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Fender vs Marshall

W

williamk

Apr 2, 2008
871
28
#1
I'm looking to buy a big combo amp, around 250 watts, and I was comparing the Marshall MB4210 and the Fender Bassman 250 / 210 Combo, and they seem like the real equivalent to one another (they each have 2 10 speakers, the same features basically, and probably the same price though I haven't checked...). So can someone here tell me if in general one of those 2 brands has a better sound of if someone here has had experience with either one of those 2 combos, please tell me. I play a Ric 4003 and am looking for a bright and aggressive sound.
thanks!
 
#2
Tone is just too subjective. I've used the Fender 250/210 before and liked it. I own Bassman 150 (1X12) as I like 12's better than 10's. But that's just me. I owned a Marshall bass head back in the '80,s and felt it sounded too much like a guitar amp for my taste.

On paper the Marshall looks like it has better room for expansion but, no way I would decide on either without a test drive first. I would recommend test drive them with your bass. It's the only way to know what will work for you.
 
#4
I've recently looked at both of those amps as well, trouble is they are fairly new-ish and there just aren't a whole lot of them out there to compile review data. What I've read from Fender owners is that it has a very generic , voice-less tone. This may be a good thing if you want versatility.
The reason I like the Marshall more for a comparable price is the tube pre-amp (I'm pretty sure the Fender is all solid) and the extra 50 watts (an extra 150 with a second cab).
 
#7
The Fender will sound like a Fender, and the Marshall will sound like a Marshall. To make a choice between the 2 requires your ears, when you play through each one. It is impossible to make the choice properly by shopping online, and reading strangers descriptions of tone, which is a very subjective, and personal thing. Seriously, go do some expirimenting, as best as you're able to, otherwise, it's a coin toss.
 
#8
keep in mind that marshall has never had much to offer in any bass amp attempts. theyre known for their guitar amps almost exclusively. fender however, made the first horizontal electric bass (as far as ive ever heard). they never hit it huge with their bass amps but they have much more experience at bass amps than marshall. i dont have much faith in modern gear but if i were in the market for something in that realm, id check out the ampeg b200r 220 watt 1-15 combo as well. i have one as a bedroom amp but i did use it for some smaller club gigs last year with no troubles. it had some nice bottom too.
the marshall seems like it would merely be an overgrown guitar amp, i could be totally wrong on that. just a hunch
 
#9
JdoubleD said:
the marshall seems like it would merely be an overgrown guitar amp, i could be totally wrong on that. just a hunch
Click to expand...

You are totally wrong on that. It's a ground up bass amp with a sweet sound and a lot of bass specific features that you won't find on their guitar amps. Even the cosmetics with the metal grill and all let you know they were really thinking bass this time.

You're right about their history though, their guitar amps are well known and respected but they have never made much bass gear. Their 80's/90's solid state stuff had a reputation for being guitar-like. They've had a couple big hits in the past too though, the Superbass tube head that Lemme uses comes to mind.

EDIT: Good point about that Ampeg combo too, I usually use it when I go to GC to screw around with their basses and like it a lot. It's pretty comparable to the 2 amps in the OP as well. That Ampeg b200 comes in a 1x15 or a 2x10 I think and there's a tube preamp version which looks identical from the front called the Ba300 series.
 
#10
Sharko said:
EDIT: Good point about that Ampeg combo too, I usually use it when I go to GC to screw around with their basses and like it a lot. It's pretty comparable to the 2 amps in the OP as well. That Ampeg ba220 comes in a 1x15 or a 2x10 I think and there's a tube preamp version which looks identical from the front called the Ba300 series.
Click to expand...
Sounds pretty much identical except it has higher wattage IMHO.
 
#12
well I went and tried the Marshall today. It sounded very good! I didn't buy it on the spot (I rarely do that actually, it's always better to wait and think a bit) but I was impressed. The classic channel can really sound like a heavy distortion pedal, and the Modern channel is very crisp and clean. Seriously thinking of getting it soon.
 
#13
williamk said:
well I went and tried the Marshall today. It sounded very good! I didn't buy it on the spot (I rarely do that actually, it's always better to wait and think a bit) but I was impressed. The classic channel can really sound like a heavy distortion pedal, and the Modern channel is very crisp and clean. Seriously thinking of getting it soon.
Click to expand...

And, that is what matters more than anybody else's opinion. :)

(No offense intended to anybody here)
 
#14
I know it does, but sometimes you get a comment like "don't buy it, mine broke after a week because it was so cheap" or like "it distorts like hell when the volume is higher than 5" or even "you will regret it, it sucks so much believe me". Sometimes, it's important to hear the advice of previous owners of the item you are discussing about.
 

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