What's the Best
Marshall Amp?

Marshall Amplification need no introduction, but we’ve given you one anyway! As the main trendsetters for amp design since the early '60s, their amplifiers are still hugely popular in the 21st Century, with a bigger lineup than ever before.

Famous for their trademark “crunch”, Marshall pioneered the saturated distorted sound, which was an absolute game-changer. That’s why a whole raft of iconic guitarists such as Joe Satriani, Angus Young (AC/DC), Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society) and hundreds more have used their amplifiers to craft their distinctive sounds.

Many subsequent amp companies have used Marshall as their benchmark, building upon their foundations to push amp technology even further. Despite that, Marshall themselves continue to innovate and lead the way, over 50 years later.

So in this article, we’re going to give you some guidance on finding the right Marshall to make the sound in your head a reality. There is a lot of variety in their current catalogue, and the options available cater for guitarists of all genres and styles. We’re therefore confident that whatever your tonal tastes are, you’ll find a Marshall amp that you’ll love. But first, a short history lesson...

Jim Marshall founded his company all the way back in 1962, not long before Andertons Music Co. first opened in fact! With a successful store based in London, Jim stocked a variety of musical instruments and predominantly specialised in drums. However, a handful of Jim’s high-profile clientele, most notably Pete Townsend and Ritchie Blackmore, suggested that he should start stocking guitars and amplifiers.

Jim became aware of their frustrations with the amps that they used at the time, telling him that they couldn’t quite attain the sound they were looking for. Accepting it as a challenge, Jim Marshall formed a small team and together they started to build their very own amplifiers. And that is how the company began!

In the early ’60s, Fender amps were expensive to import, so Jim Marshall decided to start trying to replicate the Fender 59' Bassman. However, due to the availability of components, he ended up making something that sounded quite different – the JTM45! This was the first Marshall amp, and one of the most iconic. It used KT66 power valves (or tubes, depending on your persuasion) compared to the 6L6 valves of the Bassman, and higher gain ECC83 preamp valves, that the 12AY7s of its American cousin.

These changes resulted in more amp distortion, which became an increasing trend in the early days of British Rock and Roll. These JTM45s got into the hands of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Paul Kossoff, and created the famous “British Sound”.

Then came the legendary ’59 Super Lead (Plexi). This tube-driven head was a monster, with massive headroom and enough volume to fill almost any venue. Some of the first users of this amp were Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and the mythical Jimi Hendrix, cranking them to form the acclaimed Marshall drive tone.

Other successes followed, including the 2203 & 2204 heads from the mid-'70s. These amplifiers were groundbreaking at the time as they featured innovative distortion circuitry, giving players a saturated overdriven sound without having to literally turn up to 11! The JCM800 series was the outstanding sequel, becoming a studio staple that is still used extensively even today. With a tight and focused distortion sound, the JCM800 was the quintessential '80s rock and metal amplifier.

Moving in a different direction to accommodate players on a budget, Marshall unleashed the hybrid Valvestate series in the early 90s. Bridging the gap between solid-state affordability and pure valve power, the Valvestate series gave players convincing tube-style tones for a fraction of the price of their full-fat high-end counterparts.

The DSL amplifiers introduced in the late 90s featured pure valve-powered goodness, but at a more than attainable price. The Marshall DSL40C has been a best-seller at Andertons Music Co. for years, used extensively in our 'Sound Like' series on Andertons TV.

After more than 10 years in production, the Marshall JVM range has been a popular choice for many professional musicians, especially those looking for a hugely versatile amplifier that can cover all of the bases. Essentially giving you the “best of” many Marshall amps, the range of tones attainable with a JVM gives you almost no limits or hindrances.

Available in head and combo formats, the JVM range is split by wattage, amount of speakers and the number of channels. With the 50W versions giving you enough power to suit medium-sized venues, the 100W JVMs are absolute monsters.

*Please Note: The Marshall JVM Epic Deal is no longer running. The video is embedded to give you an idea of how the amplifiers sound.

