Marshall MG30RCD user reviews ( 5/10) - 11 user reviews

• 06/22/11

  iamqman's review "Not a bad practice amp"

  Characteristics

  This is Marshall attempt at the introductory amps for the beginner or low budget guitar players. Along with the reverb in the the amp it has several other effects such as Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Delay. For the quiet player it has a headphone input so if you desire to play at home quietly or in your office this is a great feature.
  
  
  
  This amp is similar to the FX version of this series with a few more options. First you have the foot switch and input right next to one another on the front panel. Next, you have a instrument input on the front for the headphone jack, line out and CD input. You can hook your favorite CD player into the amp and use the CD player's volume to get the desired volume out of the amp.
  
  
  
  The Contour control basically shifts the mid-range frequencies in your guitar tone. By turning the Contour fully clockwise you will scoop out of your sound most of the middle frequencies. If you combine this setting with heavy distortion and high Treble and Bass settings you can get a killer thrash tone, perfect for brutal rhythms and nasty leads. By turning this control fully anti-clockwise you can get some great fusion type tones.

  Utilization

  Features
  
  Twin switchable channels
  
  Clean Channel with its own Treble and Bass controls
  
  Overdrive Channel with Gain, Bass, Contour, Treble, and Volume controls
  
  Built-in Reverb
  
  Line out
  
  Headphone input
  
  CD input
  
  Single 10 in. speaker

  Sounds

  The tone from this amp isn't that bad for being a solid state amp. It has 4 channels and all are very usable in the basic functions. This is an all in one amp for a beginner guitar player. Any one who has spent any time with a tube amp will not go for this other than to have as a practice unit for silence or office use. The crunch channel will get you a great classic rock tone. Trying using a Gibson Les Paul or SG and dial down the gain for some good Led Zeppelin tone or Ac/Dc crunch.
  
  
  
  The over drive channel is excellent for modern rock and will sound good with any guitar used with humbucker pickup. I suggest dialing in your contour control knob to find the best synch with what ever guitar that you are planning to use with the amp.

  Overall Opinion

  If you are looking for a good amp that you don't have to worry about and just need for practicing or silent playing and you need that Marshall tone then this is a good amp for those purposes. This isn't going to go on stage anywhere or be good for recording, but if you need simplicity in a practice amp then this is a great amp for that. It has a good enough tone for getting your chops down or feeling out the neck of the guitar. I would recommend this to any Marshall fan looking for a solid practice amp.
  
  
  
  You cannot buy these new anymore because Marshall has discontinued them. So the used market is the only way to go now with these amps. I have seen them for around $120 or so.
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• 01/24/03

  MGR/Jim McDade's review "Marshall MG Series: G30RCD"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  Purchased from Bailey Brothers Music in Birmingham, AL after a long, determined search for a decently priced, but good quality practice amp. Paid $140 for a slightly dinged, but new floor model. I like to play rock and blues on my Fender Nashville Telecaster and on my modified (Tex-Mex pickups) Fender Powerhouse Stratocaster. I wanted an smallish amp with either a classic Fender or Marshall sound.
  
  
  
  Smooth as Formica clean channel, classic Marshall distotion (Albeit non-valve in quality). Adequate volume for home practice or small room gigs without a skin banging drummer present. You could spend a fortune on a solid state amp with jillions of cab models and effects, but the amplification will not be a bit better than what you get with the Marshall G30RCD. The CD input and headphone jack are also nice features for practice sessions and the foot switch input is nice to have.
  
  
  
  It seems that 30-Watts could be a bit louder, but this is one of the inherent limitations of all solid state amps. Perhaps a 12-inch speaker might be a nice touch to enhance the audio dynamics of this unit.
  
  
  
  This cabinet part of this amp is solidly built and ready for the road. The switches and pots have a high quality feel to them. However, the black vinyl covering is a bit thin and subject to tearing upon contact with sharp edged surfaces.
  
  
  
  This is an outstanding practice amp or beginners amp. You can play fine sounding blues, rock, R&B, or pop tunes through this baby with no problem. Very nice unit for either rhythym or lead style playing.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 02/08/02

  MGR/Tom"Froggy"Reilly's review "Marshall MG30RCD"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  I bought this from my local guitar store,it is my first real amp,and I paid $180 for it.
  
