I need all the Marsha experts' opinion for some comparisons!

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SlashPeppers91

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Hey guys,

while I'm saving up the money to buy myself a high end amp I've been searching the internet about information on which amps can deliver the sound I want. It is quite hard for me here in Germany to actually test any of these amps I am aiming for, so I have to use clips on the internet and use sounds from various artists to give you guys an idea of how I would like to sound and would like to know from you guys if the Marsha/Brown Eye (the amp I consider buying most) is actually amp for that or if there are better choices out there.

Quick info: I actually consider having a 2 amp setup, one for crunch/lead/rock tones (that would eventually be the Marsha) the other one for heavy rhythm tones (need your help on that one) and one of the should have really nice cleans!

Cleans:

I'm a big fan of rock ballads and the clean parts in these. I like Alter Bridge's cleans in their songs (Fallout, All Hope Is Gone, Blackbird, Wayward One). I also like the cleans in Slash's "Gotten" or “Paradise City”, from RHCP (Under the Bridge, Snow). I was listening to a clip of the clean channel of a modded Uberschall (http://www.tonehunter.de/mods/mods-moreamps.php) but didn’t like it and right after these there were clips of a Brunetti MC2 and loved it. Just to give an idea :P
Then I read that the CAA OD-100 is supposed to have one of the best clean channels out there.
Can the Marsha deliver the clean sound I am looking for (or compete with the OD 100)? If not, which one?

Crunch/Rock:

Well there’s Hendrix(Little Wing, Foxy Lady), Slash (Nightrain, I Hold On, Starlight, Civil War), Buckethead (Sail on Soothsayer, Ghost Host), The Darkness (Love Is Only A Feeling, Believe In A Thing Called Love) and John Frusciante (Soul To Squeeze, complete Stadium Arcadium Album, Cant Stop). What I am really interested in, how does the Marsha perform in the low gain territory, especially if I’m just using the volume knob to achieve these and can get to lead/heavier stuff by just rolling the volume back up?!

Lead:

Slash (Sweet Child o Mine, November Rain, Estranged, I Hold On, Godfather Theme, Don’t Cry, Civil War), Gary Moore (Walking By Myself and in his lead tone in general, also live), John Frusciante, Jerry Cantrell (Nutshell), Buckethead (Soothsayer, Lebron, Siege Engine), The Darkness (Love Is Only A Feeling, Believe In A Thing Called Love), John Frusciante (again, Stadium Arcadium, Live at Slane Castle) and Alter Bridge (Wayward One, Blackbird), also but not so much Metallica (Master of Puppets). I guess the Marsha is amazing for lead. Again, how well can it do the sounds I am aiming for and how does it compare?!

Rhythm:

I LOVE Mark Tremonti’s rhythm sound when it comes to heavy riffing (Ties That Bind, Isolation and just all of it). Whenever I want to play some heavy stuff that really is a thick wall-of-sound and straight in your face type it should sound like him. I’ve heard he is playing Triple Rec and an Uberschall, afaik the Uberschall seems to be the key to that sound, but as I mentioned the cleans did not sound too great so far. I guess the OD 100 can not keep up with the Uberschall when it comes down to that thick wall-of-sound sound right? I also like Metallica (MoP, One) but its not quite as good as Mark’s. For rock tones I prefer Slash (Nightrain, Don’t Cry, Civil War), Buckethead (Soothsayer) or John Frusciante (Stadium Arcadium).

I know it is a lot of text but I hope there are some guys who really want to help people like me and maybe listen to a few of these songs (probably know them already) and can give me some info an how well the Marsha would fit me, hence I cant really check it out in person :/. I’m especially interested into the Comparison OD 100 vs Marsha and if there’s anything that could top the Uberschall for the heavy rhythm sound.

Thanks a LOT already guys! :rock:

Best regards,
Timo
 
For the stuff you mentioned there probably isn't a better amp out there than the Marsha (or Friedman as it's now called). Honest.

The "full clean" option on the Marsha is a Fender circuit so it's a very good clean (Bass/Treble/Volume). I have the simple clean on my modded marshall and that even sounds great but you have no EQ with it, just a volume control.

