Marshall amps

[VonBonfire]

I've often regretted going cheap vs quality on many products. I learned this lesson decades ago.

My old man instilled in me the principle of buying quality so that's what I've generally done. The problem is a lot of companies formerly known for quality cheaped out on labor or components so that's almost out the window. At this stage I would never buy a new amp from any of the major makers now. They are disposable junk and few if any of them will be operational 50-75 years from now the way all the classics are.

Ribbon wiring and pcb mounted pots is just a cheapass fail prone method of manufacture. Maybe I'll grab more Quads, Twins, and Supers down the line since they are robust, easily repaired, and affordable.

 

[ChurchHill]

In the video, they talked about Jim working almost to his death; he refused to sell Marshall while he was alive because it was his name; only took his family 3 years after his death to sell it...so they probably started negotiations before Jim's body was buried....company acquisitions can take many months or years to complete. Jim also said he would never make amps anywhere else but England, and his heirs ended that quick too. Hard to think his heirs didn't value money over the company.

It just seems so disrespectful to their father, to have gotten so far away from his vision; they're dishonoring everything Jim and his company stood for.

And yes, it happens, and I don't blame them for wanting to get paid. But carrying on what their father started? C'est la vie.

 

[stephen sawall]

I'm sure Jim knew this would happen. Children rarely do what the parents would do. No one could really replace Jim. Too be honest I am surprised Marshall makes any amps in England.

Is the current hardwired stuff all that different from the vintage amps ?

 

[rsm]

I'm sure Jim knew this would happen. Children rarely do what the parents would do. No one could really replace Jim. Too be honest I am surprised Marshall makes any amps in England.

Is the current hardwired stuff all that different from the vintage amps ?

I think many people will usually consider vintage amps superior to modern / new versions whether it's true or not. Parts, craftsmanship, manufacturing, etc. are all variables that can be used to justify what's better or not. I think even if an old and new amp wetr objectively and scientifically proven identical, wouldn't matter; most would choose the vintage amp.

I remind myself that what Hendrix, Page, etc. played back in the day were brand new amps, cabs and speakers. Marshall admitted they'd often use whatever they had around to build amps, there were inconsistencies, and why some amps sounded great and other made around the same time didn't sound as good.

 

[ChurchHill]

I'm sure Jim knew this would happen. Children rarely do what the parents would do. No one could really replace Jim. Too be honest I am surprised Marshall makes any amps in England.

Is the current hardwired stuff all that different from the vintage amps ?

To me, it's not so much whether kids do what their parents would want, but rather Marshall once being a proud company that built the best amps they could and literally changed history in doing so. That company is long gone, and I find that to be a shame, unfortunately and unnecessarily. Legacy and heritage are concepts that don't mean what they used to mean and aren't as valued as they used to be.

 

[stephen sawall]

To me, it's not so much whether kids do what their parents would want, but rather Marshall once being a proud company that built the best amps they could and literally changed history in doing so. That company is long gone, and I find that to be a shame, unfortunately and unnecessarily. Legacy and heritage are concepts that don't mean what they used to mean and aren't as valued as they used to be.

I worked in the funeral industry. I've seen it countless times. Times have changed for all of us.