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Manu_06
Published on 10/08/09 at 01:05
See below.
UTILIZATION
The configuration is simple but requires time to adapt and understanding to take advantage of every opportunity to the amp (as opposed to a conventional single-channel head).
Indeed, the Vintage Modern series has two separate gain knobs (for the same preamp, normal is the single-channel): Body and Detail
These two settings are acting in opposite directions, the first boosting the treble and one bass.
At first I tended to settle in the opposite direction. But do not be afraid to test all possibilities. One can obtain a range of distos quite impressive.
The other two switches are the important settings Dynamic Range and Mid Boost.
The first is used to boost the amp. In practice it is used as a channel selector (crunch / distortion or bright / crunch according to the settings).
The other, as the name suggests are used to boost the medium. Once engaged, the distos sound much more modern and aggressive.
So like that, it looks a bit complicated but it's worth it to lean on so the possibilities are increased tenfold compared to a conventional single channel head (of the JCM800 has to worry about).
For the note I would not 10/10 because of the digital reverb very inefficient. The same applies to the setting of presence (by habit I rule more than half, but it's very subtle).
SOUNDS
With regard to the sound palette I'm more surprised with time. Crunches are instinctively what is intended and yet this amp in High Dynamic Range and Mid Boost can be switched to obtain distos very modern (but not a high gain head of course).
The clean sounds are not far behind. Playing with the settings and volume of the guitar you get a real clear sound which is rather rare in Marshall.
Of course it will be difficult to move from a totally clear to its saturated fat again because of the nature of the single-channel amp. This will play the guitar volume, as the old (it is really that we can leverage 100% of the potential of the head).
In terms of style, I play punk / hardcore and metal mainly (as what) but also blues and old rock from time to time. If it is clear that this amp is perfect for these last two styles (I have an SG standard and a 1960 Vintage baflle is pure happiness), we can totally take things more "edgy" with the head (as long as there is not a follower of the bidding low and gain). For the punk / hardcore is ideal. For the metal, it was more like hitting the heavy stuff and some old-school but everything is possible (a tube screamer and a noise suppressor at the input may be the case).
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for several weeks and I appreciate more day by day. I thought I had made a big concession on the possible styles for the benefit of the sound quality but in the end it is not. I play pretty much anything I want with this amp.
I am a fan of plug and play so it suits me perfectly.
I've played on various Marshall (JCM800, 900, 2000, JVM410) and still plays regularly with a Mesa Boogie Solo 50 studio to rehearse. With the JCM800 amp is that I like most. I could not tell if his memory is very close but in return it offers many more possibilities and flexibility than the latter.
Compared to Mesa, I find this amp warmer with more character but also much less metal type.
Compared to a JVM410 there is no comparison so I found this last cold and unusable (unnecessary headroom and blows galore).
I strongly suggest at least the test even though I think it speaks especially to fans of Marshall (conventional heads, Plexi and JCM800 type). I also think mainly it's the best head you may have at this price (about 1100euro)
Ultimately Vintage Modern Series is for those who think the sound is coming primarily from the guitar playing and who do not like gas plants. It's really a vintage head at heart but given up to date (adding an effects loop, reverb digital gain and more possibilities). In short, what everybody expected from Marshall.
The only "fault" that I could find him just the black / purple. It will be the most beautiful effect associated with the baffle, but I would have preferred a classic black. But it's really quibbling.
Otherwise, perfect down the line.
EDIT: Head exchanged after one year. In the end it remains a single channel and it can show its limits in a group. The dynamic range can not act as true second channel. Will have one change in volume when it is switched on and EQ (common to both modes) is no longer optimal.
Nevertheless it remains one of Marshall with the most recent character. A two-channel version would be perfect (even if in the end all the best have always been single channel Marshall: JCM800, JCM900 SLX-, Plexis ...).
UTILIZATION
The configuration is simple but requires time to adapt and understanding to take advantage of every opportunity to the amp (as opposed to a conventional single-channel head).
Indeed, the Vintage Modern series has two separate gain knobs (for the same preamp, normal is the single-channel): Body and Detail
These two settings are acting in opposite directions, the first boosting the treble and one bass.
At first I tended to settle in the opposite direction. But do not be afraid to test all possibilities. One can obtain a range of distos quite impressive.
The other two switches are the important settings Dynamic Range and Mid Boost.
The first is used to boost the amp. In practice it is used as a channel selector (crunch / distortion or bright / crunch according to the settings).
The other, as the name suggests are used to boost the medium. Once engaged, the distos sound much more modern and aggressive.
So like that, it looks a bit complicated but it's worth it to lean on so the possibilities are increased tenfold compared to a conventional single channel head (of the JCM800 has to worry about).
For the note I would not 10/10 because of the digital reverb very inefficient. The same applies to the setting of presence (by habit I rule more than half, but it's very subtle).
SOUNDS
With regard to the sound palette I'm more surprised with time. Crunches are instinctively what is intended and yet this amp in High Dynamic Range and Mid Boost can be switched to obtain distos very modern (but not a high gain head of course).
The clean sounds are not far behind. Playing with the settings and volume of the guitar you get a real clear sound which is rather rare in Marshall.
Of course it will be difficult to move from a totally clear to its saturated fat again because of the nature of the single-channel amp. This will play the guitar volume, as the old (it is really that we can leverage 100% of the potential of the head).
In terms of style, I play punk / hardcore and metal mainly (as what) but also blues and old rock from time to time. If it is clear that this amp is perfect for these last two styles (I have an SG standard and a 1960 Vintage baflle is pure happiness), we can totally take things more "edgy" with the head (as long as there is not a follower of the bidding low and gain). For the punk / hardcore is ideal. For the metal, it was more like hitting the heavy stuff and some old-school but everything is possible (a tube screamer and a noise suppressor at the input may be the case).
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for several weeks and I appreciate more day by day. I thought I had made a big concession on the possible styles for the benefit of the sound quality but in the end it is not. I play pretty much anything I want with this amp.
I am a fan of plug and play so it suits me perfectly.
I've played on various Marshall (JCM800, 900, 2000, JVM410) and still plays regularly with a Mesa Boogie Solo 50 studio to rehearse. With the JCM800 amp is that I like most. I could not tell if his memory is very close but in return it offers many more possibilities and flexibility than the latter.
Compared to Mesa, I find this amp warmer with more character but also much less metal type.
Compared to a JVM410 there is no comparison so I found this last cold and unusable (unnecessary headroom and blows galore).
I strongly suggest at least the test even though I think it speaks especially to fans of Marshall (conventional heads, Plexi and JCM800 type). I also think mainly it's the best head you may have at this price (about 1100euro)
Ultimately Vintage Modern Series is for those who think the sound is coming primarily from the guitar playing and who do not like gas plants. It's really a vintage head at heart but given up to date (adding an effects loop, reverb digital gain and more possibilities). In short, what everybody expected from Marshall.
The only "fault" that I could find him just the black / purple. It will be the most beautiful effect associated with the baffle, but I would have preferred a classic black. But it's really quibbling.
Otherwise, perfect down the line.
EDIT: Head exchanged after one year. In the end it remains a single channel and it can show its limits in a group. The dynamic range can not act as true second channel. Will have one change in volume when it is switched on and EQ (common to both modes) is no longer optimal.
Nevertheless it remains one of Marshall with the most recent character. A two-channel version would be perfect (even if in the end all the best have always been single channel Marshall: JCM800, JCM900 SLX-, Plexis ...).