As far as heavy rhythm stuff goes there is nothing that sounds quite like an Uberschall. I have an APC mod (similar to the Naked) now which is also good for heavy rhythm but different than the Uberschall. Not quite as intense. The clean on the APC/Naked is great as well, far better than the cleans on the Uber.

I haven't played an OD100 unfortunately so I can't really give an opinion on that. I'm sure it would cover most of what you mentioned quite well.
 
That’s going to be really tough to meet everything you want tone wise.

-Fender cleans
-Marshall crunch/rock tones
-Marshall lead
-Uber/Recto rhythm

While I haven’t owned a Marsha, I’ve spent some time on one that has the simple clean that belongs to a friend of mine. A Marsha w/the full clean would be a good choice. The Marsha can do killer hard rock tones, but just know it’s a completely different flavor than an Uber or Recto. The Marsha is definitely Marshall at heart. So if that Tremonti rhythm tone is that important to you I don’t know if you’ll be 100% satisfied.

The OD100SE+ would be a good choice too. Obviously the clean channel on these amps are incredible. Rhythm wise it’s still not like an Uber or Recto in voicing, but it would most likely fit your mega thick & heavy rhythm tone requirement closer than the Marsha because of the thicker low mids & the low end punch. I just don’t know if it will get the mid range crunch/rock tones as well as the Marsha.

Honestly, since you seem to be very specific with what you want it will be hard to get what you want out of one amp. You’ll have to compromise somewhere. I’m not saying it has to suck where the compromises are; just everything has its strengths and weaknesses so go with what gives you what’s most important. Now if you’re going to eventually go with 2 amps like you mention, then I’d get the specific pieces you want & make due till then.

P.S. I had a Cameron modded Uber that killed. With the flip of a toggle (wasn’t switchable) it could go between stock Uber tones & slighty more Marshall tones. The clean channel had also been modded to Shiva specs so it was top notch in that department too. That would be an excellent contender for a single amp solution for you & would keep you going till you add a second amp. I sold it to _actual time_ from this forum a while back. I know he was trying to sell it at one point so it may be worth shooting him a line to see if he still has it.
 
You should compare these amps to find the one that suits you best. All of them will do one or more tones you seek...

Friedman Marsha
Suhr OD-100 (PT, or SE+) (There is a new PT-100 coming out, MIDI equipped, etc)
Bogner Ecstasy 20th Anniversary
Bogner Uberschall or Diezel Herbert
Cameron CCV
Diezel Einstein
Wizard Modern Classic
Fortin Bones

Or Any Fortin, Friedman, Gollub, Suhr, Voodoo, Cameron or BFG modded Marshall...

Use the search function on this forum. I am myself seeking for the ultimate modded Marshall, and the Marsha is on my list, what holds me back a bit is the lack of features, such as multiple channels, compared to other heads and that its basically a one channel Marshallesque amp (I know about the clean channel on the back of the amp, although I am not too fond of having the dials that way). Being a simple amp equals a purer tone sometimes so the Marsha has its pros as well... It all depends on what you need.

If I were to have the Marsha as my only amp, I'd probably not buy it because you can't switch between say BE and HBE, and that might be frustrating, say while playing live. Having said, that I probably will buy one down the line because I can afford to have one amp do just one tone I'd like, but that means having other amps do the rest.

Hope that helps you make the best decision you can
 
Thanks guys, your replies are much appreciated!

I found this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaJHqaFv ... r_embedded

1.) The rhythm tone (1st minute) sounds pretty much like that heavy Alter Bridge tone I am also looking for. Will the Uberschall be even more heavy and in your face?

2.) The cleans are pretty much what I want. Not to those who have the full clean on their Marsha: Can the Marsha have the same cleans with the full clean or are its cleans just not as good as the OD 100's?

2.) How does the Marsha sound different (regarding the lead sound) compared to the video?

