the volume knob. The JVM is controllable and sensible. What I absolutely HATE about the JVM is the stupid swishy and sometimes sputtering noise that make us almost useless for gigging. Running two noise gates, one before the input and one in the effects loop kinda helps but sometimes it still gets through though it’s subtle. Such a shame.
I gigged with a JMP for years on the Sunset Strip with an SD-1, Rat, MXR or Tube Screamer. But mostly the SD-1. Great amp, but it ate tubes like potato chips. I eventually switched to a Boogie combo for gigs which did the job fine, but I did begin to miss the Marshall tone and feel.
I'm an older man. In my time Marshall was the king with no real competition. Now everything is anything but tubes. Tubes are and will always be the best. I'm a condo dweller, so how can I get my tube driven Marshall on. They have the answer. I love a good Gibson L.P. running straight in a tube driven head. They came out with a 1watt dsl Marshall tube head and combo. And you can hit a button and it brings it to a quarter watt. Unbelievable. I can jam in my condo with a red hot tube Marshall. Cranked in the sweet spot without bothering my niebors. It sounds unreal. Marshall has there shit together. And for that matter so does Gibson. I use a Tribute made in the USA Les Paul for 1299.00. Yes that's still a little bit of coin, but it not crazy. It's the real deal. And the 1 watt Marshall sound thru that lp. All I need or ever want. Thank you, Gibson and Marshall. The definition of rock and roll !
I have a dsl1 and yes it sounds cranked but its not a good cranked. Its very muffled and grainy. It does not have that "marshall" sound. A real marshall at low volumes still sounds 90% like a cranked marshall
@AudaciousAce1989 Oh, I have the head running it thru a pretty nice, 2×12 slanted Marshall cab. Might be the difference. I'm not saying it's a Mesa Boogie. It's cool and does sound good playing classic rock. Yeah, there's better for a lot more cash. Nothing as cool. PEACE
Congrats on this and have fun with it! However, the immediate future is smaller versions that can be used in clubs, smaller venues and even small halls where everything is mic'd and nobody wants a loud stage. That's modern reality, even with 20W "lunch box" amps. Plus, the size and weight, which you so quickly pointed out! If UA or someone would make a small version of that load box that could more easily "gigged", that would help as well. Heck, I can barely get my 20W Friedman WW 20 over 3-4 on the Master when playing live as it is! LOVE the big Marshall sound though, oh for those 70's when we used 100W stacks! :+)
No small animals or pets were harmed in the making of this video demo of the #Marshall Super Lead #Plexi SLP #1959 100W Handwired Head. I think the matching #Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabs are also discounted. These Marshall Amp products are backordered, so that might explain the price drop.
So, the price drop brings the 1959HW to $2,499. But I recently bought a 1986 JCM 800 for $2,350, in great shape, with grill cloth faded to brown - beautiful, and a matching 4x12. A new amp isn't the only option. There is some controversy about what kind of transformers Marshall has been using of late. I saw one video where an amp tech found a crap tranny in a new Marshall. Maybe Marshall is going cheap in more ways than one.
Marshall 1959 is my favorite amp from Marshall. I generally like Marshall sound the most from other brands. That said, i just cant ever see myself giging with something like this. ( I used to gig with Marshall Half stack) but those days are long gone. I could see myself owning one of these in my studio where i can play it though Ox Box like you Robert. But that is also a big investment to commit. So for now i am happy with my digital modeling.
Marshall needs their own Tone Master-style amps while avoiding the mistake of the Tone Master Pro (an overpriced worse version of a Helix or Fractal [sorry, not sorry]) that kind of missed the point completely. I mean I actually think most people for a grand or so would be more than happy to have a solid state JCM, Super Lead, JTM, or Jubilee head or combo with the tone master features (Attenuator - XLR out).
💯 Agree! So many people are looking for those classic Marshall tones in a practical package like the tonemaster. The lowest watt Marshalls are the 20/5 watt version which is still too loud and not very practical for most players.
@@gdawgs101 Brother, I played one. Besides every TH-camr I saw said that thing was awesome (you know the same B.S "not a" sales pitch they all do)... It was not and It isn't a Fender thing, I love the the Tonemaster series and have defended them quite a bit (I think they sound fine with pedals). End of the day the TMP missed the point because the whole point was to make a amp that looked basically identical to iconic one you wanted except you could play it all the time (and move it) without killing someone. It was always about form factor.
I know they get a LOT of hate... but my Origin 20 head into the matching 2x12 vertical cab with Greenbacks in it = The tone I've always wanted to hear while playing guitar... There's something in the feel too. My LP straight in and cranked with the Origin in 3w mode Absolutely rocks!!.. The tone is full, chunky, thick and has that Marshall ..Klang!.. Basically imagine every AC/DC riff.. but it takes pedals great too.. loves boosts and overdrive. So much fun !!... the caveat is the Greenback upgrade. It's a must.
Well a wise man once told me, “Digital reverb is a lie… amp modeling is betrayal.” To each his own.. I applaud your desire to use real amps. Modeling is convenient and has come a long way.. and I’ll use it sometimes because it’s simple.. but for recording? I need those glowing glass bottles of tone glowing bright when I hit that record button!!
They’ve been doing plexi reissues since 1993. They’re not what will save Marshall. Making amps that you can get for a little under $1500 that have great tones and features is what will save Marshall amps. In the last 20 years they’ve only made two amps that I think excelled for their price point. The Origin series and the DsL40c combo (the 2nd to last gen). Really wish they had offered the 40 as a head. Through a 4x12 it’s a killer, hotter 800. The JVM’s are too stiff and sizzly for decent old school sounds and got to ridiculous prices. Most of their sub $1500 amps pale horribly to what the competition offers. Marshall used to be the working man’s amp, grip it and rip it. Affordable and great tone. The great tone kind of ended once the JCM900’s came around but the reissues we now know, also started then. Even with the recent price drop (which may not last), they’re still out of reach for most working musicians new. Marshall doesn’t really care because amp sales account for about 5% of their revenue. I grew up where 50-100 watt Marshall’s were standard and having them at volume in a room was common. Plus they were usually bulletproof. So that is perma-stamped on my brain for what Marshall is. What young players need or want today, with the death of bands in the same room and volume requirements, makes what Marshall needs to do a mystery for me. Maybe it’s a an official Sim pack but it would need to be exceptional. Even though I use a Power Station now I would dig an updated solution from Marshall. Used their Power brake for over 25 years and it was great. Still have it.
I recently bit the bullet and bought my dream amp the JVM 215C. I love it! I sold my Kemper Stage and Friedman ASC 10 to purchase it. I don't regret moving on from modelers at all!
Awesome video Robert. Thanks. It is very interesting about these Marshall 1959HW, I’ve read a few negative comments about the production of these , now that marshall was sold and that the PT and OT are made in Vietnam, (MAV) and no longer made by Dagnall in Malta. Yet every comment on videos for this amp have nothing but positive reviews and that the amp sounds great!!!! I built amps (for myself), and have a plexi based amp using NOS parts , hand wired with custom PT , OT and choke. And I still placed an order on one of these as the price now is ridiculously low considering that they were closed to 4k. Worst case scenario could be that my own built amp sounds more to my liking or style with a 30d return policy is no brainer. Thanks for the video
The markup on the Marshall prices in the US has really tarnished the brand for me. In the UK they are known for bang-for-the -buck. Those studio models are sub-$1000 if you convert pounds to dollars. Then you come over here in the US, and they were over $2000. Its like buying from a scalper, and this covid-era of Scalpers ruining every hobby I enjoy kept me from paying that mark up. During this time, it allowed American boutique builders like Friedman to undercut, or Suhr to provide SO MUCH MORE for the same price. Now the ST20H is $200 less than a Friedman Little Sister... but I'm kinda soured on the whole deal. I spent the last 10 years pushing Marshall out of mind due to their markup, should I really push aside the other guys now that Marshall has come to their senses?
Nope. Theres more to life than marshall. Fender imo was always the better sound. Theres a fender for every possible situation too. I love super reverbs the most and cranked with a gibson its a nice place to be. But you could work with deluxe reverbs, princetons, tweed anything really etc.. theres a lot more going on w fender amps than marshalls. And even if you need something hotter a mesa boogie mark series has you covered. The og mk i and mk iis were basically a bassman circuit in a princeton cab with a 12 inch speaker.
It’s shipping. Marshall are expensive in the US but reasonable in the UK, and in the UK Mesa and Friedman are outrageously high priced and far better value in the US. Cant do a lot about that massive bit of water in between us. Friedman BE100 is about $3999 US. Equivalent UK price is $1000 higher. Nobody buys Mesa in the UK. Too expensive and just don’t hold their value here. Dual Rec loses two thirds value when used here!
