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Post subject: Fender Tube amps compared with Marshall Tube Amps
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:48 am
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What are the key differences in tone and features between these two broad types of tube amps brands???

I am just trying to educate myself before I purchase anything


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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 9:12 am
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Easy question to ask, hard to answer. The problem is the wide range of amps offered by each.
Generally, the basic classic tube circuit is a straightforward design used by many amp makers. Leo Fender got his first amp circuitry design from tube makers who wanted to get the info out in order to sell more tubes.
Marshall got into the business by trying to copy a Fender amp.

To me, Marshalls typically sound chunkier or fatter than Fenders, and Fenders sound sweeter (well.. more shriller? Smoother? it`s hard to define a sound in language), But that is not a rule you can go by because there are so many variations from each maker.
One company does not have some sort of holy grail wired into their amps, it`s all really the same concept. (without getting into specifics of type A Type B type AB, etc)
Where it can change alot is with effects, you can see there are many, tremolo, reverb, and chorus being some of the first.
Even power level (wattage) changes the sound; or the volume it is played at, weather you had fish or red meat for dinner may even have an effect.

You really have to use your ears when deciding.
I really like Fender, but Marshalls sound great too.

PS I know just enough to give yet another internet opinion, of which you will find many. I may not actually know anything. -beware


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Post subject: Re: Fender Tube amps compared with Marshall Tube Amps
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:11 pm
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hendrixstratman wrote:
What are the key differences in tone and features between these two broad types of tube amps brands???

I am just trying to educate myself before I purchase anything


The ONLY way to determine what something sounds like and whether it's "your" sound or not is by listening. Amplifiers are all built in factories which practice various tolerances in assembly and testing, of components that are made in other factories, with their own tolerances. A "typical" Marshall will surely sound different from a "typical" Fender, but there's a lot of variation, not only between models, but of similar models of different year manufacture, and even two of the same model and year.

Go to a store that carries what you are interested in, and you'll learn a whole lot more than you will asking questions...as noted above, sound is difficult to describe, and usually can only be described by comparison with a known sound.

This is not meant to be patronizing, only to present the facts. I personally love Fender amps, but so far I've played through exactly four that have what I consider a superior "Fenderish" sound, and I bought two of them (and tried to buy the third -- the owner was too smart to sell). Listen with your ears.

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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:39 pm
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Probably the best way to get an idea of the sound is to think of the bands that use them.

Here's what google found for me about Marshalls:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Amplification

... and for Fender ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fender_Amplifer_users

Pretty cool!

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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:18 pm
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I agree with all the posts here. But in general my perception is that Marshall is the industry standard for Hard Rock crunchy tones. Fender is the standard for clean sounds. There are always exceptions to the rule.

Leo Fenders first preamp designs were based off a radio circuit, which is designed to amplify with minimal to no distorton. Marshall early on was copying the Fender circuit, but soon found their niche. Particularly when Pete Townshend asked them to build the first 8x12 cab, which they found way to heavy to lug around, so they split it to the stackable 4x12, which is the industry standard Hard Rock/Metal gear now.

Later Marshall switched from 6l6 power tubes to el34's due to the greater availability in Great Brit. However, this step was also a further move away from the fender sound and helped create the signature British rock tone with that classic mid range crunch.

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