Marshall amps has to be the most F'd up amp company

[carlygtr]

I wouldn't trade my JVM Satriani or YJM100 for any of those brands mentioned. I owned enough clones and Marshall style amps to know better. Bogner? What Bogner sounds remotely like an old 4 input Marshall.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Marshall, the corporate entity, makes pretty solid business decisions. I think to do a full market survey and come out with value engineered products to meet what people want.

Look what they did with the new DSL. The old DSL is the best selling Marshall ever.

Unlike Mesa, that keeps trying to sound not like a Mesa with new amps that flop, Marshall sells what people want, that they can make money on.

Why should they get into high dollar modded Marshall type amps? It is already a full market AND there is not much profit in it.

So let the boutique guys build those and remain exclusive.

Marshall is making a ton of money. And it is about money, not rock and roll.

I have an old DSL100 and love it. A Marshall and a dirt pedal of choice is the voice of rock and roll.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

Why? Look how much money other amp builders are making by building a better Marshall. The writing has been on the wall for 20 years. Friedman, Suhr, Bogner... Just to name a few are building a better Marshall and making money hand over fist. Between this and the Kempers and AxeFX stuff i have to wonder of the future of the brand isn't in question. Even rockstars that have a Marshall back line aren't always using stock Marshalls if Marshalls at all. Marshall has had a legendary run but if the company continues to fail at building what the public wants from them they completely deserve to fall to mediocrity.

Rant over

That being said, Marshall hasn't produced a decent product outside of the DSL since 1987 and that was the Jubilee. Granted, I wasn't around that time frame (1968-1988) I've owned and played enough SL/SB, 800, 900, JMP to get a good feel.

No good Marshall products? The YJM kills it, RR model is cool too. Some of the JVM are not bad either.

 

[carlygtr]

"modded" Marshall. Stick a pedal in front, there's your modded Marshall.

Most of these other amps, while good, are just a costly version of what "they" think a Marshall should sound like

 

[AndyK]

I think cost cutting has hurt Marshall's base tone. Take the DSL. Great preamp gain, killer clean - but the transformers are junk!

Perfect modded Marshall that they can issue? DSL with reissue JCM800 transformers and pots NOT soldered to the board. You would get great clean, punchier gain, and two channels. Win!

 

[yngzaklynch]

"modded" Marshall. Stick a pedal in front, there's your modded Marshall.

Most of these other amps, while good, are just a costly version of what "they" think a Marshall should sound like

Again I am a fan of Marshalls. Just frustrated that the haven't made what I have been hoping for. Also not thrilled with the FX loops on the VMs or JVM that I've owned. I am currently trying to sell my EBMM for a new amp. Really wanting a CAA or Diezel but even after posting this thread I will admit that if the right deal on a YJM would come along I probably would jump on it. I did get to try the YJM out and thought it was a killer Marshall in terms of classic Marshall tones. I have enough faith in my Barber Direct Drive to get it where I would want it to be gainwise.

 

[Aristocat]

Why? Look how much money other amp builders are making by building a better Marshall. The writing has been on the wall for 20 years. Friedman, Suhr, Bogner... Just to name a few are building a better Marshall and making money hand over fist. Between this and the Kempers and AxeFX stuff i have to wonder of the future of the brand isn't in question. Even rockstars that have a Marshall back line aren't always using stock Marshalls if Marshalls at all. Marshall has had a legendary run but if the company continues to fail at building what the public wants from them they completely deserve to fall to mediocrity.

Rant over

That being said, Marshall hasn't produced a decent product outside of the DSL since 1987 and that was the Jubilee. Granted, I wasn't around that time frame (1968-1988) I've owned and played enough SL/SB, 800, 900, JMP to get a good feel.

No good Marshall products? The YJM kills it, RR model is cool too. Some of the JVM are not bad either.

