Marshall's Tube Amp Bargain: Is it really any good?

[@jeffroq]

I bagged one of these in 2019 when guitar guitar was blowing them out for £250 new. Then I swapped it for an old Mesa. 50 cal that I had previously owned. I had forgotten how much I hated that Mesa. A couple of years later I swapped that back for a Blug amp1 Mercury. Good luck with the mod Tony.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Oh the Blug Amp1 is a very good sounding piece of gear for sure... obviously different but still very good. The Origin 20 is a bargain really and even as it sounds its not a bad amp. Thanks for the post and for watching.

[@davidj2816]

Interesting review, nice to see that the amp internals appear to be well put together. I have gigged with my Origin 20 head for the past 2 years and its been really reliable. The cheap tolex vinyl matches the cheap vinyl on my speaker cab exactly so im quite happy with that! I use mine as a pedal platform for which it works well. Also, i have found that the Amp sounds best, for me, through a Celestion Greenback loaded cabinet, compared to a few other speakers i have tried. Looking forward to your follow up video with the modification.👍

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Thanks for this info. I think it shows some reliability. The mod will be off a while as I'm going to the USA until near end of May presently and will have to then 'get down to it' :) and thanks for watching.

[@shane011471]

Marshall the company that at one time made great amps and today what do we get? Bluetooth speakers and a damn mini fridge.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Oh I know. Sincerely, I do wish they would create some more tube amps, but there is also rumours of simulators... we shall see.

[@shane011471]

@@tonymckenzieofficial Marshall has also cut the prices of all their amps as well, so who knows what is going on with them. I just wish they would go back to what made Marshall in the first place as it makes me sad.

[@13soulz]

At my age the new generation of amps and modulators are perfect.. I’m tired of dragging cabinets to the eagles club only to limit the volume at 1…

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Next up: Marshall Sex Toys "The JCM 8 inch"

[@simoncoulston7223]

Hi Tony, enjoyed the video thanks. Found it extremely interesting. Very much looking forward to the second half and hearing what your mods do this particular amps tone. I have the DSL20HR myself (also MIV) and along with a Bugera V22 head I have exactly what I need from my amps. I was certain I’d subscribed after watching your CODE video recently, but for some reason I hadn’t managed to. My age perhaps. Anyhow you’ve definitely found yourself a new subscriber and a well earned like. 👍🏻 BTW that’s some very nice playing indeed. Thanks again. Cheers, Si.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

It was made for you ;) I do think that the Vietnamese products are not quite the same amp as the bona fide Marshall UK amps as I have many of those, but only this one Vietnam amp head. It should be interesting to see the results of the mod/s when I get to it (will be in USA for about three weeks) and I am looking forward to doing those little mods. Thanks for the sub, those are always appreciated, and if you love looking at amps check my playlists on the channel as I have so many inside and out reviews that many people love to see. Thanks for watching too.

[@bodhidharma2600]

Dude, your channel is awesome 🌞💥💫

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Hopefully... I guess if I was (only) making funny faces etc. I might have many more subscribers... but then again, those would be the wrong subscribers. Thanks for the kind words and for watching.

[@AlexAnder-or3kq]

I just fried my origin 20 using an attenuator and master and gain on 10 with a DOD250 in front. Working on the solution

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ouch! post your findings! and thanks for watching...

[@garyz0611]

This amp sells for $549 at Sweetwater… also Marshall owns the factory in Vietnam therefore they have more control over the products

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Exactly…

[@rickmckee8270]

Hi,Tony thank for another great review,and I always appreciate your in depth reviews. Tony when you were pointing out the resistors I noticed that Marshall used the precision resistors by the five bands instead of the 5% four band resistors used on some of the inexpensive amplifiers.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha I did not look that close :) but well spotted on that point. This is a budget amp made in Vietnam it shouts, but also on that label it mentioned QC was in the UK. And I think that does matter to get a fair quality amp... the things like tighter tolerance resistors can only be good too. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@lousekoya1803]

The early Marshall circa 63-64 had smooth tolex . Nice video Tony

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Never owned one that old :) but it's something I probably won't get used too.. the 1959HW is pretty smooth but different when compared as I did. Thanks for the info and for watching.

[@edneyhelenedossantos1875]

This is the best clean tone Marshall ever done, i love it, the amp sounds perfect, specially the 50H, i'm particularly not a fan of Marshall high frequencies it's too nasal for me....and this amp remove that which is why i LOVE IT.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Glad you like it! I'll be working on it a little hopefully soon and show the results. Thanks for watching...

[@edneyhelenedossantos1875]

@@tonymckenzieofficial Just bought the 50 W Head as much as i liked it XD Thanks.

[@RByrne]

I had picked one of these up along with a 2x12. Found it impossible to get any break up, volume control was basically 0 and 10, and materials felt very cheap. I returned it and got a nice used custom JCM800 and 2x12, which is one of my favorite amps. Thanks for the review!

