All user reviews of 3/5 for the Marshall MG101FX [2009-2011]

This is the 100 watt amp in this series. They have wattage amp that range from all over the map for these amps. This one ha basically the same features and tone as the others but just in a 100 watt version. They produce a usable tone and nice jamming type practice amp for someone needing something with built in effects.


Marshall MG100FX Features

* 100 watt output
* 4 storable channels
* Digital effects including Delay, Chorus, Phaser or Flanger
* Digital reverb
* Power amp damping
* MP3/Line input
* Emulated Line/Headphone output
* External Effects Loop
* MG footcontroller compatibility


UTILIZATION

Reverb & FX
The MG100FX amplifier provides three simultaneous effects, Reverb, Delay and one of three Modulation effects (Chorus, Phaser, or Flanger).

Tap Tempo
Use tap tempo to set your delay times as easily as tapping your foot. Tap Tempo switch is used for the Delay effect only.

MP3/Line In
Jam along to your favorite bands or personal recordings by connecting to your MP3 or CD player to this convenient 1/8 inch input jack.

Headphones & Line Out
The Headphone/Line out provides speaker emulation, so you can hear your guitar like its being blasted through powerful speakers or record direct to a source without using a microphone.

Damping
Make it sound like your using 2 completely different amplifiers. When Damping is Off the power amp response resembles the feel of a classic power amp with emphasized middle and limited bass and treble. Switching Damping On will boost the speaker resonances both in the bass and high frequency ranges.

FX Loop
The FX Return socket on the rear panel is used to connect the your favorite external effects pedals or processor. The FX loop is series and set at instrument level so both guitar FX or professional units can be connected.

SOUNDS

This is a good practice amp and that is about it. It is beyond me why you would need 100 watts of solid state tone, but hey whatever works for them. Don't try to go out and gig with this amp though because the sound man will laugh you right off the stage. Use a good Gibson Les Paul with this amp or another guitar with a humbucker style pickup in it. You need that extra coil to try and tame some of the harsh frequencies inherent to this amp.

OVERALL OPINION

These amps come in new right at around $550, which is a bit high for me. This is not a tube amp and does not have the fell what so ever of a real tube valve amp. You can find other amps used and new with tubes for less than this. Start with Blackstar and you will get a solid sounding tube amp. You won't get the effects but who cares. It is a much better performing amplifier.

This is Marshall attempt at the introductory amps for the beginner or low budget guitar players. You get 100 watts of power and a front end digital processor. 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.

You get four channel for quick jumping and storage. This is easy for those with limited space and money and don;t want to shell out a ton of money for amps, cabinet, and effects galore.

UTILIZATION

Features
100 watt output

4 storable channels

Digital effects including Delay, Chorus, Phaser or Flanger

Digital reverb

Power amp damping

MP3/Line input

Emulated Line/Headphone output

External Effects Loop

MG footcontroller compatibility

SOUNDS

This amp is not a tone monster and will not and should not be on any stage where I play. This is a basic practice amp and light jamming at home amp. You get four programmable channels with what ever effects and distortion/clean/crunch tone you like. So if you want four different tones that you can quickly jump to and from then this is a good amp for that. You don't need to go out and buy a bunch of equipment and effects because all of the are right here built inside. That is fund if you just need to practice at home or in the office. This amp sound best with a Gibson Les Paul or Sg. I love the Marshall's and Gibson s just connect tonally.

OVERALL OPINION

At the new price of about $499 it isn't that bad of a buy. 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.