Marshall Class 5, first tube amp?

[YugoDaWolf]

so yeah, a friend of mine who has been playing for a while now owns a marshall class 5 and a PRS guitar ( dont remember the model ) he tells me i shoud get that for some good classic rock tones, then i asked " but its only 5 watts, will it cut it? " and he responded " you have no idea " the marshall class 5 woud be in my price range for sure...and finding a job will take a good while...so...shoud i? i am going to try it first but what are your honest toughts about this amp beeing my first tube amp? help? ._.

[kfowler8]

Haven't tried one but I love low watt amps. Depends on what kind of tone you're looking for. Don't let watt fool you on how loud it is. Unless you want to play really clean, 5 watts of tube is LOUD!!!!

[deepblue]

Don't shoot the messenger here, but do a search.
There are alot of threads here about the Class 5.....some guys were disappointed and were looking for mods to tweak the amp. I have heard about rattling issues as well. Basically it's a low quality Marshall that comes in a pretty box.

[beanx]

check out reviews on youtube, i was going to pick one up a while back but ran into the money problems. Everything ive found about them says they are a great great amp. I ended up picking up a little epiphone galaxie 10watt for $150 and am satisfied with that for the time being until i can get more cash together. Dont let the lower watage fool you like the previous person said, my 10watt epiphone galaxie is probably 2x louder than the last amp i had which was a 40watt (i think) fender mustang 2 if i crank it all the way it will rattle windows and its just a little tube amp. Unless your playing profesionally or just have tons of money to blow there is no reason to go above the 10-15 watt range i bet you wont crank it past 12'oclock the whole time you own it.

You Tube

You Tube

Marshall Class 5 - the sound of epic AKA "Amp in a warehouse" - YouTube

Marshall Class 5 - the sound of epic AKA "Amp in a warehouse" - YouTube

[SoWhat?]

In case you don't want to do a search, here is my opinion...

The Class 5 is not a quiet amp. Many people mistake the 5 Watts to mean Bedroom Practice amp. The problem is that, in order to get the Dirty Marshall Tone you crave, you have to crank it up. Or use an over drive pedal. In either case, if you can get the tone you want at a reasonable volume, or using headphones, it is OK. I like mine best plugged into a 2x12 cabinet.

The single coils sound best to my ears, and the Humbuckers sound a bit "tight". Real snappy, without the real deep bassy tone you get from a bigger tube amp.

My advice to you would be to consider the Haze Combo. They are about the same price as the Class 5 and you can get great tone at low volume, since they have the "Boost" switch. Plus you get 2 channels, effects, and a foot pedal. Only problem for some is that it is not made in the UK.

My 2 cents...

[Justin_Case]

The latest version of the C5 has a 1/4 watt output switch on the back - basically the headphone jack's output is being sent to the speaker if there is no headphone jack plugged in.

[EooN_PL]

I wouldn't buy a class 5 just because of one thing - THE PRICE.

Like seriously, there are many amps with more features and etter tones than the class 5 and still a few bucks cheaper/more expensive.

Take a Laney VC15 for an example. Or even the (in)famous Bugera V22. Or a Blackstar HT5, HT20... Used Tiny Terror combo or head+cabinet... Vox AC15...

Man, there are so many options that it would be a shame to buy such an overpriced, farty amp.

But of course feel free to disagree.

[mdubya]

I have a Class 5 and it is loud, loud, loud. I play it set clean with a pedal in front most of the time.

I would look at Jet City JCA 20 or Picovalve, and Black Star HT 5 among others while you are considering a Class 5. The C5 is a cool little amp, but there are better sounding amps out there IMHO. Luckily, I already own a couple that are.

[beanx]

Originally Posted by EooN_PL

I wouldn't buy a class 5 just because of one thing - THE PRICE.

Like seriously, there are many amps with more features and etter tones than the class 5 and still a few bucks cheaper/more expensive.

Take a Laney VC15 for an example. Or even the (in)famous Bugera V22. Or a Blackstar HT5, HT20... Used Tiny Terror combo or head+cabinet... Vox AC15...

Man, there are so many options that it would be a shame to buy such an overpriced, farty amp.

But of course feel free to disagree.

i do like the marshall class 5, but he is right there are other better amps for the same price, maybe alittle more, or less.

[matmont1305]

If your after the famous Marshall dirt, be prepared to have hostile neighbors, as it's a non master volume amp, the only way to get the dirt is by cranking the volume.
I know from experience, you won't be cranking this amp if the Mrs is watching TV anywhere in the house (unless you have a really big house).

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by EooN_PL

I wouldn't buy a class 5 just because of one thing - THE PRICE.

Like seriously, there are many amps with more features and etter tones than the class 5 and still a few bucks cheaper/more expensive.
.

Truth.

I wanted one too... until I compared the competition...

for the price of a C5 you could get a Defender 5H (not much different than the C5 if you ask me, for less than $100) AND a Fender vibrochamp xd ($150) both all tube, both 5 watts like the class 5... and both together is less than the class 5... there's also the vox lil' night train or AC4tv... all still less than the C5... and the list goes on and on...