The Dual Super Lead amps have long been a staple of the Marshall range, launched in the '90s to critical-acclaim. Renowned for their versatility and wonderful high-gain sounds, it's fair to say that Marshall's DSL amplifiers are modern classics. Unveiled at the 2018 Winter NAMM Show, the latest generation of DSLs offers the valve-driven tones of the originals but with several tweaks aimed at contemporary players.

That unmistakable British Marshall sound is evident when you plug into these, delivering that clear high-end and gloriously saturated mid-range. Thanks to a combination of ECC83 and EL34 valves and the DSL's famed gain structure, these things are as punchy as they are crystal-clear.

The Marshall Origin series hearkens back to Marshall's golden age of the 60s and 70s, with their original Plexi amplifiers. Offering up that vibe both tonally and aesthetically, these nostalgic amps give you that classic and unmistakable Marshall tone but at a fraction of the price of originals or reissues.

With all models featuring single channels just like their old-school counterparts, to meet the demands of modern players Marshall has fitted these amps with some updated refinements, so that both contemporary and traditional players are catered for. This includes effects loops for the pedal connoisseurs, emulated outputs for direct recording and power switching too!

Origin 5, Origin 20 & Origin 50 Combos

Available in three different sizes, the Origin Series combos all deliver those potent and iconic tones synonymous with the Marshall brand. All featuring a versatile 3-band EQ sections for adequate tone shaping, the 20W and 50W versions also have an additional presence control for further top-end tweaking. But there's also the unique 'tilt' control, which lets you blend between two preamp voicings for even more control of the upper mid-range.,

Origin 20 & Origin 50 Heads

Much like the combos, the head versions of the Origin feature the same features, to ensure optimal tones and functionality. Without the built-in speaker, these heads can be paired with any cabinet of your choice, making them more adaptable and also fairly portable to venues or recording sessions.

JCM800 2203 100W Valve Head

The legend itself, the Marshall JCM800 head is the amplifier that really defined that notorious Marshall “crunch” sound. The 100W 2203 model is still in production decades after its introduction, and has been heard on countless records from the 80s to present.

Driven by x4 EL34 power amp tubes, and delivering plenty of crisp, upper mid-range punch, the JCM800 provides the purest, unbridled amp tones imaginable. With the current model featuring a serial effects loop unlike the earlier models, this amplifier can serve as the ultimate foundation for your rig, taking pedals and effects particularly well.

With ‘high’ and ‘low’ inputs, this amplifier technically has two channels but they are not footswitchable. This is a disadvantage to those that like to easily switch between clean and distorted tones, but as it can take pedals very well, a great overdrive or distortion stompbox will have you covered.

The JCM800 is really in its element when used for recording, and it is a bonafide studio staple. With a full-bodied yet articulate clean channel that is able to really get into its sweet-spot when cranked, the signature JCM800 drive tone comes from its ‘high’ channel. Delivering a solid crunch to a super-saturated distortion tone, the ‘high’ channel is compressed, tight and slightly scooped-sounding, perfect for hard rock and metal genres.

JCM900 4100 100W Valve Head

The JCM900 is very similar to the JCM800 tonally, but just has a bit more gain and a more reactive EQ section. Extra design refinements however make it a more ergonomic choice compared to the JCM800, more suitable for the modern player.

Released in the early 90s originally, the 900 reissue carefully imitates the earlier models, with 2 footswitchable channels and dual reverb. This gives it an edge over the 800 from a usability standpoint, but the charm and ballsy tone of the JCM800 still keeps it a mainstay in Marshall’s catalogue.

In the spirit of reissues like the JCM900, Marshall have resurrected a few of their other classic amp models to satisfy the cravings of nostalgia-loving tone hunters. The iconic 1959 Super Lead 100 (Plexi) has been lovingly recreated, offering the pure old-school rock tones of yesteryear.