[@rgbplumbinghilton]

Its the same materials as the SV models that cost double. Gain works with Master and gain so you have to nail it to get drive. Most are modding them now as it is a simple process. Gives you a 800 or Plexi amp for quarter of the price!

[@RByrne]

@rgbplumbinghilton it definitely isn't the same materials(for the cab I mean). Cheaper knobs and handle, plastic feeling tolerance and other things. It's very noticeable. I wouldnt mind, but I couldn't get on with the sound either. And yeah, I know plenty about the various mods. I'd rather just get what I want to begin with.

[@rgbplumbinghilton]

Internally speaking. Externals are irrelevant to tone. They saved money on the externals for sure but having worked on a few of these and the SV line, the board and components are same quality. That is more important to me than cheap knobs.

[@RByrne]

@rgbplumbinghilton okay. Either way, the tone didn't do it for me either. The EQ was terrible, and it didn't sound like even a budget version of any Marshall. I'm glad you're happy with it, but I wasn't and I returned it. If you don't care about cheap materials like knobs and handles, I assume you're playing it at home. When they start to crack and fall off, it becomes a problem using it elsewhere.

[@rgbplumbinghilton]

@@RByrne you assume wrong! Mine is modded and a gig machine. 50watt version. Very loud and modded to JCM 800. 2 years of use and it is like new still. Things only break or fall off if you miss treat them.

[@MyLifEcademy-sr4hy]

Fella down under mods these to incredible sounds...Headfirst Amplification...Jason Tong!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Yes and if you look in the text I show that and those are the ones I'll be looking at :). Thanks for watching.

[@sparks3019]

It’s going to be tough to wait 2 months for the follow up mod video! 😅

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Oh I know, but I wont be here to do it... thanks...

[@Barbarapape]

This one is as clean as a Marshall ever gets, it is not intended for pure clean players like me but if you like clean with an edge to it, this one does it very well. Great piece of playing Tony, i could listen to more of it. Mark Knopfler has just realeased a new album, how about one from Owl Studios?

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha I had to 'relax' to play as clean as that - clearly not entirely clean though. Ha I laugh at the thought of creating more music. Sadly, although I love guitar, I guess I have slowly burned out and did create a number of albums... some sold OK and some less so in recent times because of the streaming. See, now I'm on a roll... :) I get particularly frustrated at earning 0.001 of a US cent (or on occasion even less than that) from those streaming companies. Sell the music for 6 months then buy a burger... and they wonder why musicians often don't make money. Music appears cyclic re the styles and they come and go. I have of recent times been working on stuff from an album called 'Berner Street' I think we released in 2008 that has been turned in to a theater musical by Alan. I filmed that and created a 1 hr 50 mins video and there was a large and great cast involved in that musical too - it was months of work for them. Recently I recorded the 'band' that played the music in the musical and we're currently working through that to complete that work as there is a lot of levels and silly things to fix. I did not play or act in any of it, as firstly I can't act :) and secondly... Last time I played some of that was about 2008! I'm not really inclined to spend the time either relearning what I wrote or indeed spending so much time on the project except for what I like to do today, video, audio and mastering along with reviews. In my earlier years I did spend a huge amount of time with the music side of things and really do like to write music (Alan is great at the words too) but the drive is less - and remember I survived Prostate cancer and another thing re health, lucky I'm even here. I still love the music of course, but as I get older I don't always have the strength to put even more in to it all than I do currently - which actually is a lot of hours even now. I still work too simply because I like to do that (mainly internet stuff these days but I'm still an MD). The plan is for Alan (vocals, bass and some guitar on Berner Street) to try and get the musical adopted London way. He does come from that background (as a hobby) so does have some inroads. We shall see. So now you know about the current stuff. I'll be in USA in May so only can post what happens there although Dallas Guitar Show will be part of the trip and recorded as I have permission from the organizers to do that which is great. Hopefully I'll be able to post some video but I don't hold out much hope with hotel internet. Anyway, as always thanks for the post and for watching.

[@Barbarapape]

@@tonymckenzieofficial The music business is a strange and complex one, the lucky few make a few bob but for every multi millionaire there are thousands that never get that break. Mark Knopfler has just released a new album and since he receives among the highest percentage from the sales of most palyers, he still can't fully retire, will this be his very last album, only time will tell. I was shocked when i saw him on morning TV, age has caught up with him fast. Just keep doing what brings you pleasure, and enjoy your time in the USA.

[@misterknightowlandco]

Idk if it sounds like the hype or not, but that demo you played at the end sounded pretty damn good. The phrase sounds like a Marshall is a bit of a convoluted phrase. Are we talking 60’s, 70’s, 80’s or modern Marshall’s when we say that? All those amps sound different. Either way this is a nice sounding amp and if you need more breakup, buy a damn pedal 😂 thanks for the review!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha pedals are not quite the same :) Thanks for the kind words and for watching...

