Amp Guru's!.....A Question for Ya!

[Bobalou]

Marshall doesnt make small, low watt, tube combo amps (ala fenders 15 watt Blues and Pro Jr.)

What amp company has basically copied the Marshall sound, yet offers a small tube combo low watt amp? at a small price?

for recording only, no gigs!

thanks

[Hard2Hear]

The Marshall Plexi reissue is 18 watts, as was the original.

The Marshall DSL201 is a 20 watt combo.

But I think a real Marshall tone comes from driving the power amp tubes, which usually means loud. Unless you use a powerbrake or powersoak or something to lower the volume. But look at the DSL201, maybe thats what you want. One thing about them, they are known to run pretty hot and have had heat related issues. If you get one, but a fan in it or something.

By the way, every manufacturer that copied the Marshall sound that I can think of costs as much or more than an actual Marshall amp.

H2H

[Bobalou]

Is there another amp company that makes a small marshallish sounding tube valve amp with EL34 tone? ...small in the catagory of the Fender Pro/Blues jr type amps?


that DSL is probably still a bit loud and the 18watt re-issue is way expensive!

thanks

[DJL]

Originally Posted by Bobalou

at a small price?

None of the killer (all tube) little amps are cheap... and Marshall use to make a little (all tube) 30-watt amp but it will have a vintage price tag too.

[Farview]

The el-34 sound will really only happen with el-34s. EL-84s are cool and low wattage.

[darknailblue]

If you're looking for that marshall sound in a small watt combo, your not going to find it; the marshall sound is BIG and LOUD my man. Their smaller AVT amps are actually pretty cool though. If your using this future amp for recording good luck. The fact that you'll be able to get massive tube saturation at low volumes is good but even 15 watts is pretty loud at times. If you're looking for a practice amp, then don't even bother looking for something good, just something inspirational (don't you want to play when your gear sounds good?). As far as really, Really, REALLY good tube amps go that'll make you say marshall who???? look into this one company called tophat. IMHO that is the clearest sounding amp I have ever played. Also look into an amp company called.. ummm THD... They make some high $#@%ing end tube amps that come in 15, 30 and 50 watt versions. They're come in head form only and sound amazing. The 15 watt version is aimed for recording and intimate gigs. Just some food for thought.

~darknail

[Chill]

The best way to get cranked Marshall tone is to crank a non-master Marshall, IMO. Though you're on the right track because every song needs a cranked Marshall. (flame away! ) Look for the Marshall 4001 aka the Studio 15. They can be had for around $300. Maybe the Orange AD15, post PI master volume so you can get some PI breakup in the sound.

You could also look for a master volume Marshall 50W and drop a pair of 6V6's into it and double the load on the impedance setting (net 6.8K primary, about right for 6V6's) to shed some wattage. Not exactly what you're looking for but close.

THD does indeed make the univalve and bivalve. petersamps.com also makes the 3CP1, and Matamp makes the C7. I believe those are all heads, though.

...you could also DIY, but it will take some time and some money. I've built some small amps which sound good and are quiet enough to be stuffed in my apartment closet with a mic on 'em. They're audible but my neighbors are pretty cool about noisemaking.