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Sound:
In general, this Amp sounds good. The celestion speakers (2x12") are of good quality, and project well. This baby can get pretty LOUD too, and still is able to sound nice at lower volumes. This amp has a great clean channel, very versatle with external EQ and overdrive/ distortion devices. The "Accoustic Simulator" channel, to be frank, is basically useless for any serious playing - although an external EQ will boost it nicely, and add color. The two OD channels lack character. They ARE amenable to Amp EQ adjustments to an extent; and again, they can be flavored with external EQ'ing. (Can you tell i'm an EQ fanatic?) It is possible to enhance the sound of this amp using external EQ and other devices, and with the built-in DFX, you can get some nice rhythm and lead sounds.
Feature:
The feature layout is pretty nice. Four channels, separate volume / gain per channel (the Accoustic Sim channel calls its "gain" a "top" ... ??). Master volume too, which is very helpful for in-home use (allows you to maintain some quality tones without detaching the drywall from the 2-by-4's), and adding control for the guitar's volume mix - i.e., crank the master up, the guitar down, and you've got alot of flexibility at the guitar. The channel volumes allow you to overdrive the power amp, while the master volume will keep the 'loudness' factor in tolerable limits in the home. A "Scoop" switch is included for the two OD channels .... although actually, i would have preferred that Marshall provided their old "Contour" rotary dial instead; would have added more control over the Mid's rather than just "scooping" them out. (No doubt one of their engineering/cost decisions.) Typical rotary EQ's for the channels. Again, a cost-cutting "feature" employed by Marshall is sharing the EQ's across BOTH OD channels, with separate controls for both clean channels. I don't particularly like this feature, and would have been willing to pay a bit more for added flexibility. The DFX are basic but designed to add color to one's playing, not to be powerful, dominate standalone effects. I can accept that premise. Contrary to what some have said, the different reverbs ARE quite discernable .... you just have to move the "Mix" up a bit and listen. Again, the design intention was for subtlety, not over-powering effects. As far as the two OD channels are concerned, frankly i'm not all that impressed. There IS quite a power difference between the two, and the overall output is quite adjustable. The amp is powerful, and the OD's definitely "do their thing". However they lack "personality". Actually, i end up coloring the clean channel with external EQ and a few specific "stomp" boxes, and that works best for me. (External EQ'ing actually works well with the OD's too.) Overall, i'd say that you'll have to work with the Amp alot, using its controls as well as add-on devices. There's alot of potential here ... the amp is definitely a Marshall. You have a stereo FX loop available in the back, along with external cab outputs. The amp could definitely drive an external cab if necessary. Oh yeah .... it's a tube preamp design, if that's important to anyone. (Tubes are more important in the power stage, as far as tone goes, so some would shrugg their shoulders over this point.)
Ease of Use:
Easy overall. It takes some time to discover things, but that's part of the fun. It might help a player to put the cabinet up on a stand of some kind, maybe 1 and 1/2 feet or so off the ground, so that the controls are easier to read and get at. (That's one advantage of a separate head sitting on a cab .... it's easy to reach.) Some people complain about the weight. Aw, it's not that heavy ... 70-75 lbs or so. All combo's are "heavy" .... you want them to be, 'cause that means they're built strong, right?
Quality:
So far, i like what i see. It's solid. Everything works the way it's supposed to. So far, the DFX haven't gone out, like i've read some previous models experienced. (Marshall should have corrected this by now, i would think.)
Value:
For what this amp offers, it's definitely a good value. I got mine new for $800 through a local retailer. Compared to what you'd have to pay for a similar combo-type model, particularly with the two celestions, with less features, this amp is a good buy. It ain't no Mesa .... but it don't cost 5,000 bucks either! (You can fit it up with the requisite EQ'ing and various other add-on's, and then have a great rig, for a very affordable price.)
Manufacturer Support:
No opinion.
The Wow Factor:
Yep...i own it. Maybe not the last amp i'll ever own, but it's a keeper for now.
Overall:
I said it all above. It's a good value, good quality, sounds good out of the box, and can be configured appropriately with add-on's for a REALLY nice sound.
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