Marshall Artist 3203

Metallon · 12-02-2008, 03:07 PM

Haven't heard much about this amp, anyone got anything to say about this amp? Good? Bad? What's it good for? Where is it preferable used? And so on

spooky joe · 12-02-2008, 03:59 PM

I've got a 3203 Artist. Always fancied one after reading reviews. Managed to score one on ebay for £142..... a bargain.
Part of the mini-stack range produced between 1986-1991 so its smaller than 1959/1987/2203/2204 etc. There is a combo version ... 4203 1x12.
It came with its own cabs. 1965/66 4x10's
30 watts output. A hybrid amp but not as we know today i.e a valve preamp and solid state output. Its the other way round , so it is primarily a valve amp.
2 EL34 output valves. An ECC83 and solid state tone network in the preamp.
Master volume with footswitchable clean and boost channels. Has reverb also.
Rear panel has F/X send and return . line out and impedance selector for 4 and 8 ohms.
I'm still working on my tone for this amp but for what i want its great. Classic hard rock crunch. And it sings/wails enough for me for heavy blues rock/psych. Not tried OD/distortion pedals with it . I tend to crank the master vol and use gain knob as vol. Nice with Microvibe/chorus.
I think its a classic rock/blues amp rather than metal. For me its a keeper. But with a VM2266 on its way I suspect i won't get to mess around with it as much as i'd like.
If you see one cheap... get it. An under-rated performer

copperhead · 12-02-2008, 10:03 PM

Does anyone have a PDF copy of the owners manual they could send me as I just bought one off of Ebay? Also, how do Groove tubes sound in the head? I play a lot of Zakk and Slash. Just can't afford the newer amp heads by Marshall. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Also, does anyone run the Marshall 1936 Lead 2x12 cab with this head? I am looking at one now...

Copperhead

12-02-2008, 03:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
spooky joe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North Wales UK Posts: 143	Re: Marshall Artist 3203 I've got a 3203 Artist. Always fancied one after reading reviews. Managed to score one on ebay for £142..... a bargain. Part of the mini-stack range produced between 1986-1991 so its smaller than 1959/1987/2203/2204 etc. There is a combo version ... 4203 1x12. It came with its own cabs. 1965/66 4x10's 30 watts output. A hybrid amp but not as we know today i.e a valve preamp and solid state output. Its the other way round , so it is primarily a valve amp. 2 EL34 output valves. An ECC83 and solid state tone network in the preamp. Master volume with footswitchable clean and boost channels. Has reverb also. Rear panel has F/X send and return . line out and impedance selector for 4 and 8 ohms. I'm still working on my tone for this amp but for what i want its great. Classic hard rock crunch. And it sings/wails enough for me for heavy blues rock/psych. Not tried OD/distortion pedals with it . I tend to crank the master vol and use gain knob as vol. Nice with Microvibe/chorus. I think its a classic rock/blues amp rather than metal. For me its a keeper. But with a VM2266 on its way I suspect i won't get to mess around with it as much as i'd like. If you see one cheap... get it. An under-rated performer __________________ Sometimes it is better to remain silent and appear a fool rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt JMP 1992 Superbass : JMP 2204 : JMP 2203 : VM 2266 : JTM45 : JTM60 : 3203 Artist : DSL50. 5005 Lead 12. MC412A : JTM410C ; 1912 : 1965 www.reverbnation.com/spookyjoerock

12-02-2008, 10:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
copperhead Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	Re: Marshall Artist 3203 Does anyone have a PDF copy of the owners manual they could send me as I just bought one off of Ebay? Also, how do Groove tubes sound in the head? I play a lot of Zakk and Slash. Just can't afford the newer amp heads by Marshall. Any info is greatly appreciated. Also, does anyone run the Marshall 1936 Lead 2x12 cab with this head? I am looking at one now... Copperhead

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