Buying a new amp and spoilt for choice!help!

[ShReDdA]

Yes. I've just recieved my profit share from work which means i have a thousand pounds to spend on a new amp. I sing and play rythm and lead for a blues/rock band, i suppose you could say we sound a bit like zep mixed with the black keys , hendrix etc. I've been using this 15 watt marshall for years and finally i can afford something decent with cash. I once bought a 100 watt tsl half stack but it had tubes missing so i took it back, realising it was prolly too much for what i needed anyway, kinda worked in my favour. so im looking for something wth that classic blues/rock tone and the amps im thinking of are -
Marshall tsl122 combo
Marshall tsl602 combo
Marshall dsl50 half stack
Marshall 1962 bluesbreaker reissue (id guess this would be clean and require a pedal to bring up the gain, but it looks mean lol)
Fender hot rod deville

I also saw some guy play a jcm 900 half stack, they any good?

Hope you guys could shed some light onto this, i feel like a kid in a sweet shop.

I had intented to buy a combo, but after going to a local gig last night, its seems everyone has half stacks. and they do sound and look awesome. Also Is it worth looking to buy 2nd hand?

Cheers guys.

[red5]

I would not get a new Marshall. The 2000s are pretty bad for all tube Marshalls.

JCM 900s were actually pretty decent if you turn them up and get them properly biased (and use EL34s which I prefer). The SL-X 900s have 4 preamp tubes and the rest have clipping diodes which limits your tones a bit.

If it has to be a Marshall, look for a JCM 900 or JCM 800. You can afford a vertical input JCM 800 with that kind of cash.

If you want a combo, I strongly suggest looking into the Peavey Classic 50. Probably the best clean / cleaner amp out there and sounds like a sure fit for you for blues and classic rock.

[thebigugly]

I agree with red5. Marshalls are not the best investments in amps. You would do well to research other options or read other amp threads here. Joshua

[Algiman]

You seem to have this thing for Marshalls! This may have been right up your street:
http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43850
and you would have cash left over for other toys! PM me if you're interested, I haven’t got round to selling it yet.

Back to your question:

I'd take negative comments about the 2000s with a pinch of salt. Many people don't like them but they could be just what you are after. They don't sound like 900s, which disappointed many people, and some people have had reliability issues (the one I had was fine). Personally, I think they lack the character of older models. What killed it for me was the poor channel switching - drops outs and volume swells jut annoyed me, hence moving to the 6100s.
900s are great too.

[adamcbest]

iwill say i owned tsl for 3 years.. and i ahted it.. very gritty.. i wanted something smoother.. with warmer gain. i'd look around at other brands.. i'm not saying "hate marshall" but please go out and try many different brands

[Ant1981]

Originally Posted by red5

I would not get a new Marshall. The 2000s are pretty bad for all tube Marshalls.

JCM 900s were actually pretty decent if you turn them up and get them properly biased (and use EL34s which I prefer). The SL-X 900s have 4 preamp tubes and the rest have clipping diodes which limits your tones a bit.

If it has to be a Marshall, look for a JCM 900 or JCM 800. You can afford a vertical input JCM 800 with that kind of cash.

If you want a combo, I strongly suggest looking into the Peavey Classic 50. Probably the best clean / cleaner amp out there and sounds like a sure fit for you for blues and classic rock.

I find this very interesting indeed, what you say about diode clipping.

Personal experience is what is needed. I have the SL-X with four preamp tubes, as well as another JCM 900 with three. And there is hardly ANY difference in the sound at all.

[Armann]

I have had Marshall's and if you want that special Marshall sound then
get one but I think JSX get's my vote right now.

[Gresh]

I'd suggest something no more than 50watts, JCM 800s are great amps if you get a good one and many techs can mod them to tweak to your tastes. Also check out Laney amps, great sounding stuff too. If you gig a lot then portability is going to be a consideration, as will fewer trips to the car/van...making multiple trips sucks and it's usually when gear gets stolen...but tube combos are like carrying around a volkswagen.

[rgr]

I would recommend a 50W head and a 2-12, the dsl50 head with 1932 cab would be a nice setup. You can still do it in one trip, cab in one hand and head in the other, still beats trying to carry a 2-12 tube combo in one hand, IMHO. Closed back cabs sound better to me also.