2012 Marshall Class 5

I believe I read the cabinet construction was to be updated..I don't know how. I think the only real difference will be the attenuator. They reworked the way the tubes are mounted in the second version, which is nicer and I'm sure that will continue. I have 4 of them and the upgraded tube mounting system made a difference. I get a VERY slight rattle, but barely noticeable. Some places are also selling them with an "upgraded" price too which is ridiculous.

MARSHALL Class 5 Combo

Made in the UK

As of Feb 2012 the New Marshall RRP for the C5-01 will be £599 (Street Price £539). Only 'Black' Combos will be available in the Shops, other Colour Options will be available from the Marshall 'Custom Shop'.

The Amp is an All Valve, Class A, Cathode Bias, Single Ended Design with NO Transistors, Chips, Digital Processing or SMT (Surface Mount Technology). An Original Design 5w Amp. There is NO Heater 'Buzz' - NO Circuit 'HUM' - It uses a Nice 3 Stage Gain Circuit, without a Ton of 'HISS'. Limited 'Clean' Headroom, (as with all 5w Amps) but Loads of Great 'Crunch' and 'Sustain', it Looks and Sounds Fantastic.

As of 1-5-11 the V2 Combo has been Replaced with the New 'C5-01' (V3). Although the Circuit Design is the Same, the Internal layout and all PCBs are Different with the addition of a 'Low Power Mode' (Speaker Attenuator) Switch on the rear panel of the Amp. The 3x Valves now hang down from the Rear Lower Panel making Access a LOT Easier. The Chassis is slightly Thicker Bent Steel Construction with Pressed Inserts. The Combo Cabinet is more 'Solid' due to Thicker Ply Construction and the Top Control Panel is recessed slightly deeper into the Amp. The Speaker is the Same - Marshall/Celestion 'G10F-15'.

The New 'Low Power Mode' Speaker Attenuator works only on the Internal Speaker and Not on the External 16 Ohm Speaker Socket. The Output Power of the Amp is Reduced from 5 Watts RMS to 0.3 Watts (Headphone Level). Needless to say, this type of Attenuator is a waste of time and 'Sucks' Tone out of the Amp. The RAT 'OPR' (Power Scaling) System works LOADS Better.

On the Test Bench the Stock Amp is Producing 5 Watts RMS and about 8 Watts Peak Power into 16 Ohms. The Speaker is a Custom Spec (G10F-15) Celestion 10", 15 Watt, 16 Ohm Driver.

If you are Buying a 2nd Hand Amp - Steer Well clear of the V1 (Single Solid Rear Panel) version as the Metal Chassis is thinner than a sheet of Paper and the early Amps were plagued with 'Rattles'. Marshall recalled most of the V1 Amps and made several changes to try and get rid of the 'Rattle' but there are still a few of these V1 'Dogs' around.

The Only Problem I can find with the new C5-01 Amp is that you have to run it FLAT-OUT to get the 'Classic' Marshall Sound, then it's too Loud for Home Use......RAT 'OPR' sorts that out......

All Modifications -

1. - 'OPR' - Output Power Reduction.

2. - Variable Boost Footswitch - Switches the Boost Circuit On-or-Off with Variable Boost Control, RED LED Indicator - Metal Construction with 12 Foot Lead.

3. - Master Volume Control - Allows Preamp Overdrive -or- Power Amp Overdrive -or- Both.

4. - 3x Preamp 'Bias' and 'Gain' Switches.

5. - Modified Tone Stack - Allows each Frequency (Treble, Middle and Bass) to sweep from 'Zero-to-Max'. The Standard C5 Combo Tone Controls operate in a 'Preset Range'.

6. - Series FX Loop - 'Send' and 'Return'. The 'Send' Socket can also be used as a PREAMP 'Line Out' and the 'Return' Socket can be used for Direct Access to the Valve Power Amp (For External Preamps -or- Multi-Effects Processors).

7. - Dedicated 'Line Out' Socket - (Frequency Corrected) taken from the Output Transformer - Active in both 'Speaker' and ' Headphone' Mode.

8. - Tri-Rectifier System - Uses a 3 Position Switch to Select 'Silicon', 'V1 Valve' (For Maximum SAG) or 'V2 Valve' Operation.

9. - Standby Switch - Carling Combination 'Off/Standby/On' Mains Power Toggle Switch fitted to all Amps.
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Check this out:
http://www.ratvalveamps.com/marshall-class-5-combo

I don't mean to offend if you've owned one before, or have played a Class5, but I gig them every week with a reverb in front of one and a delay in front of the other and the effects seem to sit nicely out front. I think the idea of an FX loop would be cool, and since they added an onboard attenuator its not as true to a bare bones marshall as the first 2 versions so the "purists" can't use that argument. Honestly though, I wouldn't let it not having a loop be a deal breaker. They sound pretty good with the volume just past 1/4 and a TS808 in front. Good drive, but not overly loud. Good amp to take to school with you. And it is perfect for any open mic gigs or jam sessions you might get involved with. -S

I think they are kinda buzzy too on their own. Not a fan of the sound they give when cranked. Much better with an OD.