Guitar Gear Forum

Hey y’all! Long time lurker, very infrequent poster.

For the last ten years, I’ve played Fender-styled amps almost exclusively. I currently have a silver panel Deluxe and Princeton, and my mains gigging amp is a recent Two Rock Studio Signature. I mostly play what you could call “Americana.”

Lately, though, I’ve been really interested in owning a Marshall for the first time, for basically two reasons: 1)Most of my first guitar heroes played them, and 2)I’ve run into a few Marshalls as backline amps, and I haven’t really known how to to use them.

So, here’s what I’m looking for:

“Classic” Marshall style sounds and controls.
Combo or head, with slight preference for head.
8 ohm speaker out to use with my Captor X.
Under $1000, new or used.

I realize I could use a modeler or a MIAB pedal, because I have both. I’m really more interested in using the “real thing,” though I’m open to other amp brands if there are some sleeper Marshall-style amps I should check out.

I got some great suggestions here the last time I asked about amps, and I’m looking forward to the replies. Thanks in advance!

DSL100H for sure

IMHO the best way for a Fender player to get into a Marshall is the JTM45 circuit, which is pretty much a Marshall flavored Bassman.

The "under $1000" requirement pretty much rules out the actual Marshall JTMs but there are a few options:

- Jet City is making a JTM45 copy for $899 new. They have a good JCM800 version as well. That's probably the easiest option.

- Ceriatone has a great JTM45 clone. They're not expensive but the wait time for one is crazy these days (around 12 months). But they usually sell around $1k used on Reverb

- Mojotone sells a great JTM45 kit. Obviously you'd have to build the kit but you can find completed kits for sale on Reverb sometimes.

- Friedman has a great JTM45 based circuit called the Dirty Shirley. The 40w version is really expensive even used but there's a 20w version that can be found around $1k used.


Speaking of smaller amps, the Marshall 18w, 2061 circuit is also a really good option. Again, the actual Marshalls are expensive but there are clones in the market from the same options above (Ceriatone, Mojotone etc).
These are cool amps that you can crank up without getting super loud. Obviously, they're still loud amps but nothing like a Super Lead.

Another cool option would be the DSL. Now that's getting a bit far from a classic Marshall, since they're capable of high gain. BUT they do a really credible Super Lead tone on the Crunch Mode of the Classic channel. Either the JCM2000 or the H versions would be cool.

Finally, the Origin amps are not bad at all. They sound great when cranked.
But I'd prefer any of the previous options over the Origin. They're cool though.

Came in to suggest the new JCA45.

I’d suggest not going with the JTM45 since you already have the fender style tone covered.

If you want classic Marshall tones under $1000, just get a DSL100. It’ll cover most of the classic Marshall 800ish tones very well.

Jet City isn’t a quality brand from my experience. They’re almost there but I wouldn’t recommend them. Every release has issues and quality is mid at best.

Another vote for the DSL. My old JCM2000 DSL 100 handled classic and modern Marshall tones with ease.

Thanks for the fast responses, everyone!

I was aware of the JTM45-Bassman connection, which makes me hesitate because I owned a 59 Bassman reissue for a bit and wasn’t really into it. Still, I guess I should try one if I can find one locally. There’s a Blues Breaker RI on my local CL. Would that be worth considering?

I also expected the DSL recommendations, haha! Are there specific models I should avoid?

Finally, it seems if I push my budget just a smidge, I can get into SV20 territory, along with used Splawn and some Friedman stuff. Worthwhile? The SV20 is particularly interesting to me.

I absolutely loved my SV20, and it will handle classic Marshall tones all day. I would highly recommend that option if you can fit it in your budget.

The Bluesbreaker RI combo is basically the combo version of the JTM45. Not exact but close enough. What didn't you like about the Bassman RI? I can't say I would recommend the Bluesbreaker/JTM45 if you didn't get along with the bassman reissue.

The SV20/DSL will have more of the Marshall krang that they're known for.

Here's a couple clips I made with my SV20 through my Captor 8


https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/tele-sv20?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/pittman-tele-jam-12022?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

jimmyroy wrote:Thanks for the fast responses, everyone!

I was aware of the JTM45-Bassman connection, which makes me hesitate because I owned a 59 Bassman reissue for a bit and wasn’t really into it. Still, I guess I should try one if I can find one locally. There’s a Blues Breaker RI on my local CL. Would that be worth considering?

I also expected the DSL recommendations, haha! Are there specific models I should avoid?

Finally, it seems if I push my budget just a smidge, I can get into SV20 territory, along with used Splawn and some Friedman stuff. Worthwhile? The SV20 is particularly interesting to me.

As far as DSL Models to avoid: I'd avoid the newer HR line. I just couldn't get along with any of them. But I've seen people getting decent tones out of them. Still, I'd stick with either the JCM2000 100 or 50w or the DLS100Hhead/40C combo (without the "R").