@@SimpleManGuitars1973 i love vox man honestly. They’re so so good and their actual circuits are amazing. The speakers are good. For the price of a standard vox ac series you can’t really beat it. Even a deluxe reverb doesn’t have as good a circuit as an ac15 but there’s just something about fenders man. Clean they’re beautiful and when you crank them they fill out the mids beautifully. But if it’s abt amp for money can’t beat vox
This is my dream setup. With the load box you get all of the pros of a digital setup, i.e. the ability to record direct and the ability to crank the amp without blowing the windows out. My dream rig would include a setup like this and a Marshall 1987x, but for now, I’ll stick to my line 6 POD 😅
It’s great. But certainly comes with a price. Both financially and recording. Having a power soak, cabinet and proper mic arrangement still plays a dramatic role in the final product. Then comes preamps, phasing, keeping the tube amp in proper condition, etc etc. and finally, having all this does not automatically equate to a great sound on record. There is certainly a feel to the tube amp. The load it places on the guitar pickups. latency (perceived or actual). Those nuances count for a player. However, at the end of the day, modeling has gotten so good that in final mix it is very difficult to discern a model from the real thing. And modeling is only getting better and better over time. I think amp makers in general face a serious financial future. Years ago if you wanted “that sound” of Marshall, Mesa, etc you had no option to really get it; unless you paid. Today, you can get so, so close to whatever amp sound you want for pennies on the dollar. And, have 30 of them all dialed in and sitting there, one patch select away. And immediately ready to record.
Why are none of the Marshall tube amps I'm interested in available now from anywhere (other than used)? I'm talking either a 1959HW, JTM45, SV20H, all on backorder. Is there some kind of distribution issue now?
To me, the 'SD-1' and 'Tubescreamer' were made to bolster relatively weak, lower gain amplifiers. So it seems strange to me seeing so many people saying a 'JCM and a 'Screamer' are some perfect combo (no pun intended.)
I really like your channel man, but I’m not sure I get what Marshall is doing so great or what will “save” them as far as growth of their amp business. Kills me a little because I love Marshall. On prices, I believe Marshall has some sort of new distribution agreement that is allowing their amps to be more price competitive in the U.S. That’s a win for them. But in the product development department IMO they are sitting on their hands and letting other brands like Friedman and Suhr deliver what modern players want Marshall to be putting out. For instance they could have a modern line that includes some of their famously “modded” circuits and add stuff like onboard attenuation - or develop entirely new amps. Unfortunately I think they are more focused on their lifestyle products
I've had a couple of Marshall's. They were expensive and heavy and never really did what I wanted. They were very unreliable and I blew them both. You really couldn't give me one. I now use a Rivera for high gain and a Fender for cleaner tones. Both do what I want and I've had zero problems, just routine maintenance and a pot required replacement in the Rivera. I live in the UK so getting a Rivera isn't all that easy over here. But the amp sounds so good and it's so reliable it was worth the effort to get one. Line level control, switching functions in the loop, push pulls on EQ, loads of headroom, just fantastic. There are companies like Budda that make better Marshall's than Marshall and if that's what you want, look around. Marshall's seam so bloody outdated, they're like museum pieces and lack practical modern features. So nope, not a brand that I'd even vaguely consider.
Do you have any thoughts on PRS, at least for high-gain? I'm thinking more along the lines of the MT - obviously if you think Marshall is antiquated then you'd have no use for an HDRX.
The market seems to be favoring small amps, modelers, low watt tube amps etc. The 100 watt half stacks aren’t practical for most players these days, even gigging musicians as venues mic the amp anyways. So many people seem to be looking for classic Marshall sounds but having to go to other companies/brands for more practical lower wattage or modeler options. If Marshall did Fender tone master style solid state as well as some 1 watt tube versions of their JCM 800, jubilee and plexi they would sell like hot cakes. Instead they only offer 20 watt versions which are still too loud for most and bluetooth speakers. Closest I’ve gotten is the Marshall DSL1 which I really like.
Hey Robert, cool video! Let me ask you, does your 1959hw also squeals with single coiled guitars when you add any short of gain pedals? I bought one brand new a few months ago, in a stunning custom red finish with a matching cab - beautiful - and I cannot stop it from squealing when adding an overdrive or fuzz pedal. It accommodates humbucker equipped guitats nicely, does the early evh thing pretty well, but the amp is almost unusable when I want to have a bit extra gain with my strat. Does yours also hum when you switch the power switch on? For an amo costing abt 2,000 euros in europe I’d say I am not overly impressed with what marshall is selling at this price range…
see, I'm of the opinion that the studio series is what could save them. Nobody needs a 100w amp with how efficient modern speakers are and how common it is for venues to run everything through a PA. Couple that with bedroom hobbyists making up the majority of the market, and the price drop to $1299, they're a bargain comparatively and sound the same as the big ones. A handwired studio series is all they need to get the vintage guys interested. Knock the DSL down ~$125 across the line and BAM, they've got the new players looking for their first good amp. They're definitely in position to either make a comeback or go full Gibson in the next couple years, I really hope it's the former.
Marshall should sell only Superlead, Super bass, JTM 45, master volume JMP and JCM 800 and forget all of that other crap. Those are their very best rock n roll, hard rock and metal amps, hands down. Those circuits have an unmatched pedigree for a reason.
@@austinfailz The Chinese DSL’s sound like crap and both it and the JVM’s are crushed, regarding tone, by a 6 knob Master model and a good pedal. 900’s aren’t made now except as ridiculously priced re-issues. You really think people are lining up to pay 2500 plus for a 900? The only one I agree on, even though it is not a fav of mine, is keeping the Jubilee around. Many like it.
I just had an SV20H (Studio Plexi) delivered today. It’s incredible! The only Marshall I’ve owned previously was a JCM600 2x12 combo in the late 90s. This plexi is a totally different beast ❤
I had the JCM 602 which was the black tolex & cloth. The other was JTM 602 which was a grayish brown with a tan cloth. The amp sounded great especially on top of a 412. I fried my power tubes 4 times because they were horizontally mounted and would get too hot. Eventually I sold it and got a DSL 100. Which I still have
YES! Another video about those pedals! Especially EQ pedals. Utterly the most underrated pedal out there. You can get an MXR 10 band EQ with a volume and a gain slider and dual outputs for under $100 used. More videos about other parts of your rig too.
What will save Marshall is the one thing they will and can never do: reduce their prices. There's no reason for a Plexi to cost nearly $4k. There's no reason for that amp to cost more than $1200, at the most. But, in that market space, Marshall has a wide variety of amps to choose from. None really worth a damn. The SV20 and SJ20 are worth a damn. They are killer, in fact. Other than that, Marshall's catalogue of amps under $2000 is rather crappy. So, if they want to stay in business, Marshall really needs to figure our a way to make their tube amps more affordable without sacrificing tone and quality.
I absolutely love my origin 20 head and 2x12 vertical cab loaded with Greenbacks.. My LP straight in and dimed.. IS the guitar sound I've always wanted to hear while playing guitar. I know the Origin line gets hate from the purists, but WOW.. that amp is SO fun. Plus it's beautiful. The Greenback upgrade is a MUST.
I would love something like that, but my amps never leave my room, and that's too much power. That being said, when the housing market comes back around, i may have to build a soundproof room . The origin 50 made me like the sd1 one, and the ts 808, which is my favorite, actually made me appreciate the sd1 even more. Two fantastic pedals. Marshalls are wonderful amps all around. Just got a peavey classic 30 because I'm not spending two grand on a Princeton. You can get Fender and marshall out of that peavey.
The amp sounds great, would love to have one but to be honest Sweetwater doesn’t extend those kind of discounts and gives their promoters the goodies…no offense meant, I would take them up on that kind of pricing also! I tried to buy a returned JEL-20 Friedman that was $1650 and they offered it for $1600 as a return…no thanks. I was trying to buy an EVH Frankenstein Demo for $1750 and they told me a promoter was interested in it and would let me know if it didn’t sell but of course it sold and I never heard from my account manager, I had to call two days later to find out. I am just not that impressed with their customer service and unfortunately most small local dealers have closed in OKC, OK and all that is really left is GC which are not customer friendly. I don’t mind buying online since I am a guitar tech, for over 30 years, so I can do my own setups etc and I can spot if there is a flaw with the guitar immediately which is why I was willing to buy from Sweetwater but they did me wrong twice, hence, I didn’t use my Sweetwater Card for a year so Synchrony Bank closed my card for inactivity. That amp has a killer sound and I believe that amps are going to come back. I have two Peavey 5150’s, two PRS Archon 50, two Carvin Legacy and Legacy III, three EVH 5150 (Iconic. 5150 iii EL and 5150 iii 6L6), two 73’ Fender Twin Reverbs, two Cieriatone JTM’s and a GK 250-RL like Maiden used on Somewhere In Time. I love real amps!!!