Marshall SC20H Studio Classic Head & Combo

The Studio Classic is a mini version of one of the most popular guitar amps in history: The famous JCM 800. The original was used by countless rockstars such as Billy Corgan, Jeff Beck, Tom Morello and more spanning many different genres of music proving just how versatile the amp circuit is.

It's available in this 'Studio Classic' format which is switchable between 20w and 5w depending on where you're using it. The lower wattage (compared to the original 100w head) allows you to drive the tubes at lower volumes and capture those classic tones easily.

Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage Head & Combo

The Studio Vintage, meanwhile, is a mini recreation of the legendary Plexi. Original Plexi amps were used by countless guitar heroes such as Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, John Frusciante and many more!

There's a reason that so many famous guitarists love the sound of a Plexi and when you plug into one and crank it you'll see why. They're clear and crisp with plenty of mid-range for you to cut through the mix but with oodles of sustain. Your fiery solos will be singing for days.

Vintage Reissue 1987X 50W Valve Head

The Marshall Vintage Reissue 1987X 50W Head is very similar to the 1959SLPX in terms of design, aesthetics and features, but has a slightly different voice. With half the wattage of its more deafening counterpart, the 1987X has a tighter tone that breaks up more easily at lower volumes, giving you a gnarlier saturated distortion. Also featuring an effects loop, this is an amplifier that can still stand up to modern demands.

Silver Jubilee

The Silver Jubilee has returned to Marshall’s catalogue in recent years, and after 30 years since its introduction it remains a desirable amp amongst their lineup. The Silver Jubilee is a darker-sounding version of the JCM800, however with a hotter distortion tone and a more modern design, it has a slight edge over the 800 when it comes to meeting today’s tonal standards.

The Marshall 2555X Silver Jubilee Head has 2 channels to let you set up between clean and drive sounds, sharing the same EQ section to retain some of its old-school vibe. With the ability to switch the wattage between a huge 100W down to 50W, this updated feature lets you set up the amp for different scenarios, whether that be venue sizes or for certain recording applications.

The signature 3 'mode' preamp system is the Silver Jubilee’s most acclaimed design feature. Its ‘Clean’ mode delivers a super-pure clean sound with hardly any drive colouration, letting you get a sparkly tone that can cut through a mix with plenty of width and headroom. The ‘Rhythm Clip’ mode adds slightly more gain, fattening up your signal for some ballsy mid-range punch, whilst the footswitch-enabled ‘Lead’ mode lets you attain a smooth high-gain tone for solos.

Mini 20W versions of the Silver Jubilee are available too - the Marshall 2525C Mini Combo and the 2525H Mini Head. With almost all of the same features, these little amps still provide plenty of volume and all the goodness of their bigger brother.

The Marshall MG has been a huge success for Marshall, becoming some of the best-selling solid-state amplifiers ever. Extremely popular with beginners for their affordability, these amps still provide the iconic Marshall sound but without the raw power of tubes. With a solid-state/transistor design, these amplifiers are suitable for bedroom levels, yet can still be turned up loud enough for gigs!

What does ‘solid-state amp’ mean?

It means that the amp doesn’t use analogue valves to attain its sound and produce a signal, but rather uses an array of transistors. One disadvantage of a solid-state design is that when the amp is cranked up loud, the tone delivered can sound like it’s ‘clipping’ and is therefore quite brash, as opposed to a traditional valve amp that typically sounds better and more saturated the louder it is.

However, many modern solid-state amps have been vastly improved to deal with this issue, and the MGs are no exception. The huge advantage that they have over tube amps though is that they are more reliable and less susceptible to reliability problems. This is because almost none of the components in a solid-state design will burn out over time, whereas a valve amp parts will need replacing every couple of years.

A solid-state amplifier like the Marshall MG will therefore be a solid workhorse amp, as they are far more robust than their valve-powered counterparts. Valve amps are fragile and need to be transported delicately, but a solid-state can take a beating, and they are also much lighter to carry too.