[nauc]

fill out this

Pre-Amp buying questionaire

[Danno1985]

I just popped my Class 5's cherry, playing it out for the first time tonight in a bar, and it was definitely loud enough. I mean, not if you're expecting Fender Twin cleans. But if that's what you want, buy a Blackface Fender. Classic Marshall tone (screw that master volume preamp-gainy JCM900 shit) at volumes that filled the club without melting everyone's face off. Several people came up afterwards and asked me a million and one questions about what kind of Marshall it was, how old it was, and dropped their jaws when I said it was 5 watts! I absolutely disagree about it being "farty" or whatever, maybe a little when I first got it, but it only sounds better and better as the speaker breaks in.

I have one of the newer ones with the non-rattly rear panel and low-output mode. I actually find myself practicing along with the stereo all the time in the low power mode, and it's actually loud enough to sound good without getting the cops instantly called (that happens to me enough as it is). I think it would be a great first tube amp; I picked mine up for $350 right before they jacked the price up. There may be some brand snobbery here, but honestly it for that price, or even a bit more, I think it's a great deal. It sounds like a real Marshall in a package that allows those of us who want the classic Plexi tone but don't need to fill Wembley Stadium to really get that cranked Marshall sound.

[foxtrot]

I wanted a Class 5, up until the moment I played one. Tone is quite a personal, subjective issue but the Class 5 really disappointed me.

I thought the Marshall Haze, on the other hand, sounded pretty good. There are some bad reviews about the quality of the construction, etc, though.

Definitely try out the Class 5 like you said you plan to, you might really like it. However, for whatever it's worth, I'd recommend a different amp (marshall haze, a blackstar, a blackheart, used orange, basically what others have already said).

[bluefrog]

I have a class5 (modded) I say it is not a beginners amp per se.
doable but a fender champ-XD is more versatile and offers more for the money.
If marshall then a haze combo or forementioned others...

[YugoDaWolf]

wow, i did not expect so much advice to be honest ._. i did find it a little too pricey for the sound :S i am now considering the marshall haze or maybe the blackstar Ht-20.
thanks to everybody so far, you have helped me alot. the only option i have is keep looking for something up to 30 watts that i like, but you sure gave me some names to look up.

THANK YOU GUYS.

[Gridlock]

I just bought a new C5-01 from Guitar Center (before the $100 price increase) and I love the amp. I bought it mainly for practice. The new .1 watt feature is great for late night practice and the amp kicks ass with a few pedals (OCD and Holy Grail). No rattles with the new design. With a band it would have to be miked.

A great first tube amp for the money.
Recommended.

[rjwilson37]

Originally Posted by YugoDaWolf

wow, i did not expect so much advice to be honest ._. i did find it a little too pricey for the sound :S i am now considering the marshall haze or maybe the blackstar Ht-20.
thanks to everybody so far, you have helped me alot. the only option i have is keep looking for something up to 30 watts that i like, but you sure gave me some names to look up.

THANK YOU GUYS.

I would do the Blackstar over the Haze every day of the week. I have the Blackheart Handsome Devil, which is similar to the Marshall Class 5 tone wise, but the Blackheart HD has a lot more possibilites as well as a master volume and a 12" speaker. I was trying them side by side and just thought the overall tone was nicer on the Blackheart. The Blackstar HT-20 is nice and would be a great option for you, the cleans are good and the gain is awesome, so you can't go wrong with that one.

[Justin_Case]

I picked up a Sam Ash C5 combo in white a few weeks back for $320 and like it. At $500 - I'd be looking for more. Bigger / better speakers or a true multi-watt.

Today I ordered a C5 head with the Sam Ash Easter coupon at 16% off and will look to find the right cab for it in the future.

[YugoDaWolf]

right now i woud say its between a blackheart and a blackstar ht-20. loved the overdrive on the blackheart but the cleans....i cant get to like them.
as for the ht-20 so far the voicing makes it sound very close to a Fender but not quite on it, and the overdrive is pretty good, its overall a very flexible sound in my opinion.

this has to be the hardest desicion ever, as for the haze 40.....um....meh....i think i really need to go to the US to camp at guitar center and see what they have...too bad its a 2 hour drive just to get there and im in mexico :/

[EooN_PL]

Mate, I just got my HT-20 combo and I can tell you that:
1) There are some sweet clean tones in this amp. Fender-ish so to say
2) There's SHITLOAD OF GAIN on tap. And I mean it. But the nice thing is that you can set the gain on let's say 50% (brutal!) and then back off your guitar's volume to get some lovely tones.
3) Digital reverb is an awesome thing to have.
4) Two channels with included footswitch is a very convinient thing.
5) It has an effects loop (good thing to have).
6) It looks very classy.

The only drawback I think there is, is the speaker. I have the impression that something is not allowing this amp to show its full potential and I'm guessing it's that Celestion 70/80 that's inside. But hey, it might be just the case of the speaker breaking in, right?

