Marshall, Fender, or.....

**againstthewind** · 10.18.06, 06:07 PM

Which do you prefer? Why? I know there are many other amps out there, but these two are the great-grandaddy's of 'em all aren't they. I personally have played Fender amps more, just love that solid blues tone, but I know a lot of classic rock folk love the Fender Blues series. The Marshall reputation seems to be, hell, beyond outstanding, by many,it is considered THE hard rock amp.

Not really looking to make this a MvF issue. Just curious why you play the amp you do, and have you tried others.....peavey for example. I've only owned one Marshall, and it was a long ass time ago, so I can't speak too much about them or their quality, they sure are incredibly expensive for tube amps....wow.

I just bought a Peavey delta blues, and it sounds so nice I sold my Fender, and I was really curious about the Marshall bluesbreaker, but it is over two grand. So, when it comes down to it, all things considered, quality, price, tone, reasale price, what do you think....Fender, or Marshall, or chime in with others.

**homeunit** · 10.18.06, 08:42 PM

Just got me a Fuchs ODS 100. http://www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com/...e_supreme.html It's a pretty cool amp. Very versitile and warm sounding. So far it seems to be providing me tone I wasn't finding with other amps.

**Rockguitarstar** · 10.18.06, 10:08 PM

one word....splawn

**cyberfiddl** · 10.18.06, 10:36 PM

IMHO, the new Marshall amps sound thin and squawky. The older the better when it comes to Marshall. Fender has a great clean tone.
The amp to end all amps when it comes to MvF: the Rivera Quiana. I love mine.

AT · 10.18.06, 11:09 PM

I play the 5150 and 5150 II amps through either Marshall JCM 900 or the 5150 cabs. It's amazing for high gain, and the Wolfgang guitar really is an awesome complement. Eventually for gain I'd like to graduate to a Soldano.

Also, I've had a Fender Champ 12 since the late-80s. It has been a very frequent go-to amp in my recording studio; I couldn't even count the number of recordings its appeared on (hundreds). So many different kinds of guitars just sound good through it.

**TheMightyCopenHalenII** · 10.19.06, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by againstthewind

Which do you prefer? Why? I know there are many other amps out there, but these two are the great-grandaddy's of 'em all aren't they. I personally have played Fender amps more, just love that solid blues tone, but I know a lot of classic rock folk love the Fender Blues series. The Marshall reputation seems to be, hell, beyond outstanding, by many,it is considered THE hard rock amp.

Not really looking to make this a MvF issue. Just curious why you play the amp you do, and have you tried others.....peavey for example. I've only owned one Marshall, and it was a long ass time ago, so I can't speak too much about them or their quality, they sure are incredibly expensive for tube amps....wow.

I just bought a Peavey delta blues, and it sounds so nice I sold my Fender, and I was really curious about the Marshall bluesbreaker, but it is over two grand. So, when it comes down to it, all things considered, quality, price, tone, reasale price, what do you think....Fender, or Marshall, or chime in with others.

I've gotta say I'm pissed. I had a well thought out post(yea right, Right?) and accidentally unplugged the power cord to the laptop. All that horseshit aside, let me say, there are too many variables left out here to try to get to an ideal.

Have you ever heard the saying that "Hell hath no scorn like that of an angry woman." Well if any of you fuckers hit the woodshed when the old lady is pissed off at you (let me offer my condolences first off)/vice versa. I think the same Papal Bull should apply that hell hath no scorn like angry tone. Think about it, how many times have you dialed in that perfect setting for that perfect axe only for it to be miscerated by a change in taste or mere boredom.

All that aside, some cats on here have reccomended some true artisan amps that they own and love. I'll be the first on here to say that I love/hate my Peavey 5150 at the same time. First off, being a poor subject to rent bastard, I can't crank it up often. However, when I have the chance, I find that despite Edward's issuance, lead tones are better suited to the Ernie Ball. The highend and midrange of the Wolfgang (or lets be honest and procalaim the sometimes lack of midrange ) will take a lot of tweaking to get a sweet lead tone, yet at the same time deliver the sweetest of female volleyball players' asses rhythm tone.

If your're going for a broad spectrum of lead/rhythm tones, the 5150 is not the beast for you. However, if you are an accomplished player with excellent tone observation, the Peavey 5150 series is not a bad bet. By that I mean really KNOWING where to dial out certain frequencies. Brought up as an acoustic player, and having some experience with their different tube amps...if you REALLY CAN PLAY....you could do alot worse than a Peavey. Let me say this, the first Peavey I owned delivered great tone, and the Peavey I play through right now delivers excellent tone if manipulated correctly.

**TheMightyCopenHalenII** · 10.19.06, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by againstthewind

Which do you prefer? Why? I know there are many other amps out there, but these two are the great-grandaddy's of 'em all aren't they. I personally have played Fender amps more, just love that solid blues tone, but I know a lot of classic rock folk love the Fender Blues series. The Marshall reputation seems to be, hell, beyond outstanding, by many,it is considered THE hard rock amp.

Not really looking to make this a MvF issue. Just curious why you play the amp you do, and have you tried others.....peavey for example. I've only owned one Marshall, and it was a long ass time ago, so I can't speak too much about them or their quality, they sure are incredibly expensive for tube amps....wow.

I just bought a Peavey delta blues, and it sounds so nice I sold my Fender, and I was really curious about the Marshall bluesbreaker, but it is over two grand. So, when it comes down to it, all things considered, quality, price, tone, reasale price, what do you think....Fender, or Marshall, or chime in with others.

