Marshall MG100HDFX/MG412 Slant Cab Half Stack Package v. Marshall MG100DFX Combo

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LI_Slim

LI_Slim

voice in the wilderness
This is for my son. He is 14 and writes songs, mostly emo stuff, and is forming about 6 different bands at any given time. Anyway, he needs an amp (he'll be playing a mexican strat through it), at first for a battle of the bands thing at the high school and hopefully for other such venues later on. He tried the Marshall MG100DFX Combo and liked it. It's going for $464 at the various sites. But I saw the Marshall MG100HDFX/MG412 Slant Cab Half Stack Package is going for $599. It's the same amp but you get a cabinet with 4 12" speakers instead of the single 12" speaker in the combo amp.

I don't know much about electric guitar amps, but I'm guessing that he will get a fuller sound from the cabinet. Will it be louder also or the same? What other considerations should I be thinking about?

Thanks!!!
 
how about the mg250? It has two 10" speakers and is much less of a pain to carry around than a massive half stack.
 
vintagetobes said:
how about the mg250? It has two 10" speakers and is much less of a pain to carry around than a massive half stack.
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how will it sound compared to the single 12" or the half stack?
 
Thanks guys. I really appreciate it.

Does the stereo amp (50W per channel) give you the same power as the mono 100W?


I really don't understand the electronics/audiophysics of the one versus two versus four speaker issue. Can anyone give a brief tutorial???
 
Honestly there aren't massive volume differences between 50 and a 100 watts. In fact volume seems to vary from amp to amp in my experience. I have an avt50 combo that gets amazingly loud and its just 50 watts with one 12" speaker. I also have a 35watt mesa boogie head that's even louder than the 50watt. So honestly the difference between 50 and 100 probably wouldn't be that noticeable.
 
jonnyc - does this name mean that you are here in NYC?
 
LI_Slim said:
Does the stereo amp (50W per channel) give you the same power as the mono 100W?
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Yup.



LI_Slim said:
I really don't understand the electronics/audiophysics of the one versus two versus four speaker issue. Can anyone give a brief tutorial???
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Me neither, but here goes: the area of the speakers is what physically moves the air, resulting in sound. The more area, the more sound. I assume there is some sort of diminishing returns at a given power rating, but I have heard that doubling speaker area will have more of an effect on perceived volume than doubling wattage.

Of course, the difference in the efficiency of a different model of speaker can be far more than both of the above, but we'll leave that alone for now.

An aside: I don't think much of solid-state Marshalls. You end up paying for the Marshall name on an amp that can easily be matched by less legendary brands.
 
ermghoti said:
Yup.





Me neither, but here goes: the area of the speakers is what physically moves the air, resulting in sound. The more area, the more sound. I assume there is some sort of diminishing returns at a given power rating, but I have heard that doubling speaker area will have more of an effect on perceived volume than doubling wattage.

Of course, the difference in the efficiency of a different model of speaker can be far more than both of the above, but we'll leave that alone for now.

An aside: I don't think much of solid-state Marshalls. You end up paying for the Marshall name on an amp that can easily be matched by less legendary brands.
Click to expand...


Thanks, that's helpful.

I am sure you are right about paying for the Marshall name, but the current package deal of $599 for the 100W head with the four speaker cabinet seems pretty good (and perception means a lot to a 14-year-old).
 
No I'm not from NYC. Names Jon, people call me Jonny and my last initial is C. Never even been to NYC, going there in July.
 
LI_Slim said:
...and perception means a lot to a 14-year-old...
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Oh, I remember! That's why I stopped short of a "I highly recommend you blablablabla" response. Still, you could get the little nipper onto a decent tube 2x12 combo for $600. Ah, well.
 
ermghoti said:
Oh, I remember! That's why I stopped short of a "I highly recommend you blablablabla" response. Still, you could get the little nipper onto a decent tube 2x12 combo for $600. Ah, well.
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Good point. A good 60W tube would blow away the 100W Marshall, no?


By the way, I see you are in MA. You should come to the jamfest this summer!

In fact, all of you kind souls on this thread should make the trek to Andover, CT this August (check out the jamfest threads in the dragon cave).
 
Good point. A good 60W tube would blow away the 100W Marshall, no?


Yes it would,.... and be more responsive,.... and allow me to get you into some REAL tubes......... not the sad excuse that are being made today......


How bout some RCA 6L6s


and some Mullard 12AX7s.....


but then,...... you know......




Steve
 
solidstate marshalls are pretty hard to get a good sounds out of. its almost impossible to get a good lightly overdriven sound out of it. you either gotta have full on distortion or full on clean.
 
I haven't played one. I will be spending some time in GC, I'll try to make it to the amp-pile.

Based on the Twin and Deluxe models, awesome rock amps, that don't like to sound "heavy," but take distortion pedals well. Could do a good old-school punk by itself, modern sounds are thicker, and would definately want a boost in the front.

Check out Traynor, they have some real bargains, and a few different circuit/tube combinations. APL will be here soon to suggest Carvin, who have some good amps, a MTS 2x12 might do the trick. They have clips on their site.

I don't have to tell you what This would be like ;)! In fact, I see .50's, Tremoverbs, Nomads, occasional MkIII 1x12's go for your price range. All flat-out awesome, just add a cab when the kid's progress warrants it. Put it on a chair until then.

Peavey, Crate, Ampeg and others have all put out some real nice tube amps, that just didn't take off commercially. I'll try to think of ones I've encountered.

Oo! Keep an eye on this bugger!
 
Fender® Blues Deluxe Reissue 40W 1x12" Combo Amp----this one has SLIGHTLY more overdrive and is more clear then the hot rod.

ermghoti, i agree...the traynor is a great idea.

Also, with carvin...stay with the MTS...shy away from their other amps...although the bel air is decent.

Seriously...he's 14. In two years he may want to get rid of this amp not knowing that the tube amp he has is amazing...so don't think TOO critically about this decision! :)
 
vintagetobes said:
how about the mg250? It has two 10" speakers and is much less of a pain to carry around than a massive half stack.
Click to expand...

The mg100hdfx isnt really that big. Wouldnt call it massive anyway. I carry mine around in my little hatch back. Plus, it looks cooler than a little combo ;) . Ive had mine for about a year now but i only got to use it once in a band situation before the band broke up. Its no tube amp, but its pretty good for the price. Oh and i play punk/emo.
 
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