NAD: Marshall SV20H has arrived!!

[napalmdeath]

Too bad I'm at work until 5!
I did open it up, and check it out, physically. Man, what a sexy, classy looking amp! I'm so preoccupied with plugging it in, I can't get no work done!

Everything is laid out at home, super stoked! I can't wait!

 

[hammered]

Too bad I'm at work until 5!
I did open it up, and check it out, physically. Man, what a sexy, classy looking amp! I'm so preoccupied with plugging it in, I can't get no work done!

Everything is laid out at home, super stoked! I can't wait!

Cool ! I know you were talking about throwing some boost pedals in front of it anxious to hear how that works out also how loud you have to crank it for it to start getting gainy

 

[misterspockyall]

Cool ! I know you were talking about throwing some boost pedals in front of it anxious to hear how that works out also how loud you have to crank it for it to start getting gainy

Same

 

[japetus]

post innards please

 

[napalmdeath]

Well, I spent about an hour and a half with it. I can say, it sounds like a Plexi!! It's a LOUD SOB, that I can say for certain, and for those curious about the gain/volume, you have to get it up there, for sure, for decent amounts of gain. The dynamics/touch sensitivity is really impressive. It has that core, mean aggressive flavor - it's in there. I haven't had the chance to really open it up super loud, but I goosed it pretty good for a bit. You WILL need some help, getting into high gain territory. I ran my EP Booster into the Savage Drive, hit the front end, (jumpered) and had great results. That said, to my surprise, the EP into my Zakk Wylde OD yielded better results! Just a KILLER, crunchy tone, nice and aggressive, yet not out of control. Just punchy, and oozes good tone. Clarity, note separation, the whole ball of wax. Totally different animal than the EVH.


This is a killer amp, folks. I know I have some more exploring to do, to get it where I want it. I did roll some preamp tubes, and it looks like the power tubes are JJ's, (I assume, with red lettering/Marshall logos). V1, also a JJ, V2 & V3 had gold logos, which I assume were Chinese, since that's their typical recipe. I put a Tungsol in V1, Mullard CV4004 in V2, and a balanced JJ in V3. Great improvement. Kinda disappointed they didn't use Tungsol EL34B's, like the Mini Jube came with, but oh well. I have JJ E34L's, KT77's, and 6CA7's I can try. I'm thinking the 6CA7's might be the ticket.

In all, I'm pleased. It's not dialed in quite yet, but the tones are in there. NO DOUBT. It's exactly what I wanted, a solid, core Plexi flavor, a hint of aggressive, and takes pedals well. Loop works great too, no issues, noise, pops, no tone suck, etc. Solid. And, lead tones are just to die for. So rich in harmonics, it's ridiculous. Loves my Jackson with the JB, loves my Schecter with the Custom-Custom.


When I had the volume up, and driving it with my pedals, 10-band in the loop, I was nearing Yeti territory. Only this one, SOUNDS like a Marshall!
The only way I can describe it, is I hear QUALITY. Rich, organic, quality tone. BUT, you may STILL need an attenuator!

 

[Marshall Freak]

Try a fulltone ocd with it. I used to use a 68 plexi in a band several years ago, and an ocd and a tubescreamer were amazing with it

 

[napalmdeath]

Try a fulltone ocd with it. I used to use a 68 plexi in a band several years ago, and an ocd and a tubescreamer were amazing with it

I hate that pedal. Instant mud with everything I've used it with.

 

[hammered]

Thanks for the review man

 

[LP Freak]

I give it two weeks

 

[napalmdeath]

I give it two weeks

Oh, have faith.

 

[Racerxrated]

I give it two weeks

I'll take your 2 weeks, and raise you to 8 days......

 

[romanianreaper]

I give it two weeks

I'll take your 2 weeks, and raise you to 8 days......

I raise you to 7 days and a trade-in towards the 800 version.

That is awesome to hear about the amp sounding like a solid Marshall! That is amazing still needing an attenuator. Wow!

 

[misterspockyall]

Am I right in thinking that being EL34 and not El84 it’s still gonna take a lot to push these into power tube saturation? Asking for a friend

 

[napalmdeath]

Am I right in thinking that being EL34 and not El84 it’s still gonna take a lot to push these into power tube saturation? Asking for a friend

I'd say yes. However, I've got it dialed in pretty nice! Sounds killer! The thing is, especially with the high treble, it gets loud QUICK. It only starts to saturate past noon. And that's LOUD. I have it at about 2:00, low treble at about 9:00. I have an RP1000 in the loop, with the master on the pedal backed off a bit. I've got a volume pedal to keep it tamed, and all I have to do is mash down on it if I want to get crazy. But, with the stacked pedals up front, and a 10-band in the RP's loop, the inputs jumpered, hi treble up, low treble opened enough to warm it up, I've got killer, 80's metal tones. To get a little heavier, I just need to mash down on the gas pedal.

After further experiments, (running 2 speaker cables in stereo beefed it up some), and the Savage Drive + EP Booster is the clear winner.

I also put JJ E34Ls in it, and it was only 1 mA off the stock JJ EL34's, (also added a little more beef, and headroom). Plate voltage on this thing is 250/251 in 20 watt, 5 watt drops it to 143. I flip-flopped the preamp to a Mullard CV4004 in V1, Tungsol in V2, balanced JJ in V3.

Say what you will, I'm a pretty happy camper. With some volume, stacked boost pedals, and an EQ in the loop, I get nearly the same amount of filth, tightness, (and more articulate), than the Thrasher 50 did without the boost engaged. And, better lead tones. WAY better.

Some asked about innards:

 

[romanianreaper]

Not to throw in a monkey wrench, but did you see the Mini Jube demo? Wow, at 2:22 it nails Slash in my opinion:

 

[napalmdeath]

Not to throw in a monkey wrench, but did you see the Mini Jube demo? Wow, at 2:22 it nails Slash in my opinion:

I had one. Also a great amp!

 

[Buckeyedog]

Not to throw in a monkey wrench, but did you see the Mini Jube demo? Wow, at 2:22 it nails Slash in my opinion:

Dude, I've got one. Any time you wanna come and check it out, feel free!!

 

[311boogieman]

Congrats

Sounds like a killer amp. Do you think a 5751 would work well in there too? Would it be a dumb question to ask if V2 is a cathode follower? Have fun mang.

PS: I have a Custom Custom in my Schecter C1+. Great pick up.

 

[napalmdeath]

Congrats

Sounds like a killer amp. Do you think a 5751 would work well in there too? Would it be a dumb question to ask if V2 is a cathode follower? Have fun mang.

PS: I have a Custom Custom in my Schecter C1+. Great pick up.

I would only use a 5751 to reduce gain in certain amps, but I suppose SRV had other ideas, as some claim they add some headroom.

The Custom-Custom is becoming a favorite of mine, for sure. The clarity and bite is pretty killer, not to mention the harmonics. I think one is going into my Jackson, and the JB is getting yanked.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Cool amp, congrats.
I had a 6v6 plexi, would set it for light crunch, and use a JHS Angry Timmons to make it heavy.
That lil amp thru a 1x12 cab and that pedal had no problem hanging with a modern metal band with a 2nd guitarist. I should have kept it! Oh well.
A ppimv helped keep the volume at decent levels for around the house. Sounds like you’re using the effects loop to do the same thing.