I want a Marshall

[bassvi]

Ok, I said it..... I've always loved Marshalls, even had an awesome Major when I was younger but stupidly traded it in on a brand new Ampeg V4B (which was an excellent amp BTW, love Ampegs too) causeit was blowing fuses.

Anyway, thinking about that MB450 even though there's something about the look of it I don't really like (prefer the
classic "Plexi Marshall" Marshall look) I DO like the 2 channel
featue and blend feature... I have two GB212 Neox cabs that would drop it down to 2 ohms for the full 450w......

But I also have an awesome vb2 that lost mojo when my tech put SVetlanas in it rather than JJ's (recommended by Bobby B)

It also does 2 ohms......

So buy a Marshall or send myt VB2 back to Peavey and get it fixed right?

Sorry if this seems obvious to some of you, but I love Marshalls from way back...... Is that MB450 cool or shite?

Input welcome.......

Oh yeah, I'm in two bands,
classic rock for one and
funk (Tower of Power style) for the 2nd............ and I try not to kill everyone with my stage volume these days...

[johnk_10]

IMO, if you like marshalls, the MB450 isn't really like what you're used to. its a hybrid with just one 12AX7 tube in the classic preamp section. the marshalls of yore were 100% tube heads.

[bassvi]

JohnK, thanks for the repy...... from what I've seen on TB you really know your stuff with amps..... you have a beautiful collection!

So maybe a 100W JCM800 might be the ticket? They come up on ebay once in awhile, though $1100-$1200 is a lot for a 100W amp IMO.... I could almost buy a YBA300 for that (also on the GAS list, LOL)

[ampegfuzz]

I played a bass JCM800 thru a aguilar 412 then a 100w silverface bassman thru the same cab. The fender was louder, WAAAAYYYY louder! and the jcm left a sour taste in my mouth tonally. I'm not saying a older marshall wont rule, but i would look else where model wise for a marshall. also a cheaper alternative though its made my Behringer, maybe a Bugera??

[johnk_10]

i think a JMP would be great, but a JCM800 would be good too.

Marshall MKII Super Lead 100W Tube Amp | eBay

1986 MARSHALL JCM 800 Super Bass MkII M1992 100w Tube MINT! Original Owner | eBay

[bassvi]

Ampegfuzz,

I appreciate your input. Also good to hear from another Iowa bassist.....

Wondering now if I should wait for the new Fender tube line coming out.... But when I was a kid, I saw Billy Cox with Hendrix and and Tim Bogert with Cactus rocking with Marshalls.... made a big impression..... also dig Jack Bruce during the Cream era tone but need a versatile classic/modern rig.... hence the interest in the MB450......

[ampegfuzz]

Duck Dunn rocking marshalls back in the day
Booker T & the MG's - green onions - mod classic 60s - YouTube
(Super bass face at 0:15 a'la dunn )

SS Vs. all tube is never going to be the same. Tubes act differently compared to the SS stuff. But never say one is better, its all to personal taste. But if you lust for tubes get tubes, not a hybrid. My personal taste, for a guiatr head that doubles great for bass nothing better then Hiwatt! close second fender. Not to much face time with marshalls as bass amps but i not saying i wouldn't love a super bass or major.

[bassvi]

I will say this too, my Major was a real authoritative amp...... that sob ruled....

My VB2 before it went down was closest to that..... fantastic amp.

I want another Marshall with that kind of authority.....does a VBA 400 do it? Clammy, you outbid me on that last one, you b***** LOL

[ampegfuzz]

I look for older higher wattage tube amps Vintage v4b, Traynor, Fender. All cant be had cheaper then a marshall and worth a try before a full plunge. also this
BUGERA: 1960-INFINIUM

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

I'd go for the Bugera 1960. It's one amazing plexi clone for a fraction of the cost.

[bassvi]

Originally Posted by ampegfuzz

Duck Dunn rocking marshalls back in the day
Booker T & the MG's - green onions - mod classic 60s - YouTube
(Super bass face at 0:15 a'la dunn )

SS Vs. all tube is never going to be the same. Tubes act differently compared to the SS stuff. But never say one is better, its all to personal taste. But if you lust for tubes get tubes, not a hybrid. My personal taste, for a guiatr head that doubles great for bass nothing better then Hiwatt! close second fender. Not to much face time with marshalls as bass amps but i not saying i wouldn't love a super bass or major.

That is an awesome clip and I love Duck Dunn, but my understanding is they used whatever backline they had at the time but it is the sound of that era and I love it

[bassvi]

You guys are awesome, I have totally put the MB450 GAS away *for now...)
I love Marshalls and hope to have a real one someday, just like I want to own a real B-15 too before I die.... In the meantime, I do have a Bugera 1960 and it's a cool clone, just hesitant to gig with it....... the name scares me but it is a really freakin cool amp....thankx everyone who responded... you are awesome!!!!

[ampegfuzz]

If you've had it for a while and it hasn't crapped out, it's gig able

[nicoli]

Originally Posted by bassvi

So maybe a 100W JCM800 might be the ticket? They come up on ebay once in awhile, though $1100-$1200 is a lot for a 100W amp IMO.... I could almost buy a YBA300 for that (also on the GAS list, LOL)

The all tube Traynors, especially the older ones, are a great replacement for an old Marshall at a fraction of the price. I play an old Marshall Superbass, but I'd be happy to play an old Traynor if it died.

[Clammy]

Originally Posted by bassvi

I will say this too, my Major was a real authoritative amp...... that sob ruled....

My VB2 before it went down was closest to that..... fantastic amp.

I want another Marshall with that kind of authority.....does a VBA 400 do it? Clammy, you outbid me on that last one, you b***** LOL

Yeah, the VBA 400 does it with AUTHORITY. Thing's a freakin' MONSTER!!! The 6550s sound different than my vintage JMP Super Bass amps, sporting EL-34s, but holy crap that thing puts out volume and tone like there's no tomorrow!

Sorry I had to be the one to outbid you on that, but happy I got the amp!

Cheers!

[lowfreq33]

Nobody's mentioned Orange yet? Usually only takes about 5 posts in a tube amp thread.

[ampegfuzz]

Too dark for a Marshall tone.

[TravTrav]

Originally Posted by ampegfuzz

also a cheaper alternative though its made my Behringer, maybe a Bugera??

I don't know if it's true, but every time I hear about these amps I also hear about how they catch on fire.

[nysbob]

You really want the VBA400. Save your dough and be patient - you won't be disappointed.

It's a real Marshall (all tube) with enough poop to handle about any situation.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

VBA400, beast of an amp.