Anything from Marshall at summer NAMM?

[lespaul6]

I'm not seeing anything at all? I"m wondering if a buyout is underway.... sad state

 

[cardinal]

Winter NAMM was shocking in that there was basically nothing except headphones and maybe a Bluetooth speaker. A hotrodded JCM 800 type amp seems like a no-brainer, and it almost seems at this point that maybe that's actually the situation there: no brain.

 

[Racerxrated]

Winter NAMM was shocking in that there was basically nothing except headphones and maybe a Bluetooth speaker. A hotrodded JCM 800 type amp seems like a no-brainer, and it almost seems at this point that maybe that's actually the situation there: no brain.

This. They had a hit with the Jubilee RI, they could have an even bigger one with a modded 800 platform. Price it between 3-4K like all the other high gain boutiques, and I'd bet they'd sell a ton.
Most of those other boutiques are based on a Marshall after all..they are the original.
Someday hopefully. They better do it soon though, all of us old guys are getting older....

 

[godgrinder]

They had a hit with the Jubilee RI, they could have an even bigger one with a modded 800 platform. Price it between 3-4K like all the other high gain boutiques, and I'd bet they'd sell a ton.

They tried that approach with the Astoria series, not sure if anyone bough one, lol.

Also I wouldn't exactly call the 2555X a "hit", considering they've been discounted to $1200 then discontinued.

 

[Racerxrated]

They had a hit with the Jubilee RI, they could have an even bigger one with a modded 800 platform. Price it between 3-4K like all the other high gain boutiques, and I'd bet they'd sell a ton.

They tried that approach with the Astoria series, not sure if anyone bough one, lol.

Also I wouldn't exactly call the 2555X a "hit", considering they've been discounted to $1200 then discontinued.

Have you played an Astoria? I have, and I wouldn't call it a modded 800 at all. I'm referring to an actual JCM 800 RI that has a Jose type mod plus other goodies. As far as the Jubilee RI goes, they sold them for 2-3 yrs and many times I would look for any of the models online and they were out of stock and 'expecting more' at some later date. Doesn't prove they were selling out all the time but it seems that they sold a few. Maybe they D/C'd the amp because that was the plan all along. Who knows. You would think that if it did sell well, they wouldn't DC it for obvious reasons but again, we're talking about Marshall...

 

[godgrinder]

Have you played an Astoria? I have, and I wouldn't call it a modded 800 at all. I'm referring to an actual JCM 800 RI that has a Jose type mod plus other goodies.

I meant the 3-4k part, not the JCM800 part haha. It seems like a modded JTM.
I really doubt many people would feel like paying that much for a new Marshall model no matter what it is though.

And arguably they already did their take on the SS clipping thing (2210/4100/2555), and the 800 with extra gain stages thing (JCM2000). Whether people like them or not is another story...

They probably just think it's easier to sell overpriced/underspec'ed phones/bluetooth speakers/headphones haha.

 

[blackie13]

Have you played an Astoria? I have, and I wouldn't call it a modded 800 at all. I'm referring to an actual JCM 800 RI that has a Jose type mod plus other goodies.

I meant the 3-4k part, not the JCM800 part haha. It seems like a modded JTM.
I really doubt many people would feel like paying that much for a new Marshall model no matter what it is though.

And arguably they already did their take on the SS clipping thing (2210/4100/2555), and the 800 with extra gain stages thing (JCM2000). Whether people like them or not is another story...

They probably just think it's easier to sell overpriced/underspec'ed phones/bluetooth speakers/headphones haha.

they also did the JCM800KK...
AMAZING 800 on steroids...

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Engineer Santiago Alverez, Chris George, Nick Bowcott & many others have all left Marshall.

All the Marshall kids are out, Terry, Victoria ect.

The UK Bletchley factory is down to just over 100 people.

The DSL-40 has been Marshalls best selling amp.

Retailers have requested $800 style amps from Marshall to sell.

$3K to $4K Monster 100 watt modded types will never happen.

Only a matter of time til they sell the Company.

 

[Rick Lee]

It's crazy that they can't come up with something to compete with the boutique and clone builders. With the economy of scale Marshall has at its disposal, they should be able to put Ceriatone, Germino, Metropoulos and plenty of others out of business. I don't wish that upon anyone, but Marshall could do it. The fact that everyone scooped up the Silver Jub RI when the price dropped to $1249 suggests they could build a ton more of them (thereby lowering the unit cost) and keep that line going. Offer different tolex options. Open a custom shop. There's a Voodoo-modded JCM 800 at the local GC now for $1600 that just slays. Marshall could pump these out all day long at that price point. Why not make all the DSL40Cs have Creambacks and also offer different tolex options? So much more they could do. Astorias sure sound nice and look cool, but you can have one built and customized for far less money, and be able to talk to the builder anytime on the phone for cust. support. The old Marshall badge doesn't mean much when the amp is a totally new design, out of most players' reach and never seen on stage with any big name players. Flame away.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

The guitar playing market is growing older and older, and while they're willing to buy, we have to keep in mind that the number of players are not growing. Fender and Gibson have been struggling also - there's a reason these companies are branching out into other sound/music products like car stereos (Fender), bluetooth stereos, etc. Guitarists aren't a long term business plan anymore.

