Marshall Amps

[bikescene]

I wonder how Marshall would have done if they had packaged the JMD's Softube modeling in a Tonemaster-like package and offered the amps loaded with Greenbacks or V-Types.

I was on vacation to China just a week ago. Those Marshall Bluetooth speakers were all over the shopping malls, placed like a premium product. At one spot, there was were reps promoting the speakers. It felt odd that this was the most exposure to the Marshall logo in my life.

 

[spawnofthesith]

This popped up in my FB memories today from a gig in a barn 2yrs ago. Pretty sweet rig

 

[megametal7]

I have 2 Marshalls DSl100HR and JCM2000

They are both loud…. I killed jcm2000 by cranking it to the max…. I was like…. Lets av it!!! Fire and damnation…. Then pffff amp dead lol


I like both of them :)


Ive played

Jcm900
Jcm800
Jubilee
MG


My fav was 2203… it sounded delicious…..

 

[Elric]

While Marshall don't necessarily need to do another digital amp like the Code series, they should at least make a better solid-state amp instead of the awful MG series.

Mentioned this on TGP, I'd love to see them have a go at something like the Fender ToneMaster. License the models from someone that does a great Marshall model and then tweak it to the poweramp and your cabs, make the power amp at least 300W and call it a 100W amp. I dunno if that is an entry level model, but it is a modern SS option and it could be done in a way that doesn't suck. I think.

 

[HotRats]

I assume Marshalls still don't sell anywhere near the numbers that Boss Katanas do, or similar from Fender.

I have no idea but if we look at the Thomann top seller list (for what is worth) the dsl 40w combo comes 7th and cost from 10 to 3 times the first 6

In the tube heads category they have 6 products in the first 10 spots including 1st and 3rd position.

In the electric guitar amps general ranking (this one include digital, solid state, cabs, whatever) the dsl20 is in 10th place.

Anyway, I don't think they are not selling well and they surely might sell better with a better offering.

What I've found amazing about that 5% is the other 95%. I mean, do they really sell that many headphones & C?

Marshall doesn't have a good budget offering. The cheapest amp in their range that I would buy is the DSL40CR combo, and that's about twice the money of the Katana Gen 3 even if the Marshall is a full tube amp.

While Marshall don't necessarily need to do another digital amp like the Code series, they should at least make a better solid-state amp instead of the awful MG series.

I just don't think they have any good designers left when all they have put out in years is the same rehashed circuits in 20W format.

I agree 100%

Marshall inability to put out another great idea like the 410 has been and to keep up with the evolution of the industry is mind-blowing.

 

[Tanax]

I'm curious what people want from Marshall? Like.. what would have made them able to "put up with evolution"?
I'm sure everyone has their own idea but still.

 

[likitlikeyoulikeit]

Laney is a good example. But I would say that.

I am happy, because Marshall mismanagement has lead to greater exposure to more British amp manufacturers.

 

[Whizzinby]

I'm curious what people want from Marshall? Like.. what would have made them able to "put up with evolution"?
I'm sure everyone has their own idea but still.

Honestly they’ve addressed the biggest issue, which was the absurd pricing in the states.

Most of the features being added in amps that we consider progressive, are adding shit that is already covered by a slew of other affordable external gear (attenuators, reactive loads, DI boxes, IR loaders etc) and I’ve about reached a point where I’d just prefer the amp to be an amp, and I’ll BYOB from there if I have other needs. That’s how you end up selling 20w amps for 2k loaded with shit you may or may not want to begin with.

I think a TM styled offering could be cool depending on execution.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Thanks.

Here's a gut shot. It's a deeper chassis than a typical Marshall, so the wiring is longer than I'd like in retrospect.

Edit. A markup of the widely referenced 50W schematic for those interested.

What’s up with the Ch1 bright cap going between 500pF and 500pF?

Mucho respecto for building your own, dude.

 

[LeftyLoungeLizard]

Grab those true Marshalls while you can, because this is the end of an era.

 

[bikescene]

What’s up with the Ch1 bright cap going between 500pF and 500pF?

Mucho respecto for building your own, dude.

Thanks. The 500pF in red was a typo, I meant 100pF. The switch originally went between none, 100pF, and 500pF (I used 470pF instead) on the bright channel. Now it goes none,100pF, and 5000pF.

 

[Tanax]

Honestly they’ve addressed the biggest issue, which was the absurd pricing in the states.

Most of the features being added in amps that we consider progressive, are adding shit that is already covered by a slew of other affordable external gear (attenuators, reactive loads, DI boxes, IR loaders etc) and I’ve about reached a point where I’d just prefer the amp to be an amp, and I’ll BYOB from there if I have other needs. That’s how you end up selling 20w amps for 2k loaded with shit you may or may not want to begin with.