Damn, I'm getting hosed in this thread

I played the YJM and while it was a cool amp, something felt artificial about it. I don't give a shit of an amp is made out of PCB/PCP or if it's a booteek handwired deal either. For me, there has to be this organic quality to it that most stock amps; even Marshall, are missing these days.

Same goes for the RR. That was a tight amp but you really needed to crank that thing wide open to get a great response. In essence, it behaved like an overpriced JMP.

I've tried the JVM several times since it came out. I ever tried a Satriani JVM too. And when I 'try out' gear, I play it for over an hour through different guitars/cabs (provided I can).

Same goes for the AFD. There was a used one over a year ago at the Raleigh GC. Guy brought it back because he couldn't understand what all the hype is about. I pounced and tried to gel with it for almost two hours. It was nasally and thin through and it didn't matter if you dialed the mids back to compensate.

Point is we all have our opinions. Marshall dominates the market and will always dominate the market when it comes to gain, grind and anything else of the ilk. Marshall is the image of rock and metal and as a company, it will always be a grail for most guys to buy one.

Simple point is that plently of non boutique manufactures are making a better marshall like product that is more consistent than Marshall.

Mesa: Mark V, Single/Dual/Triple Rec
Soldano: Hot Rod 50/100+ Avenger

Two brands right there that are not only sometimes lower cost wise in terms of new, but sound better and perform better than an off the shelf Marshall.

I hate Mesa by the way but I can recognize their worth.

 

[mooncobra]

Why? Look how much money other amp builders are making by building a better Marshall. The writing has been on the wall for 20 years. Friedman, Suhr, Bogner... Just to name a few are building a better Marshall and making money hand over fist. Between this and the Kempers and AxeFX stuff i have to wonder of the future of the brand isn't in question. Even rockstars that have a Marshall back line aren't always using stock Marshalls if Marshalls at all. Marshall has had a legendary run but if the company continues to fail at building what the public wants from them they completely deserve to fall to mediocrity.

Rant over

That being said, Marshall hasn't produced a decent product outside of the DSL since 1987 and that was the Jubilee. Granted, I wasn't around that time frame (1968-1988) I've owned and played enough SL/SB, 800, 900, JMP to get a good feel.

No good Marshall products? The YJM kills it, RR model is cool too. Some of the JVM are not bad either.

Damn, I'm getting hosed in this thread

I played the YJM and while it was a cool amp, something felt artificial about it. I don't give a shit of an amp is made out of PCB/PCP or if it's a booteek handwired deal either. For me, there has to be this organic quality to it that most stock amps; even Marshall, are missing these days.

Same goes for the RR. That was a tight amp but you really needed to crank that thing wide open to get a great response. In essence, it behaved like an overpriced JMP.

I've tried the JVM several times since it came out. I ever tried a Satriani JVM too. And when I 'try out' gear, I play it for over an hour through different guitars/cabs (provided I can).

Same goes for the AFD. There was a used one over a year ago at the Raleigh GC. Guy brought it back because he couldn't understand what all the hype is about. I pounced and tried to gel with it for almost two hours. It was nasally and thin through and it didn't matter if you dialed the mids back to compensate.

Point is we all have our opinions. Marshall dominates the market and will always dominate the market when it comes to gain, grind and anything else of the ilk. Marshall is the image of rock and metal and as a company, it will always be a grail for most guys to buy one.

Simple point is that plently of non boutique manufactures are making a better marshall like product that is more consistent than Marshall.

Mesa: Mark V, Single/Dual/Triple Rec
Soldano: Hot Rod 50/100+ Avenger

Two brands right there that are not only sometimes lower cost wise in terms of new, but sound better and perform better than an off the shelf Marshall.

I hate Mesa by the way but I can recognize their worth.

the mesas never sounded much like a marshall to me.