With regards to the MG range, there’s a huge amount of choice when it comes to size and features. Ranging from more-than-portable 10W and 15W combos all the way up to 100W power-houses, the MG range caters for those wanting a small amp to practice with at home as well as gig-ready players.

MG10G, MG15G, MG15GR & MG15GFX

Most typical 10W and 15W combo amplifiers will feature only 1 channel due to their size, but the smaller MGs boast 2! Giving you clean and distorted tones, these amps provide you with the essential functionality you’d expect from a more expensive amp.

Whereas the Marshall MG10G combo features a simple contour knob to affect the shape of your tone, the 15W versions have a full 3-band EQ to allow you to really control your sound. The MG15GR goes one step further too, with an additional reverb control to add some depth to cleans and lead tones.

MG30GFX, MG50GFX, MG101GFX & MG102GFX

Moving up the range, the 30W, 50W and 100W combos have a whopping 4 channels with full programmability. With gain, volume and EQ settings completely savable, you can tailor-make your very own customised channels/presets to suit a whole range of genres. Not only that, but these amps have built-in effects such as reverb, delay, octaver, chorus and phaser too, which are also savable! So if you’re reluctant to invest in pedals just yet, the Marshall MG built-in effects will have you covered in the meantime.

And with an included footswitch, you can easily choose between your channels on the fly. It’s worth mentioning that all Marshall MG amps have a headphone input too, meaning you can silently practice so that your neighbours don’t come knocking! An auxiliary input for MP3 players can also allow you to practice along with your favourite tracks - pretty cool right?

The CODE series is Marshall’s latest accomplishment, illustrating their move into the world of full-fledged modelling amplifiers. A trend pioneered by Line 6 originally, other amp companies like Marshall have adopted similar technology to accommodate players looking for more tonal options. Imitating the sounds of a range of renowned Marshall amplifiers, such as the JCM800, JVM and many more, the Marshall CODE amps also model cabinets and effects too!

Teaming up with software engineers Softube, the sounds from the CODE amplifiers are very convincing and can recreate the tonal properties of famous Marshall amps with great conviction. With an incredibly easy-to-use interface, consisting of a familiar 3-band EQ section and gain, volume and master volume controls, the CODE amplifiers also have additional buttons to allow you to switch between your favourite 14 preamp, 4 power amp, 8 cabinet and 24 effect models. With all of that tweakability, these ultra-versatile amps will keep you satisfied for hours on end!

Incredibly affordable like the MG series, the CODE amps are great options for beginners and intermediates. But the genuine feel and modelled tones offered by these amps will satisfy even the old-school traditionalists. To suit the demands of home players or regular giggers, the CODE is available in different sizes and wattages - 25W Combo, 50W Combo, 100W Combo and 100W Head.

The Gateway App

To give you more control over the sound of these models and to save space on the amp panel, the Marshall CODE series amplifiers have a compatible ‘Gateway App’ for smartphones, that can let you really dig deep with effect parameters and more.

Available for iOS and Android, with this useful app you can adjust your settings in real time, create and store presets, and even stream music directly into the amp via bluetooth. And with a headphone input, you can also jam along to your favourite tracks without disturbing your family or neighbours. The Marshall CODE amps really are built with the modern player in mind!

Back in the early '60s, Marshall gained its reputation at the hands of blues guitarists like Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend. Ever since, Marshall Amps have been firm favourites amongst blues guitarists for that "dirty blues" sound. If this is what you're looking for, we recommend a valve amp to get the most authentic tones.

You'll want an "edge of breakup" tone that can be pushed with pedals so you won't be looking at high gain Marshalls. The vintage inspired amps have less gain on tap - this is what you'll be looking for. We recommend checking out the Origin Series for great old Marshall tones and value for money. If you want a step up, try the SV20H Studio Vintage Head or SV20C Combo. Nicknamed the "mini-Plexi", the Studio Vintage is a 20W take on the legendary 1959 100W Plexi, made right here in England. At 20W you can get that cranked Plexi tone at a more reasonable volume level - but don't be fooled, it can still get LOUD!

