Marshall 6100 / 6101 30th Anniversary - Thoughts -*UPDATE*

[1meanplexi]

Yesterday I walked in my local store to grab some strings and I see this Blue/purple Marshall 1/2 stack sitting there. I ask my friend who works there and he said it is a Marshall 30th anniversary head and cab. Of course I had to try it. What and amp. The clean, crunch, lead channels are all just incredible. It is a 1992 and for what Marshall did with that head is nothing short of Amazing. All the different options, boost, midi, contour just to name a few. I never heard a stock Marshall with that much gain. If I was asked to sum it up I would say it is a Marshall with some DNA of MK. boogie and throw in some Engl as well. I did not try the effects loop but from what I have read you have the option of series or parallel.

Does anyone here own one or have owned one? I would like to know what you think. I have it on hold. What better place than here on RT to get input. Thanks crew and on.

 

[ClintN667]

I was reading equipboard's page for Bill Steer the other day and it mentioned he used this. Thats the first time I heard it.

 

[PAULYC2]

Not a fan, the MIDI stuff frequently craps out causing headaches, and my buddy that has one still uses a TS808 in front of his to get enough gain.

 

[Racerxrated]

They are better than the JCM 900s of the day, but lack the balls of an 800...thinner sounding but not thin by any means. Have a buddy who still gigs with his, decent amp with lots of flexibility but I'd take any 800 over it. Other than maybe an earlier channel switcher. My 87 2210 stomps my friends 30th...but not as flexible. You can find them for 7-900 bucks usually. A few at GC in that price range.

 

[ZEEGLER]

My 6100 is the only Marshall I still own. Mine did crap out at one point, and I had to get it repaired. Best clean channel Marshall ever made IMO, and the gain channels are great too. The amp is picky with speakers though. I found it sounded a little thin with the T75s that the cab comes with stock. I run it through a Peavey Butcher cab with K85s and it sounds huge and thick. Like any Marshall, sounds best when turned up loud. Also, an EQ in the loop makes it 1000 times more versatile.

Mine is an early 6100 (non LM) with EL34s. The best version IMO.

 

[Achilles]

Had it. Sold it. Don't miss it. Nothing interesting.
Only channel two was worth a try and even then, nothing to write home about.
You're better off with a DSL.

 

[longfxukxnhair]

I have a blue 30th Anniversary 6100. These amps are awesome! So much that you can do and a lot of ground that can be covered. The clean channel is sweet. I have owned a 6100 and 6100LM and they both do the 800 sound very well. I think my blue 6100 does the 800 sound better than the 800 does

I had a DSL and dumped it not long after getting the 6100

 

[Racerxrated]

I have heard the EL34 version is the best one. I did do a side by side with my 87 2210 and it was noticeably thinner, and less open sounding. But way better than the 900s of the time.

 

[1meanplexi]

I have heard the EL34 version is the best one. I did do a side by side with my 87 2210 and it was noticeably thinner, and less open sounding. But way better than the 900s of the time.

EL-34's in this one.

 

[racerevlon]

I have one. Agree with others. Channel 3 is damn near unusable. Lots of options on channel two--covers a lot of sonic ground but none of it is MIDI-switchable. The only MIDI functions are channel switching. So "barely" MIDI. Otherwise, a great-sounding amp. Has a distinct sound. 99% of people will opt for a DSL but some really jive with the sound of this amp.

Mine is for sale... YMMV.

 

[WILDmojo]

It's a great amp to use as the heart of a midi rig. The channel switching is immediate with absolutely no lag or sound drop out. I use channel three as a solo channel only, it's really great that way. And it's very convenient and trouble free to have separate gain, volume and eq for the solos in a live situation.

 

[thenine]

had a 6101 - couldn't get rid of it fast enough. ot blistering hot and freeze up/ Sounded weak - never again for me YMMV.

