Marshall appreciation thread

mdubya said:
The Class 5 was a beauty but awful sounding. Apologies to anyone who likes/owns one of them.
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What didn't you like about the Class 5? Initially, I didn't like mine too much, either. It was too dark and muddy. Then I learned that the tone stack is a little different from other Marshalls and you have to turn the bass way down...like down to just 1 or 2 on the dial. The mid and high controls then do most of the tone shaping.

I still have it, but rarely use it. I use my DSL-5C a lot, however. That is really the main amp I use.
 
smitty_p said:
What didn't you like about the Class 5? Initially, I didn't like mine too much, either. It was too dark and muddy. Then I learned that the tone stack is a little different from other Marshalls and you have to turn the bass way down...like down to just 1 or 2 on the dial. The mid and high controls then do most of the tone shaping.

I still have it, but rarely use it. I use my DSL-5C a lot, however. That is really the main amp I use.
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At good tone volume, aka volume on 6, it didn't have any guts or oomph. Volume on 10, it had guts and oomph but sounded awful. I played it through the stock speaker, I played it through vintage Pulsonic Celestions, I tried all of the tone stack suggestions, and it always just sounded like a crappy, nmv, 5 watt, generic amp. My Vox AC4TV suffered the same way.

In comparison to my JMP 2204 with the master volume barely on, compared to my Champ or Champion 600 with fuzz and OD, compared to my Fender Mustang modeler on the British 60's model or the Tweed Deluxe model, compared to my Lead 20 (which, admittedly can sound pretty hateful if you aren't careful, but fun to play), the Class 5 lost every time. It hurt my ears, gave me fatigue. I wanted to like it so bad. I kept it a year, gave it a chance. It is probably the best looking amp I have ever owned. To me, it didn't sound anything like a good vintage Marshall, not even close. I couldn't even get a decent tone out of it with pedals. Good riddance. With regrets, because it looked so cool. :(

I am actually jealous of people who like theirs and get along with them.

I would probably like your DSL5C and don't blame you one bit for using it over the Class 5. :p

With my AX8, I can get some outrageously good Marshall tones at any volume. So, low volume Marshall tones are a moot point, now. Plus the 2204 kills everything this side of a real plexi. Always has. I was lucky when I scored it. (y)

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This rig sounded more like a real JTM45 than the Class 5 did. Ditto for my Tech 21 British pedal into a powered speaker. Beautiful, gorgeous, chocolate-y brown JTM tones.

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Soulful pairing!

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Oh ya, it's up and running strong. I'll stinker around with it a bit and then see if I can trade it or sell it off.
 
I have been very happy with my DSL40C. They are the smallest amps i have ever owned. The DSL40C is incredibly loud and yet still very clear. I use no "dirt pedals" ever...only the amp's gain.

Not long ago, I hooked up one DSL40C to my VS265 Valvestate, using my DD3 as a splitter. The combination of the two, with chorus engaged on the VS265, has a really thick and sinister tone. The VS265 still has its original (1997) Gold Back Speakers and they still sound good.

This setup below is what I jam around on at home...

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You guys really are making me want to buy another Marshall. If I hadn't just bought another cabinet I almost surely would. Been thinking about a DSL-15h for a while, but damn those Silver Jubilee mini heads are tempting.
 
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