Asking which Marshall is best for rock is a bit like asking which bread is the best for toast... Marashall is synonymous with Rock so it's really impossible to go wrong here. Every single Marshall amp will excel in this genre. If you're looking for '70s Classic Rock, take a look at the Origin or Studio Vintage. For a modern sound, you can't go wrong with the DSL Series or the Studio Classic.

The DSL Series is Marshall's do-it-all two-chanel amp that runs the gamut from clean to classic crunch to crushing high gain. The Studio Classic is a studio friendly 20W version of the iconic JCM800, which has been the quintessential sound of rock since the 1980s.

Marshall Amps are also a firm favourite amongst Metal Guitarists. For old-school Metal tones you can't go wrong with the JCM800 or its smaller and more affordable counterpart, the Studio Classic. For modern Metal you'll want to be looking at the DSL Series or the JVM Series - these are Marshall's multi-channel high gain monsters!

The JVM is Marshall's flagship high gain amp line and is the king of versatility. Each of its 2 channels has its own independent EQ section and effects loop, so you can place different effects in each channel. Both channels also have 3 modes, offering a range of gain and EQ voicings to tweak to your tastes. But behind all of these options is still the heart of a true Marshall, powered by ECC83 (12AX7) preamp valves, and of course 4 EL34 valves in the power amp!

As a beginner you'll want something straightforward, reliable and inexpensive that you can plug into and play straight away. So for that reason we wouldn't recommend a valve amp to a beginner. Your best bet will be to check out the MG Series for a simple, classic Marshall sound, or the Code Series if you're looking to try out a variety of different styles, thanks to its versatile modelling technology.

If you want a plug in and play amp with that unmistakable Marshall character, the MG Series is for you. These solid-state amps are incredibly rugged and easy to use, with all of your controls on the top panel. Plus, solid state amps sound great at low volume, so they're ideal for quiet practice. They also have AUX and Headphone inputs so you can plug in your phone and play along to your favourite songs, and go through headphones for silent practice.

If you're the type of person that likes to experiment with sounds and dive into menus of different options then the Marshall Code Series is right up your alley. With its digital technology you have a vast array of sounds to choose from with 24 in-built effects and 100 presets already made, you're sure to find a sound you really connect with! Much like solid-state amps, digital modelling amps also excel at lower volumes, and the code also features headphone and AUX inputs.

For practice & home use, reasonable volume is the name of the game - you've basically got 3 choices here: the Solid-State MG Series, the Digital Code Series or a low-wattage valve amp. If you're considering solid-state or digital, our advice is the same as above for beginner guitarists. These are the most practical and realistic solutions for getting good tones at bedroom volumes.

However, some of us just can't go without the sweet, unmistakable tones of a real valve amp. If this sounds like you, here's our advice... When it comes to getting the most from a valve amp at home volume levels, the rule is simple - the lower wattage the better! valve amps need to be turned up to compress and overdrive, so the less wattage you have, the quieter you can get to that sweet spot.

If you need to be very careful about your volume levels, the DSL1HR (Head) or DSL1R (Combo) may be the ideal solution. At just 1 Watt, you can get those beautiful saturated Marshall tones at levels that won't annoy the neighbours. You might be thinking that 1 Watt is useless, but I promise you that for home use 1 Watt is loud enough! (But don't just take our word for it, check out the customer reviews) In fact, it is likely too much for most people to use at home, but it has a handy Low Power mode, that drops it to approximately 0.1W.

In fact, the entire DSL, Origin and Studio ranges have inbuilt power attenuation, allowing you to reach those crunchy tones. But don't be fooled into thinking you can go out and buy a 50W amp, attenuate it and turn everything up to 10. Remember - the lower wattage the better! For that reason we recommend that you look at either the DSL or Origin range, and no more than 20W.