Another really importan point: I actually want and amp with not too much to fiddle around with (having an Marshall 6100) so I like the idea of having just 2 channels. Whats important to me now is how good can I vary the gain just with the volume knob on my guitar. It should be a rich, full and singing lead tone when its turned to max. But then I want to be able to go to mild Little Wing like crunch with not be being too muffled.... can I do that? Otherwise I just have a clean OR a lead tone... you know what I mean? How do you handle this with your Marsha?

Best regards,
Timo
 
The Marsha can do it all. My friedman modded marshall can do almost all, I just dont have a clean channel, but I still get really good clean tones from rolling back the volume on my guitar. Full clean on marsha has a Fender circuit, and Tremonti uses Fenders for cleans anyway...so there you go. I've played just about every style of music on my amp, and it crushes whatever I throw at it. I made about 11 videos the other day using my amp, I'll send you a link to my YouTube page. You can just about do it all on either the BE or HBE too...just different flavors. Make sure you get the SAT and FAT switches, I think the SAT will help w/ the heavier rhythm tone you're after.

Also, Tremonti's rhythm tone is a blend of the Uberschall and Triple Rec, he said he uses the Uberschall for more of the low end stuff. Just about everyone you listed plays a Marshall, and this is the best that tone gets. It's probly the most harmonically rich amp I've played, the only thing I see beating it is an actual Marsha. I really think Friedman can deliver everything you're after, plus..it'll sound better ;)

Here's the link to my YouTube page, I think they sound pretty good...especially for being recorded through an iPhone 4.
https://www.youtube.com/user/prsguitars1?feature=mhum
 
prsguitars1":1v2zw4oa said:
The Marsha can do it all. My friedman modded marshall can do almost all, I just dont have a clean channel, but I still get really good clean tones from rolling back the volume on my guitar. Full clean on marsha has a Fender circuit, and Tremonti uses Fenders for cleans anyway...so there you go. I've played just about every style of music on my amp, and it crushes whatever I throw at it. I made about 11 videos the other day using my amp, I'll send you a link to my YouTube page. You can just about do it all on either the BE or HBE too...just different flavors. Make sure you get the SAT and FAT switches, I think the SAT will help w/ the heavier rhythm tone you're after.

Also, Tremonti's rhythm tone is a blend of the Uberschall and Triple Rec, he said he uses the Uberschall for more of the low end stuff. Just about everyone you listed plays a Marshall, and this is the best that tone gets. It's probly the most harmonically rich amp I've played, the only thing I see beating it is an actual Marsha. I really think Friedman can deliver everything you're after, plus..it'll sound better ;)

Here's the link to my YouTube page, I think they sound pretty good...especially for being recorded through an iPhone 4.
https://www.youtube.com/user/prsguitars1?feature=mhum
Click to expand...

The Marsha is a special amp and versatile for many tones.
But for the Tremonti bottom end dropped d rhythm tone I don't think the amp will deliver that with
your expectations or my from experiences with it.
Think more woody kick ass singing Marshall tone without all the shit artifacts
I do recommend the Depth switch and HBE/Sat switch as well the C45 and Cantrell switch. That can definately get down and heavy.
The amp is what hits the natural creative juices needed for me to get to the true me of playing,
instead of wanking and playing TO the amp I play WITH the amp.
I dont have a clean channel and it cleans up fairly well with the 2nd Master and gain that I had Dave make a lower gain more vintage vibe.
I've had mine a year from now and haven't considered getting rid of it for it does exactly what I need from it.
It can get heavy but in a more musical and useful vibe for my creative juices.
I did have a Twin Jet at the same time and ran them together and it was a Beast of versatility.
Outta all my amps when I want the real me of my creative abilities at their peak, it's the Marsha I go for without hesitation.
 
The heart of Tremonti's sound is the Triple Rectifier. That's what you're hearing as far as the highs and most of the actual "tone". The Uber is there to fill in the low end and add some growl.

Like the others said, I would go for a Marsha and get all the switches/options and the Fender clean circuit. You won't have Mark's exact tone, but you'll one of the best tones out there and it will get damn aggressive.

FWIW, I had my Dual Rec modded by Dave and it's KILLER! That's always an option too. The clean channel is great too. But keep in mind, it's more of a kick ass rhythm amp. Leads are not the recto's strong point, and the fx loop is terrible.
 