I think large heads are going the way of the dodo bird, classic or iconic, doesn't matter. Looks impressive but just not necessary anymore. Marshall will keep putting out their classic heads but the reduced sized Studio Vintage Series is the modern answer to those big heads. That will keep Marshall going.
I've got an original from 1971, paid £90 for it, equivalent to about $112 in todays money. It's serial No. is stamped D for 72 but the chassis is dated 71
My main worry about Tube Amps is when something goes wrong. A Tube Goes out and I don't know how to Bias a Amp. Don't live near a Music Store. They are cool when working though.
Not to mention pricing of tubes given the conflict in Ukraine !! Crazy unless you know how to bias one on your own. Not to mention if something else goes wrong with it other than the tubes contrary to popular belief tube amps not completely infallible. Big money for repairs.
so, if you're rockin madison square living room, you might need to retube every couple years MAYBE. is it really such a big deal at that point? i have amps that i bought used 3 years ago that still work fine, and i play them CRANKED in my house. also, not all amps need to be biased
@@mattmanley7118 if you buy a quality amp, the chances of something going wrong is very minimal, unless you drop it down a flight of stairs. try repairing a solid state amp and see how that goes for you. if they'll even fix it for you - most times, it's instantly garbage. tubes last a loooong time if you aren't gigging, and if you take care of them. considering how long they last, the cost isn't that big of a deal.
H@@mattmanley7118Get two marshall origins and save the tube life...replacement tubes are not that big of a deal...it's more fun to roll tubes...but pricey.
Bias voltage doesn't have to be perfect. It has a range, from cool to hot. You can swap tubes and bias it by ear to what you like. As long as it's not to low and red plating your tubes, your fine.
Robert, back in the day when I first started jamming in cover bands I had 100 W Marshall head and 412 bottom which was really nice! But now I have an amp from as you know the guys that left Marshall and created Blackstar so I have a Blackstar amp now I love it’s fantastic
Check out Dunlop 'Flow' buddy. Get the mixed pack and find 'the one'. Check whether you'll want XL or the standard smaller size. Also the yellowish Dunlop 'Ultex' picks are good for picking precision/speed.
I think if Marshall wants to stay relevant.....they MUST release an updated version of the JMP-1 with the cab IR and some effects , and a computer editor that can bring in the modeling players without sacrificing their tube amp heritage. It can be in a rack AND pedal format. Younger players aren’t using real amps much anymore and the need to gig with huge 100 watt tube amps is just not a thing right now. Maybe that will come back, but the JMP-1 is one of the best rack preamps ever made and TONS of players are begging for a reissue!! Come on, Marshall!
I'm considering going WAY off the regular path. During my current build, I discovered the NuX Mighty Plug Pro, and being blown away by its versatility, have decided to install one inside my build. I'll have to send a balanced stereo out or just keep an eye on the volume, or I could just install the out of my Crybaby into the in of the Nux. Hmm. I wonder if I can get/make/use a two way split cable and have an effects loop on the guitar instead of a regular out.
Funny how Marshall is cheaper in EU. But I guess that is normal when products has to go over the pond. I found that Marshall 1959HW for about 1,750 US dollars. About the same happens the other way around when we buy US made amps.
"Theres nothing wrong with the modelers" very diplomatic. My best friend uses modelers I do not. It has been a source of conflict between the two of us.
I bought my Marshall SV20H from England. It cost me around $760 for a new one. They are ridiculously priced here in the US. Of course I had to buy a step up transformer to get the right amount of power, but that was still cheaper than buying the head in America, not even counting taxes.
I heard Marshall say they make more of Bluetooth speakers than amps now.. I had a JCM900 in my room with w 4x12 for years. I jam on a Yamaha THR10ii now.. Its amazing for practice
My wife got me one of those bluetooth speakers for Christmas, but it was defective and upon returning it couldn't be replaced because it was sold out. It looked cool. Yamaha, though is the working man's brand. They make killer stuff that people can afford.
I have a super triple lead combo, it is a wonderful amp my absolute favorite. The only downside is, it is tinnitus in a box. Too easy to keep winding it up in all its glorious juicy crunch. That and it has to be fixed a lot.
Agree, nothing beats my Marshall’s for live gigs and recording. They just cut through in the mix and I’ve tried everything else. The modelers are cool but they make every sound except the one you want/need. Also reliable for the most part. I do get technology is improving and being compact, but it’s all a simulation of the real deal.
I think the DSL Series are fantastic. I have one. And I think it goes up to 50 watts and I think there is a JCM 800 version of the DSL series. Which is pretty rad. Marshall has always been that boutique amp brand where it's just a little to much money. I think I got mine for about 700 bucks 800. Brand new. Which for Marshall is a steal! especially for new.
@@benallmark9671I saw a TH-cam video from an amp repair tech on what his recommended amps are in terms of reliability and quality of engineering and he put the DSL combo on the list along with the Vox amps and Fender (after you replace 1 crappy component from those amps). So Marshall is doing something right.
hey man, no caveats necessary for the ox box! it still kicks ass and the onboard effects or I guess post effects are amazing! imho That hw head sounds awesome though, bro
Usually when a company marks down everything, they're trying to temporarily increase revenue AND identify which of their products are most popular (because if a $1400 price drop ain't gonna make you pull the trigger, then what will?). This could also be an experiment on Marshall's end to see if there is still a market for old school guitar rigs.
2 years ago I bought a brand new Marshall jmv 215 50 watt all tube amp. I had it shipped from England to Guitar Center and it's a beautiful amp. Paducah health conditions I wasn't able to use it for a year and I just plugged it in and all I'm hearing is crackling noise I know it's not the guitars and I know it's not the guitar cords. Guitar Center told me they can't get ahold of Marshall anymore. I'm assuming it's a tube or a resistor. Any thoughts? For a $2,200 amp that's only 2 years old and has hardly been used this shouldn't have happened.
Yeah, this is it. After trying a BE-100 deluxe in a store and then finding your vid on it, I was thinking how it sounds dialable to get a proper Marshall sound and wasn’t the usual “polite” Marshall Friedman makes…but 5 seconds of hearing the 1959 instantly brought it back to reality. This is the sound right here.
The 100 Deluxe is an amazing amp. It;s def a more refined take. Dave has a new amp coming out that is more wild like a Marshall I believe. But man the 59 is hard to beat. It has THE SOUND
@@RobertBakerGuitar yeah, the clips of his plexi coming out sound phenomenal. I do remember playing a 2014 model BE-100 that sounded really good. Not sure if it got more refined as revisions happened but that amp was a blast. Unfortunately the Deluxe (consignment, not new) I played in a store recently had something wrong with the clean channel, thin, anemic, much more so than the other channels.
Have a look at the top selling guitar tube amp heads on Thomann. They rank them by sales. Of the top 15 selling amps, 10 of them are Marshalls. The top 3 are all Marshalls. Musikhaus Thomann are the biggest guitar shop in Europe. So Marshall are a long long way from needing to be saved!! Also, the 1959hw has been available since 2005 so it's not like it's a new model. It's a longstanding staple in the range.
I think they also need to bring back the UK made Lead 100 MosFET. That is a killer amp. My biggest amp regret is selling mine. It would directly compete with the Orange SuperCrush but also bring a different flavour.
I think selling the audio gear like speakers and head phones will off set the big stuff though, that being said the JTM20 is a big win I think. It's no where near as expensive but you still are getting that classic marshall sound.
I’ve been thinking about picking up the Marshall DSL20HR, it’s getting great reviews everywhere. I reserved the DSL100HR because it’s marked WAY DOWN, but it’s back ordered. I love Marshall tone
Marshall needs to start modelling. The modelers are coming, they are now a viable replacement. I would much rather have a Marshall branding on my cabs rather that Alto Profesional. There is plenty room for Marshall to be inovative here as well. I think modelers should be more modular instead of all into one device. Amp / Cab on one device, then your delays, modulation, reverb on another device and then your pre amps and fuzz pedals on another device. Im coming from full blown modelers and I now have the IR-2 that thing is how it should be done. Im running the Line 6 PE in the FX loop. I just wish It was broken down more so I could run the amps as pre amps or the fuzz pedals direct in and then still use the FX loop for other FX. The HX One would be perfect as it allows the FX loop plus direct line in but you can only use one FX at a time LOL. Breaking things down to modular level gets price points down and allows the user to build something custom.
Here is what Marshall or some other company should do,make a new Modeling Amp that still looks likes a Plexi but has modern Amp Modeling plus also models for other companys amps and they need to design a model of a Tube Power Amp section so it sounds more like a real tube amp.Have special outputs voiced for 1x2,2x12 and 4x12 cabinets and also a preamp out for FRFR powered speakers!
