One of the Marshall mini's or go big (Fortin, Bogner, etc)?

[OldMetalHead]

So I've been watching loads of YouTube videos and cannot decide... wonder what ya'll think? What's the consensus on these Marshall 20 watters? I really like the fact that they're using EL34s instead of 84s but not sure if 20 watts is going to cut it? I mostly play at home but still venture out to jam with a drummer once a month. I have a tiny terror right now and it barely cuts it. Also I know Class A watts sound louder than Class AB most of the time, right?

My options are:
1. Go with a Marshall SV20 and throw some boosts out front to tighten it up when I want a more percussive/metal like tone while still having the beautiful sound of pure plexi bliss whenever I want it. Not to mention, I'd save a lot more money vs my other option.
2. Fork out loads more for a Fortin Cali. I've listed to this amp and think it sounds amazing. It can get tighter than a crabs ass and can still hit those classic rock sounds that any great Marshall can get. I hear the last run is coming up in 2 weeks.

Wondering if anyone can help out with some recommendations?

I'm really stumped and wanna make the right choice... I know I could also always sell the Fortin later on down the line because they always seem to hold their value and are in high demand.

 

[cardinal]

I suppose out of those choices I might opt for the Fortin if you have the money.

But it seems strange to limit yourself to those options. Why not something in the middle: like a Marshall 2203 or 2204? The real deal rather than a low-watt recreation. If you buy used, they also will hold their value and may even continue to increase.

 

[OldMetalHead]

I suppose out of those choices I might opt for the Fortin if you have the money.

But it seems strange to limit yourself to those options. Why not something in the middle: like a Marshall 2203 or 2204? The real deal rather than a low-watt recreation. If you buy used, they also will hold their value and may even continue to increase.

Should have mentioned that I already have a JCM 900 SL-X (I know it's not identical to the 2203/4 but it can get kind of a similar tone). Although I do have a few on my watch list on Reverb anyway

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, this question is sort of hard to get a grip on. A $1300 20-watter with a classic voice versus a $3300 50W high-gainer isn´t really apples and apples in several ways, and it´s hard to know where to start to untangle it.

 

[skullfxr]

I love my Splawn Supersport (I make that no secret) I got it for $900 with the matching vertical 2x12". It far exceeds the 20 watt Marshalls IMO. however I WANT a 2203/4 so bad.

 

[OldMetalHead]

Yeah, this question is sort of hard to get a grip on. A $1300 20-watter with a classic voice versus a $3300 50W high-gainer isn´t really apples and apples in several ways, and it´s hard to know where to start to untangle it.

Plenty of folks are able to get modern sounds out of SLPs with the right FX out front (at least in my opinion). Question is, do you save the cash for more pedals and such to throw out front, or just go for the whole thing? It's not apples to apples for sure... but the end goal is about the same: flexibility to get modern high gain (whether thru pedals or just amp) while still being able to dial in a classic rock plexi sound.

 

[maddnotez]

I had the PRS MT15 and I think it would have surely been loud enough for a drummer.

If I had all the extra money I would get the big amp for sure but those little amps are pretty cool.

 

[OldMetalHead]

I love my Splawn Supersport (I make that no secret) I got it for $900 with the matching vertical 2x12". It far exceeds the 20 watt Marshalls IMO. however I WANT a 2203/4 so bad.

Even though I have an SL-X, I may just wind up going with a 2203/4... have always wanted one of those amps since I started playing back in the early 90s. Splawns sound really great too!

 

[Bad.Seed]

Yeah, this question is sort of hard to get a grip on. A $1300 20-watter with a classic voice versus a $3300 50W high-gainer isn´t really apples and apples in several ways, and it´s hard to know where to start to untangle it.

Plenty of folks are able to get modern sounds out of SLPs with the right FX out front (at least in my opinion). Question is, do you save the cash for more pedals and such to throw out front, or just go for the whole thing? It's not apples to apples for sure... but the end goal is about the same: flexibility to get modern high gain (whether thru pedals or just amp) while still being able to dial in a classic rock plexi sound.

Even with a bunch of FX out front, it's still going to have a really hard time getting a convincing modern metal tone that's anywhere comparable to the Fortin. Like I said, I own 2 100 Watt SLP's. I can get them to sound real mean with an EQ, and the right boost, but the tone in the room isn't anywhere near as tight clear and gutteral as the fortin designs.

 

[cardinal]

A 2203/4 is going to be better at straddling the line between modern metal and classic rock.

I've owned a few vintage Super Leads, and they sound awesome but at high gain are not a clear in the low end as the 2203/4.

Neither will have the lows and sub-lows of something like a Fortin, but I'm not sure that's a bad thing.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Also I know Class A watts sound louder than Class AB most of the time, right?

Both the Marshalls and the Tiny Terror are Class AB, though.

 

[ClintN667]

If you can get a Fortin that's the route I would go. I'm getting a 2204 from Ceriatone. I would have rather gotten a Marshall but it's hard to find a decent 2204. Everyone I come across has either been beat up or modded. From what I've heard the 20 watt amps are f'n loud so you might as well get a 50-100 watt.

 

[napalmdeath]

So I've been watching loads of YouTube videos and cannot decide... wonder what ya'll think? What's the consensus on these Marshall 20 watters? I really like the fact that they're using EL34s instead of 84s but not sure if 20 watts is going to cut it? I mostly play at home but still venture out to jam with a drummer once a month. I have a tiny terror right now and it barely cuts it. Also I know Class A watts sound louder than Class AB most of the time, right?