 

[Hamer95USA]

It's a great amp to use as the heart of a midi rig. The channel switching is immediate with absolutely no lag or sound drop out. I use channel three as a solo channel only, it's really great that way. And it's very convenient and trouble free to have separate gain, volume and eq for the solos in a live situation.

I've owned and used a 1992 blue vinyl 6101 combo amp with EL-34 power tubes & a matching blue vinyl 1912 1x12 cab for 26 years myself with a Korg DL8000R delay & a Mosvalve 982 power amp as my wet/dry guitar rig. I had issue with the MIDI board going out from heat, had it repaired, and it has worked properly ever since. I've also had the preamp tubes replaced and power tubes replaced & biased. I agree with the clean, rhythm, & lead channels having separate gain/volume/EQ is a great advantage for live show. The pentode/triode & full/half power switches acts as an attenuator and can bring the wattage up or down from 100/50/25 watts, depending on how pentode/triode & full/half power switches are set. I found the effects loop useful in parallel and run the chorus/delay/reverb 100% wet when I can't use the wet/dry or wet/dry/wet rig. The amp has another loop for compression/EQ/noise gate as well. This amp covers what I need for a cover band amp rig and I'm glad that I bought it. One other thing as well: this amp sounds better if you're into rolling preamp tubes.

Guitar George

 

[Achilles]

Well,
It comes down to the expectations and compromises one has from his sound i guess.
Mine was the blue one with EL34s.
Clean ch was a piece of shit clean sound. As if it was there, just to say that the amp has also a clean ch. If used only as a pedal platform then fine. Ch 2 was nice but not great. Ch 3 shitty solo sound.
For me the 6100 was Marshall's (RIP) first try for a multi (3) channel amp head but he fucked up.

If a clean channel is a must, you're better off with a used JCM 800 2210 100W Head from the 80's plus a pedal, otherwise get a dsl or even an original jvm (with some mods. Not the Satriani's jvm, cause it has the same shitty clean sound as the 6100). YMMV of course.

 

[ZEEGLER]

The 6100 is WIDELY regarded as having an especially good clean channel. I have never heard anyone saying anything negative about it until now. I'm gonna chalk this one up to user error.

 

[tallcoolone]

Not the Satriani's jvm, cause it has the same shitty clean sound as the 6100.

The Satrriani JVM has the clean sound of a 6100?

 

[Achilles]

The 6100 is WIDELY regarded as having an especially good clean channel. I have never heard anyone saying anything negative about it until now. I'm gonna chalk this one up to user error.

I find your opinion overly authoritative.
No probs mate
I just wrote my honest opinion after spending 6 months with this amp rehearsing with my band.
And i can assure you, there wasn't such thing as user error from my part.
But yeah, whatever floats your boat.

 

[splatter]

I had one that I gigged with for years. They are versatile thats about all I can say for them. Lots of people had problems with the channel switching. Mine would act up occasionally,but always straightened itself out.
IMHO they really lack character. My wife who was the singer in the band I was in has commented several times on how she wishs I had the amps I have now back when we were gigging,and how they sound so much better than the one I played then.

 

[Racerxrated]

The 6100 is WIDELY regarded as having an especially good clean channel. I have never heard anyone saying anything negative about it until now. I'm gonna chalk this one up to user error.

Nice try, but the wrong answer. You can go ahead and praise it all you want...I'd still take any JMP, JCM 800, Jubilee, DSL over it. By a long shot. No user error here.

 

[Little B]

Very good comments on both sides of it for sure.All good points.My thoughts are: yes indeed, if you've never played thru a 2203 or jube, or even a jmp or plexi (which any of those are to die for when theyre turned up and cookin glass), no doubt you wouldn't know what youre missing.On the other hand,ive had 2 6100's, after preamp tube rollin and winged c's in power sec, and a way better bias than factory,these beasts really come to life,even the 3rd ch.Cleans are really nice and the amp takes pedals very well.Theres a rabid following for the 6100 on the marshall forum. Look it up.I do agree tho that its hard to beat a 2203.