@@jimsimmons2674 Thats basically what the Katana is. I dont like combo amps. Keep the cost under 200 bucks per module and build modular. If you dont like somethign you can easily take that out. Forget old cabs they are junk compared to good FRFR powered cabs with quality IR's fed into them. Thats the other part if you dont like the cab get rid of it and get a better one. Joyo is already doing all this. I just bought 300 bucks worth of gear just now to go with my IR-2. The IR-2 is just amazing, these pedals are premium level without all the bloat.
You missed my point here,i was not even talking about a combo amp but some of what i said would apply to combo modeling amps,i have tube amps and modeling floor units also solid state modeling amp heads and combos,the problem with modeling amps is many say they do not push air like a real tube amp and you mentioned the Katana wich is not what i would compare to what i was talking about!My point was to model the power tube amp section(I did not mean the preamp section)the preamp section is already modeled on all modelers but not the Tube Power Amp Section in most if not all Modeling Amps! I disagree what you said about(Forget old cabs they are junk compared to good FRFR powered cabs with quality IR's fed into them.)Who said old cabinets do not sound good?Many cabs are still new or not that old that sound great with modelers!I use the effects return on my Bugera 333 and it sounds very good with all my modelers,i run it into my Marshall 1960a 4x12 cab.I made my own FRFR 2X8 cab and it sounds good but not better then a real guitar speaker cabinet in my opinion!
@@jimsimmons2674 Right on, I guess you have not experienced a good IR yet. Get the IR-2 and use the calibration feature and it will change your mind I promise. That is the whole point of the IR combined with an FRFR powered cab. If you run into a traditional cab there really is no point in modelling. That IR youi choose is 80% of your tone! Wtih a tradional cab you are stuck to that tone that cab puts out and there is no way to change that. When it comes to the FRFR cabs size matters. Dont mess with anything smaller than a 15 inch woofer. I have the Alto Profesional TX315 and that thing blows my 4X12 Marshal away. The Marshal is now in storage and Ill never use it again. That Alto sounds far better and is about 5 times louder.
my buddy just spent 4k for a Marshall head and cab, it worked for about 3 hours. got hold of Sweetwater, they sent another. it lasted a day. Then they gave him @#$! about wanting to return it. took him weeks to get his $ back. glad Ive got a 69 Bandmaster Reverb, it just keeps rockin.
Music gear exports must have had some sort of readjustment taxation wise in England. Marshall amps are suddenly a much better deal. I would have a tech put the super lead's bright cap on a switch. You'll enjoy your pedals into the amp a lot more that way. It's nice to have the cap for cranked amp tones though.
DUDE! I follow you and Mr. P. Thorn...nobody's sick of hearing any of your fine excellent advice. I learn a TON from hear you BLAB! Keep on keeping on. Thank you, Sir.
I have several Marshall heads, A KK, a modded '86 800 and a modded Vintage Modern. They all kick so much ass. I would never buy these new Marshall heads as they won't compete with what I have.
A lot of people are worried about the Headfirst guy and his video about taking apart the JCM800 head and finding a cheaper made Transformer.. It kind of lead to the conclusion that Marshall may be using cheaper parts for their amps now days. And then all the sudden All their amps are marked down Way far down and back ordered everywhere. This could be because of the rumor of them cutting out the middle man that marked up everything $1000 too much.. So now prices are slashed and they're reforming and trying to reboot from the ground up. I don't know. I'm no expert but having those 2 things floating around with 0 confirmation from Marshall... It makes you wonder why such a drastic price drop in Every amp they sell. We want to know about the transformers and how good they really are and if the company has decided to get cheaper parts for the Flagship amps. IF so.. That is just ridiculous. Why would anyone even want to buy this brand anymore?.. It's up in the air as of now. We'll see how it pans out.
I picked up a Marshall DSL100HR head and I love this amp. I had the JCM 800 years ago and stupid me got rid of it. But I would love to have the amp you have.
Due to a change in distribution details, retailers have essentially been able to drop their prices on Marshall by roughly 25%. If you're considering buying one of these amps, NOW is the time!
The killer Marshall product would be a 20W "plexi" with a built-in loadbox/poweramp (like a Two Notes Captor X or UA Ox), digital effects and speaker simulation.
@RobertBakerGuitar love this video! And I’d love to see/hear you try the Victory Kotzen RK50C. It’s a simple, incredible tone machine, and one of the few amps I own where I think pedals take away rather than add.
So what do you guys and gals think? Is this the best path for Marshall to take?
Absolutely , there's something just magical about a single channel Marshall absolutely roaring, 1959 or JCM800 and add in the Boss SD1....nothing better ...and in a band mix, it beats everything going...Expensive but how many do you buy in a lifetime
Definitely
Ever tried the 410H? 4 channels, cover pretty much every Marshall tones. 👍
Going old school is the best option . Bring on what made them the powerhouse of amps in the first place.
yes 100%
Friedman answered the bell and they have won me over. My Dirty Shirley is the most Marshall thing I've ever played. Having said that, there would be no Friedman without Marshall so, i still have love for the influence.
I'm thinking of going the Friedman route as well. I have a Marshall JVM205 and love it, but I want something lighter like a 20 watt head and a 1x12 for portability. Thinking of getting the Little Sister
@@AntmanFelixI picked up a Little Sister about two months ago. I’ve owned quite a few amps over the years and there’s something about the Little Sister that I just absolutely love. In the 20ish watt space I’m not sure you can do better for covering a broad range of vintage Marshall tones, but with a bit of its own thing going on.
@@VintageRadius that's what I been hearing a lot. It can cover Marshall like tones but still be it's own amp too. I think that is something I'm looking for.
And to be fair... there would also be no Marshall without Fender... and there would he no Fender without the RCA manual.
Its all just huilding upon what the last guy did and trying ti move it forward just a little bit.
Only took so long spending time around Uncle Larry and crew in Nashville and he’s already back to real tube amps… Only a few weeks til the ox is gathering dust and you’re mic’ing up the cabs again… and I’m 100% here for it.
I have bought demo models from Sweetwater before and never had any problems with the items..most if not all look brand new and function properly.
The Marshall head and your playing sound great.
Same. I alsobought a B stock 8 string Schecter from Zzounds and saved around 150 bucks, and it had a tiny scratch between the knobs that would probably easily buff out with some compound. It just isn't worth the time for me, it's barely noticeable unless you know where it is and are right on top of it.
I’m old and kind of old-school. My favorite setup would be a mid to late 1970s JMP 50 watt head with EL-34 tubes, a 1960 TV cabinet with 25 watt Greenbacks and a Gibson Les Paul.
They still have them for sale, as a mater of fact all the new Marshalls have EL34s
I use my SD-1 as a volume boost for lead tones. Have had it since the late 80's. I love it.
Magical for lead boosting
The key to keeping Marshall relevant is to deliver their classic sounds in traditional platforms and most importantly at several different pricepoints so that the kids can by em. There’s no digital amp sim in the world that can replicate the power of a high wattage tube amp.
I agree but its tough to find a venue whether you’re a novice band or pros, that will let you open up a 100watt head onstage. Ive had to turn my dsl 20 head down before in a bar. The loud days are kinda over i think.
They have dont it ant then some, with the Studio Line, the new DSL Line, they brought back the Silver Jubilee 100 and Studio version, aforable JCM 800, and Studio version, also the Plexi HD is $1,100 cheaper than it was a few months ago I think they are kicking ass
Damn, that sounds fun!
I’m guessing it’s been done, but 1959HW vs SV-20H would be a fun video to see from you.
I’ve owned a ton of tube amps and digital systems in the 43 years I’ve been playing, and with the exception of the Kemper, which was a game changer digitally, tube amps is where it’s at.
I actually love the 1987x (model not year) 50 watt plexi. That was Jimmy Page’s “The Song Remains the Same” tone - breaks up sooner, has a sweeter tone.
I’m really impressed with the UK made 20 watt versions.
I’ve written Marshall kooky emails for years. Since 2015 to be exact.
Things I’ve requested:
Amp heads with built in attenuation/load and cabsim.
Pedalboard based preamps and power amps.
Stuff that came out, after the fact: Revv G20, Engl Fireball 25, AMT bricks series, Friedman IR-X.
You are correct Marshall has been lazy. Easier to make t shirts, hats, and fridges.
Those other guys can only Copy and Customize, but MARSHALL did it first and now its less than half price of
all those models
The last amp I bought is a Marshall JVM 210H. I love the tone, the flexibility, the power. I really appreciate that they got the volume control tamed. My old JCM 900 goes from whisper quiet to full on destruction in just the tiniest movement of the volume knob. The JVM is controllable and sensible. What I absolutely HATE about the JVM is the stupid swishy and sometimes sputtering noise that make us almost useless for gigging. Running two noise gates, one before the input and one in the effects loop kinda helps but sometimes it still gets through though it’s subtle. Such a shame.