Well before I forget, one of the most responsive amps I've tried in a while, although with less than optimum presets, was the Fender Cyber Twin. I found it to be quite a responsive organic amp when given the correct settings. In head to head tests, no pun intended, I don't think Marashall has the best interests of adept, multifaceted guitar players aligned with the current amps they deliver (e.g. affordable - I can't attest to having tried any of their "handwired" amps) I've tried the JCM2000 and gave up on it.

When I discovered the ZOOM G2, there was a JCM 800 model on there. Needless to say I fell in love with it and didn't have to pay the same price tag. No it's not an ACTUAL 800, but it delivers the tone like cream on tits.
I think the all too common EVH "if it sounds good it is good" mantra should not be ignored.

**homeunit** · 10.19.06, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by TheMightyCopenHalenII

If your're going for a broad spectrum of lead/rhythm tones, the 5150 is not the beast for you. However, if you are an accomplished player with excellent tone observation, the Peavey 5150 series is not a bad bet. By that I mean really KNOWING where to dial out certain frequencies.

The biggest problem I had with the 5150 and my boogie isn't tone per say it's the preamp gain stages. Both the 5150 and Boogie do one thing very well and IMO it's metal/hard rock tones. Other then that a guy is forever trying to balance nice breakup against the buzz saw that the preamp turns everything into. The other thing I've found with high gain amps is that they are not very dynamic or responsive to the player. The music I play these days calls me to be very dynamic most of the time. With the boogie and the 5150 they sound like they do, and that's it. I found it very hard to get what's in my head and my personality to show through with these amps. At higher gain settings these amps shine but for anything else the don't work for me.

When I was looking for a new amp I had it narrowed down between the Fuchs and a Bogner XTC. I went with the fuchs because it has a pretty unique sound to it and is exremely versitile. The Bogner sounds like a killer rock amp, wheras to fuchs does rock/jazz/country all very well. Mind you I just got it the other day so I need some time with it, but the early indications are looking good. I do however reserve the right to go to a bogner if I change my mind

**Otis5150** · 10.19.06, 11:02 AM

I've been in love with my H&K Switchblade since I got it, In June:

http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/pr...109&mode=prod#

All tube, 4 channels, built-in effects, 128 presets. Great value at $1300, especially if you're in a cover band and need variety.

AT · 10.19.06, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by homeunit

The biggest problem I had with the 5150 and my boogie isn't tone per say it's the preamp gain stages. Both the 5150 and Boogie do one thing very well and IMO it's metal/hard rock tones. Other then that a guy is forever trying to balance nice breakup against the buzz saw that the preamp turns everything into. The other thing I've found with high gain amps is that they are not very dynamic or responsive to the player. The music I play these days calls me to be very dynamic most of the time. With the boogie and the 5150 they sound like they do, and that's it. I found it very hard to get what's in my head and my personality to show through with these amps. At higher gain settings these amps shine but for anything else the don't work for me.

When I was looking for a new amp I had it narrowed down between the Fuchs and a Bogner XTC. I went with the fuchs because it has a pretty unique sound to it and is exremely versitile. The Bogner sounds like a killer rock amp, wheras to fuchs does rock/jazz/country all very well. Mind you I just got it the other day so I need some time with it, but the early indications are looking good. I do however reserve the right to go to a bogner if I change my mind

They cleaned up the clean channel a lot with the 5150 II (and from what I hear the 5150 combo as well). I do a LOT of volume knob work on the gain channel which has been very nice for dynamics. But, yeah, if you want to stay away from that certain "bark," then a high gain amp like the 5150 is not for you.

**Wolfgang Bob** · 10.19.06, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Otis5150

I've been in love with my H&K Switchblade since I got it, In June:

http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/pr...109&mode=prod#

All tube, 4 channels, built-in effects, 128 presets. Great value at $1300, especially if you're in a cover band and need variety.

Otis, Iv'e been looking at these amps as well (the 212 combo) How do these sound at a low volume or "bedroom" level??

**Otis5150** · 10.19.06, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Wolfgang Bob

Otis, Iv'e been looking at these amps as well (the 212 combo) How do these sound at a low volume or "bedroom" level??

I have the 100 watt head and I rarely play it that quietly. This thing begs to be cranked. However, it does sound good at bedroom levels. I would recommend the 50 watt combo if you want to play it quietly.

Check out my review (aka nigel Tufnel) and others here:

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...lade+Head/10/1

Seriously, it's a great amp and an incredible value. Let me know if you need more info.

**Wolfgang Bob** · 10.19.06, 12:04 PM

Thanks! I know most tube amps you have to crank up loud to make them sound good and I rent (landlords right above me) I just dont need cops at my door telling me it sounds good...............

**Otis5150** · 10.19.06, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Wolfgang Bob

Thanks! I know most tube amps you have to crank up loud to make them sound good and I rent (landlords right above me) I just dont need cops at my door telling me it sounds good...............

It sounds great at low volumes, but when you crank it...NIRVANA!...not the band....Consider getting an attenuator (like the THD Hotplate) if you want to really drive it at bedroom level.

Seriously, other than my wah and volume pedals, I don't need or use any other effects than the ones in the amp. It's not even noisy, by tube amp standards. I haven't used my noisegate since I got the amp. The concept is similar to the Line 6 Spider, which I loved from a user's standpoint, but with real tube sound. It's so easy to use, which is good because if I can't just plug in and play, without reading a manual, forget it. I can't say enough about it.

**lil'devil** · 10.19.06, 06:54 PM

otis, i am going to haveto find a dealer locally to try it out.

I would like to hear what it sounds before i drive out but can't find any sound clips on their site of this amp.

how did you make your purchase decision, i guess played it in store? you wouldn't happen to have a few clips lying around you could throw up for us wouldja?

:-)

this really looks cool, i was planning on taking electronics courses to build my self something like this (being a computer guy the tube + digital idea appeals to me on many levels).

thanks for the heads up!