Classic Marshall sound in a lower wattage package

[flatheads_4ever]

my favorite amp to record with is my old 100w Marshall jmp. Unfortunately, the volume doesn't agree with me much these days

I'm looking for a low wattage head (anywhere from 5 watts to 20watts) to use as a recording amp. Looking for a classic Marshall type tone. Any suggestions?


Thanks,

Ed

 

[Kyle Ashley]

I like my DSL15 quite a bit. Sounds great on its own or with a Bogner La Grange going into it. Covers the Marshall bases pretty good at studio friendly volumes.

 

[Marshall Freak]

Jubilee 2525. Head or combo. Great sounding little amp.

 

[Dave L]

I really enjoyed the Fargen Olde 800 25w when I tried it. It´s still a very powerful amp at that wattage, though.

 

[paulyc]

Pull 2 tubes out of your 100 to make it a 50, get a 1x12 cab and knock 3-6 db off with an attenuator like a Hot Plate ( you won't be able to dime the amp though)... You could also have a tech install a half power switch in the amp also, knocking the 50 watt down to 30-35 watts (still pretty loud though)

 

[marshallmel]

I recently picked up a 3rd Power Dream Plexi. It's 40 watts with a hybrid master volume that is pretty amazing.

 

[V2a]

How about a MojoTone Studio One? I wanna make one of those kits...

 

[paulyc]

Marshall Studio 15 is awesome...

 

[aizenx]

The Splawn Supersport is amazing. Not really a classic tone (more hot-rodded), but it's a beast! (22 watts)

 

[JerEvil]

I recently picked up a 3rd Power Dream Plexi. It's 40 watts with a hybrid master volume that is pretty amazing.

This right here! Also the Splawn Super Sport is killer.

 

[MKibanez]

I like my DSL15 quite a bit. Sounds great on its own or with a Bogner La Grange going into it. Covers the Marshall bases pretty good at studio friendly volumes.

+1 for the DSL 15, I tried it and boosted it with my TS808, sounded awsome to me!

 

[PBGas]

I have the mini Jubilee 2525C combo and I really love it! Great little grab and go combo for me. I used it last weekend at a gig on Saturday night and it was fabulous!

 

[LP Freak]

Germino Lead 35 would be perfect

 

[Hamer95USA]

I love the tone of my Soldano Astroverb 16 20 watt 1x12 combo amp that I use in my home studio. I bought a Krank Nineteen80 Jr. 20 watt amp head over a year ago. I use it with a Marshall 1912 1x12 closed back for rehearsals or small gigs and that little amp head fulfills my clean/crunch low wattage amp needs with my cover band. Check out both of those amps, if you're looking for that Marshall tone with low wattage and portability.

Guitar George

 

[tripstan]

Friedman Runt 20.

 

[lukeburke1]

The Friedman Runt 20 is fantastic. For only being a 20 watt amp, it's very full sounding and the clean channel stays surprisingly clean. I would love to try the Spawn Super Sport though...

 

[squealie]

Do you guys find that the lower wattage amps ... even when they're very nice... just miss something when compared directly?

I've been through lots of 50 watt amps. Old 1987X, Single Rec, Mark III, Marshall Power Amps, etc... and when stood up next to a 100 watt Plexi... there just was no substitution for the 'wallop' ...even at comparable volumes.

Not saying it cant be done, IME, that punch is the real joy in a Marshall sound. Thoughts?

 

[Elric]

Do you guys find that the lower wattage amps ... even when they're very nice... just miss something when compared directly?

I've been through lots of 50 watt amps. Old 1987X, Single Rec, Mark III, Marshall Power Amps, etc... and when stood up next to a 100 watt Plexi... there just was no substitution for the 'wallop' ...even at comparable volumes.

Not saying it cant be done, IME, that punch is the real joy in a Marshall sound. Thoughts?

The issue is that lower volume == less tone, IMHO. Lack of sufficient volume takes away some of the interaction between the guitar and the amplifier. I think people put too much blame on the low wattage of the amp but its really the volume that is more the root cause. That's my theory anyway.