Help Choosing Practice Amp

[lkpomn]

Blackstar HT-5R Combo or Marshall Class 5 Combo or Marshall Haze Combo?
Pros and Cons of each?
The Haze (40w) seems like it would be too loud for the bedroom setting I'll be playing in.
Also, is there any difference function wise between the Marshall Class 5 and the Class 5 Limited Edition?

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Get a marshall major and 2 6x12 cabs. if you practice in harsh conditions it will make it easier at game time.

[BlueFin]

Tweed always with the Tweed....... 5 watts should do it.

[Rhust]

there's a 15w version of the haze... with gain control you get some usability at lower volumes...

I didn't like the class 5, and they seem to be love em or hate em...

the blackstar would get my vote out of the 3 you mentioned...

ignore tommy

if you fill out the questionnaire we might have more recommendations...

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by Rhust

ignore tommy

[lkpomn]

Can someone please answer the following questions?

Is there any difference function wise between the Marshall Class 5 Combo and the Class 5 Limited Edition Combo?
Would the Marshall Haze 40W Combo be to loud for bedroom playing?
How does the Blackstar HT-5R distortion/overdrive compare to the "Marshall Tone"?

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by lkpomn

"Marshall Tone"

no such thing.

[lkpomn]

Originally Posted by TOMMYTHUNDERS

no such thing.

I meant Marshall Tone as in the classic Marshall sound.

[Rhust]

you might like the class 5 for "that" sound... but it will probably be at a sound level you wouldn't consider a practice amp... def. not a bedroom amp... to get that sound it has to be cranked... loud... I went to GC with my mind made up... I was buying a C5... played on it, and walked out money in tact.. it had to get louder than I wanted to have any type of that sound... no gain control, no master volume...

I believe the c5 and the c5 LE are the same except for looks...

the blackheart amps were created by engineers that worked at marshall... but I'd call them more of a modern tone, not 70s classic rock tone... idk about the haze 40, but the haze 15 didn't exactly have that classic marshall tone from the 60s/70s either...

the jet city 22 might be more your liking... or a blackheart... to me the JCA22 sounds marshallish, but maybe a little higher gain... maybe more jcm-ish? they are built by soldano and I think they are a good price...

we still don't know your budget, or really what you are after... as stated... the 'marshall tone' could be JCM, JTM, plexi, etc... do you mean judas priest's marshall, or jimmy page?

[stratoblaster]

Among my amps, I have a Marshall C5-01 and a Fender Super Champ XD. The Marshall is really a one trick pony. The low wattage switch is nice for late night playing. But the headphone jack sucks (for me at least). I know it wasn't in your list but... The Super Champ is a lot more versatile. Most of the 16 amp models are usable and channel 1 (with no models) is a very nice clean. I wouldn't want the C5 as my only amp unless the only sound I liked was the one it makes.

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by lkpomn

I meant Marshall Tone as in the classic Marshall sound.

ah, so the valvestate series.

[yawny]

Originally Posted by lkpomn

Can someone please answer the following questions?

1. Is there any difference function wise between the Marshall Class 5 Combo and the Class 5 Limited Edition Combo?
2. Would the Marshall Haze 40W Combo be to loud for bedroom playing?
3. How does the Blackstar HT-5R distortion/overdrive compare to the "Marshall Tone"?

1. No
2. Yes
3. It gets close, but can also cover higher gain territory. Think JCM800 Marshall, not JTM45 Marshall. Then again, probably no small amp will get "Marshall tone"

My .02? Look for something with a master volume if you're gonna be playing in your bedroom only, but out of these amps, the HT-5 is your best bet.

[lkpomn]

Originally Posted by yawny

1. No
2. Yes
3. It gets close, but can also cover higher gain territory. Think JCM800 Marshall, not JTM45 Marshall. Then again, probably no small amp will get "Marshall tone"

My .02? Look for something with a master volume if you're gonna be playing in your bedroom only, but out of these amps, the HT-5 is your best bet.

Thanks, I decided on the Blackstar Ht-5R Combo.
Does it need biasing when changing the power tube?

[yawny]

It'll still need biased, but the power tube should last a fair while and a NOS or "better" tube shouldn't need put in from the get-go.

Unless you know your way around tube amps, don't try to bias it yourself or touch anything inside or on the chassis, take it to a tech.

If you do know how to bias and such, have at it.

