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Marshall amps alternative?

naufal6161

naufal6161

Jun 21, 2011
212
18
Jakarta, Indonesia
www.youtube.com
#1
Hello talkbass,

I just wondering for the Marshall amps alternative, because Marshall amps are very out of my budget.
But, I want that British sounding!

I think the British-made amps will get some of "marshall vibe" in the sound, am I correct?

So, I have my list of the British amps, which one do you think is the best?

- Trace Elliot
- Ashdown
- Laney
- Hughes and Kettner
- Orange
- Vox
- Blackstar
- Matamp
- Hayden
- Hiwatt
- Cornford
- Sound City

"The best" can have many meanings :
1. Best of your version
2. Best Marshall alternative
3. Best on budget

I'm think I would go for Ashdown MiBass 220. It's relatively cheap, good sounding, nice features, small, and lightweight, so I can carry it everywhere in my gigbag

What do you think?
 
#4
naufal6161 said:
isn't that's a guitar amp?
Click to expand...

Amps are amps. You can use them to amplify anything. It's marketing as a guitar amp doesn't change the fact that it's a 100 watt tube amp with self-biasing and two bridgeable channels and inconspicuously close to a bargain basement hot rodded Marshall circuit. I've been wanting to buy one to use as a cheap Marshall bass amp alternative. ;)

Check out this thread about using one of these for bass: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/bugera-1960-bass-588894/
 
#5
Of all the amps you've mentioned, only a Marshall sounds like a Marshall and if that's the sound that you want then you've got to get a Marshall. The Bugera 1960 could well be a cheap alternative for that sound and yes it is a guitar amp but nothing wrong with using a guitar amp for bass.
 
#7
bertbass666 said:
Of all the amps you've mentioned, only a Marshall sounds like a Marshall and if that's the sound that you want then you've got to get a Marshall. The Bugera 1960 could well be a cheap alternative for that sound and yes it is a guitar amp but nothing wrong with using a guitar amp for bass.
Click to expand...

Werd, pretty much. For guitar purposes (or bass) you could try throwing a Guvnor pedal in front of an amp.

But honestly, Marshall heads (for guitar) are all over the used market. I just picked up a Valvestate head for $100 a few weeks ago on clearance, it ain't pretty but it has the Marshall tone :)

Peace,
Greg
 
#8
Yup. Marshall is a "guitaramp", but can be used on bass with satisfying results.

It depends what Marshall sounds you want also. JTM? JCM? DBS? Major?

For JTM... probably get a Hartke LH500. I found that pretty close. (considering budget restrictions)
For JCM... lots of guitar or if you're lucky bass versions on the used market.

For Major, if only I knew...

A simple Marshall MB150 does the generic Marshall sound very good. I like that combo.

Out of the list you gave I think Cornford does Marshall the best. But very pricey.

On a budget and still want tubes. Any JCM800 or JCM900 on the used market.

Portable... Sansamp British maybe? I only found the Sansamp great for overdriven Marshall sound.
 
#10
christw said:
Amps are amps. You can use them to amplify anything. It's marketing as a guitar amp doesn't change the fact that it's a 100 watt tube amp with self-biasing and two bridgeable channels and inconspicuously close to a bargain basement hot rodded Marshall circuit. I've been wanting to buy one to use as a cheap Marshall bass amp alternative. ;)

Check out this thread about using one of these for bass: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/bugera-1960-bass-588894/
Click to expand...
COOL :D thanks for the link :)
bertbass666 said:
Of all the amps you've mentioned, only a Marshall sounds like a Marshall and if that's the sound that you want then you've got to get a Marshall. The Bugera 1960 could well be a cheap alternative for that sound and yes it is a guitar amp but nothing wrong with using a guitar amp for bass.
Click to expand...
Roadkill said:
+1 for the 1960 - sounds great on bass :cool: .
Click to expand...
already 2 for the Bugera 1960 :D
kanonfodr said:
Werd, pretty much. For guitar purposes (or bass) you could try throwing a Guvnor pedal in front of an amp.

But honestly, Marshall heads (for guitar) are all over the used market. I just picked up a Valvestate head for $100 a few weeks ago on clearance, it ain't pretty but it has the Marshall tone :)

Peace,
Greg
Click to expand...
yeah, I also find an amp that I can bring it to the stage :D
thanks anyway :)
René_Julien;12887308 said:
Yup. Marshall is a "guitaramp", but can be used on bass with satisfying results.

It depends what Marshall sounds you want also. JTM? JCM? DBS? Major?

For JTM... probably get a Hartke LH500. I found that pretty close. (considering budget restrictions)
For JCM... lots of guitar or if you're lucky bass versions on the used market.

For Major, if only I knew...

A simple Marshall MB150 does the generic Marshall sound very good. I like that combo.

Out of the list you gave I think Cornford does Marshall the best. But very pricey.

On a budget and still want tubes. Any JCM800 or JCM900 on the used market.

Portable... Sansamp British maybe? I only found the Sansamp great for overdriven Marshall sound.
Click to expand...
actually I looking for the DBS one :D

the Hartke stuff, I already tried it, pretty close..

the Cornford is in my list :D

for me, tube is just a bonus :)

yeah, I was thinking 'bout the SA Britsih also, maybe I'll check that later :)
christw said:
Oh, and Sound City amplifiers can be had for decent prices on this side of the pond. I used a Sound City 120 for bass and absolutely loved it.
Click to expand...
okay :D
 
#12
DBS... tall order. Hmmmm... why would you want that? What famous bassist uses that.
So naufal6161... I look at your profile and judging from your GAS list full of pedals and under influences... Chris Wolstenbebezzz.. can't spell his name. :ninja:

If it helps kill your GAS: Chris also uses MB150 combo's. ;)
But don't ask me how and when, I don't know much about Muse but I like them. :)


I'm a big Marshall fan but I myself am gassing for something JTM or Major.
 
#13
Sartori said:
The thing about most of the amp brands you listed is that they have their own characteristic sounds. The Orange sound is not the same as the Marshall sound, and is nothing like the Hiwatt sound or the Sound City sound.
Click to expand...
I think you're right :)
René_Julien;12887410 said:
DBS... tall order. Hmmmm... why would you want that? What famous bassist uses that.
So naufal6161... I look at your profile and judging from your GAS list full of pedals and under influences... Chris Wolstenbebezzz.. can't spell his name. :ninja:

If it helps kill your GAS: Chris also uses MB150 combo's. ;)
But don't ask me how and when, I don't know much about Muse but I like them. :)


I'm a big Marshall fan but I myself am gassing for something JTM or Major.
Click to expand...
tall order? of course :hiding:

yeah, that's Chris Wolstenholme :D
I already revised my G.A.S. list, but not edited yet in talkbass :p

I know, that was at late of Showbiz era (pre-OOS) till OOS era :D
earlier showbiz he used ampeg stuff

and for now maybe I'm looking for the Bugera 1960 for the "Marshall"-ness, and Ashdown MiBass 220 for the portability :D

the hartke one not impressed me so well :help:
 
#14
Personally, there's not much in common between Marshall solid state and valve stuff when you start talking about their new solid state amps and their old valve amps, even the solid state guitar amps are all harsh fizz, compare that to what I've got, my first Marshall amp, a JTM45. Sounds so "right" with my EB-0. The breakup is gorgeous at gig level volume. But I don't know if it'd be up your alley if you want to sound like the dude from Muse. But maybe you'd realize, trying Marshall valve state stuff, that you prefer that to their solid state offerings, like so many other Marshall fans.
 

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