 

[Aristocat]

Why? Look how much money other amp builders are making by building a better Marshall. The writing has been on the wall for 20 years. Friedman, Suhr, Bogner... Just to name a few are building a better Marshall and making money hand over fist. Between this and the Kempers and AxeFX stuff i have to wonder of the future of the brand isn't in question. Even rockstars that have a Marshall back line aren't always using stock Marshalls if Marshalls at all. Marshall has had a legendary run but if the company continues to fail at building what the public wants from them they completely deserve to fall to mediocrity.

Rant over

That being said, Marshall hasn't produced a decent product outside of the DSL since 1987 and that was the Jubilee. Granted, I wasn't around that time frame (1968-1988) I've owned and played enough SL/SB, 800, 900, JMP to get a good feel.

No good Marshall products? The YJM kills it, RR model is cool too. Some of the JVM are not bad either.

Damn, I'm getting hosed in this thread

I played the YJM and while it was a cool amp, something felt artificial about it. I don't give a shit of an amp is made out of PCB/PCP or if it's a booteek handwired deal either. For me, there has to be this organic quality to it that most stock amps; even Marshall, are missing these days.

Same goes for the RR. That was a tight amp but you really needed to crank that thing wide open to get a great response. In essence, it behaved like an overpriced JMP.

I've tried the JVM several times since it came out. I ever tried a Satriani JVM too. And when I 'try out' gear, I play it for over an hour through different guitars/cabs (provided I can).

Same goes for the AFD. There was a used one over a year ago at the Raleigh GC. Guy brought it back because he couldn't understand what all the hype is about. I pounced and tried to gel with it for almost two hours. It was nasally and thin through and it didn't matter if you dialed the mids back to compensate.

Point is we all have our opinions. Marshall dominates the market and will always dominate the market when it comes to gain, grind and anything else of the ilk. Marshall is the image of rock and metal and as a company, it will always be a grail for most guys to buy one.

Simple point is that plently of non boutique manufactures are making a better marshall like product that is more consistent than Marshall.

Mesa: Mark V, Single/Dual/Triple Rec
Soldano: Hot Rod 50/100+ Avenger

Two brands right there that are not only sometimes lower cost wise in terms of new, but sound better and perform better than an off the shelf Marshall.

I hate Mesa by the way but I can recognize their worth.

the mesas never sounded much like a marshall to me.

Not referring to sound.

Build quality and consistency within the brand.

 

[mooncobra]

Why? Look how much money other amp builders are making by building a better Marshall. The writing has been on the wall for 20 years. Friedman, Suhr, Bogner... Just to name a few are building a better Marshall and making money hand over fist. Between this and the Kempers and AxeFX stuff i have to wonder of the future of the brand isn't in question. Even rockstars that have a Marshall back line aren't always using stock Marshalls if Marshalls at all. Marshall has had a legendary run but if the company continues to fail at building what the public wants from them they completely deserve to fall to mediocrity.

Rant over

That being said, Marshall hasn't produced a decent product outside of the DSL since 1987 and that was the Jubilee. Granted, I wasn't around that time frame (1968-1988) I've owned and played enough SL/SB, 800, 900, JMP to get a good feel.

No good Marshall products? The YJM kills it, RR model is cool too. Some of the JVM are not bad either.

Damn, I'm getting hosed in this thread

I played the YJM and while it was a cool amp, something felt artificial about it. I don't give a shit of an amp is made out of PCB/PCP or if it's a booteek handwired deal either. For me, there has to be this organic quality to it that most stock amps; even Marshall, are missing these days.

Same goes for the RR. That was a tight amp but you really needed to crank that thing wide open to get a great response. In essence, it behaved like an overpriced JMP.

I've tried the JVM several times since it came out. I ever tried a Satriani JVM too. And when I 'try out' gear, I play it for over an hour through different guitars/cabs (provided I can).

Same goes for the AFD. There was a used one over a year ago at the Raleigh GC. Guy brought it back because he couldn't understand what all the hype is about. I pounced and tried to gel with it for almost two hours. It was nasally and thin through and it didn't matter if you dialed the mids back to compensate.