Thanks again for your replies.

Does anyone happen to have some decent clips of the full clean channel of the Marsha? If yes could you maybe send/post them with a short comment how close they represent the real sound of the clean channel.

I now think that Marsha probably IS the best choice for me. I was just listening to some The Darkness again and I am convinced that the Marshall will deliver that sound (right?). I also think that this will be an amazing lead sound. For rhythm I asked Dave to give me the option to use the footswitch to switch to the 2nd mastervolume and gain settings and also have the sat switch turned on. That would give me that fat rhythm sound. Could you give me an comparison song for the sounds I can get with that (maybe Master of Puppets?)?

For the 2nd amp I might go with the Uber, but havent decided yet. First of all I need to get the Marsha and then I will decide which kind of 2nd amp I need. It will probably just be for rhythms though, because if its all true what I read here the Marsha can deliver nice cleans, all the tones from mild crunch to hardrock, to singing lead and also a little bit to heavy rhythm sounds (maybe not quite enough).

I need just a little bit mor input on one things:

1) I have a treble bleed mod on my guitar, so the tone doesnt get muffled when turning down the volume. But with my 6100 it still lose some clarity when turning down. If I want this crunch sounds, I have to turn it down. How good is the tone in that case? Lets say for Little Wing...is it muffled?

best regards,
Timo
 
I just talked to my mum and tried to explain what I'm planning to do and she just asked if there's is no option somewehere in Europe, in case something breaks and I have to send it back. I told her that I guess someone like Dave who worked with some of the greatest player's ever and who has some unique knowledge on Marshall amps will probably stand out, but I couldnt tell for sure. Its a fair question, if there's no one over here who could match Dave' Friedman. So I actually want some experiences with the Marsha from those who have actually played heaps of amps and can really say where the Marsha stands out and why its so superior or whatever. I really dont have the chance to try this amp and I just want to feel even surer buying this amp in near future, because its really expensive and your opionions would really help me making a clear decision.

I hope you can understand me asking so many times but I really need you telling me from your experience and listening to all different kind of amps to feel good about buying the amp and being sure about the decision. Its a LOT of money!!!

Already thanks a lot!!!

best regards,
Timo

Edit: I meight be too much to ask, but if someone can send me a song (maybe from the artists I mentioned above, preferably Slash, The Darkness, RHCP, Gary Moore, Metallica) which sounds exactly like the Marsha can sound. Because than I can link a sound I can here on my PC with the "real" sound of a Marsha due to your experience :)
 
You're over thinking this...a Marsha sounds like an overdriven Marshall, period. If you like the classic hot-rodded Marshall sound then you'll most likely love the Marsha. Of all the Marshall inspired high gain amps that I've tried, I've found the Marsha to be my favorite to date...extremely tight low end (not a big/deep low end...just like Marshall) and very dynamic even at higher gain settings. The second gain/master combo is ideal for gigging.

If you like Fender style cleans, you'll most likely dig the full clean option. It's very "Fendery" although the EL34 power section lends a slightly different character to the tone...a bit more forceful and less pristine than an actual Fender, but still very similar (think Axis: Bold as Love type tone).

The Marsha really doesn't do the Uber/Recto thing although you're only a pedal away from adding that sound to your rig. That said, I've used it for some more modern downtuned songs and it still brings the pain on its own...just more focused sounding.

As far as it sounding like the artists you mention, maybe...depends on the rest of your rig and your ability to play like those guys. The amp is only one piece of a greater whole.
 
The tones that JMR gets in the Tone Merchants Marsha videos is just about perfect! He's got thick fingers so a lot of the tone comes from there....but the Marsha seems preety flexible for sure. Wait time is 8 to 10 weeks right now. That's tough for an impatient dude such as me! :D
 
So you're in Europe and haven't considered getting a Diezel??
In all Diezel's range you fill find something that delivers all you mentioned, will be accesible for service if needed, and will surely be less expensive than getting a Friedman from USA.

I'm sure Friedman's stuff is absolutely great, but to me at least Diezel seems the correct answer to all your needs.
 
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