My options are:
1. Go with a Marshall SV20 and throw some boosts out front to tighten it up when I want a more percussive/metal like tone while still having the beautiful sound of pure plexi bliss whenever I want it. Not to mention, I'd save a lot more money vs my other option.
2. Fork out loads more for a Fortin Cali. I've listed to this amp and think it sounds amazing. It can get tighter than a crabs ass and can still hit those classic rock sounds that any great Marshall can get. I hear the last run is coming up in 2 weeks.

Wondering if anyone can help out with some recommendations?

I'm really stumped and wanna make the right choice... I know I could also always sell the Fortin later on down the line because they always seem to hold their value and are in high demand.

You won't get that out of an SV20H, been there, done that. Nothing in my arsenal would tighten that amp up. LOUD as hell, though. I also had the Mini Jubilee - THAT would do the job, in spades. Killer little amp. But, the SV20H is a loose, flabby mess. I'd avoid it.

If you want portability, go for the EVH 50. Small, but mighty.

 

[Thunkful]

Maybe get one of the Ceriatones? You could get the Son of Yeti if you want some modded marshall tones.

I love my Splawn Supersport (I make that no secret) I got it for $900 with the matching vertical 2x12". It far exceeds the 20 watt Marshalls IMO. however I WANT a 2203/4 so bad.

Supersport is also an amazing Lunchbox sized amp. Too bad i'll probably won't have money to grab one myself.

 

[Exo-metal]

Go big or go axefx/digital...nothing like the real deal.

 

[wIsEbLooD]

Check out a jcm 800 kk if you can.

 

[OldMetalHead]

So I've been watching loads of YouTube videos and cannot decide... wonder what ya'll think? What's the consensus on these Marshall 20 watters? I really like the fact that they're using EL34s instead of 84s but not sure if 20 watts is going to cut it? I mostly play at home but still venture out to jam with a drummer once a month. I have a tiny terror right now and it barely cuts it. Also I know Class A watts sound louder than Class AB most of the time, right?

My options are:
1. Go with a Marshall SV20 and throw some boosts out front to tighten it up when I want a more percussive/metal like tone while still having the beautiful sound of pure plexi bliss whenever I want it. Not to mention, I'd save a lot more money vs my other option.
2. Fork out loads more for a Fortin Cali. I've listed to this amp and think it sounds amazing. It can get tighter than a crabs ass and can still hit those classic rock sounds that any great Marshall can get. I hear the last run is coming up in 2 weeks.

Wondering if anyone can help out with some recommendations?

I'm really stumped and wanna make the right choice... I know I could also always sell the Fortin later on down the line because they always seem to hold their value and are in high demand.

You won't get that out of an SV20H, been there, done that. Nothing in my arsenal would tighten that amp up. LOUD as hell, though. I also had the Mini Jubilee - THAT would do the job, in spades. Killer little amp. But, the SV20H is a loose, flabby mess. I'd avoid it.

If you want portability, go for the EVH 50. Small, but mighty.

The mini Jube looks amazing too... will have to add that to the list but after seeing the responses and doing more digging, I feel like my best bet would be just to spring for the Cali.

 

[napalmdeath]

So I've been watching loads of YouTube videos and cannot decide... wonder what ya'll think? What's the consensus on these Marshall 20 watters? I really like the fact that they're using EL34s instead of 84s but not sure if 20 watts is going to cut it? I mostly play at home but still venture out to jam with a drummer once a month. I have a tiny terror right now and it barely cuts it. Also I know Class A watts sound louder than Class AB most of the time, right?

My options are:
1. Go with a Marshall SV20 and throw some boosts out front to tighten it up when I want a more percussive/metal like tone while still having the beautiful sound of pure plexi bliss whenever I want it. Not to mention, I'd save a lot more money vs my other option.
2. Fork out loads more for a Fortin Cali. I've listed to this amp and think it sounds amazing. It can get tighter than a crabs ass and can still hit those classic rock sounds that any great Marshall can get. I hear the last run is coming up in 2 weeks.

Wondering if anyone can help out with some recommendations?

I'm really stumped and wanna make the right choice... I know I could also always sell the Fortin later on down the line because they always seem to hold their value and are in high demand.

You won't get that out of an SV20H, been there, done that. Nothing in my arsenal would tighten that amp up. LOUD as hell, though. I also had the Mini Jubilee - THAT would do the job, in spades. Killer little amp. But, the SV20H is a loose, flabby mess. I'd avoid it.

If you want portability, go for the EVH 50. Small, but mighty.

The mini Jube looks amazing too... will have to add that to the list but after seeing the responses and doing more digging, I feel like my best bet would be just to spring for the Cali.

If you avoid the rhythm clip on the Mini Jube and run your own boost, it gets downright mean as hell. And plenty loud.

 

[OldMetalHead]

Also I know Class A watts sound louder than Class AB most of the time, right?

Both the Marshalls and the Tiny Terror are Class AB, though.

Sure the TT is Class AB? Pretty sure it is Class A (Self-Biasing)? I could obviously be wrong though but most research I've done mentions that you do not need to re-bias the TT when retubing...

Either way, the TT being 15 watts, is too little for me to cut through with any clean tones when jamming with a drummer... (not that I need that often but it is nice to have)

 

[OldMetalHead]

Go big or go axefx/digital...nothing like the real deal.

Also considering one of the Friedmans too... I know the Fortin Cali is PCB and the Friedmans are point to point - but not that it really matters, just that when spending over 3 grand, you'd think the amp would definitely be point to point for that price...

Still no denying that the Cali sounds downright amazing...