Oh, and another VERY important thing. This amp has a marvelous master volume circuit.
In conjunction with two separate channel volumes you can get very natural sounding tones at very nice, apratament friendly volumes. I think this makes it the ultimate home practice amp. Forget Blues Junior, forget AC15 - modern approach of Blackstar lets it work better at lower volumes.

Those are mine impressions after about 40 minutes spent on noodling around. I'm not sure if I really like the amp though, but i think my heart is saying "yes" while the mind is looking for any drawbacks.

I'll give you more impressions after I mess around with the amp some more.

[MagPel]

I don't get why everybody keeps saying the really low watt (1-10w) amps are so loud. I run my 15w tube amp flat out at band practice through a 1x12 cab and i have a hard time getting through enough sometimes. And we're not a really loud band at all. The drummer hits fairly conservatively.

Maby im getting old and deaf... :-)

[Chop'emDown]

Originally Posted by MagPel

I don't get why everybody keeps saying the really low watt (1-10w) amps are so loud. I run my 15w tube amp flat out at band practice through a 1x12 cab and i have a hard time getting through enough sometimes. And we're not a really loud band at all. The drummer hits fairly conservatively.

Maby im getting old and deaf... :-)

It depends on the size of room. 5w in a small room can blow the doors off.

[Rhust]

not only that, but a 1x12 cab isn't going to be pushing as much air as a 2x12 for the same wattage... if I was playing with a full band, I'm taking my tremolux(40 watts) and 2x12 cabinet, and ear plugs... I already have ringing in my ears, I don't need more...

also, depending on the room, a drummer might sound louder even when he's playing softer... still, I'm not packing the peavey for a drummer, bass, sure.

[ANEAS]

Originally Posted by Chop'emDown

It depends on the size of room. 5w in a small room can blow the doors off.

Low wattage amps can be quite loud when played through very efficient speakers...the end result has more to do what efficiency of speaker not the watts being powered by....5W into a 103 DB speaker is the same as 10W into a 100 Db speaker....So if your playing through a cab of 90 DB speaker you will need more power to reach the same audio level......JIM

[Chop'emDown]

Originally Posted by ANEAS

Low wattage amps can be quite loud when played through very efficient speakers...the end result has more to do what efficiency of speaker not the watts being powered by....5W into a 103 DB speaker is the same as 10W into a 100 Db speaker....So if your playing through a cab of 90 DB speaker you will need more power to reach the same audio level......JIM

+1.

Excellent advice.

[MagPel]

Originally Posted by ANEAS

Low wattage amps can be quite loud when played through very efficient speakers...the end result has more to do what efficiency of speaker not the watts being powered by....5W into a 103 DB speaker is the same as 10W into a 100 Db speaker....So if your playing through a cab of 90 DB speaker you will need more power to reach the same audio level......JIM

I got as sensitive of a speaker i could find for the price i could afford to make the most of the watts. My 1x12 sports a celestion g12h30 and it's got a 100dB sensitivity.

Maby i should try it through a good 2x12 and see.


I just had to comment since i have seen so many people commenting on small amps being so LOUD and that's not my experience. My MLP35 on the other hand, when it gets here, that i do expect to be LOOOUUUD.

[rjwilson37]

Originally Posted by MagPel

I don't get why everybody keeps saying the really low watt (1-10w) amps are so loud. I run my 15w tube amp flat out at band practice through a 1x12 cab and i have a hard time getting through enough sometimes. And we're not a really loud band at all. The drummer hits fairly conservatively.

Maby im getting old and deaf... :-)

What 15w amp do you have?

I am pretty sure your problem is that you only have a 1x12 cabinet, where a 30w Peavy Classic 30 combo can push enough air through a 1x12 for band practice and small gigs and a 15w 1x12 sometimes can't. I have the Blackheart Handsome Devil combo and had to add an extra 1x12 cabinet for gigs and band practice, pushing more air by using a 2x12 or 4x12 will most likely solve your problem.

[MagPel]

Originally Posted by rjwilson37

What 15w amp do you have?

I am pretty sure your problem is that you only have a 1x12 cabinet, where a 30w Peavy Classic 30 combo can push enough air through a 1x12 for band practice and small gigs and a 15w 1x12 sometimes can't. I have the Blackheart Handsome Devil combo and had to add an extra 1x12 cabinet for gigs and band practice, pushing more air by using a 2x12 or 4x12 will most likely solve your problem.

It's sort of a homebrewn thing. An old 50's hi-fi amp that i modified for guitar. It's fairly close to an AC15. It'll probably see more home use soon, but upgrading the cab is a good idea if i want to use it in a band setting again. Thanks for the input guys.

[rjwilson37]

I can't believe they are going to raise the price on the Class 5, it was not worth it before at $399 and now they want to sell it for $499. If they put a seperate volume and gain as well as a 12" speaker, then it may be worth $399, but not the way it is currently. The Blackstar HT-5R is $449, which has 2 channels, foot switchable and reverb to boot, now that is really worth $449 and when you buy from Musicians Friend at 15% discount, it is under $400 which is totally sweet.