Point is we all have our opinions. Marshall dominates the market and will always dominate the market when it comes to gain, grind and anything else of the ilk. Marshall is the image of rock and metal and as a company, it will always be a grail for most guys to buy one.

Simple point is that plently of non boutique manufactures are making a better marshall like product that is more consistent than Marshall.

Mesa: Mark V, Single/Dual/Triple Rec
Soldano: Hot Rod 50/100+ Avenger

Two brands right there that are not only sometimes lower cost wise in terms of new, but sound better and perform better than an off the shelf Marshall.

I hate Mesa by the way but I can recognize their worth.

the mesas never sounded much like a marshall to me.

Not referring to sound.

Build quality and consistency within the brand.

ahhh. I see.

 

[311boogieman]

something felt artificial about it.

That's what I'm saying. I have not played the YJM, but artificial (or contrived) is how I'd explain it. Doesn't feel real organic to me and certainly doesn't have the note definition of other amps in that price range. Sure you can get some decent tones from Green OD2 or Orange and yes the cleans are pretty good with the built in reverb. But for $2,400 I would expect more - not just decent. Granted that is a US price for something made in the UK. A new Quick Rod is what $1,900 and almost as versatile. MOST of us here like Marshalls, I just think that some of us are saying we 'WISH' or we 'THINK' they could do better.

No offense Santiago

I know a lot of you guys love your JVMs so please take no offense. As mentioned, everyone has different ears and tastes - so there is no right or wrong answer in a discussion like this.

And remember, there are only 1,500 YJMs out there? WTF?

I do agree that the title of the thread could have been worded better

 

[metalmaniac93]

I have not played a Marshall that has made me go WOW or that sounds BAD ASS!!! That is the reason I have looked towards other amps like VHT, Bogner, and others.

 

[Aristocat]

I have not played a Marshall that has made me go WOW or that sounds BAD ASS!!! That is the reason I have looked towards other amps like VHT, Bogner, and others.

Maybe it's because I like to mod/tinker with all of my equipment but I feel the same way.

The only amp I've ever played that makes go, holy shit I need this was a Bogner 20th Ecstasy.

 

[metalmaniac93]

I have not played a Marshall that has made me go WOW or that sounds BAD ASS!!! That is the reason I have looked towards other amps like VHT, Bogner, and others.

Maybe it's because I like to mod/tinker with all of my equipment but I feel the same way.

The only amp I've ever played that makes go, holy shit I need this was a Bogner 20th Ecstasy.

I do not like to tinker!!! I just want a great sounding high gain amp!!! The Bogner 101B and 20th Anniversary are both great amps!!

 

[bravedude2]

can't think of a nicer room decoration than a wall of marshall stacks,,other than playing them.
thank you jim marshall

 

[Ventura]

The only amp I've ever played that makes go, holy shit I need this was a Bogner 20th Ecstasy.

You got that for sure

 

[Aristocat]

The only amp I've ever played that makes go, holy shit I need this was a Bogner 20th Ecstasy.

You got that for sure

I can't wait to be in a career

 

[dsquared]

If you don't like any of the newer Marshalls (YJM, RR, JVM, AFD), wouldn't you say that you just don't like those Marshalls? It's cool, it's your preference; does it have to mean anything more than that?

The only bad amps are the ones that don't work. Everything else is taste. If Marshall is a fucked up company, every amp company should be so lucky as to be that kind of fucked up.

 

[yngzaklynch]

If you don't like any of the newer Marshalls (YJM, RR, JVM, AFD), wouldn't you say that you just don't like those Marshalls? It's cool, it's your preference; does it have to mean anything more than that?

The only bad amps are the ones that don't work. Everything else is taste. If Marshall is a fucked up company, every amp company should be so lucky as to be that kind of fucked up.

Can't argue your points. Again just frustrated

 

[Jer]

I know how you feel... If someone asked me about buying a Marshall I'd lean towards recommending something else.

Now if that decision was challenged, I'm not sure I could defend it other than "because I like other things better".