I gigged with a JMP for years on the Sunset Strip with an SD-1, Rat, MXR or Tube Screamer. But mostly the SD-1. Great amp, but it ate tubes like potato chips. I eventually switched to a Boogie combo for gigs which did the job fine, but I did begin to miss the Marshall tone and feel.
I'm an older man. In my time Marshall was the king with no real competition. Now everything is anything but tubes. Tubes are and will always be the best. I'm a condo dweller, so how can I get my tube driven Marshall on. They have the answer. I love a good Gibson L.P. running straight in a tube driven head. They came out with a 1watt dsl Marshall tube head and combo. And you can hit a button and it brings it to a quarter watt. Unbelievable. I can jam in my condo with a red hot tube Marshall. Cranked in the sweet spot without bothering my niebors. It sounds unreal. Marshall has there shit together. And for that matter so does Gibson. I use a Tribute made in the USA Les Paul for 1299.00. Yes that's still a little bit of coin, but it not crazy. It's the real deal. And the 1 watt Marshall sound thru that lp. All I need or ever want. Thank you, Gibson and Marshall. The definition of rock and roll !
I have a dsl1 and yes it sounds cranked but its not a good cranked. Its very muffled and grainy. It does not have that "marshall" sound. A real marshall at low volumes still sounds 90% like a cranked marshall
@AudaciousAce1989
Wondering, what cab are you using?
@@robertwillett4122 Its a bone stock combo amp
@AudaciousAce1989
Oh, I have the head running it thru a pretty nice, 2×12 slanted Marshall cab. Might be the difference. I'm not saying
it's a Mesa Boogie. It's cool and does sound good playing classic rock. Yeah, there's better for a lot more cash. Nothing as cool. PEACE
Thats interesting! I have the combo and I dont want to spend $400 minimum after spending $500 on the amp itself.
Congrats on this and have fun with it! However, the immediate future is smaller versions that can be used in clubs, smaller venues and even small halls where everything is mic'd and nobody wants a loud stage. That's modern reality, even with 20W "lunch box" amps. Plus, the size and weight, which you so quickly pointed out! If UA or someone would make a small version of that load box that could more easily "gigged", that would help as well. Heck, I can barely get my 20W Friedman WW 20 over 3-4 on the Master when playing live as it is! LOVE the big Marshall sound though, oh for those 70's when we used 100W stacks! :+)
No small animals or pets were harmed in the making of this video demo of the #Marshall Super Lead #Plexi SLP #1959 100W Handwired Head.
I think the matching #Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabs are also discounted. These Marshall Amp products are backordered, so that might explain the price drop.
So, the price drop brings the 1959HW to $2,499. But I recently bought a 1986 JCM 800 for $2,350, in great shape, with grill cloth faded to brown - beautiful, and a matching 4x12. A new amp isn't the only option.
There is some controversy about what kind of transformers Marshall has been using of late. I saw one video where an amp tech found a crap tranny in a new Marshall. Maybe Marshall is going cheap in more ways than one.
They switched from Dagnall to Made in Vietnam Trannies wound in their factory there. Everyone is going cheap these days unfortunately
Definitely rather have the old Marshall
Marshall 1959 is my favorite amp from Marshall. I generally like Marshall sound the most from other brands. That said, i just cant ever see myself giging with something like this. ( I used to gig with Marshall Half stack) but those days are long gone. I could see myself owning one of these in my studio where i can play it though Ox Box like you Robert. But that is also a big investment to commit. So for now i am happy with my digital modeling.
@user-ri3gh6yb5k Or a full stack... FOH engineer just stares. 😳🤣
Marshall needs their own Tone Master-style amps while avoiding the mistake of the Tone Master Pro (an overpriced worse version of a Helix or Fractal [sorry, not sorry]) that kind of missed the point completely. I mean I actually think most people for a grand or so would be more than happy to have a solid state JCM, Super Lead, JTM, or Jubilee head or combo with the tone master features (Attenuator - XLR out).
💯 Agree! So many people are looking for those classic Marshall tones in a practical package like the tonemaster. The lowest watt Marshalls are the 20/5 watt version which is still too loud and not very practical for most players.
You only think the TMP is worse because TH-camrs told you to think that 😂
@@gdawgs101 Brother, I played one. Besides every TH-camr I saw said that thing was awesome (you know the same B.S "not a" sales pitch they all do)... It was not and It isn't a Fender thing, I love the the Tonemaster series and have defended them quite a bit (I think they sound fine with pedals). End of the day the TMP missed the point because the whole point was to make a amp that looked basically identical to iconic one you wanted except you could play it all the time (and move it) without killing someone. It was always about form factor.
@@rocktorrocks Right on, It would be pretty sweet to be able to crank a bluebreaker or Super Lead (
I know they get a LOT of hate... but my Origin 20 head into the matching 2x12 vertical cab with Greenbacks in it = The tone I've always wanted to hear while playing guitar... There's something in the feel too. My LP straight in and cranked with the Origin in 3w mode Absolutely rocks!!.. The tone is full, chunky, thick and has that Marshall ..Klang!.. Basically imagine every AC/DC riff.. but it takes pedals great too.. loves boosts and overdrive. So much fun !!... the caveat is the Greenback upgrade. It's a must.
Well a wise man once told me, “Digital reverb is a lie… amp modeling is betrayal.” To each his own.. I applaud your desire to use real amps. Modeling is convenient and has come a long way.. and I’ll use it sometimes because it’s simple.. but for recording? I need those glowing glass bottles of tone glowing bright when I hit that record button!!
None of that on the DSL100HR or DSL40CR
They’ve been doing plexi reissues since 1993. They’re not what will save Marshall. Making amps that you can get for a little under $1500 that have great tones and features is what will save Marshall amps. In the last 20 years they’ve only made two amps that I think excelled for their price point. The Origin series and the DsL40c combo (the 2nd to last gen). Really wish they had offered the 40 as a head. Through a 4x12 it’s a killer, hotter 800.
The JVM’s are too stiff and sizzly for decent old school sounds and got to ridiculous prices. Most of their sub $1500 amps pale horribly to what the competition offers. Marshall used to be the working man’s amp, grip it and rip it. Affordable and great tone. The great tone kind of ended once the JCM900’s came around but the reissues we now know, also started then. Even with the recent price drop (which may not last), they’re still out of reach for most working musicians new. Marshall doesn’t really care because amp sales account for about 5% of their revenue.
I grew up where 50-100 watt Marshall’s were standard and having them at volume in a room was common. Plus they were usually bulletproof. So that is perma-stamped on my brain for what Marshall is. What young players need or want today, with the death of bands in the same room and volume requirements, makes what Marshall needs to do a mystery for me. Maybe it’s a an official Sim pack but it would need to be exceptional.
Even though I use a Power Station now I would dig an updated solution from Marshall. Used their Power brake for over 25 years and it was great. Still have it.
Some things can’t beat the sound of a Marshall and a Les Paul!
✌️😎🎸🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
Jimi: “How about a Marshall and a Strat?”
Robin Trower: "how about a Marshall and a Strat?"
I mean, these days, a good amp sim can probably beat it, haha
@@tomaslopez2940 both for me all day 🎸👍🏼
My teacher back in 93 said the same thing, and it's still true today.
I love the way the rg550 looks after the neon glow fades out
Original RG550 in the house!
-w00t-w00t-!
I love mine. ❤️
I recently bit the bullet and bought my dream amp the JVM 215C. I love it! I sold my Kemper Stage and Friedman ASC 10 to purchase it. I don't regret moving on from modelers at all!
The 215C is perfect.
Nobody regrets moving on from modelers, lol.
Awesome video Robert. Thanks. It is very interesting about these Marshall 1959HW, I’ve read a few negative comments about the production of these , now that marshall was sold and that the PT and OT are made in Vietnam, (MAV) and no longer made by Dagnall in Malta. Yet every comment on videos for this amp have nothing but positive reviews and that the amp sounds great!!!!
I built amps (for myself), and have a plexi based amp using NOS parts , hand wired with custom PT , OT and choke. And I still placed an order on one of these as the price now is ridiculously low considering that they were closed to 4k.
Worst case scenario could be that my own built amp sounds more to my liking or style with a 30d return policy is no brainer.
Thanks for the video
The markup on the Marshall prices in the US has really tarnished the brand for me. In the UK they are known for bang-for-the -buck. Those studio models are sub-$1000 if you convert pounds to dollars. Then you come over here in the US, and they were over $2000. Its like buying from a scalper, and this covid-era of Scalpers ruining every hobby I enjoy kept me from paying that mark up. During this time, it allowed American boutique builders like Friedman to undercut, or Suhr to provide SO MUCH MORE for the same price. Now the ST20H is $200 less than a Friedman Little Sister... but I'm kinda soured on the whole deal. I spent the last 10 years pushing Marshall out of mind due to their markup, should I really push aside the other guys now that Marshall has come to their senses?