[@misterknightowlandco]

@@tonymckenzieofficial you’re right they’re not 💯 percent the same but this amp and proper overdrive pedal is still cheaper than a studio 20 for that old proper sound. Keep the reviews coming and I cannot believe I’m about to buy a Marshall amp for a clean tone 😂 but that really did sound great.

[@petertimp5416]

Should have got the 50 watt one…..they say it’s closer to the plexi in circuit.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

I have a 1959HW so went for the 20w... Thanks for watching.

[@motokev2727]

I played a origin at GC. I wasn't expecting a clean amp. Maybe using OD pedals I might like it. The internals look purty clean. I prefer handwired amps.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Well the Origin is not highly driven... maybe one reason there are so many mods for it - as I will complete on this one when I get to it :). Hard to find hand wired amps for this price (Origin are more expensive in the USA for sure) as here they are pretty low cost. And they seem to take pedals OK too. Thanks for watching.

[@IkeReedy]

Hello my dearest friend!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Good morning! I see your channel has been there since 2007!... good stuff... and thanks for watching.

[@MojoMedicineMan]

Hay Tony 👍

[@a-nus]

Whats going on with Marshall anyway? Theyre out of stock everywhere in the US, and their prices are slashed by almost half?

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Well I have not really seen it that way here. Mesa Boogie actually stopped and I could not buy one of those, and when they returned get your £3k out! ($3800). I can't tell you about the USA but I will be there next month and I'll dig a little... thanks for watching.

[@a-nus]

@@tonymckenzieofficial always appreciate your insight Tony And yeah, the new prices here in America used to be comparable to what boogie prices are over in the UK ($3800 US for a 2203X) and in the last month theyve slashed the prices to around 2000 US and pulled their stock on all online retailers here in the US Managed to get a gently used JVM410 combo for 1500 just a couple days ago, those things were going for big bucks (3k+) over here just about a month ago I understand you kind have an in with them over there so it may be worth giving them a ring and seeing what's going on? Always appreciate the content 🙂

[@simoncoulston7223]

I’ve seen the recent prices going through the floor and find it pretty worrying. More so because the prices are dropping so significantly and all over the States. It’s not just in a couple of outlets. It has me wondering if they are privy to some information we’re not? I also recently read (or listened to, I can’t remember just now) an article saying that amplifiers and cabinets now only make up 5% of Marshall’s total output. In the main, their bread and butter is now speakers and headphones. That said I don’t know, or can’t recall the exact figures but they obviously do very (but less) well from their rapidly expanding lifestyle range. They appear to have put their name on so much now. Key-rings, fridges, beer to put in the fridges, T-shirts, wallets, caps etc. and the prices! It certainly makes you wonder which direction the company will take in the long term. Especially so, after the kids sold off the family silver so to say. Although, without the amps and cabs, do you have a lifestyle range? Can it earn you anything when focused on legacy gear, headphones and speakers? I’ll have to take a look at the Terry Marshall interview Tony did last year.

[@GreatPlanet-n7n]

this's hopefully *an amp type* that will inspire new players to use real amps. The Marshalls I like best are the 80's solid-state ones.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Oh I had (well sort of - I let the rhythm guy use it) a 70's Marshall tranny amp and that was at best not good. I never really did get on with that amp and my mate Pete (wherever you are Pete) seemed to think it was OK. Thanks for watching

[@WiseedE]

With all due respect, the Marshall Group should have released a 100-watt version of the Origin amp model. Why they didn't, I don't know. Sincerely, Ed.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Fair point. I don't know either. Maybe (just maybe) there might be a 'drive' towards lower output amps. Personally I don't mind the 100w amps or the lower powered stuff. I just wish Marshall would create some new gear in the tube amp sector - they could, but will they. I interviewed Terry Marshall about a year ago when Marshall 'sold' the company (in effect) and Terry was adamant that the company would continue to make tube amps etc. The short interview is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZnUdI2Ni6pqgMksi=p87mUHWkc8R_Ib1e and I was behind the camera :). Thanks for watching.

[@robinjgill]

Good stuff. Tony €411 at Thomann.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Very low cost for what it is I guess... thanks for the post about that and of course for watching.

[@benallmark9671]

It’s a great amp for what they cost

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Oh I agree... watch the rest of the video and see the score... thanks for watching.

[@rareform6747]

Great amps run them in stereo two 50watt amps into (2) Marshall 1960 cabs..

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha would blow your head off if cranked :) I love it... :) and thanks for watching.

[@AlexAnder-or3kq]

Ok where is the follow up vid my guy

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

I have yet to create it. I do a load of stuff that guys don't see immediately. I'm still working on the integrated MIDI GK-3 which includes building a guitar behind the scenes and so much more. I will get to that amp - it site disassembled waiting for me! So now you know and thanks for the interest and watching.

