Marshall amp recommendations please for home

[Trouble]

I recently sold my tsl100 head and 412 half stack as I’m a bedroom guitarist whose wife felt I needed an amp that takes up less space.

Maybe it's not the amp that needs to be replaced.

 

[junk notes]

My thoughts/options are as follows.

Dsl40 combo

Thanks for your advice/wisdom/help

Correct.

 

[marshallmellowed]

Thanks, it’s interesting with the gt1000 it sounds great in a band mix when everyone is mic’d anyway however in the bedroom there is such a distinct difference in how it responds and sounds based on the response that I find the difference far more noticeable in a bedroom setting than I ever would in a band so it bothers me lol.

I’ve tried several different frfr speakers. As you suggested, it sounded so much better running 4 cable method through my tsl100 head even when bypassing the amps own sounds and running the gt1000 amp sounds through the cab.

My thought is this worked best so if I’m going to get another amp but downsized I might as well get one as capable as possible. With the 3 channels available on the tsl100 I found a good mix but I have less selection in amps where I live.

I don't think it's the GT1000, but rather how you're using it (at home). Can't imagine John 5 or Nita Strauss using something that doesn't sound and feel like a tube amp, but I digress. I use a Fractal AX8 for band practices, and it sounds and "feels" like any of my Marshall's. You have to keep in mind that those systems are designed to replicate a "mic'd amp and cab", and the FRFR speaker is a huge part of the system sounding right. A high end modeler through a crap powered speaker will sound like crap. If you want the sound of a guitar amp "in the room" (guitar amp > guitar speaker), you would need to run your modeler through a power amp and guitar cab. Ideally, you want the power amp to be a good class A/B flat response amp, not a guitar amp. That's the only way to get the full spectrum of guitar amp modeling from a good amp modeler. When I run my Fractal through guitar cabs, I use a Carvin DCM1540L linear power amp and a Marshall 4x12 (or two). That setup absolutely sounds and feels like a tube guitar amp and cab. The downside to using a modeler in this manner, you're stuck with the sound of whatever guitar cab you're using, vs. FRFR, where you can choose from different cabs (IR's). If it's a case where you just want a real tube amp, I'd bypass all the budget amps and get a SC20 and a 1x12 or two. That's about the best you can do in a small form factor all tube Marshall (IMO).

 

[scozz]

Welcome @Guitardrummerdownunder.

I think all the amps on your list will do the job you want, and I get you’re not able to try any of these amps before buying.

I’m an old time rocker from the 70s, I play strictly at home now, and have been for a number of years. I’ve tried a number of amps, including Marshalls, and I’ve finally found the perfect setup for my circumstances.

I’m handicapped and have difficulty moving anything big and heavy around, so I wanted a setup with a small footprint thst I could easily move around if needed. I didn’t want to sacrifice tone in doing so though.

Your mentioning you’d also like an amp with a smaller footprint, which is the same situation I was originally in. Wanting a great sounding Marshall, but in a smaller package, not full size heads and 4-12 cab or cabs.

I much prefer Classic Marshall tones to their more modern sounding amps, (Jvm, Dsl), so I bought an SC20h and I’m quite happy. I’ve owned it for four years now and still love playing it everyday.

I first thought about a 2-12 cab to use with the SC, but they’re a bit too bulky, so I used a 1-12 cab that I had, and it sounded great. Then I added another 1-12 cab I had and bang,… Nirvana!

So I’ve got the perfect setup for me, I can easily move it around if I want, and it’s sounds great. I’ve got a Greenback in one cab and a Creamback in the other.

A 20 watt Marshall SC20h with two 1-12 cabs, and a small pedal board work perfectly for me.

 

[Cal Nevari]

Hi all, long time lurker first time poster. I recently sold my tsl100 head and 412 half stack as I’m a bedroom guitarist whose wife felt I needed an amp that takes up less space. I have a gt1000 to run fx in 4 cable method and of course used an attenuator for the 100w amp so happy to do so again.

I’m a drummer but enjoy learning/playing guitar. Bands I enjoy playing songs from are:

Chili Peppers
Guns n Roses
Foo Fighters
Metallica
Green Day
Nirvana
Pearl Jam
Etc. to give an idea.


Ideally would like some flexibility with tone but obviously still playing in the bedroom and maybe occasionally with a band in garage setting.

My thoughts/options are as follows.
Mini Silver jubilee (head or combo)
Dsl40 combo (not 20 as if I’m sharing controls I’d rather the jubilee)
Studio Jcm800 (head or combo)
Jvm 2 or 4 channel combo

Outside Marshall, given the gt1000 and bedroom playing I thought another option might be Hughes and left we tubemeister or grandmeister deluxe 40’s to give some sound options.

As I live in Tasmania Australia there aren’t options to play these in person so YouTube has been my only option for hearing them. I’d love the thoughts of anyone who has experience with any of the above options whether I could dial in tones close enough to cover most of the bands above or if any would be completely wrong just to help me narrow down my options.