Nope. Theres more to life than marshall. Fender imo was always the better sound. Theres a fender for every possible situation too. I love super reverbs the most and cranked with a gibson its a nice place to be. But you could work with deluxe reverbs, princetons, tweed anything really etc.. theres a lot more going on w fender amps than marshalls. And even if you need something hotter a mesa boogie mark series has you covered. The og mk i and mk iis were basically a bassman circuit in a princeton cab with a 12 inch speaker.
It’s shipping. Marshall are expensive in the US but reasonable in the UK, and in the UK Mesa and Friedman are outrageously high priced and far better value in the US. Cant do a lot about that massive bit of water in between us. Friedman BE100 is about $3999 US. Equivalent UK price is $1000 higher. Nobody buys Mesa in the UK. Too expensive and just don’t hold their value here. Dual Rec loses two thirds value when used here!
@@Coolbeans1492 I feel like such a nerdy outcast by loving Vox more than all things. LOL!
@@SimpleManGuitars1973 i love vox man honestly. They’re so so good and their actual circuits are amazing. The speakers are good. For the price of a standard vox ac series you can’t really beat it. Even a deluxe reverb doesn’t have as good a circuit as an ac15 but there’s just something about fenders man. Clean they’re beautiful and when you crank them they fill out the mids beautifully. But if it’s abt amp for money can’t beat vox
Fenders are overpriced at UK anyway,,,, eye to eye...
Using a Y cable or coming out a stereo pedal is so much better than jumpering on a plexi. Little bit more gain too. Try it
This is my dream setup. With the load box you get all of the pros of a digital setup, i.e. the ability to record direct and the ability to crank the amp without blowing the windows out. My dream rig would include a setup like this and a Marshall 1987x, but for now, I’ll stick to my line 6 POD 😅
It’s great. But certainly comes with a price. Both financially and recording. Having a power soak, cabinet and proper mic arrangement still plays a dramatic role in the final product. Then comes preamps, phasing, keeping the tube amp in proper condition, etc etc. and finally, having all this does not automatically equate to a great sound on record.
There is certainly a feel to the tube amp. The load it places on the guitar pickups. latency (perceived or actual). Those nuances count for a player.
However, at the end of the day, modeling has gotten so good that in final mix it is very difficult to discern a model from the real thing. And modeling is only getting better and better over time.
I think amp makers in general face a serious financial future. Years ago if you wanted “that sound” of Marshall, Mesa, etc you had no option to really get it; unless you paid. Today, you can get so, so close to whatever amp sound you want for pennies on the dollar. And, have 30 of them all dialed in and sitting there, one patch select away. And immediately ready to record.
Why are none of the Marshall tube amps I'm interested in available now from anywhere (other than used)? I'm talking either a 1959HW, JTM45, SV20H, all on backorder. Is there some kind of distribution issue now?
To me, the 'SD-1' and 'Tubescreamer' were made to bolster relatively weak, lower gain amplifiers. So it seems strange to me seeing so many people saying a 'JCM and a 'Screamer' are some perfect combo (no pun intended.)
I really like your channel man, but I’m not sure I get what Marshall is doing so great or what will “save” them as far as growth of their amp business. Kills me a little because I love Marshall. On prices, I believe Marshall has some sort of new distribution agreement that is allowing their amps to be more price competitive in the U.S. That’s a win for them. But in the product development department IMO they are sitting on their hands and letting other brands like Friedman and Suhr deliver what modern players want Marshall to be putting out. For instance they could have a modern line that includes some of their famously “modded” circuits and add stuff like onboard attenuation - or develop entirely new amps. Unfortunately I think they are more focused on their lifestyle products
I've had a couple of Marshall's. They were expensive and heavy and never really did what I wanted. They were very unreliable and I blew them both. You really couldn't give me one. I now use a Rivera for high gain and a Fender for cleaner tones. Both do what I want and I've had zero problems, just routine maintenance and a pot required replacement in the Rivera. I live in the UK so getting a Rivera isn't all that easy over here. But the amp sounds so good and it's so reliable it was worth the effort to get one. Line level control, switching functions in the loop, push pulls on EQ, loads of headroom, just fantastic.
There are companies like Budda that make better Marshall's than Marshall and if that's what you want, look around.
Marshall's seam so bloody outdated, they're like museum pieces and lack practical modern features. So nope, not a brand that I'd even vaguely consider.
Do you have any thoughts on PRS, at least for high-gain? I'm thinking more along the lines of the MT - obviously if you think Marshall is antiquated then you'd have no use for an HDRX.
The market seems to be favoring small amps, modelers, low watt tube amps etc. The 100 watt half stacks aren’t practical for most players these days, even gigging musicians as venues mic the amp anyways. So many people seem to be looking for classic Marshall sounds but having to go to other companies/brands for more practical lower wattage or modeler options. If Marshall did Fender tone master style solid state as well as some 1 watt tube versions of their JCM 800, jubilee and plexi they would sell like hot cakes. Instead they only offer 20 watt versions which are still too loud for most and bluetooth speakers. Closest I’ve gotten is the Marshall DSL1 which I really like.
Hey Robert, cool video! Let me ask you, does your 1959hw also squeals with single coiled guitars when you add any short of gain pedals? I bought one brand new a few months ago, in a stunning custom red finish with a matching cab - beautiful - and I cannot stop it from squealing when adding an overdrive or fuzz pedal. It accommodates humbucker equipped guitats nicely, does the early evh thing pretty well, but the amp is almost unusable when I want to have a bit extra gain with my strat. Does yours also hum when you switch the power switch on? For an amo costing abt 2,000 euros in europe I’d say I am not overly impressed with what marshall is selling at this price range…
see, I'm of the opinion that the studio series is what could save them. Nobody needs a 100w amp with how efficient modern speakers are and how common it is for venues to run everything through a PA. Couple that with bedroom hobbyists making up the majority of the market, and the price drop to $1299, they're a bargain comparatively and sound the same as the big ones.
A handwired studio series is all they need to get the vintage guys interested. Knock the DSL down ~$125 across the line and BAM, they've got the new players looking for their first good amp. They're definitely in position to either make a comeback or go full Gibson in the next couple years, I really hope it's the former.
Nice 1 Bob, sounds great, but 100W these days is overkill in most situations these days! Esp for recording. The SV20 or SJT20 is ideal!
Very nice tone Man ! When you play at high volume do you have "ghost notes" with the neck pickup ?
Thanks !
Marshall should sell only Superlead, Super bass, JTM 45, master volume JMP and JCM 800 and forget all of that other crap. Those are their very best rock n roll, hard rock and metal amps, hands down. Those circuits have an unmatched pedigree for a reason.
Gotta agree here, it's criminal that they focus on releasing drivel. In addition to these I'd also love to see the jmp-1 and 9200 re-released
So screw the people who love the JCM900, DSL, Silver Jubilee, and JVM? Lol, okay.
@@austinfailz The Chinese DSL’s sound like crap and both it and the JVM’s are crushed, regarding tone, by a 6 knob Master model and a good pedal. 900’s aren’t made now except as ridiculously priced re-issues. You really think people are lining up to pay 2500 plus for a 900? The only one I agree on, even though it is not a fav of mine, is keeping the Jubilee around. Many like it.
@@Skoora the price of the JCM900 was reduced to 2000.
@@austinfailz …..and? $2000 for a JCM900 is total crack smoke. No one is buying that amp for that much with what is available for less now.
The Jubilee Studio head is a frickin beauty! Also, I very much enjoy Rob's jaw movement when he plays a heavy riff.
I just had an SV20H (Studio Plexi) delivered today. It’s incredible! The only Marshall I’ve owned previously was a JCM600 2x12 combo in the late 90s. This plexi is a totally different beast ❤
I had the JCM 602 which was the black tolex & cloth. The other was JTM 602 which was a grayish brown with a tan cloth. The amp sounded great especially on top of a 412. I fried my power tubes 4 times because they were horizontally mounted and would get too hot. Eventually I sold it and got a DSL 100. Which I still have
YES! Another video about those pedals!
Especially EQ pedals. Utterly the most underrated pedal out there. You can get an MXR 10 band EQ with a volume and a gain slider and dual outputs for under $100 used.
More videos about other parts of your rig too.
Wampler EQuator is fantastic as a mid boost....brilliant for that 80's metal boost
What will save Marshall is the one thing they will and can never do: reduce their prices. There's no reason for a Plexi to cost nearly $4k. There's no reason for that amp to cost more than $1200, at the most. But, in that market space, Marshall has a wide variety of amps to choose from. None really worth a damn. The SV20 and SJ20 are worth a damn. They are killer, in fact.
Other than that, Marshall's catalogue of amps under $2000 is rather crappy. So, if they want to stay in business, Marshall really needs to figure our a way to make their tube amps more affordable without sacrificing tone and quality.
