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Post subject: Marshall and Mesa Boogie Amps
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:15 pm
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Has anyone an opinion of the good and bad, the highs and lows of these two amp brands when placed side by side?

I have been thinking about both, and am at a "draw".


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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:00 pm
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I don't believe that I can tell you strenghs and weakness's, but I can say that after playing both, I like Marshall's far better.

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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:05 pm
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Marshall in a landslide. 8) Mike

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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:27 pm
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I find it hard to be able to pick the best amp, they have different qualities depending on the tone you want.

I love Marshall amps but dont own one. I have a Mesa Boogie Express and its a really great amp.

I'm getting a Blackstar before Xmas and this has a sort of Marshall sound, the guys that run Blackstar are ex-Marshall employees. Good thing about this amp is it has very Marshall like tone (surprise surprise) and because I will be using it at home it has an headphone socket, which i've never seen in a valve amp before. just perfect.


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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 6:18 pm
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I spent a bit of time comparing the F50, Dual Rec and jcm800 when i decided to go valve again. I consistently found Mesa's driven sounds to be far too fizzy and their amp tone overpowers the guitar tone. plug a encore then a custom shop into a mesa and its hard to hear the difference. All you can hear is amp tone. What i did like about mesa amps is their clean tone, for a modern tone its full of character without being overpowering.
With marshall i found their clean tones to be bland on their channel switching amps. You get a far better clean tone dialing in a clean tone on their drive channel. The headroom on their clean channels is jaw dropping though. It seems like you can just turn them up more all the time, there's always somewhere to go. The marshall drive channels i found to be excellent at volume. which can be a problem because the sound pressure they put out is life threatening. Their modern drive channels do need to be worked to find their best tones, all the controls are interactive including the volumes. The bass, mid. vol, gain and treble all work differently depending on where their counterparts are set. Something not so apparent on the old master volume amps. The drive is not too good for scooped sounds, marshall dominate the mid-grunt territory they even gear their speakers up to enhance that effect.

Hope any of that helps

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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:21 am
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For sure Nikininja's ears are better than mine so I'd bow to him every time on this kinda thing. Must admit though that Mesa's always sounded pretty good to me. Couldn't afford one when I wanted it, and then since my Marshall TSL came along (when they were new out) I don't see any other amp replacing it in my affections.

Incidentally, the one point on which I would respectfully differ slightly from what the Ninja wrote is that I really like the clean channel on my Marshall: not what I bought it for so sort of a bonus, but... Of course, I wouldn't waste time trying to argue it over a fabulous Fender clean tone: but good enough for me, and a darn sight easier than carrying two amps.

jaiyenyen wrote:
I'm getting a Blackstar before Xmas


Can't wait to hear how you get on with that Blackstar. I really loved the one I demo'd. Not enough to replace my Marshall, but I must say I'm interested in their new HT-5 studio/practice amp. I've a feeling we're going to be hearing a lot about that one...

Cheers - C


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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:30 am
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They both make great amps - I prefer Marshall myself - I have owned 3 different Marshall heads over the years, and still own my favorite one, its the JCM 900 MKIII 50 watt version - this head is bad $@! in all aspects of an amp - it doesnt have a "clean channel" per say, but thats what my old Fender amps are for - however, if you turn up the bass a bit, run the mid at a decent level, back off the high end and gain, you can reach this amazing "sorta clean" blues tone with just a hint of growl that can be unmatched!!

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Post subject: Re: Marshall and Mesa Boogie Amps
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:35 am
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BluesDisciple wrote:
Has anyone an opinion of the good and bad, the highs and lows of these two amp brands when placed side by side?

I have been thinking about both, and am at a "draw".


Have you had a chance to try both amps side by side? I think that would help you make a decision...They are both decent, reputable, and well-liked companies, so I think you'll be okay with whatever brand you decide, it comes down to what works/sounds the best for the sound you are making or trying to make.

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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 9:05 am
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i own a mesa stiletto duece ,all tube 2\50 stereo and an all tube bass 400 with mesa cabs,i think the ninja has hit it pretty close.my oppinion is if you like the marshall sound {and who doesnt}get one, if you want more versatillity in your tone ,mesa (also good description of the clean channels niki} when shopping i liked the fact that you can switch wattage for each channel you can play clean at 100 watts or fluid drive at 50 ,plus with wattage boosters for a spungy sound or a bright treble boost. i was very impressed with mesa and the tone phylosophies of Mr.Smith.this is a little off subject but i just purchased a quidley 22 watt.Ed Quidley worked for marshall as an engineer for many years and is now building handwired amps .i will post pictures of the wiring job on this amp ,it is by far the best amp i own.


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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 9:08 am
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I'm more into smaller amps. I really liked the Mesa 5:25, but I don't really have plans to buy one anytime soon. They are a little pricey.


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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:43 pm
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Ceri, I should expand on my findings of the clean channel. Its not that its bad, more that its a one sound channel unlike their gain channels. Take the TSL for instance. Its crunch channel is splendid when cleaned up. Do me a favour and set the crunch channel to what you think is a approximation of your clean channel without checking it against the clean channel, then A/B it to the clean channel. More shimmer, depth and greater control of the mids? Maybe a loss in bass?

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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 1:39 pm
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nikininja wrote:
Ceri, I should expand on my findings of the clean channel. Its not that its bad, more that its a one sound channel unlike their gain channels. Take the TSL for instance. Its crunch channel is splendid when cleaned up. Do me a favour and set the crunch channel to what you think is a approximation of your clean channel without checking it against the clean channel, then A/B it to the clean channel. More shimmer, depth and greater control of the mids? Maybe a loss in bass?


Yep, I'd agree with all of that. Never found a single fault with your ears, sir!

And in addition, the clean channel has far less range than the other two, running gain and volume up and down across one another. Anyone who first and foremost wants a superb clean tone: this ain't the way to go.

But the way I use the amp is setting my crunch channel to a nice bluesy feel on the cusp of breakup with the guitar's volume on about 6 - 7. That's kinda my default sound. Then I can work the guitar output for more or less drive, or step on the lead channel for my Merlin/Spitfire moments! In that context the clean channel is then very serviceable for either chorus or funky type tones, or with the gain near the top some reasonable clean lead.

Like I said, if "bell-like" clean is crucial then a Fender type amp has to be the way to go: not this one. But it's good enough I'm not playing that channel weeping that it's not a Fender.

Also I didn't actually buy the TSL as an "all-rounder" - yet at that I haven't actually come across a better one...

She's my babe and I cuddle her to sleep at night! :D

Cheers - C


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