[FennRx]

i have the haze 40 and it works well for home use and playing with a band. when playing at low levels, i leave the volume down and use the pre-amp valve to control the gain. the 1x12 is capable of keeping up with a drummer as well, though hooking the haze into a 1960 cab really brings it to life.

despite its cheap tubes and construction, i have found my Haze to be worth the money I spent. And while it doesn't sound as good, it is able to keep up with my buddy who uses a DSL head. One thing I will admit though is that I do not like effects on the Haze. I find that they negatively affect the tone and so any effects I use come from my Boss ME-50. I also do not like that the 4-button footswitch is sold extra; I think that is a crock. ymmv

The Class 5 is also a nice little amp, though I prefer the EL34s in my Haze 40. I do intend on picking up a Class 5 head at some point though.

[rjwilson37]

The Haze 15w or 40w does not really have any classic Marshall sound, the Class 5 does have a good sound, but really needs a master volume to be usable at bedroom levels.

I think the Blackstar HT-5R combo would be your best bet, it has a nice Marshall tone that you can get as well as some harder stuff. The Blackstar HT-5 really has a nice gain, but the clean is a little stale sounding in my book, unless they have really really improved the clean since the prior HT-5 with the 10" speaker.

[FennRx]

Originally Posted by rjwilson37

The Haze 15w or 40w does not really have any classic Marshall sound,

depends on what you are defining as a marshall sound. if you mean a Bluesbreaker, then not so much. But at equivalent volumes through a 1960 cab, my Haze 40 doesn't sound too far off my buddy's JCM 2000 DSL.

It certainly can pull off a good 70s classic rock sound.

[logen99999]

depends which era of Marshall tone you are going after.

i am judging that your budget is around 400 - 500$

to get into marshall territory for that price i would look the 15 to 20 watt offerings from egnater, jet city, or blackheart.

i really really dislike the class 5. it's a horrible sounding amp to my ears. it has no life. I A/B the haze 40 watt combo with the class 5 and the haze was MUCH better. The Haze performed better when cranked particularly.

my advice, go with one of the three companies i mentioned above. Marshall doesn't have anything really amazing below 800$. other companies do.

or look into those new 1 watt era specific amps that Marshall is making now. they are built to represent the jtm, super lead, jcm eras of marshall's history.

good luck

[2themax]

One thing I've found, is that the youtubes on these little tubers do not really give you a good feel for the sound they give - you really need to go to GC or somewhere and try one. I bought a VOX AC4 based on few demos, yes you can get the tone that is described but sometimes at either whisper or ear blasting volumes not at all like an amp with a master volume where you can drive the tone stack and cut back the output volume.

For a practice amp I use a VOX AD30VT and it has 3 useable Marshall tones 70's, 80's and modern + a number of other models - Marshall makes a VT style and so does Fender with the Mustang . I only suggest these little guys because it gives you a lot of latitude in practice amp. The downside is they don't work with pedals - but the newer models have PC interfaces that allow you to create your own effects and save them.

I just say this as I was very dissapointed with the little VOX AC4TVH - and when I started using the marshall tones on the AD30VT I was pleasantly surprised.

Good luck...

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by logen99999

depends which era of Marshall tone you are going after.

i am judging that your budget is around 400 - 500$

to get into marshall territory for that price i would look the 15 to 20 watt offerings from egnater, jet city, or blackheart.

i really really dislike the class 5. it's a horrible sounding amp to my ears. it has no life. I A/B the haze 40 watt combo with the class 5 and the haze was MUCH better. The Haze performed better when cranked particularly.

my advice, go with one of the three companies i mentioned above. Marshall doesn't have anything really amazing below 800$. other companies do.

or look into those new 1 watt era specific amps that Marshall is making now. they are built to represent the jtm, super lead, jcm eras of marshall's history.

good luck

+1

the 1 watt marshalls are out of the price range, but seem amazing for 1w amps... I wish someone would leak those schematics and see if we can make a diy kit for reasonable!

i really really dislike the class 5. it's a horrible sounding amp to my ears. it has no life.

I thought it was just me... the youtube clips sounded good, I so wanted one! and then I played it, and I so DIDN'T anymore...

[stratoblaster]

I thought it was just me... the youtube clips sounded good, I so wanted one! and then I played it, and I so DIDN'T anymore...

I find it hit and miss. One day I get great sounds. The next I find myself questioning it.

[colchar]

Originally Posted by lkpomn

Blackstar HT-5R Combo or Marshall Class 5 Combo or Marshall Haze Combo?
Pros and Cons of each?
The Haze (40w) seems like it would be too loud for the bedroom setting I'll be playing in.
Also, is there any difference function wise between the Marshall Class 5 and the Class 5 Limited Edition?

The Class 5 is very loud too.

[rjwilson37]

I like my Blackheart Handsome Devil, which has a master volume and is switchable from 7w bedroom mode to 15w band practice/gig mode, which it also has a really nice tone to it. I had to change the speaker in the combo as well as the extra cabinet to get a great higher gain tone above half volume, but now it is totally sweet.

[nauc]

budget?