I love Marshall’s but at this point I’m looking for flexibility and no bigger in size than a studio series head on a 212 cab.

Obviously the gt1000 gives lots of flexibility but I don’t want to run that through a speaker I really want an authentic tube sounding amp and in person the gt1000 doesn’t get there on its own but does allow lots of options to tweak the tones of whatever amp I decide on.

Thanks for your advice/wisdom/help

I play a Gibson standard 2005 faded cherry with Alnico 2 Seymour Duncan’s (slash version, only because I liked how they sounded after trying a few different options).

Welcome to the forum! Just to piggyback on a couple of recommendations, if money is is no object and you’re buying sight unseen (and unheard), the DSL40CR with the six-button foot switch is your best bet. That said, I recently sold mine because it was too heavy at 50 pounds. My only current Marshall is an Origin 20C, which is amazingly versatile and takes pedals well, weighing in at only 30 pounds. Have had an SV20C and DSL100HR but cannot recommend either. Also, just got the Headrush MX-5 and FRFR-108 but the jury is still out on how well that’s going to work.

 

[PelliX]

Welcome @Guitardrummerdownunder.

I think all the amps on your list will do the job you want, and I get you’re not able to try any of these amps before buying.

I’m an old time rocker from the 70s, I play strictly at home now, and have been for a number of years. I’ve tried a number of amps, including Marshalls, and I’ve finally found the perfect setup for my circumstances.

I’m handicapped and have difficulty moving anything big and heavy around, so I wanted a setup with a small footprint thst I could easily move around if needed. I didn’t want to sacrifice tone in doing so though.

Your mentioning you’d also like an amp with a smaller footprint, which is the same situation I was originally in. Wanting a great sounding Marshall, but in a smaller package, not full size heads and 4-12 cab or cabs.

I much prefer Classic Marshall tones to their more modern sounding amps, (Jvm, Dsl), so I bought an SC20h and I’m quite happy. I’ve owned it for four years now and still love playing it everyday.

I first thought about a 2-12 cab to use with the SC, but they’re a bit too bulky, so I used a 1-12 cab that I had, and it sounded great. Then I added another 1-12 cab I had and bang,… Nirvana!

So I’ve got the perfect setup for me, I can easily move it around if I want, and it’s sounds great. I’ve got a Greenback in one cab and a Creamback in the other.

A 20 watt Marshall SC20h with two 1-12 cabs, and a small pedal board work perfectly for my wants and more importantly, my needs.

That's my everyday go-to amp, too. I actually have the SC212, and it's really not that heavy. Stock V-types in the SC212, but I have a DSL20CR in the stack, too (looks amazing) which has a Creamback. Sometimes I add it in, but generally it's just the SC20 and its cab. Nice rig you have there, mate!

 

[TonalEuphoria]

Yes, you could use the GT1000 into an FRFR if you are fine with the digital copy of the real thing, instead of the real thing. But if you still want the real tube amp as it sounds like you do. From your choices, than the 2525C or SC20C sound like excellent choices for you. Both put out 20 watts with a 12 inch speaker in a compact combo which are great to save space, but can still can put loud volume if you want to jam and sound great while doing it. And both can go down to 5 watt low power mode to make home playing even more accommodating for those around you.

Everyone has their 2 cents. That's mine.

 

[marshallmellowed]

Yes, you could use the GT1000 into an FRFR if you are fine with the digital copy of the real thing, instead of the real thing. But if you still want the real tube amp as it sounds like you do. From your choices, than the 2525C or SC20C sound like excellent choices for you. Both put out 20 watts with a 12 inch speaker in a compact combo which are great to save space, but can still can put loud volume if you want to jam and sound great while doing it. And both can go down to 5 watt low power mode to make home playing even more accommodating for those around you.

Everyone has their 2 cents. That's mine.

One edit, SC20C has a 10" speaker.

 

[TonalEuphoria]

One edit, SC20C has a 10" speaker.

My bad, that's right. Thank you. So forget the SC20C is you want more bottom end and 12 inch tonality. And buy the head with a 1-12 cab if you like it best. Less compact, but still nice.

 

[Maxbrothman]

Mini Silver jubilee (head or combo) is what I would think also to cover a range which is what you have listed, and the Master volume is smaller room friendly.

If I were to have done everything differently, I would have gotten that one first. However I didn't have a pedal collection so the Origin worked out there also.

 

[colchar]

I recommend not getting in a hurry - play all of the amps - Marshall or not - at the volume you'll be playing to understand which one suits your needs.

Did you read his post? Based on where he lives, playing them isn't an option.

 

[colchar]

In all honesty, the GT1000 and the "right" powered FRFR speaker should be all you need to get a very convincing tube amp tone. Pro players use the GT1000 direct, so it should be more than enough for bedroom playing. That said, if you want it to sound like a guitar amp, you'd need to run it through guitar speakers, not FRFR. The 2 approaches yield different results. My 2 cents

During my admittedly brief experiment with modellers I had trouble getting amp sims to sound all that different from each other, and I certainly couldn't make them sound good. I tried a few modellers and got the best results from a GT-1000 and the GT-100 that I already owned.

