Marsha Questions

[jrgrady]

I have a couple of questions about the Marsha I was hoping you guys could help me with. First, if you add the full clean channel, is it foot switchable? So basically, if I'm plugged into the BE or HBE channel, can I foot switch to the full clean channel or do I have to flip a switch on the amp?

How is the master volume on this amp? I do a fair amount of home playing so a good master volume is a must. I think I've read that Dave builds an excellent master volume circuit but just wanted to get some user input.

One final question, what do you guys see as the biggest different between the 50watt and 100watt versions? I typically go for the 100watt amps but since I do a good amount of playing at home now, I'm leaning more towards 50watt amps. Just looking for some opinions on the trade offs for going 50watts as opposed to 100watts.

Thanks guys.

 

[ericsabbath]

100w = clearer, punchier, bigger sounding, cleaner
50w = more compressed, less ear piercing

considering the amount of preamp gain on the Marsha, I wouldn't worry about home playing with a 100 watter, since it has a master volume
you won't get power amp distortion from 50w in your bedroom, anyway

 

[supersonic]

Yes the clean is footswichable. The master volume is one of the best.

 

[LP Freak]

You can't go wrong either way but I definitly dig the punch of 100W and it's just as good at low volume.

 

[jrgrady]

Thanks for the information guys. Exactly what I needed to know.

 

[sswanson]

100w = clearer, punchier, bigger sounding, cleaner
50w = more compressed, less ear piercing

considering the amount of preamp gain on the Marsha, I wouldn't worry about home playing with a 100 watter, since it has a master volume
you won't get power amp distortion from 50w in your bedroom, anyway

I'm pretty sure I can remember a post by Dave where he said he builds the 50 watters so that they don't really sound any different than the 100 watt versions, it's not like a 50 watt marshall vs a 100 watt marshall. The 100 watt will get you more headroom.

 

[Nico]

100w = clearer, punchier, bigger sounding, cleaner
50w = more compressed, less ear piercing

considering the amount of preamp gain on the Marsha, I wouldn't worry about home playing with a 100 watter, since it has a master volume
you won't get power amp distortion from 50w in your bedroom, anyway

I'm pretty sure I can remember a post by Dave where he said he builds the 50 watters so that they don't really sound any different than the 100 watt versions, it's not like a 50 watt marshall vs a 100 watt marshall. The 100 watt will get you more headroom.

Get the 50W, its cheaper and sounds EXACTLY the same. You can ask Dave, he build it with that purpose on mind.

 

[glip22]

The 100 watter will be much more desireable if you choose or need to sell it.

 

[jski59]

I have a 100 watter and use it at home all week long...the master volume is great.

 

[guitarmike]

If you never played through something Dave built or modded it can be hard to believe that you can get killer tone at very low volumes.

 

[glip22]

100w = clearer, punchier, bigger sounding, cleaner
50w = more compressed, less ear piercing

considering the amount of preamp gain on the Marsha, I wouldn't worry about home playing with a 100 watter, since it has a master volume
you won't get power amp distortion from 50w in your bedroom, anyway

I'm pretty sure I can remember a post by Dave where he said he builds the 50 watters so that they don't really sound any different than the 100 watt versions, it's not like a 50 watt marshall vs a 100 watt marshall. The 100 watt will get you more headroom.

Get the 50W, its cheaper and sounds EXACTLY the same. You can ask Dave, he build it with that purpose on mind.

Yes, It will have the same voicing, but by no means will it have the punch, power,low end, and girth of the 100 watter.

 

[Jay Strange]

Also something to consider, 'round here it seems 100 watters sell easier than 50's.
'Round TGP it's the opposite.

 

[sswanson]

100w = clearer, punchier, bigger sounding, cleaner
50w = more compressed, less ear piercing

considering the amount of preamp gain on the Marsha, I wouldn't worry about home playing with a 100 watter, since it has a master volume
you won't get power amp distortion from 50w in your bedroom, anyway

I'm pretty sure I can remember a post by Dave where he said he builds the 50 watters so that they don't really sound any different than the 100 watt versions, it's not like a 50 watt marshall vs a 100 watt marshall. The 100 watt will get you more headroom.

Get the 50W, its cheaper and sounds EXACTLY the same. You can ask Dave, he build it with that purpose on mind.

Yes, It will have the same voicing, but by no means will it have the punch, power,low end, and girth of the 100 watter.

Dave says different.

http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=75633

 

[glip22]

Dave said "Well some people just want more power. Large stages and such."

More power equals more than just more power. It equals bigger bottom, more punch, and bigger girth.

 

[Bronco]

Dave said "Well some people just want more power. Large stages and such."

More power equals more than just more power. It equals bigger bottom, more punch, and bigger girth.

Well I've A/B'd both 50 and 100 watt Marshas at Tone Merchant's, and none of us in the room could tell the difference. I hear what your'e saying, but in the case of this amp, it just doesn't apply.

 

[jrgrady]

Interesting reading on the 50watts vs. the 100watts. I was planning on going for the 100watt version but I might reconsider and save a little money. Decisions, Decisions.

 

[supersonic]

Interesting reading on the 50watts vs. the 100watts. I was planning on going for the 100watt version but I might reconsider and save a little money. Decisions, Decisions.

I was in the same situation, I went for the 100w.

 

[jrgrady]

Hey Supersonic, why did you decide on the 100watter? did you get to compare the 100watter to the 50watter or just decide to go higher power?

 

[supersonic]

Hey Supersonic, why did you decide on the 100watter? did you get to compare the 100watter to the 50watter or just decide to go higher power?

I prefer every other amp in the 100w version, Dave said there was no difference but I figured for the extra $200 I'd go the 100w. I was close to getting the 50w but that was my final decider, couldn't be happier. I haven't played a 50w BTW, so I can't tell you what the difference is.

 

[Nico]

Hey Supersonic, why did you decide on the 100watter? did you get to compare the 100watter to the 50watter or just decide to go higher power?

I prefer every other amp in the 100w version, Dave said there was no difference but I figured for the extra $200 I'd go the 100w. I was close to getting the 50w but that was my final decider, couldn't be happier. I haven't played a 50w BTW, so I can't tell you what the difference is.

I haven't played either, but if Dave says so I trust him. If you really don't plan on selling the amp I would go 50W really. Sure 100W might be more sought after in the used market...

I had the same decision on an Einstein and I decided to go with the 50W version to save 200 pounds. I really don't regret it. The amp is way loud. Remember that the difference between 50W and 100W is only like 2 decibels I believe. You need ten times more power to get twice the volume. So yeah 50W is Freakin loud. I don't even play with the master at 12' o clock and I can gig no problem. Worst case scenario you mic a cab... Oh and don't forget tube changes. A quad of Sed EL34 are 140 bucks! Start adding everything up and it does change the equation quite a bit...