What’s going on with Marshall??

[metropolis_4]

First we heard they were sold to Zound and became the Marshall Group

Then there was the big 50% off sale on all the British made models

Now several online shops like GC, Zzounds, and AMS no longer list the British models, and others like Sweetwater still list them but not in stock (back ordered).

The only models you can find are the Studio series and Vietnam made models.

Something seems to be going on…

 

[Jambi]

I just took off my Marshall Headphones before grabbing a cold one out of my Marshall Fridge and plugging into my Slash Magnatone. What are you talking about?

 

[jellodog]

There's some discusion here from just over a week ago, although it seems mostly like a puff piece:

“It sounds ambitious, but with the brand that we have, I have no concern about us becoming a multibillion-dollar company”: Marshall chief exec Jeremy de Maillard bullish about amp brand’s growth

Best of 2023: After Zound bought Marshall in March this year, fans of the storied amp company asked what’s next? According to the Marshall Group chief exec, growth is next, and lots of it

www.musicradar.com

 

[MirrorProfiles]

tbf, it would be dumb for Marshall not to cash in on the branding. Its probably their strongest asset, people recognise the logo and associate it with being part of a stage back line without even knowing what it is.

Not to say the sound and products aren’t a factor either, but it’s free money for them to make that most brands would dream of having. Fender and Gibson take advantage of it too.

Probably expect some changes with the new ownership, but I’d imagine the British economy/worldwide trading post brexit, supply chains due to war, pandemic, and just general trends factor in more. The Vietnam factory has been running a while and the amps aren’t too bad. But concerning where they’re headed but the same could be said for the valve amp industry in general.

 

[Jambi]

Being from America, I feel like my relationship with Marshall could be different if I were from the UK. On this side of the pond, there are a lot of Marshall flavored options for a more competitive price considering the “improvements” and options.

Again. Being from America, they remind me of Taco Bell. I love them, but every time they come out with something, I can’t help but feel like I’ve seen it before.

 

[Tanax]

That's not the situation in Europe. They are all in stock in Europe, where Marshall is from. I think all is good.
I wouldn't read too much into what happens in a foreign market such as the US.

It could however be something local going on, such as Marshall switching US distributor.

 

[Gibsoneer]

Old thread, I realize, but to follow up….
I heard from a guy who works at Chuck Levin’s music center in Wheaton MD (if you haven’t shopped there check it out- I’m not affiliated just tons of shit great prices) that Marshall fam sold the brand and the company that bought it had no production or distribution. He said nobody knows for sure, but could be the literal end of Marshall amplifiers as we know them. I lept online and bought the last UK made Marshal combo tube amp I could, a 20W Mini Silver Jubilee. Sounds fuggn amazing. Tested and reboxed for the potential fall of Marshall.
So far everywhere I’ve checked- back ordered. These are places I chatted with saying they’d take my money in April and deliver by August, still back ordered.

 

[EOengineer]

As long as Ceriatone exists I couldn’t care less about Marshall. It’s been so long since they put out anything that interests me.

 

[James Freeman]

Uli, it's now or never.

 

[JiveTurkey]

As long as Ceriatone exists I couldn’t care less about Marshall. It’s been so long since they put out anything that interests me.

Will they do a small box JVM clone

 

[MirrorProfiles]

So much of much of the music store/instrument is on its arse here, a few big shops are about to go under and I wouldn’t really bank on a solid future for a lot of bigger companies.

hard not to see things getting worse before they get better for Marshall, if at all. Suppose the logo will always hold some value and can be used to sell something. Hopefully that means amps

 

[EOengineer]

Will they do a small box JVM clone

Honestly, probably?

 

[paisleywookiee]

My shop allegedly has a bunch of small stuff on the way, that they had in stock. We’ll see.

 

[RaceU4her]

i thought goldman sachs was buying marshall?

 

[la szum]

i thought goddamn sachs was buying marshall?

 

[RaceU4her]

Marshall may be up for sale again for the second time in 18 months – but this time for €800m

The amp maker was bought in 2023 by the company that made its bluetooth headphones and speakers, but new reports claim the business is now up for sale

guitar.com

 

[James Freeman]

To me, the struggle of Marshall and Mesa paints a bigger picture, electric guitar hasn't been popular for at least a decade and the young people who are into electric guitar don't buy tube amps.
As much as I love tube amps, the truth is tube amps are a non-essential piece of gear this day and age.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

To me, the struggle of Marshall and Mesa paints a bigger picture, electric guitar hasn't been popular for at least a decade and the young people who are into electric guitar don't buy tube amps.
As much as I love tube amps, the truth is tube amps are a non-essential piece of gear this day and age.

I'm 44 and I know a bunch of guys in bands who have never owned a tube amp. They went straight from peavey bandits and Marshall valvestates to line 6. I know two guys who have been gigging modelers since those old digitech RP effects units since the early 2000s.

There's a load of cool amps for sale around here and they're just not selling. I started really seeing it during covid and it's only gotten worse.

If you can use them it's a great time to buy a used tube amp.

 

[EOengineer]

I'm 44 and I know a bunch of guys in bands who have never owned a tube amp.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I've had plenty of valve amps.

I know guys who've never had one and won't use one though. One of my friends claims they're "fragile, unreliable and more hassle than they're worth". It doesn't matter what I've said or the fact that apart replacing a few valves I've never had any trouble with any of mine, he's just set on his opinion.