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the OD channel on my marshall blows chunks!


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To be honest, I've never liked the "High Gain" Marshall's crunch, nearly as much,

as the old single channel "Plexi" versions, that were played at their "Sweet Spot,"

both in volume and "natural" overdrive. There's just nothing like those, for that...except

maybe, a Fender Twin, or Dual Showman, played the same way. Two different tones

(Fender vs. Marshall) for sure, but equally "lovely!" [thumbup]

 

CB

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That's very strange for a Marshall,I have 3 Marshalls with either master volume or overdrive and they have the much loved Marshall crunch when in overdrive.Is your amp solid state or tube? If it's tube driven it's quite possible that you may have a weak output tube in the overdrive channel,if it's solid state it's quite possible that there is a malfunction in one of the ICs or chips in the OD channel.I wouldn't condemn the amp just for that because it may be as simple as replacing an output tube or chip.My newest Marshall is a 1984 JCM 800 4210 model with overdrive and I have yet to do as much as change a tube in it.If you decide however to get an overdrive pedal,the Marshall Guv'nor is about the most compatable overdrive for Marshall as they are voiced to give you the roar of a full bore Plexi,the crunch of a JCM 800 or just a clean volume boost.Either way I doubt that your fix would cost much.

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There are a lot of pedals on the market, Ive not tried them all but Ive done lots of checking them out. I had one of these back in the day (1980's) and I still think IMHO this Drive Master Marshall is the best one ever made. So if you can find one get it, the new Marshall pedal's are not as good, again, this is my option. I have a Marshall Jack Hammer pedal that I bought new about 6 years ago, I have only been able to find 1 or 2 acceptable setting's that it sound's "good".

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IS7_JCip-c&feature=related

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELerIq9b_wo&feature=related

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I use a Keeley Fuzz head to boost my Marshall Steve. I know what you mean about the MA series lacking in the overdrive channel. I heard of people using a Boss SD-1 to give that specific amp a nice boost. Might be worth looking in to it for you. WOn't break the bank either or take away from the vodka fund. Maybe come to canada and try my Keeley out lol

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I use a Keeley Fuzz head to boost my Marshall Steve. I know what you mean about the MA series lacking in the overdrive channel. I heard of people using a Boss SD-1 to give that specific amp a nice boost. Might be worth looking in to it for you. WOn't break the bank either or take away from the vodka fund. Maybe come to canada and try my Keeley out lol

 

me and fuzz don't get on scott, i use my mxr fullbore metal to satisfy my musical grunt needs...still don't explain why marshall have got siht [unsure]

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The MA series were designed for no frills to keep cost down. I'd check the Marshall forums out to see what they might recommend or trade it in and get a JMD series....total kick *** Marshall lol

 

Love mine however I do use the Keeley to give it a little boost as well for those Metallica tones.

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To be honest, I've never liked the "High Gain" Marshall's crunch, nearly as much,

as the old single channel "Plexi" versions, that were played at their "Sweet Spot,"

 

 

CB

 

Yeah Buddy!

It's kinda like a Porsche, There is NO Substitute.[thumbup]

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I wouldn't be surprised if the OD channel of the Marshall IS a pedal, as in an IC circuit.

 

I can't say with any real knowledge what is in the amp, but since the JCM800, the overdrive channel is simply adding a chip (a small SS device, just like an OD pedal) to make the extra high gain channel.

 

Not using the high gain channel and substituting a pedal of your choice is a perfectly valid way of doing it. Back in the 80's when they made the first channel switching ones, the high gain channel was a complaint for some, and many choose to ignore it and judge the amp on what the 'normal' channel does.

 

Just opinion, but I think Marshall has done a pretty good job on some of their SS high gain sounds, and can be very 'Marshally'. I can understand a lot of players liking it, and even buying a marshall based on what they like from the SS parts of the amp (if and when that is the case). But, I wouldn't toss a Marshall if it didn't have it there. I think what makes a Marshall a Marshall is what happens with the pre-amp and power amp tubes.

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One other question...when you came to realize that the OD channel blew, were you on or off vodka? Big difference here lol.

 

I'd say just throw a pedal on it. Ibanez Tube Screamer t-808 re issue comes to mind. Digiteck Grunge, that pedal has plenty of distortion. Another one I really like is Radial. I always wanted one but never have the funds or don't think of it when I'm shopping for gear. Mr Hammet has one in his gear vault..just sayin.

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In my youth I loved the original four input Marshall's cranked right up. I don't think that sound can be replicated by a master volume. I had a Marshal 50 master volume but it sounded fuzzy. I always wanted a Boogie!!!

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