  
  
  This is my favorite amp because I've been playing for about a year or so and this one performs the best.It has a beautiful tone on the clean channel and great distortion.I can switch from playing something classical to playing Ozzy and not have a problem w/ the sound.It's a loud sucker too it's a 30w but it is loud I start rattling the windows when I crank it.All in all I'd say it's a good amp for someone past a tiny amp but not wanting to spend alot on a huge one.
  
  
  
  One(actually the only one)problem I have is that the clean channel good be a little louder.
  
  
  
  The construction is great(what else would you expect from a Marshall)and the quality is also superb.It's as nice rugged amp.
  
  
  
  From the sweet clean channel w/ it's fabulous reverb and the raunchy or growling distortion this has to be the best amp I have.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 11/07/01

  MGR/Anonymous's review "Marshall MG Series: G30RCD"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  I needed a modestly priced, modestly sized combo for practice and recording, but wanted good tone, good durabilty and two channels with reverb. I wanted quality tone but without the cost of tubes (valves), always a challenge! I decided that around 30 to 50 watts should be adequete and started auditioning amps from various manufacturers including Fender, Laney, etc.
  
  But I kept coming back to Marshall's very affordable MG series of transistor amps. I finally purchased the 30 watt model (G30RCD) from a small dealer in central London for £130 UKP.
  
  
  
  This amp provided exactly what I was after, it offers two footswitchable channels, the first is the clean channel with a fairly basic volume, treble and bass control set up but despite the simple controls it sounds very crisp and clear with my Telecaster plugged in. Channel two offers up far more controls for dirty/overdriven tones and being a Marshall, this didn't dissapoint! Offering gain, teble, mid, bass and volumne controls and has immense versatility for the price. The gain control is very responsive and can offer up a good impersonation of good ole blues tube tone right up to mental metal crunch. Scoop out the mids and it gets even scarier! Another excellent touch to speed up familiarity is the owners manual, which gives several suggested set-ups for the controls to suit various styles of music, eg. A blues setting, a rock setting, a metal setting etc. etc. so dabbling with the knobs whilst glancing at the manual soon starts to stir up tones that one likes. The final control is the reverb, and this is simply great, very deep and versatile (I never have it higher than number 3) and rounds the sound nicely. It also features some good inputs and outputs including headphones and CD in. All in all, a versatile twin channel amp. Also a bit of a surprise is the power and volume of this amp, it is much louder than I anticipated! It may say only 30 watts, but is a 30 Marshall watts! One could possibly even gig with it.
  
  
  
  There were some minor dissapointments with this amp, but NOT in the sound quality or build quality or the tone, just the facilites, which may have been dropped to get the price point right. For example, there is no Master volume control, just two separate volume controls for each channel, so after getting all your tones right, a change in volume level for a new environment means adjusting each channel individually rather than simply controlling the whole output with a master control. Another slighlty limiting factor is that the reverb is not footswitchable and is not independant for each channel, but works globally. Another slight let down is the fact that the channels are footswitchable (which is a facility I needed) but a footswitch is NOT provided, it has to be purchased seperately! When one considers the small cost to Marshall of chucking in a cheap footswitch, it does seem a bit petty to leave it out. I bought one afterwards, they are £11 UKP for the standard Marshall one or £16 UKP for the one with an indicator light for the channels, this is the one I went for as a light is handy in a noisy environment. Of course one could use a cheap non-Marshall one (say Maplins) for considerably less (around £5 UKP) but I wanted Marshall written on mine!
  
  
  
  The overall quality of this amp is great. The wonderful thing about Jim Marshall's products is that it doesn't matter how much you've got to spend, or small or big you want to go, you still get the great Marshall quality feel. A heavy, strong and well crafted cabinet, the same thickness and style as others in their range that costs loads more, no cost cutting here. It feels, looks and proabably is, bomb proof! All the controls work very well and operate smoothly, the whole thing has a real quality feel. And you've got "That badge" across the front, inspirational! Makes even me feel like a proper rocker!
  