I absolutely love my origin 20 head and 2x12 vertical cab loaded with Greenbacks.. My LP straight in and dimed.. IS the guitar sound I've always wanted to hear while playing guitar. I know the Origin line gets hate from the purists, but WOW.. that amp is SO fun. Plus it's beautiful. The Greenback upgrade is a MUST.
I would love something like that, but my amps never leave my room, and that's too much power. That being said, when the housing market comes back around, i may have to build a soundproof room . The origin 50 made me like the sd1 one, and the ts 808, which is my favorite, actually made me appreciate the sd1 even more. Two fantastic pedals. Marshalls are wonderful amps all around. Just got a peavey classic 30 because I'm not spending two grand on a Princeton. You can get Fender and marshall out of that peavey.
The amp sounds great, would love to have one but to be honest Sweetwater doesn’t extend those kind of discounts and gives their promoters the goodies…no offense meant, I would take them up on that kind of pricing also!
I tried to buy a returned JEL-20 Friedman that was $1650 and they offered it for $1600 as a return…no thanks.
I was trying to buy an EVH Frankenstein Demo for $1750 and they told me a promoter was interested in it and would let me know if it didn’t sell but of course it sold and I never heard from my account manager, I had to call two days later to find out.
I am just not that impressed with their customer service and unfortunately most small local dealers have closed in OKC, OK and all that is really left is GC which are not customer friendly.
I don’t mind buying online since I am a guitar tech, for over 30 years, so I can do my own setups etc and I can spot if there is a flaw with the guitar immediately which is why I was willing to buy from Sweetwater but they did me wrong twice, hence, I didn’t use my Sweetwater Card for a year so Synchrony Bank closed my card for inactivity.
That amp has a killer sound and I believe that amps are going to come back.
I have two Peavey 5150’s, two PRS Archon 50, two Carvin Legacy and Legacy III, three EVH 5150 (Iconic. 5150 iii EL and 5150 iii 6L6), two 73’ Fender Twin Reverbs, two Cieriatone JTM’s and a GK 250-RL like Maiden used on Somewhere In Time.
I love real amps!!!
I think large heads are going the way of the dodo bird, classic or iconic, doesn't matter. Looks impressive but just not necessary anymore. Marshall will keep putting out their classic heads but the reduced sized Studio Vintage Series is the modern answer to those big heads. That will keep Marshall going.
I've got an original from 1971, paid £90 for it, equivalent to about $112 in todays money. It's serial No. is stamped D for 72 but the chassis is dated 71
My main worry about Tube Amps is when something goes wrong. A Tube Goes out and I don't know how to Bias a Amp. Don't live near a Music Store. They are cool when working though.
Not to mention pricing of tubes given the conflict in Ukraine !! Crazy unless you know how to bias one on your own. Not to mention if something else goes wrong with it other than the tubes contrary to popular belief tube amps not completely infallible. Big money for repairs.
so, if you're rockin madison square living room, you might need to retube every couple years MAYBE. is it really such a big deal at that point? i have amps that i bought used 3 years ago that still work fine, and i play them CRANKED in my house. also, not all amps need to be biased
@@mattmanley7118 if you buy a quality amp, the chances of something going wrong is very minimal, unless you drop it down a flight of stairs. try repairing a solid state amp and see how that goes for you. if they'll even fix it for you - most times, it's instantly garbage. tubes last a loooong time if you aren't gigging, and if you take care of them. considering how long they last, the cost isn't that big of a deal.
H@@mattmanley7118Get two marshall origins and save the tube life...replacement tubes are not that big of a deal...it's more fun to roll tubes...but pricey.
Bias voltage doesn't have to be perfect. It has a range, from cool to hot. You can swap tubes and bias it by ear to what you like. As long as it's not to low and red plating your tubes, your fine.
I wish Marshall would come out with something like fenders tone master for their famous amps
Robert, back in the day when I first started jamming in cover bands I had 100 W Marshall head and 412 bottom which was really nice! But now I have an amp from as you know the guys that left Marshall and created Blackstar so I have a Blackstar amp now I love it’s fantastic
What pick are you using? I'm going through a pick madness right now and need help/suggestions
Check out Dunlop 'Flow' buddy. Get the mixed pack and find 'the one'. Check whether you'll want XL or the standard smaller size. Also the yellowish Dunlop 'Ultex' picks are good for picking precision/speed.
@@lightningstrikes7314 thank you! i'm going to order right now
I’ve personally been using acrylics as of late. Got some Gravity Picks and a Red Bear Trading Co. pick that I really enjoy.
All Marshall’s are on sale. I just bought a JVM 410H for 1800. It’s normally 3k plus.
I think if Marshall wants to stay relevant.....they MUST release an updated version of the JMP-1 with the cab IR and some effects , and a computer editor that can bring in the modeling players without sacrificing their tube amp heritage. It can be in a rack AND pedal format. Younger players aren’t using real amps much anymore and the need to gig with huge 100 watt tube amps is just not a thing right now. Maybe that will come back, but the JMP-1 is one of the best rack preamps ever made and TONS of players are begging for a reissue!! Come on, Marshall!
I'm considering going WAY off the regular path.
During my current build, I discovered the NuX Mighty Plug Pro, and being blown away by its versatility, have decided to install one inside my build.
I'll have to send a balanced stereo out or just keep an eye on the volume, or I could just install the out of my Crybaby into the in of the Nux.
Hmm.
I wonder if I can get/make/use a two way split cable and have an effects loop on the guitar instead of a regular out.
Funny how Marshall is cheaper in EU. But I guess that is normal when products has to go over the pond. I found that Marshall 1959HW for about 1,750 US dollars.
About the same happens the other way around when we buy US made amps.
"Theres nothing wrong with the modelers" very diplomatic. My best friend uses modelers I do not. It has been a source of conflict between the two of us.
Tubes + IR is the best way to go! I do that with the Friedman IRX and I never look back :D
I bought my Marshall SV20H from England. It cost me around $760 for a new one. They are ridiculously priced here in the US. Of course I had to buy a step up transformer to get the right amount of power, but that was still cheaper than buying the head in America, not even counting taxes.
I heard Marshall say they make more of Bluetooth speakers than amps now.. I had a JCM900 in my room with w 4x12 for years. I jam on a Yamaha THR10ii now.. Its amazing for practice
My wife got me one of those bluetooth speakers for Christmas, but it was defective and upon returning it couldn't be replaced because it was sold out. It looked cool. Yamaha, though is the working man's brand. They make killer stuff that people can afford.
All I've ever owned are Fender tube combos......but when it comes to bell-like clean tones, Marshall CAN do that too. Lots of headroom.
My favorite Marshall is a Lead 100 MOSFET. I finally got one on reverb after years of regretting selling mine.
I have a super triple lead combo, it is a wonderful amp my absolute favorite. The only downside is, it is tinnitus in a box. Too easy to keep winding it up in all its glorious juicy crunch. That and it has to be fixed a lot.
The Marshall JVM 205H can sound just like the 59, maybe a little cheaper but it’s a keeper for me, great video!
Im a ENGL guy just never had a marshal and dove into helix last couple years and has some great uses but its hard to beat a good tube amp
Agree, nothing beats my Marshall’s for live gigs and recording. They just cut through in the mix and I’ve tried everything else. The modelers are cool but they make every sound except the one you want/need. Also reliable for the most part. I do get technology is improving and being compact, but it’s all a simulation of the real deal.
I think the DSL Series are fantastic. I have one. And I think it goes up to 50 watts and I think there is a JCM 800 version of the DSL series. Which is pretty rad. Marshall has always been that boutique amp brand where it's just a little to much money. I think I got mine for about 700 bucks 800. Brand new. Which for Marshall is a steal! especially for new.
Boutique brand ? We’ll agree to disagree
@@benallmark9671I saw a TH-cam video from an amp repair tech on what his recommended amps are in terms of reliability and quality of engineering and he put the DSL combo on the list along with the Vox amps and Fender (after you replace 1 crappy component from those amps). So Marshall is doing something right.
Marshall also needs to continue with tradition since the 80s by continuing the jcm series. Like the jcm 800, 900, 2000, now something like jcm idk 220
hey man, no caveats necessary for the ox box! it still kicks ass and the onboard effects or I guess post effects are amazing! imho
That hw head sounds awesome though, bro
Usually when a company marks down everything, they're trying to temporarily increase revenue AND identify which of their products are most popular (because if a $1400 price drop ain't gonna make you pull the trigger, then what will?). This could also be an experiment on Marshall's end to see if there is still a market for old school guitar rigs.
2 years ago I bought a brand new Marshall jmv 215 50 watt all tube amp.
I had it shipped from England to Guitar Center and it's a beautiful amp.
Paducah health conditions I wasn't able to use it for a year and I just plugged it in and all I'm hearing is crackling noise
I know it's not the guitars and I know it's not the guitar cords.
Guitar Center told me they can't get ahold of Marshall anymore.