While the Studio Series is only 20W and has attenuation, it only goes down to 5W - this is too much for 99.9% of home use applications. The DSL and Origin amps can attenuate to less than 1W, where you'll really be able to get into that characterful Marshall breakup territory.

For recording, you'll probably want a high fidelity sound with plenty of harmonic content. For this reason we'd recommend going all-valve, for it's superior clarity and articulation. Our second recommendation is to chose something that's not too powerful - the reasons for this are twofold: Firstly, many of the great recorded guitar tones throughout history have been small amps cranked - think Jimmy Page, Brian May or Duane Allman. It just seems to be that small amps record better, perhaps it's due to their focused sound and moderate low-end that just sits well in a busy recorded mix? The second and more practical reason to stick to moderate wattage is that even if you're studio recording, you will still have to be considerate of your volume.

As the name suggests, the Studio Series are great amps for recording, at a sensible 20W they're well suited for studio volumes. Though inspired by old Marshalls, they feature modern appointments that can be extremely useful in a recording scenario. Unlike their vintage counterparts, the Studio amps all have effects loops, so you can keep your reverbs, delays and modulations nice and clean which will sound much better in a recorded mix. They also have DI outputs, which are especially useful for home recording, since you can record completely silently straight into your audio interface and use your favourite IRs to reach your desired sound!

The Origin and DSL are great options too for exactly the same reasons noted above: moderate wattage, modern effects loops and line out. Although it is worth noting that the DSL features an emulated line out with the DSL, it is an emulated line out with its own cab sim, so you can't select your own IRs, making it slightly more limited.

Here's where we start talking about some of the more powerful amps. The Code 50 or the MG 50 might be loud enough to gig with, although solid-state amps can sound a little flat in a live band mix, and solid-state amps don't always sound at their best when turned right up, whereas valve amps sound better when turned up. For whatever reason, valve amps are heard better in a live mix.

Your next consideration should be wattage, and this comes down to how much headroom you want. It's a common misconception that more powerful amps are much louder than less powerful. In reality, the maximum volume difference between a 20W valve amp and a 50W valve amp is almost indistinguishable. But higher wattage does offer more headroom. This means that is will have more clean volume before the amp starts to overdrive, so if you want a big clean tone and use pedals to get your drive sounds, you may want a 50W or even 100W amp.

If you want that classic Marshall crunch where the amp is naturally breaking up where you can use your guitar volume to control your clean tone, 20W to 40W will be the sweet spot - loud enough to get over the drums but able to reach the breakup point on the amp without permanently being told to turn down by the sound engineer.

With these considerations in mind, pick your poison - for the most authentic Marshall sounds, you can't beat the Vintage Reissue range - with JTM45s, Plexis, JCM800s and more. For total versatility the JVM Series is king, and for a more modest budget you can check out the DSL40 or Origin 50.

It's clear that there are loads of amplifier options available from Marshall. With such a wide gap between certain ranges in terms of price, Marshall have catered for so many players with their current catalogue.

And now we're at the end of this guide, the answer to the question "what is the best Marshall amp?" is simple...
There is no best!

Guitar tone is completely subjective, and it's worth knowing that the sound that someone really adores may be heavily disliked by someone else. If you clicked on this guide, you were probably already aware of what a Marshall sounded like, but the aim was to find the best one for your needs.

After breaking down their differences in terms of build and what they offer, we hope that you've been able to distinguish which amp suits your tonal needs the best. The flagship JVM has it all, with amazing versatility, features and the pure raw tones of valve power. However, if you're more into your vintage gear with a love for old-school nostalgic tones, then the Origin or Reissue series amps will not disappoint.

But if you want a low-maintenance, portable and adaptable amplifier that is ideal for practice and smaller gigs, then the amps from the MG and CODE ranges are more than good enough. Although beginners are the main demographic for these series', experienced players can still enjoy their tones and features, with solid-state and digital technology coming a long way since 10-20 years ago.