Flight959 Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Hi, Any of you guys got any experience with the Marshall Vintage Modern series (2466) amp? I have the chance to get one for a very good price (New)but I have to travel to get it. Other reviews I have read seem to have good things to say about them. Anyone got any negative opinions? Thanks in advance! Flight959 Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossroadsnyc Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Hi Flight, I have a vintage modern and it's the best amp I've ever played through. I really can't say enough good things about it. The only thing I would point out is that it's an amp that is designed to be cranked - you really need to turn it up. I'm not a fan of pedals, though, when playing at bedroom levels I will use one so I can get a better dirty sound at lower volumes - and if you have a quality pedal it won't be an issue. I think that w/out pedals it sounds a bit too buzzy at lower volume levels. Any negative opinions you will read are going to be primarily from people who forget that the controls on the guitar are there for a reason. It's a single channel amp which is designed to switch between clean/dirty sounds via the volume and tone controls as opposed to stepping on a bunch of channel switching buttons - this is true whether you are playing in low or high dynamic mode. The high dynamic mode isn't a 2nd channel, but rather just adds another preamp tube into the mix. Don't let a bunch of teenagers who are familiar only with pod-like devices, or multiple channel amps, steer you in the wrong direction - any negative reviews they post are simply a matter of not understanding how to use the amp or, frankly, their own guitars. On that note, I will also point out one thing (which could actually be a legitimate concern via any negative posts you may have read) - the amp is designed and geared toward blues, classic rock, and 70's/80's hard rock/classic metal. What I mean by that is if you are a fan of a brutal modern metal sound, this amp probably won't be for you. If you haven't paid a visit to the vintage modern forum, I would suggest doing so. Like here at the Gibson forum, you of course have your cheerleaders waving pom pom's, but you also have a lot of people who can give you some honest feed back - and a lot of their threads should address some of the questions you might have. If you want to know anything in particular feel free to ask and I'll do my best to help. I wasn't sure what to cover here in my response so I left it fairly general. Having said that, I'm a believer in this amp - barring theft or just simply giving out due to old age, I don't think I'll ever buy another amp. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnstrom Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 On that note, I will also point out one thing (which could actually be a legitimate concern via any negative posts you may have read) - the amp is designed and geared toward blues, classic rock, and 70's/80's hard rock/classic metal. What I mean by that is if you are a fan of a brutal modern metal sound, this amp probably won't be for you. +1 I agree and I love this amp for that fact! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight959 Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 crossroadsnyc , Thanks very much for taking the time to leave your response. I currently have a Marshall MG Head and a 4x12 cab. It's a great amp but its time for mr to move on. 70's 80's rock is the sound im after. I have considered ordering the 1936 cab as the 4X12 cab I have is too big.. Do you drive your amp through a Marshall cab? I used to have an Orange Tiny Terror Valve amp which was great but wanted to move to Marshall for my Gibson... Iam sure I will be in touch when I get it.. Flight959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Negative: This should not be "My First Marshall" amp. You will have less of a learning curve if you already know what you're doing. Positives: Virtually EVERYTHING else about the amp. I actually considered getting one of these instead of my Les Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossroadsnyc Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 For better or worse, I live in NYC, so I am somewhat limited in terms of what will work in terms of both volume levels as well as ease of transportation. For that reason, I purchased the VM 2x12 combo version (50W). Doesn't take up too much room in my apartment, is easy to toss in a cab, and the volume levels I can achieve are perfect for any situation I could encounter here in the city (even if it needs to be miked - which it hasn't yet). If I ever get an invite to play Giants stadium I might consider the 100W head (I know it's superficial, but stacks do look very cool!). A lot of the fellas over at the vm forum use the 1936 and seem to be very pleased with it. Actually, I am pretty sure I've seen a number of threads over there that are specifically focused on different cabs/speakers. In truth, you could find out more from them than I could tell you. I'm just a combo guy. If you are after the 70's/80's sound, the VM is your amp. No question. I completely agree with you about pairing your Gibson with a Marshall - you simply can't go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossroadsnyc Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Negative: This should not be "My First Marshall" amp. You will have less of a learning curve if you already know what you're doing. Positives: Virtually EVERYTHING else about the amp. I actually considered getting one of these instead of my Les Paul. I have to partially disagree with this - only reason is that the learning curve is very beneficial to you in the long run. If you learn how to control the volume/tone/dirt with the controls on your guitar then you are way ahead of many people who rely on simply pushing a button. It will not only teach you how the guitar and amp interact with each other, but it will ultimately bring you closer to the FEEL of that interaction. I'd also say that the learning curve is really quite easy - it takes 3 weeks to form a habit - so if you stick with it and discover the relationship between yourself, your guitar and your amp, it will quickly become second nature. While you are rocking out and focusing on your music, your mates will be stumbling around trying to figure out what button they want to push or step on (which I think looks silly anyway). I think everyone should have a single channel amp as their first amp. Leave the multi-channel/button toys for later on when you just want something extra to fool around with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I appreciate the thought, but if you are trying to find a certain sound, this amp is a bit more difficult to do it on than other Marshall amps. That is my point. Yes, tossing some one into the deep end and telling them, in the long run this will make you a stronger swimmer is one way to do it, just not one I would recomend. I appreciate that your opinion is different, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossroadsnyc Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I appreciate the thought' date=' but if you are trying to find a certain sound, this amp is a bit more difficult to do it on than other Marshall amps. That is my point. Yes, tossing some one into the deep end and telling them, in the long run this will make you a stronger swimmer is one way to do it, just not one I would recomend. I appreciate that your opinion is different, though [/quote'] I'm not attacking what you said, Chan - I think you are making a very valid point - very valid. I should have probably mentioned that if you don't have patience, then it could grow to be frustrating. I think the reason I'm so "go team!" about the VM is that it took me 23 years to find "my tone" - and it didn't happen until I purchased my VM - so admittedly there is some personal bias in the fact that this particular amp ended my search. Good thing we have choices to fit all of our particular interests / needs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom99SS Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 This is a great amp. But as crossroadsync stated, you must have patience with this amp. It is not a simple plug and play type of amp. It took me a few weeks to get the tone I liked. One thing I did was keep a log of my settings as one day it would sound great the next day I did not like it. That is the nature of the amp. So many different tones you can get out of it that it just takes time to find your tone. With my settings I can go from Foghat to AC/DC to Zep to Bad Company like tones (not exact but similar types of tones) by using the volume/tone knobs and pickup selector on the guitar. Agian, like was mentioned this does 60/70/80s rock very well. Just my thoughts. Try one out and as mentioned,go here Marshall VM forum for more info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossroadsnyc Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Tom, great advice! I did the same thing when I first purchased the amp, in so far that I kept a little journal of the settings I was using from day to day. Like you, it took me a few weeks to dial it in the way I wanted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Yeah, hey Cross, I didn't feel attacked . I was just reinforcing why I said what I did. I LOVE the VM amps and hope to be able to afford one some day LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV-Zeppelin Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 flight959, you won't be disappointed with a Marshall Vintage Modern, especially with your playing style (70s-80s rock.) I don't own one myself, but have played through them quite a bit, and they're awesome. My only criticism is that (as crossroadsync stated) you really have to crank it up before it reaches that "sweet spot" for tone- similar to the JVM stacks. My other problem with this amp is that it's not quite versatile enough for me, its really only meant for clean and dirty. I play through a Marshall AVT275 which isn't a pure tube amp, but is much more versatile and eliminates the need for pedals (expect for my Vox Wah, of course.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadCase Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Great points guys! First off, I don't get the bad reviews I've read about this amp (not from here or not that I believe reviews anyway). I think most of the bad reviews are from people who didn't take the time to figure out how interactive the amp and guitar controls are. I was interested in the JVM 410, it's impressive. But sitting nearby was the Vintage Modern, I had to test drive it too. I was really impressed! I could get all kinds of tones from the JVM but none as sweet as I could w/ the VM. I was looking for versatility but remembered from other amps I've owned that mega buttons and multi this and that is really not practical. All these tones / buttons and you only end up using the favorite settings anyway. Keeping this in mind I really A/B'd them well. I wanted the JVM but the VM came home w/ me. This amp is very versatile for what I need. As far an amp like this for a first tube, I don't know, I don't see how you can go wrong, great tone is great tone. I spent a lot of money looking for "the" amp. This is it for me, I've lost interest in looking for other amps. I wish I could say the same for guitars! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Great points guys! First off' date=' I don't get the bad reviews I've read about this amp (not from here or not that I believe reviews anyway). I think most of the bad reviews are from people who didn't take the time to figure out how interactive the amp [u']and[/u] guitar controls are. I was interested in the JVM 410, it's impressive. But sitting nearby was the Vintage Modern, I had to test drive it too. I was really impressed! I could get all kinds of tones from the JVM but none as sweet as I could w/ the VM. I was looking for versatility but remembered from other amps I've owned that mega buttons and multi this and that is really not practical. All these tones / buttons and you only end up using the favorite settings anyway. Keeping this in mind I really A/B'd them well. I wanted the JVM but the VM came home w/ me. This amp is very versatile for what I need. As far an amp like this for a first tube, I don't know, I don't see how you can go wrong, great tone is great tone. I spent a lot of money looking for "the" amp. This is it for me, I've lost interest in looking for other amps. I wish I could say the same for guitars! Good luck! Great review! Mind if I blame this when I go get one?? "hey Honey... It's all Headcase's fault, but...." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Mind if I blame this when I go get one?? "hey Honey... It's all Headcase's fault' date=' but...." :P[/quote'] That sounds like a great strategy to me. Think I'll try it too! How many of us could blame s**t on Tim? :P "I know I don't need this guitar, honey, but Tim's GF encouraged him to buy one!" That might just work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight959 Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 Cheers guys! Thanks for the great advice! I will let you know within the week if the VM is coming home or not. Regards Flight959 Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight959 Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 Woooooo hoooooo!!:D The Vintage Modern is coming home! Should get it some time this week... Thanks guys. The Marshall forum is full of useful great info.. Flight959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossroadsnyc Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 good choice, flight - you're going to love it :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight959 Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 Thanks... might PM you for some setting suggestions to get me started if that's ok? Flight959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossroadsnyc Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Thanks... might PM you for some setting suggestions to get me started if that's ok? Flight959 definitely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadCase Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Mind if I blame this when I go get one?? "hey Honey... It's all Headcase's fault' date=' but...." [/quote'] Good luck w/ that one! Stuff like that doesn't fly around my house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 That sounds like a great strategy to me. Think I'll try it too! How many of us could blame s**t on Tim? "I know I don't need this guitar' date=' honey, but Tim's GF encouraged him to buy one!" That might just work![/quote'] ROFL MAN... do I like the way you think!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight959 Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 Just bringing this back round for a member asking about the 2466 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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