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Author Topic: Recommend an alternative to Marshall 1974x?  (Read 6233 times)

BadMonkey

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Recommend an alternative to Marshall 1974x?
« on: October 02, 2007, 10:02:18 AM »
Hi Guys,

Well I had a shot on a Marshall 1974x on the weekend & was really impressed by the simplicity & the tone.  It had all the cleans & crunch that I'd ever need.
However, I was bit put off by the £1000 price tag (my Laney VC30212 cost me £400!).
So, can anyone recommend a cheaper, Plexi-type copy by another manufacturer?
I don't mind soldering so was contemplating getting an amp kit... would probably take me a year to build though... :?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
BM
Gibson SG Standard: Riff Raffs & MQ

Twinfan

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Recommend an alternative to Marshall 1974x?
« Reply #1 on: October 02, 2007, 11:39:41 AM »
http://www.ceriatone.com

You can order the amp fully built with a combo box.  Then buy a G12H or Greenback speaker here in the UK.

Failing that, my mate Martin could build you one:

http://www.martamp.com

Another very good option is to buy an Orange Tiny Terror and a 1x12 cab.  They are essentially an 18 watter with an extra gain stage.  Not sure how you'd like the cleans though as dirt is what it does best.  I'd try one and see what you think.

http://www.orangeamps.com/tinyterror/

BadMonkey

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Recommend an alternative to Marshall 1974x?
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2007, 03:26:47 PM »
Cheers TwinFan!

The TT looks the ticket.  My local music shop has a deal on the Orange 1x12 cab & TT if you buy them together.  I'll pay a visit for a test drive this weekend I think.
Alternatively I could disconnect the amp from the speakers in the VC30 & use the TT to drive those... I'll check if the Ohms match up.  It'd save me buying a cab!
Gibson SG Standard: Riff Raffs & MQ

Twinfan

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Recommend an alternative to Marshall 1974x?
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2007, 04:30:49 PM »
Sounds perfect.

Don't discount the TT as a cheap practice amp.  It really, really does sound superb and punches way above £299 in the tone stakes.  It's a superb low wattage classic rock amp for reasonable money.  Maybe the best available today?

Does anyone REALLY need a boutique offering?

ailean

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Recommend an alternative to Marshall 1974x?
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2007, 06:21:42 PM »
I just recently bought a TT and Orange 1x12 and I'm very impressed by it. I'm not an experienced player, but the TT is awsome. The 1x12 comes with a G12K I belive.

You won't find the TT advertised below £300 as Orange frowns on discounting this amp, however most suppliers will probably knock off 10% without much haggling.
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jpfamps

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Recommend an alternative to Marshall 1974x?
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2007, 03:45:56 PM »
If you like the sound of the Tiny Terror I would go with that.

I have not been very impressed with the reliability of the Marshall 1974. I have seen several for repair. The plate voltage is around 400 V (cf 320 on an original 1974). Furthermore I have measured the plate dissipation at over 20 Ws (cf a 12 W maximum) for EL84s. This is not good for reliablility to say the least, and most of the faults in these amps are due to failure of components in the power stage. I have also had to change the mains transformer in one amp. This shouldn't happen in a new amp.

I suspect the higher plate voltage was used to get more clean head room, although that's not really the point of this amp, nor true to the original design. As a mate of mine says, a lot of re-issue amps are really re-issue boxes, with something similar inside.

I know the designer of Orange amps quite well, and he was telling me that out of 8,000 amps shipped they have only had 3 or 4 back for repair under warranty.

A more adventurous choice might be a 70's Watkins Dominator. Either the Mk III 1 x12 guitar combo or the Mk I 1 x 15 bass combo. These can still be found for £200-300, although they might need some work. Incidentally the guitar version was used extensively on the first Oasis album.