I'm assuming it's a tube or a resistor.
Any thoughts?
For a $2,200 amp that's only 2 years old and has hardly been used this shouldn't have happened.
Yeah, this is it. After trying a BE-100 deluxe in a store and then finding your vid on it, I was thinking how it sounds dialable to get a proper Marshall sound and wasn’t the usual “polite” Marshall Friedman makes…but 5 seconds of hearing the 1959 instantly brought it back to reality. This is the sound right here.
The 100 Deluxe is an amazing amp. It;s def a more refined take. Dave has a new amp coming out that is more wild like a Marshall I believe. But man the 59 is hard to beat. It has THE SOUND
@@RobertBakerGuitar yeah, the clips of his plexi coming out sound phenomenal. I do remember playing a 2014 model BE-100 that sounded really good. Not sure if it got more refined as revisions happened but that amp was a blast. Unfortunately the Deluxe (consignment, not new) I played in a store recently had something wrong with the clean channel, thin, anemic, much more so than the other channels.
Always appreciate the Kalamazoo! 😎😘
Actually, I like the studioline series 20W JCM and JTM. Budgetfriendly and great tones.
The JTM45 is great too.
Have a look at the top selling guitar tube amp heads on Thomann. They rank them by sales. Of the top 15 selling amps, 10 of them are Marshalls. The top 3 are all Marshalls. Musikhaus Thomann are the biggest guitar shop in Europe. So Marshall are a long long way from needing to be saved!!
Also, the 1959hw has been available since 2005 so it's not like it's a new model. It's a longstanding staple in the range.
I think they also need to bring back the UK made Lead 100 MosFET. That is a killer amp. My biggest amp regret is selling mine. It would directly compete with the Orange SuperCrush but also bring a different flavour.
I think selling the audio gear like speakers and head phones will off set the big stuff though, that being said the JTM20 is a big win I think. It's no where near as expensive but you still are getting that classic marshall sound.
My modern (Sort of) JCM 2000 TSL sounds fantastic with the SD-1. So does my 68 Bassman through my Marshall 25W greenback 4x12 cab
I think it sounds good. Is that an 80s sd1 or a new one? Have you ever compared the two sd1s?
I’ve been thinking about picking up the Marshall DSL20HR, it’s getting great reviews everywhere. I reserved the DSL100HR because it’s marked WAY DOWN, but it’s back ordered. I love Marshall tone
Marshall needs to start modelling. The modelers are coming, they are now a viable replacement. I would much rather have a Marshall branding on my cabs rather that Alto Profesional. There is plenty room for Marshall to be inovative here as well. I think modelers should be more modular instead of all into one device. Amp / Cab on one device, then your delays, modulation, reverb on another device and then your pre amps and fuzz pedals on another device. Im coming from full blown modelers and I now have the IR-2 that thing is how it should be done. Im running the Line 6 PE in the FX loop. I just wish It was broken down more so I could run the amps as pre amps or the fuzz pedals direct in and then still use the FX loop for other FX. The HX One would be perfect as it allows the FX loop plus direct line in but you can only use one FX at a time LOL. Breaking things down to modular level gets price points down and allows the user to build something custom.
Here is what Marshall or some other company should do,make a new Modeling Amp that still looks likes a Plexi but has modern Amp Modeling plus also models for other companys amps and they need to design a model of a Tube Power Amp section so it sounds more like a real tube amp.Have special outputs voiced for 1x2,2x12 and 4x12 cabinets and also a preamp out for FRFR powered speakers!
@@jimsimmons2674 Thats basically what the Katana is. I dont like combo amps. Keep the cost under 200 bucks per module and build modular. If you dont like somethign you can easily take that out. Forget old cabs they are junk compared to good FRFR powered cabs with quality IR's fed into them. Thats the other part if you dont like the cab get rid of it and get a better one.
Joyo is already doing all this. I just bought 300 bucks worth of gear just now to go with my IR-2. The IR-2 is just amazing, these pedals are premium level without all the bloat.
You missed my point here,i was not even talking about a combo amp but some of what i said would apply to combo modeling amps,i have tube amps and modeling floor units also solid state modeling amp heads and combos,the problem with modeling amps is many say they do not push air like a real tube amp and you mentioned the Katana wich is not what i would compare to what i was talking about!My point was to model the power tube amp section(I did not mean the preamp section)the preamp section is already modeled on all modelers but not the Tube Power Amp Section in most if not all Modeling Amps!
I disagree what you said about(Forget old cabs they are junk compared to good FRFR powered cabs with quality IR's fed into them.)Who said old cabinets do not sound good?Many cabs are still new or not that old that sound great with modelers!I use the effects return on my Bugera 333 and it sounds very good with all my modelers,i run it into my Marshall 1960a 4x12 cab.I made my own FRFR 2X8 cab and it sounds good but not better then a real guitar speaker cabinet in my opinion!
@@jimsimmons2674 Right on, I guess you have not experienced a good IR yet. Get the IR-2 and use the calibration feature and it will change your mind I promise. That is the whole point of the IR combined with an FRFR powered cab. If you run into a traditional cab there really is no point in modelling. That IR youi choose is 80% of your tone! Wtih a tradional cab you are stuck to that tone that cab puts out and there is no way to change that.
When it comes to the FRFR cabs size matters. Dont mess with anything smaller than a 15 inch woofer. I have the Alto Profesional TX315 and that thing blows my 4X12 Marshal away. The Marshal is now in storage and Ill never use it again. That Alto sounds far better and is about 5 times louder.
@@jimsimmons2674 Yeah the IR-2 has genuin Celestrion IR's built in. Thats a big deal and why the IR-2 is so good.
my buddy just spent 4k for a Marshall head and cab, it worked for about 3 hours. got hold of Sweetwater, they sent another. it lasted a day. Then they gave him @#$! about wanting to return it. took him weeks to get his $ back. glad Ive got a 69 Bandmaster Reverb, it just keeps rockin.
Oh, I got an origin 50 W head and a 100 W MG with my paddleboard they both sound great
Music gear exports must have had some sort of readjustment taxation wise in England. Marshall amps are suddenly a much better deal. I would have a tech put the super lead's bright cap on a switch. You'll enjoy your pedals into the amp a lot more that way. It's nice to have the cap for cranked amp tones though.
Nice Marshall, but it can't do HX Stomp tones.
That amp does sound great for a new one, though the bloomy yet tight marshal thing just doesn’t happen without the requisite approach, which you have!
Thanks buddy :)
I love the marshall sv20..its damn near perfect. Still crazy loud without attenuation
DUDE! I follow you and Mr. P. Thorn...nobody's sick of hearing any of your fine excellent advice.
I learn a TON from hear you BLAB! Keep on keeping on. Thank you, Sir.
What is the second Amp you got ??
I have several Marshall heads, A KK, a modded '86 800 and a modded Vintage Modern. They all kick so much ass. I would never buy these new Marshall heads as they won't compete with what I have.
A lot of people are worried about the Headfirst guy and his video about taking apart the JCM800 head and finding a cheaper made Transformer.. It kind of lead to the conclusion that Marshall may be using cheaper parts for their amps now days. And then all the sudden All their amps are marked down Way far down and back ordered everywhere. This could be because of the rumor of them cutting out the middle man that marked up everything $1000 too much.. So now prices are slashed and they're reforming and trying to reboot from the ground up. I don't know. I'm no expert but having those 2 things floating around with 0 confirmation from Marshall... It makes you wonder why such a drastic price drop in Every amp they sell. We want to know about the transformers and how good they really are and if the company has decided to get cheaper parts for the Flagship amps. IF so.. That is just ridiculous. Why would anyone even want to buy this brand anymore?.. It's up in the air as of now. We'll see how it pans out.
bridge strat was my no1
tele chords sounded full
I went with 3rd Power Kitchen Sink. Before Satch did. Lol. I do love Marshall though.
I picked up a Marshall DSL100HR head and I love this amp. I had the JCM 800 years ago and stupid me got rid of it. But I would love to have the amp you have.
Due to a change in distribution details, retailers have essentially been able to drop their prices on Marshall by roughly 25%. If you're considering buying one of these amps, NOW is the time!
The killer Marshall product would be a 20W "plexi" with a built-in loadbox/poweramp (like a Two Notes Captor X or UA Ox), digital effects and speaker simulation.
where are they made? Not UK? or are they..
Visiting Marshall today to pick up my amp after a service. Got to do the tour…obviously 🎉 Benefits of living 30 mins from the factory 🎸🇬🇧👏
@RobertBakerGuitar love this video! And I’d love to see/hear you try the Victory Kotzen RK50C. It’s a simple, incredible tone machine, and one of the few amps I own where I think pedals take away rather than add.
Antiquity pickups in that strat?
Yeah. I wish Marshall would have had their stuff together before I bought my amps. But there are so many good amps out too.