I want a Marshall (thanks to Mr. Bonamassa) (Page 1 of 2)

JMP-1 if I'm not mistaken is Marshalls attempts to do a Tube amp and a digital effects processor similar to like a Line 6 Spider Valve.  I am drawn to this amp for the simple fact that it can do the Marshall sound no problem but should be able to fake other amps as well.  I like this for 1 other reason, you get all these other amp voices that should be able to get you in the ball park of what they are supposed to sound like say 70% to 80% of the way without having to buy or carry all these other amps.  So that would be a plus.

On the other hand I tried a Vintage Modern out about a year ago "in store" where the sales man was just trying to sell me a Gibson Firebird.  He asked what I wanted to play it through and after 5 seconds of goofing off the sales man say's "Oh I didn't know you could play let me turn this up a touch.  10 mins later I got people asking me if I was somebody famous, and I hated to tell them no just a famous guitar amplifier.  Never been to a store where a couple people would come up and tell me I sounded great, and all I can say was they must of liked the amp.  I didn't buy the guitar or the amp but sure do like telling that story!

I personally would avoid the Class 5 I think its a bit expensive for just 5 watts when you could get a Orange Tiny Terror for just a little more, or a Vox Night Train (Both of which have 15 watts and a master volume, Oh and a half power switch.)

The DSL401 combo sounds fun.  I think if I wanted to play more rock music this would be the amp for me because it can still do the blues stuff with the right Eq settings and the gain turned down but it can also get those heavy gain sounds of late 70's, 80's, 90's, and now.  Cut it back and get close to Cream era Eric Clapton sound, or keep it up a touch and dial in a 90's Gary Moore sound, after that dump the mids and turn up the gain for some Iron Maden type sounds.  Dump the treble and cut back the bass half way and turn the mids up for a more black album Metallica J.H. tone. 

My closing statement is Vintage Modern is cool but its a one trick pony, JMP-1 is cool because it can do about anything but that can be confusing at times too, Class 5 is over priced, and DSL401 is everything nice.  Bare in mind I've only played the Vintage Modern out of all this information.  I would pick the Vintage Modern because of the KT-66 Output tubes... you just don't hear of Marshall doing that kind of thing past 1970 its usually EL-34's.  Oh and the vintage modern get that cream era Clapton sound way better then a DSL401 ever wanted to get.

How about the blackstar series 1 45. It's a 2x12 combo with a built in attenuator. Not 100% sure how it works but it reduces the power of the output valves in 10% stages  taking the 45 watts right down to 4.5 watts. There are some pretty good demos on you tube of them. I have been thinking of getting one for a while but the marshall class 5 is keeping me happy. Just bought a new guitar as well so doubt i could sneak a new amp into the house.

Actually, I believe The Man plays Twin Reverbs more often than not.

Could be mistaken here but I remember reading somewhere that BB King prefers the Lab Series L5 to even the mighty Fender Twin Reverb when available!  I had to reread that but even Joe swears by the L5....

You know what... Gear is gear.  My first real amp was a Fender Twin, and at 17 years old I thought that was the best amp on the planet. Probably because I wanted to think that my amp was the best amp out there. Its funny cause I used to think my epiphone les paul with duncan pickups was as good as a gibson too. 

My point is if I had started with a telecaster and a marshall my set up would be much different today. We all have in our ears what sounds best.  I love Vox amps and Fenders. Marshalls dont do it for me.  I've been known to favor the Vintage Modern, that is a sweet amp, but I dont own one.

I personally think Joe uses too much gain.  I'd love to hear what that Van Weedon sound like with just a hint of overdrive. If you could point out a song where thats what was recorded that would be great.

I think its funny when people say that you need to turn up a marshall to get that great tone.  I cant tell a difference once my ears start to bleed. Anything over 3 on a hundred watt amp sounds the same except that it gets a bit more overdriven.

So to the original writer, I say go try out some amps and find one you connect with. Then use it and enjoy it and dont worry cause your ability to play will always trump your gear selection.

Thank you all, guys, for taking a bit of time to answer my question.

To some extent, I agree with all of you. I found my amp already some time ago, being the Carvin Vai Legacy (edition I), 100watt head on 4x12 cab. I just doesn't do that typical Marshall sound, I believe, which I'm after right now.

The funny thing here is, however, that Joe B. learned me a lesson: I am always saying at my students that they have to keep open to new experiences and don't judge to soon. I was just not applying this simple lesson to myself: ie. prejudice about Marshall based on some experience long long long ago. Joe proved me wrong about Marshall, and that -for me- is an important lesson.
Hey, I was not into the Gibson guitars neither..... now I'm looking out for the Epiphone JB model, and certainly want to try it.

Now, on the gear. I was able to try a 40watt DSL401 1x12" combo, and it is a very close call, to be honest. The DSL is a bit too clean (sparkly) when compared to the Vintage Modern, but on the OD1 setting I really dig the sound of the DSL. The DSL is cheaper than the Vintage Modern, so maybe I can get the JMP-1 as well as the DSL for the same price as the Vintage Modern (hehe, only the thought     )

Joe, if you happen to read this... no further news about release dates of the Epi JB in Europe (sorry if I missed this somewhere else on this forum)?
Pricing... I'm sure Epiphone and Joe will ensure the price/quality will be very favourable. Sure, you can buy cheaper 'à la JB' models, but there's more to a guitar than just a pricetag.

Thanks again, all!

I think the DSL 401 uses EL84 power tubes and will sound slightly different from a DSL Head that uses EL -34 power tubes.

Problem with the Jubilee is that they are very collectable.  I think collector value + famous players using them has been the reason for their high price tags.  When the Jubilee was first introduced it didn't recieve a warm welcome from most players.  They were only made a few years to my understanding and as they became more scarce players began to appreciate them.  It's almost a right of passage to own a Jubilee on the Marshall Forum!