The Bassman and the JTM45 are pretty much the same design, except for 2 differences: 1 - the Bassman uses a 12AY7 in V1,while the Marshall uses a 12AX7. 2- the Marshall has a bigger value resistor/filter after the bright channel volume that cuts the bass and boost the treble. These are the main differences. Also, the Marshall has a bit more negative feedback in the power section. They do sound different IMHO. Not night and day difference since it's like nearly the exact circuit. But yes, different. And obviously the speakers/cab makes a huge difference as well.

I had the SV20 and really liked it. The SC20 is great too. Both these amps would be great.

For Friedman, in your budget, there are not a lot of options. The Dirty Shirly Mini is really good. So is the Runt 20. Even the Runt 50 can be found close to your budget and that's a hell of an amp. One of my favorite amps, bar none. The Pink Taco V2 is great. The first version is a bit too dark for my taste.

Splawn... I've played a few but never owned one. They do have the Marshall tone, but the feel is different. It's stiffer and tighter than the classic Marshall tone. Not a bad amp by any means, they sound great and the build quality is excellent. But they're their own thing, especially in terms of feel. I'd say try before you buy on that one.

Dave, those clips sound great! I’m glad you’re using a Tele in them, since that’s my main guitar, too.

Y’all are basically confirming what I thought my choices would be: DSL or SV20.

What about a TSL? I’m asking because a local-ish shop has one, and I think I could do a straight trade for another amp I’m not using.

jimmyroy wrote:Dave, those clips sound great! I’m glad you’re using a Tele in them, since that’s my main guitar, too.

Y’all are basically confirming what I thought my choices would be: DSL or SV20.

What about a TSL? I’m asking because a local-ish shop has one, and I think I could do a straight trade for another amp I’m not using.

TSL60 is a no. That amp sounds dark and muffled for some reason.

But the TSL100 is fine. They just take more tweaking than the DSL to get where you need, but the tones are there.

Forgot to mention: the JVMs are great too. The 4 channel is a bit overkill but the 2-channel JVM is a great amp both the 50w and 100w versions.

Dave wrote:Here's a couple clips I made with my SV20 through my Captor 8


https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/tele-sv20?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/pittman-tele-jam-12022?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Yo these sound good! What are you using for the vibrato effect in the beginning?

Telephant wrote:

Dave wrote:Here's a couple clips I made with my SV20 through my Captor 8


https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/tele-sv20?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/pittman-tele-jam-12022?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Yo these sound good! What are you using for the vibrato effect in the beginning?

I meant to ask the same thing! Sounds cool.

Telephant wrote:

Dave wrote:Here's a couple clips I made with my SV20 through my Captor 8


https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/tele-sv20?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/pittman-tele-jam-12022?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Yo these sound good! What are you using for the vibrato effect in the beginning?

Ha thanks. That's my old Strymon Mobius. I hate that I always love the way the recordings turn out, but for some reason I could never jive with it when I was playing it. I've owned two now because I re-bought it based on recordings and then remembered why I sold it

Dave wrote:

Telephant wrote:

Dave wrote:Here's a couple clips I made with my SV20 through my Captor 8


https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/tele-sv20?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

https://soundcloud.com/dfwxjer/pittman-tele-jam-12022?si=5a17fe2627e242f188f73a37f51641c7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Yo these sound good! What are you using for the vibrato effect in the beginning?

Ha thanks. That's my old Strymon Mobius. I hate that I always love the way the recordings turn out, but for some reason I could never jive with it when I was playing it. I've owned two now because I re-bought it based on recordings and then remembered why I sold it

What didn’t you like about it? I have a Zelzah, which I think has similar algorithms. I sometimes feel the same about it not “feeling” right, but the sounds are cool.

I know exactly what you guys are talking about in regards to the Strymon pedals. I struggled with the same thing with them. They sound good and especially record well, but there is something about them that is not quite right.

I thought it could be their A/D/A converters but when I had the DIG I turned on the analog pass-through and it still didn't feel right. I can't put my finger on what it is, but I definitely feel it.

I don’t know how to describe it, y’all. It just didnt rustle the jimmies and moved on from it.

But it’s a really great pedal to record with.

Just to update, I made an offer on an SV20H. Thanks everyone for the advice, and I’ll let you know if it becomes a NAD!

jimmyroy wrote:Just to update, I made an offer on an SV20H. Thanks everyone for the advice, and I’ll let you know if it becomes a NAD!

Right on man!!! Hope it works out!!!

I felt the same way with the Lex. Plus having to do some weird combo of button presses to access secret settings that weren’t labeled irritated me.

Telephant wrote:I felt the same way with the Lex. Plus having to do some weird combo of button presses to access secret settings that weren’t labeled irritated me.

I have the Zelzah, as mentioned, and the Flint. I sometimes have issues with feel with the Zelzah, but I’ve felt the same way with other phasers. The Flint feels and sounds very organic to me. I prefer it’s tremolo to my silver panel Deluxe’s.

Also, offer was accepted on the SV20. NAD incoming, thanks everyone!

Nice, congrats man! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.