I think a TM styled offering could be cool depending on execution.

I agree. I think this is one of the main reasons why Friedman is doing so poorly in Europe, where even their most affordable 20W amp is almost 2K, like you said. Looks like the Marshall Studio series + the new Marshall pricing in the US fixes most issues then (well at least for you in US where price has been the biggest issue)?

There are of course OTHER innovations you could do, without having it loaded with "shit" as you said, and still be just an amp. Things like the bright switches Friedman did with their Plex which is pretty nice. Ceriatone have pretty cool features on their Marshall offerings as well (and they are definitely only amps, no midi or modern features at all).

And of course, Marshall could also branch out into other sounds instead of rehashing all their old sounds, even though that sound is amazing.

Henning's video after being in Marshall HQ definitely leaves some interesting things to follow. He mentioned they were working to release a few products over the coming years (2025 and 2026).

 

[Elf]

Honestly they’ve addressed the biggest issue, which was the absurd pricing in the states.

I agree, the problem is nobody has them in stock anymore.

 

[Whizzinby]

I agree. I think this is one of the main reasons why Friedman is doing so poorly in Europe, where even their most affordable 20W amp is almost 2K, like you said. Looks like the Marshall Studio series + the new Marshall pricing in the US fixes most issues then (well at least for you in US where price has been the biggest issue)?

There are of course OTHER innovations you could do, without having it loaded with "shit" as you said, and still be just an amp. Things like the bright switches Friedman did with their Plex which is pretty nice. Ceriatone have pretty cool features on their Marshall offerings as well (and they are definitely only amps, no midi or modern features at all).

And of course, Marshall could also branch out into other sounds instead of rehashing all their old sounds, even though that sound is amazing.

Henning's video after being in Marshall HQ definitely leaves some interesting things to follow. He mentioned they were working to release a few products over the coming years (2025 and 2026).

Agreed.

Pricing was a big issue because it was pushing their amps into the boutique category. Sanely priced these amps are actually pretty good value for money imo, especially since they are “the source” tones.

I think there are cool things they could do. Like I think they could print money with an 800 with a Jose Mod switch, or as you mentioned bright switch or variac modes. But the thing is, they’ve kind of already done the gained up thing. The JVM and DSL are awesome amps, and affordable. (now) They’ve got all the classic mid gain amps. They’ve got low(er) watt versions of everything. They can’t keep them stocked now at attractive prices. Beyond overhauling their entry stuff, or breaking into TM type hybrid modeling amps, I don’t think there is anything overly obvious they should be doing that is anything more than cramming potentially non essential features into them. (That will drive prices back up)

 

[Tanax]

Agreed.

Pricing was a big issue because it was pushing their amps into the boutique category. Sanely priced these amps are actually pretty good value for money imo, especially since they are “the source” tones.

I think there are cool things they could do. Like I think they could print money with an 800 with a Jose Mod switch, or as you mentioned bright switch or variac modes. But the thing is, they’ve kind of already done the gained up thing. The JVM and DSL are awesome amps, and affordable. (now) They’ve got all the classic mid gain amps. They’ve got low(er) watt versions of everything. They can’t keep them stocked now at attractive prices. Beyond overhauling their entry stuff, or breaking into TM type hybrid modeling amps, I don’t think there is anything overly obvious they should be doing that is anything more than cramming potentially non essential features into them. (That will drive prices back up)

What about analog pedal format, like the IR series from Friedman? Or is the power amp too important in a Marshall for the sound?

 

[HomespunEffects]

Thanks. The 500pF in red was a typo, I meant 100pF. The switch originally went between none, 100pF, and 500pF (I used 470pF instead) on the bright channel. Now it goes none,100pF, and 5000pF.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I'm curious what people want from Marshall? Like.. what would have made them able to "put up with evolution"?
I'm sure everyone has their own idea but still.

That's simple. A British-made Friedman Smallbox for $1999. If they can do something like the JVM205H for $1699, something arguably more simple but with better tonal quality for a little more, would be great.

 

[Joshual-L]

Amps are not selling that much anymore.
Like others I don’t understand why they let Friedman and others win the « supercharged Marshall » business. No even one « special Jose Mod limited edition «
And they never tried to compete with Marshall in a box pedals.
I just can’t understand it.

Maybe like every big companies, when you give the salesman the key they ruined everything.

 

[bikescene]

I wonder why the didn't keep their cheaper low wattage amps on the market, like the Class 5 or the more classic 1W heads (JTM1, JMP1, JCM1). Must not have sold as well as I thought. Maybe the under 50W DSL range is selling best for them in the lower end of the market.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Spruce up the JVM just a hair and rerelease. Profit!