Marshall Amps?

nimrod86

Hey guys,

I have a cheap amp I got with my first guitar, 15 watts, unbranded and has done me fine for years.

But recently, I have come across two Marshall Amps going what I think is cheap, and just want a second opinion before I make an offer on them.

One is an MG 50DFX, and it's for about €80,

the other is an MG 100DFX and thats about €100.

If I was to go for one I'd probably fork out the extra €20 and get the 100 watt, but are they what I have them cracked up to be in my head?

I'm basing the idea that they're awesome cause, well, they're what you see plastered all over stages at gigs!

so yeah, and opinions would be great!

Thanks,

nim

kevin65

I think what you see 'plastered all over stages at gigs' are Marshall valve amps rather that their solid state cousins. Thats not to say that the Marshall MG series are bad amps. The best thing to do is try one out in a music store and see if you like the sound before buying.

TroutMask

Marshall stopped making good amps in the 1980's. They may have some hand-wired reissues which are probably OK - but the newer designs are pretty awful.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

kevin65 wrote: »

I think what you see 'plastered all over stages at gigs' are Marshall valve amps rather that their solid state cousins. Thats not to say that the Marshall MG series are bad amps. The best thing to do is try one out in a music store and see if you like the sound before buying.

In my opinion they are one of the worst amps you can buy. My first amp was an MG50, bought it new and had it for 2 years. in that time I played 3 gigs with it. list of things that went wrong:
1. The effects unit would work only 70% of the time
2. The overdrive channel would randomly get a massive volume drop, then come back to normal.
3. Like most MG and AVT series, the cooling fan made lots of noise for the first few minutes

The MG is a wolf in sheeps clothes, It says Marshall on the front, but its mass produced in india, and does not sound like the famous "Marshall" tone that you think of when you hear Led Zeppelin, GnR, Hendrix......

What kind of music do you play? The best amps in the same price range as the MG would probably be the Peavey Bandit, Vox VT or AD series (an AD100 replaced my MG, such a difference) or the orange crush.

nimrod86 wrote: »

I'm basing the idea that they're awesome cause, well, they're what you see plastered all over stages at gigs!

depends on the gigs! If its a gig in the O2, it is probably a JVM or a JCM, they are great amps. But if its a gig in "the pint" with lots of young bands doing a 30 min set, then its probably an MG as they are so common with young bands that see marshall and think they are amazing! I know, I used to be one of them!:D

groovie

kevin65 wrote: »

I think what you see 'plastered all over stages at gigs' are Marshall valve amps rather that their solid state cousins. Thats not to say that the Marshall MG series are bad amps. The best thing to do is try one out in a music store and see if you like the sound before buying.

+1

Are these amps new or used? If new then 20 EUR extra is fine, and represents a better investment. If used, then you cannot compare like with like and need to test both fully to ensure that they are working properly.
Make sure all the inbuilt fx are turned off however when you try it out though.

You may find the 100 watt to be a heavier and louder amplifier. Are these good qualities in an amplifier? That depends. Are you just sitting at home playing for your own pleasure, or contemplating live performance?
In the latter case, and assuming everything else is equal, you probably should pick the 100 watt.
It's only 100 euros, at the end of the day.

groovie

It is a constant in the universe that when brand X is praised, it must then be vilified.

Squidgy Black

The MG amps are only fit for the scrap heap. They sound like an obese guy with violent diarrhoea. They're extremely unreliable and notorious for breaking down.

Use your money to buy something like a used peavey bandit or a fender frontman 212r. I've had both and they were half decent amps that never gave me trouble

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

groovie wrote: »

It is a constant in the universe that when brand X is praised, it must then be vilified.

to be honest, the only people i have ever heard praise an MG were people that just bought it as their first amp, who have not pushed the amp, used it for a lot of gigs and have not developed an ear for tone yet. I have never heard an experienced guitarist praise the MG

groovie

Augustine Brave Macaw wrote: »

to be honest, the only people i have ever heard praise an MG were people that just bought it as their first amp, who have not pushed the amp, used it for a lot of gigs and have not developed an ear for tone yet. I have never heard an experienced guitarist praise the MG

That's perfectly reasonable, and I would concur with you. However these are the options that appear to be available to the OP right now, and I feel that it's best to encourage him, even if he is making what appears to be, in more experienced eyes, an error of judgement.

If only he had his eyes on a Peavey Bandit ... though I do think that eventually someone would chime in with 'sounds like a chainsaw backwards' or something.

Ravelleman

Marshall MGs are truly terrible amps. Save some more money and get something better.

nimrod86

Thanks for all the advice, but I'm tight for money at the moment, and both the amps are used!

The way I'm looking at it is, These seem cheap, and can't really be any worse than the one I have at the moment!

nim

Ravelleman

It's your money, obviously, but I hope you don't have that kind of attitude in every kind of consumer situation because some day you're going to get ripped off!