  
  
  A great sounding, well built and suprisingly powerful amp for the small financial outlay, I would give it a 5 star score if it came with Master volume control and a footswitch, but still the best amp for the money that I could find at the time. 4 out of 5.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 07/25/01

  MGR/Anonymous's review "Marshall MG 30R CD"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  I purchased my Marshall amp from Aatone's Music at 36601 Newark Blvd.#ll for $179.00 That's the going price for these great little 30 watt amps. Small enough for home and rehearsals, but powerful enough for small performances. Ever since the days of the Fillmore West and Winter Land back in the 1960's Marshall amps have been used by some of the biggest legions of rock!
  
  
  
  This is a very versatile amp. It has two channels, a claen and overdrive. The 1st is the clean channel, it's great for jazz, r&b, soul and fusion. The second is the overdrive channel, it's really whales when playing hard rock, latin rock and heavy metal, ect ect. It also comes with built-in reverb, line out jack, headphone jack footswitch jack and cd input. It's really put together well, looks really professional.
  
  
  
  There's nothing I don't like about my MG30RCD amp as of yet. Dose what it suppose to do, it's small and light enough to carry around and it's sound much more powerful then it's 30 watts.
  
  
  
  This marshall amp is very well contructed. Look like it can take a licking and keep on jamming! The coners are well protected, the cabinet is sturdy and looks good.
  
  
  
  If you want a great playing amp that won't let you down, looks good, plays great! What ever style of music you play, get yourself a Marshall amp! You won't be diappointed. After all It's a MARSHALL!!!
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 10/01/09

  coolgamer's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Amp transistors 30 Watts;
  
  
  
  - 2 channels (Clean / Overdrive) with independent volume control.
  
  - CD input.
  
  - HP Output Emulation
  
  - Headphone output with HP emulation
  
  - 2 channel footswitches (Clean / Overdrive) with volume control
  
  independent.
  
  - 2-band EQ (bass and treble) for the clean channel and equalizer
  
  3 bands (bass, contour, and treble) for channel Overdrive.
  
  - 4 digital effects (Reverb, Delay, Chorus and Flanger) with control adjustment / selection and level control.
  
  - 1 gain control.
  
  - Channel selector.
  
  - 1 HP Custom-Voiced 10 ".
  
  - 1 CD input.
  
  - Ability to change channel at the foot via a footswitch optional (PEDL-008).
  
  - Dim (mm): 476 x 408 x 240, weight: 9.6 Kg

  Utilization

  The setup is simple:
  
  volume, bass and treble controls for clean channel
  
  Low volume, treble, mid and gain for the overdrive channel.
  
  
  
  for the effects we have a knob to select the effect and others to adjust the depth or intensity.
  
  
  
  Is easily obtained with a good sound settings manually, otherwise tampering with a little one gets to have the sound you desire.

  Sounds

  It is particularly suited to my style of music I play everything but at the time where I had bought it I was in my period as metal.
  
  The Overdrive channel delivers more sound metal so the amp does not suit everyone but if you use a conmptez effects pedal on the clean channel.
  
  The delay effect on the overdrive channel gives a nice sound I think, especially to play some solos.
  
  The clean channel is not too bad either, we come to settle for a sound like stairway to heaven.
  
  simulation of tube amps do not seem to me important, I do not feel any difference.

  Overall Opinion

  It's been a year since I use it and I do not understand the negative opinions of people is a very good amp, it does not amount to a marshall lamp but it's still an excellent amp.
  
  I tried the Line 6 spider 3 and another peavey 30 watts, of the three was the marshall who had the best sound.
  
  If I had to repeat the same choice it will be a big yes.
  
  Excellent value for money.
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• 03/05/09

  Pucelle_Dabidjan's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  It's a combo style amp transistor. Finish at first looks normal even if the average mini-amp low budget. What, in general, not always flying high.
  
  
  
  The advantage is that it has two channels, which is not always standard. The output to be a good idea too, but for this it should be fine. ;)
  
  
  
  (2) that take off wallpaper. For over one-Tech21 Trademark 30 (which represent the average in this category) or a mini BadCat cat (who represent the cream of the crop), it does not naturally follows.

  Utilization

  Yes, it's not an amp hard to handle. Except if you want to make out a good sound.

