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One of my students was asking me today about cheaper Marshall type amps. He's buying his first 'real' amp and is tied between a Fender type (I told him if he goes with the fender thing he's got a tie between the Fender Devilles and the Peavey Classic range) and a Marshall type. I didn't know what to tell him about the Marshall type sounds from a cheaper valve combo.

So this got me thinking, is there a company that is to Marshall what Peavey is to Fender? I advised him against cheaper Marshall valve amps because, in my experience, they have to many reliability issues to be justifiable.

Any ideas what I should be telling him?

I should mention also, he's dead set on valves/tubes.

Thanks for any input,
-Benja

The new Traynor Blue 50 is very Marshall like on the lead channel. At 500.00 600.00 street it is among the best deals out there. Historically Traynors are built like tanks, I am waiting for a head version of this combo. If it comes out I may just pick one up.

The Traynor Blue 50 is the first thing that comes to mind for me as well.

Thanks Kevlar,
I'm not familiar with Traynor stuff at all. Although I was given an old traynor bass amp which I really like, it was given to me by a guy who said is wife was sick of seeing it in their living room, haha.

Apart from that we don't really get/see much Traynor stuff here in the U.K. at all. Does anybody know where Traynor are from?

Thanks again.

Traynor, from Canada, right?

I think the Peavey's can more than handle the 'marshall' type sound as well. I have the 5150's, that'll out gain most any amp I am likely to play. The JSX, XXX combo's also have a great gain channel (or two), and have great clean channels as well. They also have the Valve king combo that just came out, that has a class A-A/B control, all tube, and under $400. Would he be looking for the Marshall quot;EL34 or EL84quot; tube sounds?

Would he be looking for the Marshall quot;EL34 or EL84quot; tube sounds?

EL34, definately.

From the bands I asked him about, most of the Marshall guys were SLP users with a few JCM800's. He's very much a classic rock kinda guy.

I'm thinking about off-loading my Marshall JTM60 and he's interested in it. But I can't sell it to him because I like him, lol. I've just spent a bit of money on it, getting it all fixed up proper, so I'm going to keep it for 6 months and if it behaves I'll sell it. But I want to be sure that it's not gonna give the next guy as much hassle as it's given me first.

With the JSX, and I believe the XXX as well, you can switch the tubes from EL34 to 6L6, to the players preferred style. I like the 6L6's myself, and thought the EL34's to be a little too harsh, but those amps both offer tons of versatility. Perhaps a little pricey for a 'first amp', but a little saving and planning, and I am sure a used head or even a new combo can be had within reason.

I think the Peavey's can more than handle the 'marshall' type sound as well. I have the 5150's, that'll out gain most any amp I am likely to play. The JSX, XXX combo's also have a great gain channel (or two), and have great clean channels as well.

Personally, I love these amps, but they're too modern for him. Plus, they're out of his price range. Amps seem to hold their value much better in the U.K. than the U.S. For good quality valve amps I'm pretty sure that on average we pay more for second-hand amps than you Americano's do for brand new stuff, reletively speaking of course. Definately for the middle priced stuff anyway.

They also have the Valve king combo that just came out, that has a class A-A/B control, all tube, and under $400.

I've heard about these, but I haven't had a play with one yet. Are they any good? What are they like? I'm guessing another Fender 'tribute'. Peavey have got that stuff made.

I've heard they're between their 'classic' series, and the high gain JSX/XXX line. If go into Peavey's forums, in the guitar amps section, search for VALVE KING, and probably the most recent post (possibly even yesterday if I remember correctly) has a great review (meaning true to sound, and accurate). It's reviewed by a Peavey technician, talks about what he likes, and what he doesn't like.

I'm not really sure about 'cheaper' amps...but if money WASN'T an issue, I'd say get a Mesa Stiletto duece.

I've heard they're between their 'classic' series, and the high gain JSX/XXX line. If go into Peavey's forums, in the guitar amps section, search for VALVE KING, and probably the most recent post (possibly even yesterday if I remember correctly) has a great review (meaning true to sound, and accurate). It's reviewed by a Peavey technician, talks about what he likes, and what he doesn't like.

Cool, thanks for the tip. Will definately check that out.

I'm not really sure about 'cheaper' amps...but if money WASN'T an issue, I'd say get a Mesa Stiletto duece.

I'll pass that on to him, lol. With matching 2x4x12's, right?

Maybe if he sold his Dad's car, he might have enough.

The Classic series from Peavey will come much closer to a SLP or 800 series tone than anything else mentioned from Peavey...

I haven't played the Traynor, but I'm sure if Jeff and kev say it's quot;marshallquot;, it is...don't ever see e'm aroound here though...

Also if he's willing to spend as much cash as a 5150/6505, XXX or JSX cost, tell him to look into a Rivera Clubster or Pubster 45....El34s...very classic Marshall tone...and good fender sounds too....suits all his needs...end of story


Originally Posted by benjaturnerThanks Kevlar,
I'm not familiar with Traynor stuff at all. Although I was given an old traynor bass amp which I really like, it was given to me by a guy who said is wife was sick of seeing it in their living room, haha.

Apart from that we don't really get/see much Traynor stuff here in the U.K. at all. Does anybody know where Traynor are from?

Thanks again.What old Traynor Bass amp do you have? I have 4 between 68 and 72. Those with very little messing are extremely Plexi like.

They are indeed Canadian.

The new Valve King would probably do him just fine. The 1X12 is 350 new. It will do the marhsall thing very well, and more if it is ever needed. The clean is good, not great. The Class A to AB quot;tweakquot; switch is very very nice. You can dial out some of the fizz at higher gain, but it sounds like it wont be a problem. It is most definitely my suggestion.

Mig 50. For more gain, make it a Yamaha T50.
Both are very reasonably priced and well-built.

Aren't laney amps pretty close to the marshall sound with el-34's?


Originally Posted by greendy123Aren't laney amps pretty close to the marshall sound with el-34's?

The older ones are pretty good...I had one in the late 80s.. cant remember the model # but it was their version of an 800 MV.

They are very british sounding....but I wouldn't say they are close to a Marshall. They are crunchy and have a little bit of fuzz in the top end and a little greyer or darker tone. Also a little flubby in the bass. It's a cool sound, but it doesn't sound like a Marshall to me.

EDIT: I also had the 30 watt combo w/ 6v6s....def not marshall like...