TroutMask

groovie wrote: »

It is a constant in the universe that when brand X is praised, it must then be vilified.

I praise original Marshall designs and their refinements/revisions up to mid 1980's - I use a JMP 100W onstage all the time. If the company turns around and releases substandard, poorly designed, lacklustre sounding equipment, then I'm going to have something to say about it.

kevin65

Alot of hate here for the MG series. Are people comparing them to their valve cousins rather than other brands of cheap solid state amps?

groovie

TroutMask wrote: »

I praise original Marshall designs and their refinements/revisions up to mid 1980's - I use a JMP 100W onstage all the time. If the company turns around and releases substandard, poorly designed, lacklustre sounding equipment, then I'm going to have something to say about it.

This thread isn't about the declining quality of Marshall designs, refinements and revisions. It's about a lad trying to decide between two cheap amplifiers.
Could you focus your considerable experience and knowledge on that, and contribute something more useful?

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

kevin65 wrote: »

Alot of hate here for the MG series. Are people comparing them to their valve cousins rather than other brands of cheap solid state amps?

Im comparing them to other solid state amps in the same price range. There are lots of amps in that price range, the MG is one of the most popular because it has a Marshall logo on it, but its not a british made marshall, its made in india. the Peavy Bandit, Orange Crush, and Vox VT are in the same price range new, and are far superior in build quality and tone, also they hold their resale value unlike the MG.

UserName 217

Don't know much about amps myself so can't give him advice.


But maybe the people who do could post up a few used amps around the same price range that are known to be good.

kevin65

Agree with you frankcarty, the likes of the Peavey Bandit is a better solid state amp, but all manufacturing of the cheaper ranges of guitar amps is outsourced by companies to the likes of India, Vietnam and China. With the low prices charged I don't think people expect long term reliability, they're almost seen as disposable.

quicklickpaddy

It's been mentioned several times but honestly, OP you will be far happier in the long run with a different amp. I know tone subjective, but you will struggle to find anybody who has owned anything different that are still fans of the Marshall MG series.

I'd suggest to try a second hand modelling amp. Namely the Vox VT30. A quick look on adverts tells me you'll get it for about the same price as the Marshall you're looking at and don't worry about less wattage - it'll be plenty loud.

The main advantage here is that it models several different amps so you can toy around with what you like and what you don't.

Eg:


And in my opinion (and I think most guitarists), is infinitely better sounding and more reliable than the Marshall MG series. Also, it does have a 12AX7 tube in the pre-amp. Which is a plus

TroutMask

groovie wrote: »

This thread isn't about the declining quality of Marshall designs, refinements and revisions. It's about a lad trying to decide between two cheap amplifiers.
Could you focus your considerable experience and knowledge on that, and contribute something more useful?

Yo Groovie! I told him that the new ones were no good. And I threw in a little contextual information to boot, lest he assume that the newer inexpensive Marshalls will give him the same sound as the ones he sees on stages at rock festivals. Seems pretty useful...................

noby

In my limited experience I'd have to go along with quicklickpaddy. My first step up from a little practice amp was the Ad50vt. Good tone, and plenty of different amps modelled which should help you find the sound for you.

groovie

TroutMask wrote: »

Yo Groovie! I told him that the new ones were no good. And I threw in a little contextual information to boot, lest he assume that the newer inexpensive Marshalls will give him the same sound as the ones he sees on stages at rock festivals. Seems pretty useful...................

Your reason is sound TroutMask, sorry for sounding a little off.

TroutMask

no worries - peace

darrenw5094

nimrod86 wrote: »

If I was to go for one I'd probably fork out the extra €20 and get the 100 watt, but are they what I have them cracked up to be in my head?

I'm basing the idea that they're awesome cause, well, they're what you see plastered all over stages at gigs!

Nope, they are not awesome. Everything in the USA might be awesome. The MG are not awesome.

You won't get much for that kind of money, need to save a bit more and have another think about amps.

TroutMask

+ 1 for this advice. My first amp was a Peavey Bandit - what I really wanted was a Fender Twin Reverb, Bassman or a Marshall - I just didn't know it. The Peavey always sounded off, and I spent more money on it when I blew the speaker. It was a liability and if I had done my homework, I'd have bought more wisely. So perhaps try a bunch of amps and see if you can find one that suits your style. It's worth saving to get the right one.
My story has a happy ending - I ditched the cheap nasty solid state amp and bought a Twin, a Bassman, a Marshall and a Vox AC 30. Never paid more than 200 euros for any of these amps, and they have all appreciated in value.

