Marshall Handwired??

[catag]

I am new to the forum and i wondered if anyone has used the Marshall Handwired series? I am specifically interested in the 2061 head and cab but would welcome any feedback on the combo's as well.  

Thanks :P

[Brow]

Hello :)

I'm not sure which amp it was I used, but I tried 1 of the 18w combos out in a local music shop a few months back.

I cranked it up a bit (I was the only person in the shop) and to be honest, I wasn't that impressed by it. It sounded a little thin and lacked balls. I personally preferred a Bluesbreaker combo that they had in :)

Not much use to you I know, but it's the best I can do :)

[FELINEGUITARS]

Bainzy is the man who seems to know this one

Or read some opinions here http://www.metroamp.com/forum/

[fps_dean]

Ask Bainzy.  He modded his to have the correct transformer and stuff so it actually sounds like a real 1959SLP.

Personally I'd suggest just buying an older handwired Marshall from '69-'74 myself.

[Twinfan]

Handwired is all a gimmick - you're paying for the insides to look nice which no-one ever sees!!  There's no difference in tone from a good quality PCB.  I'd just buy a "regular" Marshall if that's what you're after...

[Hell Hound]

There is a quality difference if it's done right (good wires, componant, etc...) but when I look back at the Marshall prod from the last 20 years, I feel pretty sure it's just all hype...

[Twinfan]

I think there's a quality difference compared to a cheapo PCB and other components, but if a good PCB is used there's no difference at all.  In fact, the PCB is probably less prone to failure.  All you're paying for is the time it takes someone to wire everything up.  It's marketing hype.

[lp_man]

For half the price they sell them for you can usually get a bespoke hand made one by a small company.

-Will

[DeanS]

The Variplex looks quite interestiing,

http://www.blankenshipamps.com/data/mainframe.htm

[rooky]

Handwired is all a gimmick - you're paying for the insides to look nice which no-one ever sees!!  There's no difference in tone from a good quality PCB.  I'd just buy a "regular" Marshall if that's what you're after...

Sorry but that's total bollocks, PCB's have all sorts of probs in serious usage. 1) most of the control and interface (front / rear panel,inputs outputs etc) components are staked onto the board which leads to loads of dry joints when it's getting chucked in the back of the van on a regular basis (mass of component dangling about on joint, board dangling about on back of pots etc). 2) They retain heat which causes more temperature related shift in the value (electrical) of the components attached to them 3) the tracks are too fragile to be durable when getting chucked......etc; well that'll do I'm bored now. If you're a bedroom rock god it doesn't really matter but if you're gigging several nights a week a hard wired amp will give you years of un-interupted pleasure where as cheap shite modular PCB based amp will be back to the menders on a regular basis.

[Kilby]

For year on year gigging, the hand wired will most likely stand up better to running repairs.

Iv'e been known to to look at the odd repair for friends (nobody else would trust me) and the number of damaged tracks I have seen is frightening. With jumpers all over the boards to replace the lifted tracks

This is not always the fault of a ham fisted roadie / tech, not all PCBs are created equal. Also when a mfgr uses the solder joint for a pot as the sole method to secure the control well eventually something has to give (after the n'th replacement)

There is an interesting bit on this on the bogner site (somewhere) along with proper choice of the signal path.

PCBs are not bad in themselves, but the implementation often is.

The sound (price and reliability) of the amp should be the main criteria.

Rob...

[Twinfan]

PCBs are not bad in themselves, but the implementation often is.

That's what I'm saying.  The same amp with a decent PCB and wiring will sound no different and be no less reliable than a hand wired version of the same thing.

Sorry but that's total bollocks, PCB's have all sorts of probs in serious usage. 1) most of the control and interface (front / rear panel,inputs outputs etc) components are staked onto the board which leads to loads of dry joints when it's getting chucked in the back of the van on a regular basis (mass of component dangling about on joint, board dangling about on back of pots etc). 2) They retain heat which causes more temperature related shift in the value (electrical) of the components attached to them 3) the tracks are too fragile to be durable when getting chucked......etc

If you want to pay stupid cash for the benefit of being able to "chuck" your gear into a van then you're mental.  I'd rather look after it properly and spend the extra cash elsewhere...

[Twinfan]

Just checked:

Marshall 1959SLP re-ssue = £869
Marshall 1959HW re-issue = £1399

Does it really sound £530 (61%!!!) better or is it £530 (61%!!!) more reliable?

[fps_dean]

There is a quality difference if it's done right (good wires, componant, etc...) but when I look back at the Marshall prod from the last 20 years, I feel pretty sure it's just all hype...

The new handwired amps aren't like the old ones.  One of the big reasons is that the transformer is a poor replica of the wrong model.  I think just swapping trannies will yield a pretty good result.  That said, you can save a lot of money by buying an original, or buying a PCB reissue and getting a tranny swap.

[catag]

All very interesting ....I was actually looking at the small 2061x and 2061cx cab for the reason of simplicity ie plug and go as i am sick of mode this and switch that and also dare i say it the portability. The reviews the amps got in Guitairst and Guitar Buyer were good.