stack
Written: May 26 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: reliable
Cons: heavy
The Bottom Line: get it
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| jmc_2000's Full Review: Marshall Stack |
The Marshall stack is the most powerful guitar amp in the world. It can blow a man's head clean off. Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya punk???
One of my most prized possessions is my Marshall stack. Here's what I've got: A '75 100 watt Marshall head, plus the bottom and top Marshall cabinets. This is the sound of Rock. If you play power chord driven rock style guitar, this is what you need if you are serious about your sound.
I wrote a review on the Marshall vintage 100 watt tube head, in which I described the sound as sweet, warm, and LOUD! But if you get a Marshall head, you've really got to have Marshall cabs along with it. Anything else would be a waste of a great head. I've played my Marshall head through other 4x12 cabinets before with less than desirable results. I've played it through a fender 4x12 cabinet (sounded thin and tinny), and through a Peavy 4x12 (low volume, and thin sounding), but playing it through Marshall cabinets results in the most awesome Rock sound known to man.
Seriously, playing through a Marshall half-stack is more than enough for most occasions, volume wise. I rarely use my full stack, just because it's a hassle lugging two cabinets around, but also because using the full stack would drown out the whole band. Of course, nothing looks cooler than a full Marshall stack set up on stage, but a half stack will do just nicely, unless of course you're playing a stadium or arena.
I bought my Marshall stack used out of the newspaper classifieds, and have owned it for ten years. I've had the power tubes go out once in all that time, and I've never had any problems with the cabinets. My amp head has taken some serious abuse over the years, being dropped by drunk roadies and being knocked off the cabinet by drunk moshers, with no damage. It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'! The thing is reliable as heck! While the other guitarists I've played with who use inferior gear are always having problems with their amps (usually right before a gig), my Marshall has never let me down. Not only that, but my Marshall always drowns out the cheapo amps, yessir it does!
As I said in my review of the Marshall 100 watt head, the way I achieve the classic Rock sound is to set the bass, treble and presence knobs on 5 or so, with the preamp set on 10. I then set the master volume knob on 2 or so. I also use a distortion pedal for maximum power. The resulting sound is sheer simmering, sizzling power chord mayhem that is full, warm, and sparkling, with leads where every note sparkles with warmth, clarity, and power. It is simply delicious. I've received countless compliments on my guitar sound, and I owe half of it to my Marshall. The other half, I like to think, is having some semblence of talent. Once you've played through a Marshall, no other amp will do - I know, that's what happened to me.
If you want the classic powerchord, overdriven Rock sound, a Marshall is what you need. You will not be disappointed. The Marshall stack is a gift from the gods of rock'n'roll! Long live the Marshall stack! Long live Rock!!!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jmc_2000
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Reviews written: 25
Trusted by: 1 member
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