I'm on the younger end of most guitarists--certainly one of the youngest on this board at under 30--and I know that most guitarists out there now are buying lower priced or used gear. Mexican Fenders, Gibson studios or Epiphones, Ibanez, etc. As for amps, there are only so many players with any need for high powered amps. Most are better off picking up a used HRD on Craigslist than buying a half-stack new, let alone used. Heavy music has declined drastically. It's not the 60's through 2000's where the most popular musicians were rock bands playing through stacks. Nowadays, many of those popular rock players are using Kempers, Helix, or Axe-FX, and the ones that are using amps are using amps WAY out of a standard player's price range, in stage settings where your standard player just can't justify it.

It doesn't help that, with few exceptions, Marshall has been making pretty mediocre flagship products for the past 25-30 years compared to their competition. They lost huge heavy music share to Mesa starting in the '80's when everyone saw Metallica switch to Mesas, and the Rectifiers and 5150 took even more away in the '90's.

I didn't realize Marshall was in such a dire situation, but it doesn't surprise me. They made their name, and have really milked it as the top brand for a 50-100W stack.

The companies that may survive this are the ones that can pivot out of serving just guitarists, or the ones that have stayed a bit smaller but have still marketed well. Mesa, Friedman, and Bogner have been doing well in this regard, because their overhead costs are probably a lot lower, and they're small enough to pivot their product focus to reflect the changing times. They've all also shown the business acumen to stay relevant and well marketed as the industry has changed.

 

[Rick Lee]

Anyone know what Marshall product has the highest profit margin? Seems to me that'd be the place to start. I don't know what kind of margin MIM or Epis have for Fender and Gibson, respectively. But if they're what's keeping those companies afloat, then that's where they should focus. Ditto for Marshall. As for new products, I think Marshall is misfiring badly. As long as Friedmans and 5150s are flying off the shelves (though admittedly at vastly different price points), Marshall should be able to easily compete with those guys. They all have the same target audience.

 

[lespaul6]

All the signs: everyone leaving, no new products, no innovation and so forth points to a sell off... what a fucking mess they made of this iconic brand. China will probably buy it

 

[jabps]

I don't know the future of Marshall but they're still on alot of stages. I'm probably one of the oldest on here and I've seen their demise speculated many times. And yet again, there they are, still out there.

No doubt the entire business is in flux right now with legendary companies at times struggling as demographics have changed drastically. And like many, it's always been confusing when for decades people have been copying the Marshall tone and Marshall just doesn't do the obvious, put out "the" hot rodded amp. Then again maybe that's why. Where would Marshall go once they built the ultimate modded Marshall. What's next. Instead they've focused on the "what's next" for decades and by and large, it's worked.

I do think with key players out the future of Marshall certainly looks interesting but people can be replaced...not a popular sentiment but true in business...somehow though, I think they'll still be around cranking out the goods.

 

[Bloodrock]

The people running Marshall know and care nothing about Marshall, it's just a brand to them. At least the old marshalls will retain their value.

 

[skoora]

Marshall has tried a few times for the high gain thing. The JCM900's, DSL's, JVM's. All series leave you wanting as far as glorious tones go. All they can manage is workmanlike, decent tone. They've had their chance and can't deliver. When their price points skyrocketed, in the early 2K's? It was over for me as far as them being a consideration for new purchase. They have badly needed to be selling UK made tube amps in the mid 1000 area but maybe that's how it's done now. Escalate the price point for home base made product so that people get used to paying 1000 plus for imports. Plenty of Korean guitars for well over a 1K now and Chinese amps as well. That's where the money is IMO. I can't remember the last time I saw new UK made marshall heads and 4x12 cabinets in a GC let alone any music store. It has been a real shame to see the "Sound of Rock" turn into...well..whatever the fuck it is now.

 

[lespaul6]

Marshall has tried a few times for the high gain thing. The JCM900's, DSL's, JVM's. All series leave you wanting as far as glorious tones go. All they can manage is workmanlike, decent tone. They've had their chance and can't deliver. When their price points skyrocketed, in the early 2K's? It was over for me as far as them being a consideration for new purchase. They have badly needed to be selling UK made tube amps in the mid 1000 area but maybe that's how it's done now. Escalate the price point for home base made product so that people get used to paying 1000 plus for imports. Plenty of Korean guitars for well over a 1K now and Chinese amps as well. That's where the money is IMO. I can't remember the last time I saw new UK made marshall heads and 4x12 cabinets in a GC let alone any music store. It has been a real shame to see the "Sound of Rock" turn into...well..whatever the fuck it is now.

totally agree... freidman picked up the ball and ran with it, now is making a fortune off their stupidity .... grrr

 

[Deanmachine]

I wish they would make a JMP with the correct transformers and a zero-loss loop but no they will never do that...for now I'll stick with my Gower Jmp

 

[311boogieman]

I agree with every post in here so far.

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

Would be So easy to do a Modded 800/JMP style amp and priced like the DSL's

How many company's have done a "modded Marshall" (800/JMP/Plex)i amp over the past 25 years?
Why Marshall can't figure this out is beyond me
I guess they did with the AFD , but was small run and not cheap

Would sell so well

But instead we get this

BLuetooth speakers

Refrigerators

Key holders

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

All the signs: everyone leaving, no new products, no innovation and so forth points to a sell off... what a fucking mess they made of this iconic brand. China will probably buy it

Right after they scoop up Gibson... who is not doing any better and actually worse off financially comparing their debt to profit. So eventually you can play your Chibson thru a Ma-chall. Sad state of affairs.