Grandturk

So I'm really digging the Vintage Modern. Thinking about the 2x12 combo. I've read some great reviews on this site and others. I haven't heard anything about its reliability, build quality or concern about the digital reverb.

So anyone have any info on those qualities of the Vintage Modern?

- Any concerns over the way its built?

- Are a lot of these headed into the shop?

- Any concerns about the digital effects built in there? Seems like a weird combo to put digital reverb on such a cool old-school vibe amp like the Vintage Modern. I can live without Reverb, myself.

crossroadsnyc

I use to have the combo, and now I have the 2266 head & 425a cab. It's the best amp I've ever owned. Lately I was down to the VM & a 1974x, and I sold the 1974x because I simply wasn't using it anymore.

I never had a single issue w/my combo, and I have not had any problems with the head either. There are some reports about rattling in the combo, but I didn't experience that with mine. It seems to me that it's somewhat contained as I haven't read too much about it. There have also been some issues w/the power indicator light going out (never happened to either of mine), but if so, it's a very easy fix & certainly not something to consider if really wanting the amp.

The digital reverb is a great touch, and I wouldn't want it any other way. It's very useable at all levels from 1-10, as it just adds a nice touch (even full up) w/out washing out your tone ... which is a gripe of mine w/using a spring reverb as I don't find it so much tasteful, as intrusive.

It takes a little while to tweak it to your liking, but it's well worth it as the tone is really phenomena (one tip I would mention is to be sure to at least keep the body at a minimum of 2-3 lower than where you set your detail). It will certainly go from anything from the blues, to classic rock, to hard rock, to classic metal up through the 80's. If you need something heavier, you'll be pleased to know that it takes pedals really well. Keep in mind, however, that the amp (well, really the speakers) will take a little while to break in. If you are playing one out of the box it will sound/feel terribly stiff. One of the great experiences of this amp is when you finally reach the point where it starts to open up.

I'd also add that it's not so bad looking

speedtravis

Different opinion for me. I had a VM and sold it because I thought it only sounded good when cranked but thin and unresponsive at low volumes IMHO. Reverb wasn't any good either, dull and dark.

MKB

I've had a 2466 head for over a year now, and have been following comments on the design and repairs for that time. Here's what I've seen (probably not a comprehensive list, just what I've read about in the forums):

1) The worst problem with the Vintage Modern is tubes, especially power tubes. The combo is particularly hard on tubes due to the environment (upside down tubes placed near the speakers). Some of the reported rattles come from microphonic preamp or power tubes. There's not a lot Marshall can do about this as they do not make tubes. It's just something to keep in mind, might be a higher cost of ownership for the combo in that you have to buy tubes a bit more often.

2) Another source of rattles in the combo was a chassis vibration issue, this has been fixed in all but the early builds.

3) As mentioned before, some of the LED power indicators burn out. This was due to a mismarked batch of indicators from the manufacturer, and has been sorted out for current builds.

4) Some owners have reported problems with the effect loop, in that the FET's go bad causing low volume with the effect loop engaged. Even with the bad FET's, the amp works fine with the effect loop switched out.

That's the total of problems I've heard about. My 2466 is a Korg refurb, which means it was returned for some sort of problem before I bought it, but it has worked flawlessly for me.