Hi, I think this is my first post here, after lurking a bit. I did a bunch of searches, and did find some threads on this, but not much in the way of reviews or discussions by people who have used the amp. That may be, I guess, because they are pretty new. But I apologize if my search fu is sub par, and welcome any "learn how to use the search function" replies - thanks for that in advance (but seriously, please do point me to any thread I may have missed).
I have never owned a marshall, although I own a plexi "clone" (an old drip edge twin that a tech/builder modded one channel into a plexi many, many moons ago). Have been a fender guy for a long time, and recently have enjoyed a Budda SD18, which, to my ears, gets into the Marshall territory a bit, when the gain is cranked. My current favorite is a Suhr Badger 18, which sounds quite Marhall-like to me, but it is still not a Marshall.
I am now ready, though, to venture into the Marshall territory, and I don't want a clone or a copy, or a Marshall-esque thing, I want a real Marshall, with the name and all. Why? Well, I have always loved the sound, and don't know why it took me so long to get to it actually; but other then that, it is just sort of something I want to do, no logic involved.
Here is the thing: for my intro, I don't want to take the time to become an expert on all the old stuff. I don't want to shell out for a real plexi or anything like that, or spend too much time researching other old vintage options (although I will get to that, but for now I want something to plug into). I don't need or want 100 watts, and in fact would prefer to keep it well under 50. And I would like to avoid carrying around anything more the 50lbs, and would prefer sub-40, whehter it be a cab at that weight, or a head cab, with either piece below that weight (total can be more, obviously for the head cab option). My first Marshall does not have to be UK made, I am open to an import, like a newer DSL. I am thinking, for me to be able to open the amp up on a regular bases, the 20 watt region might be what I am wanting. But I have heard some 50 watt amps sound really great at low volumes, so not ruling it out.
Having said all that, so far, the combination of sound and features that seem most appealing to me are in the new RI Silver Jubilee 2525, either combo or head/cab. This is just from youtoobs. I love some of the old JCM 800 sounds as well as the plexi-like sounds, and would love both. I am not a metal guy, but something like the JVM 205 is intriguing (or 405) with the ability to get a spread of different sounds. But I don't really need such a versatile monster - I can be happy with a single or dual channel. Would prefer a dual channel, because it is nice to be able to hit a footswitch and get some amp gain, for the way I play. But right now I am using the badger, and I do the edge of distortion, guitar volume knob thing, and it works just fine.
I tried the DSL40 at GC a few weeks back, and was gob-smacked by the clean/crunch channel, but couldn't get the gain/ultra side to work for me, at least at the pretty limited volumes I felt comfortable with in that setting. So I am thinking the DSL's "might" not be it for me. But still, maybe a DSL20 or even 5 (but I couldn't gig with the 5, for the most part). One thing I do want is access to the great Marshall clean and crunch sounds that are so under-rated (I think they are right up there with Fender) - but I don't know if those are available in every model. They certainly are there in old Plexi's and in the DSL I played. Not so sure about JCM's.
So, options and features wise, I am liking the Jube 2525, for the 5w setting at home, the 20w at rehearsals, small gigs (most of mine), the channel switching, and the available efx loop (not mandatory, but nice).
Y'all can tell from my post I am new to the Marshall world, (other then playing through a billion JCM800's in rehearsal studios in the 90's) so please set me right. Sorry for the wall of text.
I have never owned a marshall, although I own a plexi "clone" (an old drip edge twin that a tech/builder modded one channel into a plexi many, many moons ago). Have been a fender guy for a long time, and recently have enjoyed a Budda SD18, which, to my ears, gets into the Marshall territory a bit, when the gain is cranked. My current favorite is a Suhr Badger 18, which sounds quite Marhall-like to me, but it is still not a Marshall.
I am now ready, though, to venture into the Marshall territory, and I don't want a clone or a copy, or a Marshall-esque thing, I want a real Marshall, with the name and all. Why? Well, I have always loved the sound, and don't know why it took me so long to get to it actually; but other then that, it is just sort of something I want to do, no logic involved.
Here is the thing: for my intro, I don't want to take the time to become an expert on all the old stuff. I don't want to shell out for a real plexi or anything like that, or spend too much time researching other old vintage options (although I will get to that, but for now I want something to plug into). I don't need or want 100 watts, and in fact would prefer to keep it well under 50. And I would like to avoid carrying around anything more the 50lbs, and would prefer sub-40, whehter it be a cab at that weight, or a head cab, with either piece below that weight (total can be more, obviously for the head cab option). My first Marshall does not have to be UK made, I am open to an import, like a newer DSL. I am thinking, for me to be able to open the amp up on a regular bases, the 20 watt region might be what I am wanting. But I have heard some 50 watt amps sound really great at low volumes, so not ruling it out.
Having said all that, so far, the combination of sound and features that seem most appealing to me are in the new RI Silver Jubilee 2525, either combo or head/cab. This is just from youtoobs. I love some of the old JCM 800 sounds as well as the plexi-like sounds, and would love both. I am not a metal guy, but something like the JVM 205 is intriguing (or 405) with the ability to get a spread of different sounds. But I don't really need such a versatile monster - I can be happy with a single or dual channel. Would prefer a dual channel, because it is nice to be able to hit a footswitch and get some amp gain, for the way I play. But right now I am using the badger, and I do the edge of distortion, guitar volume knob thing, and it works just fine.
I tried the DSL40 at GC a few weeks back, and was gob-smacked by the clean/crunch channel, but couldn't get the gain/ultra side to work for me, at least at the pretty limited volumes I felt comfortable with in that setting. So I am thinking the DSL's "might" not be it for me. But still, maybe a DSL20 or even 5 (but I couldn't gig with the 5, for the most part). One thing I do want is access to the great Marshall clean and crunch sounds that are so under-rated (I think they are right up there with Fender) - but I don't know if those are available in every model. They certainly are there in old Plexi's and in the DSL I played. Not so sure about JCM's.
So, options and features wise, I am liking the Jube 2525, for the 5w setting at home, the 20w at rehearsals, small gigs (most of mine), the channel switching, and the available efx loop (not mandatory, but nice).
Y'all can tell from my post I am new to the Marshall world, (other then playing through a billion JCM800's in rehearsal studios in the 90's) so please set me right. Sorry for the wall of text.