  Sounds

  That's about what I've heard worse in terms of sound. it does not deserve further explanation, the sound is unnatural, whatever your use. Harmonics out torture, dirty and loud this thing. The first time I heard it I thought it was a synth with a (bad) émulteur electric guitar playing. OH Great was my mistake! We can get a result "not just pathetic, but not even correct" for some purposes, but you will need some luck.
  
  
  
  In short, if you have no choice you can focus on that thing.
  
  
  
  (0) REALLY not worth anything

  Overall Opinion

  I also remember that this combo is devaluing so fast. Its average value in time is around 50-80 euros. You will even pay a lot to get rid of.
  
  
  
  I highly recommend to anyone just starting to turn to the ad vox, fender frontman, Roland cube, Rocktron Velocity or Tech21 Trademark 30. If Thune is your problem, go ogle the side of randall used. A RH100, an RG, a century old or Commander II are often sold at prices below any agreement and it still a hit more.
  
  
  
  (0) I do not recommend this purchase at all, ever, even in a moment of madness!
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• 02/27/08

  rmaqu's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  30W transistor amp
  
  2 channels, 2 band EQ (bass and treble)
  
  loop effects (reverb, chorus, delay, flanger) and amp simulation lamp.

  Utilization

  Simple configuration
  
  The clean channel is nice but the sound is not natural
  
  The overdrive channel is very rough and VERY difficult to get a good sound
  
  This amp for the clean channel could be right for blues, rock, pop overdrive channel but it is only suitable in very metal CRAD
  
  The manual is clear and sufficient

  Sounds

  I play rock, blues, hard rock of annnées 60,70,80 and it is very difficult to get the sounds I want (but this also comes from my guitar is an ibanez GRG170DX and not suitable too much for my syle of music): It is very difficult to get by against crunch sounds I think the clean channel is the sound I wanted to buy a marshall amp.

  Overall Opinion

  I use this amp for over a year and I board were very disappointed with its performance. Now I can get sounds not too bad but I can not wait to change the amp. I do not have that choice would do if I had to change amp
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• 06/26/07

  Robespierre's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Transistor
  
  
  
  30 W
  
  
  
  I have yet to try the line out with HP emulation.
  
  
  
  EDIT: really bad

  Utilization

  Config simple. I do not like the sound clean. It looks like an emulation of the Clean. It's pretty but lackluster and not very natural.
  
  
  
  The disto ... ok, there is saturation. It's too trashy. The contour knob is effective, but it lacks grain. It goes best with the reverb. But the gain is too high it is not subtle enough.
  
  
  
  The integrated effects is good (reverb delay chorus flanger)

  Sounds

  It is not a someone who want to rock "calm" Saturation is too much trash ... This gives a rough draft it's too bad.
  
  
  
  edit jai try the emulated line out with headphones: no surprise the sound is still too dirty. this is not the gain is a challenge but the clipping is too brutal bcp! and that the channel is called: overdrive! rather it is the big distortion!

  Overall Opinion

  No footswitch as standard, it is a little cheap ....( slight)
  
  
  
  I do not like the sound.
  
  
  
  It's not for me ... fortunately
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• 11/12/06

  banjo54's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  The marshall MG30RCD transistor is less than the marshall MG30RCD tube.
  
  distos marshall sound in that it is rough I prefer the clean sound is truly sublime for me personally it is on the sound distos is still good but I confess as soon as you turn up the sound it's really rough limit what you can play it on hard but not metal to play acdc is good but to play iron maiden its going to be hot.

  Utilization

  Setup is very easy to do as I say we get a good clean sound but his draft for distos.le manual is clear I have no problem.

  Sounds

  It suits me well for my style of music like the blues but I do not agree to the metal and hardcore. I love the chorus in the clear top is really great it has nothing to say either. my favorite is the sound clear sound for a good clear sound like having a nice mélodie.le I hate about the marshall sound is hard.

  Overall Opinion

  I have been using 3 ans.oui I tried other model as thereof.The price I paid is a bit expensive but still there is good I can not say the contrère. I advice to all who want to scratch a super clear sound but I would not recommend it to those who want a seriously hard.
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