[@Zero_thehero]

Hello and good day to you Sir! What do you think of the EVH 5150 Iconic amps internals . It’s a hybrid and it’s a fckn screaming metal machine.❤❤❤

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Check my channel o reviewed it! It is brilliant

[@Zero_thehero]

@@tonymckenzieofficial Did you reference it in the Stealth 5150III breakdown that’s the only vid I found after a quick glance will go back and finish watching thank you for responding

[@craigharrison5406]

Those Origin amps can be modded into high gain monsters.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Likely... I have not completed this one yet. But www.headfirstamps.com has the info on his site how to do it.

[@scottdunn2178]

Looking at the chassis... you can't tell me Marshall couldn't offer a Vietnam made 2204/1987 style head for not much more than what these sell for. Why not?

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

I can't tell you - you are right... :) I have asked Marshall off and on for info but when I do they are generally quiet, except when I visit their UK factory. Check those out.. and thanks for watching.

[@scottdunn2178]

Would look so much better with some gold piping across the front... right under the logo.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Agreed! :) but sadly not there. Thanks for watching.

[@scottdunn2178]

@@tonymckenzieofficial Looks kinda naked without the piping across the front. Great little head for the money... might get an Origin 50. Cheers.

[@Newnodrogbob]

The introduction was an interesting take. In my experience, guys who have valve amps are far more likely to bad mouth modelers than guys who have modelers are to bad mouth valve amps.

[@rickmckee8270]

The reason people that use tube amps bad mouth modelers is they do not have the same dynamics as a tube and. The people that play modelers and do not have experience playing a tube Amp would not be aware of this significant difference.

[@Newnodrogbob]

@@rickmckee8270 I’m not talking about calmly debating the pros and cons of different methods of amplification/processing. I’m talking about the 2 minute rant where he creates a straw man of modeling users saying that tube amps are stupid and obsolete and sound terrible and are moronic. That kind of vitriol only flows in one direction.

[@rickmckee8270]

@Newnodrogbob That is a shame I enjoy my tube amps ,and I do not dislike modelers either,and modelers are getting better as chip technology,and the programing gets better as well In my opinion both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses the only downsides with modelers is latency,and the dynamics you get with a tube Amp when you dig in with your pick,at least for now those are the downsides compared with tube amps as far as playing goes however modelers are improving all the time so who knows how long it will take for those issues to be solved. There are other downsides to Modelers such as how quick they become obsolete,and how long chips are available to repair them in the future. But I think that both are interesting to work with,and sound much better than some of the first transistor amps and th I ught that tube's would be long gone in the late 70'sand 80's fortunately tube's are still being manufactured so we can still enjoy playing our tube amps. I still do not understand all of the hated of modelers The first generation of them were not optimal however they have come a long way from were they started. It reminds me of how bad the first generation of CD players,and the CD's sounded and how much they improved over the years.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

@Newnodrogbob Sadly you are wrong on all counts on this occasion re myself - I just wanted to point that out in case you have never seen my reviews. I have owned near enough all of the simulators, and STILL own the Kemper amp and player, the Helix Rack and others like the GT1000CORE, the Fender Tone Master and many more. My comments in this video reflect EXACTLY what many of the simulator guys actually tell me - so 'passing on' those comments is at the very least interesting! There is NOTHING like telling it the way it is, except telling it the way others see it and often tell it. Personally I really don't like some simulators (overpriced junk created by crackpots springs to mind for some of them with a new one every week) or almost junk because you become dependent on the SOFTWARE that simply does not work when I review the gear, or... well you fill in your own words at that point. All tube amps are not 'great' either. I could name at least two or three 'boutique' amps that were rubbish and/or really not good designs and I found out only after I paid at least twice the price of a good tube amp and no one even cared. So please do understand that I sit right in the middle as a paying customer of ALL TYPES of gear and 'my own opinions' are based on my findings as a paying customer which is far more than I could say for most of those out there that get their free gear every other day, review the gear, then you NEVER EVER SEE IT AGAIN on those channels - ever. That is what says a lot, in fact it says it all. Thanks for the point and thanks for watching.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Very vaild points... especially the fast aging of the chips which end up being unavailable and then that's it - redesign or redundant :( Some modelers are great... but you want to see the bad ones... Thanks for watching.

[@CupOfSweetTea]

Why are you still here? You clearly do not understand

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Why are you still there? You clearly are deranged.

[@CupOfSweetTea]

@@tonymckenzieofficial brilliant

[@Street-shitter]

“Well, I don’t want cleaner tones” Precedes to to the audio demo in clean/breakup tone🤡🤛🏻

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha I wanted to be different than flat out :) Thanks for watching.