The OP could probably get great results if he played with the settings on his a bit more. And yeah, trying them through a guitar cab is a great idea. I never did that but might hook up the GT-100 to my Traynor 2x12 just to try it out.

 

[marshallmellowed]

During my admittedly brief experiment with modellers I had trouble getting amp sims to sound all that different from each other, and I certainly couldn't make them sound good. I tried a few modellers and got the best results from a GT-1000 and the GT-100 that I already owned.

The OP could probably get great results if he played with the settings on his a bit more. And yeah, trying them through a guitar cab is a great idea. I never did that but might hook up the GT-100 to my Traynor 2x12 just to try it out.

Yes, many give up too soon on modeling, and I'd say quite a few because they expect a modeler through a powered speaker to sound like the guitar amp sitting next to it, it won't. Run that same modeler through a power amp and guitar cab, totally different result. Intent is not to say one is better than the other, just trying to save the OP from spending $$ on a tube amp when he already has what he needs for live and bedroom playing.

 

[Geeze]

Did you read his post? Based on where he lives, playing them isn't an option.

Wow, thanks ray of sunshine for policing the thread. He cannot be the only guitar player in Tasmania. The Marshall guy I referred to was in the middle of nowhereville Oklahoma and I found him on a guitar forum by asking questions about Marshalls.

Russ

 

[colchar]

Wow, thanks ray of sunshine for policing the thread. He cannot be the only guitar player in Tasmania. The Marshall guy I referred to was in the middle of nowhereville Oklahoma and I found him on a guitar forum by asking questions about Marshalls.

Russ

 

[colchar]

Yes, many give up too soon on modeling, and I'd say quite a few because they expect a modeler through a powered speaker to sound like the guitar amp sitting next to it, it won't. Run that same modeler through a power amp and guitar cab, totally different result. Intent is not to say one is better than the other, just trying to save the OP from spending $$ on a tube amp when he already has what he needs for live and bedroom playing.

So a power amp of some wort is needed, then it is just modeller to power amp to cab?

 

[marshallmellowed]

So a power amp of some wort is needed, then it is just modeller to power amp to cab?

Yes. You'd also want to turn off cab modeling in the modeler. If you can't "turn it off", just bypass the cab block, or don't put a cab block in the signal chain. You don't want a cab IR in the chain if you're driving a guitar cab.

 

[colchar]

Yes. You'd also want to turn off cab modeling in the modeler. If you can't "turn it off", just bypass the cab block, or don't put a cab block in the signal chain. You don't want a cab IR in the chain if you're driving a guitar cab.

Am I right in assuming that another option is to go in to the return on an effects loop?

 

[paul-e-mann]

Hi all, long time lurker first time poster. I recently sold my tsl100 head and 412 half stack as I’m a bedroom guitarist whose wife felt I needed an amp that takes up less space. I have a gt1000 to run fx in 4 cable method and of course used an attenuator for the 100w amp so happy to do so again.

I’m a drummer but enjoy learning/playing guitar. Bands I enjoy playing songs from are:

Chili Peppers
Guns n Roses
Foo Fighters
Metallica
Green Day
Nirvana
Pearl Jam
Etc. to give an idea.


Ideally would like some flexibility with tone but obviously still playing in the bedroom and maybe occasionally with a band in garage setting.

My thoughts/options are as follows.
Mini Silver jubilee (head or combo)
Dsl40 combo (not 20 as if I’m sharing controls I’d rather the jubilee)
Studio Jcm800 (head or combo)
Jvm 2 or 4 channel combo

Outside Marshall, given the gt1000 and bedroom playing I thought another option might be Hughes and left we tubemeister or grandmeister deluxe 40’s to give some sound options.

As I live in Tasmania Australia there aren’t options to play these in person so YouTube has been my only option for hearing them. I’d love the thoughts of anyone who has experience with any of the above options whether I could dial in tones close enough to cover most of the bands above or if any would be completely wrong just to help me narrow down my options.

I love Marshall’s but at this point I’m looking for flexibility and no bigger in size than a studio series head on a 212 cab.

Obviously the gt1000 gives lots of flexibility but I don’t want to run that through a speaker I really want an authentic tube sounding amp and in person the gt1000 doesn’t get there on its own but does allow lots of options to tweak the tones of whatever amp I decide on.

Thanks for your advice/wisdom/help

I play a Gibson standard 2005 faded cherry with Alnico 2 Seymour Duncan’s (slash version, only because I liked how they sounded after trying a few different options).

Get an SC20 combo since space in your house is a premium, this amp sounds great and its got an effects loop so perfect for your GT1000. This amp is great for home volume and can get LOUD for the band when needed.

 

[marshallmellowed]

Am I right in assuming that another option is to go in to the return on an effects loop?

Yes, but guitar amp power sections are not linear or flat response, so your amp models may all sound a bit similar, due to the characteristics of that power section. Not a big deal, if you like what you hear, but limits the versatility of the modeler.