Recommendation: medium-sized Marshall

[hercules]

I’m working on a Tool tribute project and asking for recommendations on behalf of the guitarist.

What’s a good medium sized Marshall-like combo amp that won’t break the bank? Plans are afoot for something sizeable and hefty for eventual touring, but for rehearsing, I’m thinking a dirty Marshall with a Diezel VH4 pedal/preamp thing will do the job.

TIA!

[robthemac]

DSL-40? They're often available for $800-ish on TradeMe.

[IMOCD]

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 3788729848

[robthemac]

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 3782300510

[FuzzMonkey]

The DSL-40 do seem quite popular.

[Mattallica]

You could go the other way around too. High gain amp and a Marshall preamp/MIAB

[blackstratblues]

There’s an Origin 50 1x12 for 1200 on FB. With the right pedal in front it should do nicely.

[Reg18]

I would say cabinet size is pretty key to getting the big sound of Tool as well, if they have the space to transport it there are generally a few cheap 4x12s around, and most amps sound good through a reasonable 4x12 for Rock stuff, even an MS4!

[TmcB]

I don’t know why but ever since the valvetronic stuff came out my brain looks at the Marshall naming systems and assumes the amp is junk. JCM800 and earlier are all good, post 800 trash. I’m so sure that can’t be true but that’s what the brain has chosen

[robthemac]

I don’t know why but ever since the valvetronic stuff came out my brain looks at the Marshall naming systems and assumes the amp is junk. JCM800 and earlier are all good, post 800 trash. I’m so sure that can’t be true but that’s what the brain has chosen

I was really disappointed with the Origin series I played. Anything with an 'x' on the end is great (if not that usuable outside of stadiums). The DSL-1 is hilarious fun though.

[NippleWrestler]

DSL40CR. You can't really go wrong.

The Origin is too flubby, the Laney too expensive and not enough gain.

[blackstratblues]

Speaking of the Origin, I found these mods interesting:



In stock form you can tighten it up with a SD-1 in front.

[hercules]

Thanks for the advice all.

I like the 4x12 with a small amp idea but space might be an issue - we're rehearsing in a drum teacher's studio and there's barely room to stand. Worth thinking about, anyway.

You could go the other way around too. High gain amp and a Marshall preamp/MIAB

Tell me more?

[NippleWrestler]

Also a BlackStar ht club 20 or 40 would get you into the Marshall thing as well. The MK2 amps are really well reviewed and the ISF control opens up some other options too.

[HackSaw]

Could you do something like this on a whatever 1X12 cab that you can score, and would it be able to push a 4X12 if you eventually played out?

https://www.andertons.co.uk/diezel-vh-m ... w-amp-head