Squidgy Black

TroutMask wrote: »

+ 1 for this advice. My first amp was a Peavey Bandit - what I really wanted was a Fender Twin Reverb, Bassman or a Marshall - I just didn't know it. The Peavey always sounded off, and I spent more money on it when I blew the speaker. It was a liability and if I had done my homework, I'd have bought more wisely. So perhaps try a bunch of amps and see if you can find one that suits your style. It's worth saving to get the right one.
My story has a happy ending - I ditched the cheap nasty solid state amp and bought a Twin, a Bassman, a Marshall and a Vox AC 30. Never paid more than 200 euros for any of these amps, and they have all appreciated in value.

200 quid? Either you're a lucky git or old enough for the amps to have been that price new...

TroutMask

they were out of fashion at the times that I bought them. I like the Marshall a lot - I play it all the time

**Vai**

Get yourself a Roland Cube OP. I use one for practise so I dont have to drag my real amp around. Sounds decent and they are fairly cheap brand new. Those MGs are fairly useless. Never been a Marshall fan at all but having played thru a Mode Four recently Im half thinking of buying one.

cena

I have a marshall mg amp and the overdrive is gone so bad. I now use my zoom 505 for a overdrive tone. I only got it at the time because it was cheap. I would love to upgrade but I can't go for a louder amp cause of the neighbours.

The sound just isn't there. Your really better off with line 6, orange etc

johnROSS

stay away from MG__DFX models at all costs! terrible amps! Bad sound and very very unreliable. Get a fender frontman or something instead!

CianRyan

Seems like the best deal on Adverts in that price range at the moment.
I'd buy this, enjoy it and add an overdrive/distortion pedal when you get a few more €€€'s.

Epiphone Valve Junior.

Edit: There's also the Fender "version" which is the one I'd have myself. Fender Champion 600.

Ash.J.Williams

nimrod86 wrote: »

Hey guys,

I have a cheap amp I got with my first guitar, 15 watts, unbranded and has done me fine for years.

But recently, I have come across two Marshall Amps going what I think is cheap, and just want a second opinion before I make an offer on them.

One is an MG 50DFX, and it's for about €80,

the other is an MG 100DFX and thats about €100.

If I was to go for one I'd probably fork out the extra €20 and get the 100 watt, but are they what I have them cracked up to be in my head?

I'm basing the idea that they're awesome cause, well, they're what you see plastered all over stages at gigs!

so yeah, and opinions would be great!

Thanks,

nim

Marshalls on stage are always Valve amps....anything else is pure muck....I'd rather have no amp than an MG.
If you want a stack there are options out there, Bugera for example, and the harley benton 2x12 cab with celestions.

Valve amps are great for resale too as they hold their value quite well.

-=al=-

Plastered all over the stage with 2 actually on

It's not a bad price tbh for them but they're not the best amps

although I've been using the 50w mg to jam from time to time... it's not that bad... but there is a lot better

kinseydub

I had the mini stack version of the marshall MG. It sounded like a load of wasps stuck in a usa biscuts tin, terrible. I would steer well clear of them. A few lads here have suggested other brands like orange, fender or peavy which would be much better quality.
Also if you gig, paying a little bit extra for more watts is a waste of money and more than likely will destroy your tone. 100 watt guitar amps are pretty much overkill to gig with because 90% of the time you will be miced up and your stage volume will be low. A 100 watt amp played in low volume brings you back to the USA tin buscut league. It is much better tone-wise to get a 50-60 watt and crank it till you find the sweet spot. It will sound great and your soundman and audience will love it.
Happy guitar amp hunting anyway.

Hockney

Just did a quick search on adverts and found my first real amp, the Fender Deluxe 112:

http://www.adverts.ie/electric-guitars/fender-deluxe-112-amp/1911242

I absolutely loved it, gigged it a good bit and it was rock solid. The only thing that ever went wrong was that the speaker blew (my own fault!).

Was great for practice, and excellent when it was cranked. I've since moved on to a high end valve amp, but if you're just starting out you'll get years of and years out of this baby. I'd sell you mine but I still have it and want it! It's worth more than €110 to me.

My 2c anyway, maybe some of the other guys on here can give you feedback on it also, lots of shouts here for the Peavey Bandit here too, never played one myself, maybe give both a try and see which you prefer.

P.S the Marshall MG is an absolute dog of a thing, you'll be bored of it in a week.

demanufactured

How are the peavey valveking amps??
Anyone tried one??
Heres one on adverts..
http://www.adverts.ie/guitar-amps/peavey-valveking/1845355

CianRyan

The VK heads are a grand amps. I've used one at a gig before and for it's over driven at least it sounded great and had no problem filling the room. (**** venue, no mic'ing up with a dodgy Harly Benton 4x12)

As for the combos, I haven't a foggiest I'm afraid.

kevin65

Can't speak for the large Peavey Valvekings, but the 5w Valveking Royal 8 is sh*te.