Marshall Studio 15 or Budda Superdive 18?

[blaster]

I am looking for an amp for nice overdriven sounds, but I need something for home use. So far I was just about to purchase the Budda SD18, but someone told me about a Marshall Studio 15 for sale that might work for me.

I have the Vintage Fender sounds cover, just would like something else.

Any suggestions?

[jay66]

The Budda SD 18s are great sounding amps. Have you tried one? I see you want it for around the house. Keep in mind that 18 watts is quite loud!!

[blaster]

Jay - I only heard samples of the SD and thought they sounded great. Also, they have a Master Volume just like the Marshall which would work for me.

The one thing I heard about the Marshall Studio, is that it has a built in attenuator for about 1 watt.

[juggernaut]

I went for the Suhr Badger. I had a Budda sd18 for a while, great amp also. But for me,the Badger is awesome.

[jay66]

I tick off my neighbors regularly with my sd 18. On the drive channel it is just the master volume and drive. The clean channel has its own seperate volume that works with the master.

[bosstone]

I have had two of the Studio 15s. They are a nice sounding amp but suffer from having a too small cab. They are also not very versatile. For studio use they are great especially when plugged into a large cab. They would be good for small gigs but the Badger is probably a better choice, all things considered.

[blaster]

bosstone - I am using mine at the home. Is the small cabinet really bad?

Anyone else have the Studio 15?

Also, does the Studio 15 have the "Marshall sound"?

[Sparky6string]

After trying my Studio 15 through a larger cab I can say that yes, the cab holds the Studio 15 back. I kinda wish mine was a head, but I can use it as a head or as a combo right now so I should just leave it alone.

I agree with bosstone on every point except when he says they are not versatile. They have excellent cleans and dirt, and they take pedals surprisingly well. The multiple outs on the back help with the versatility of the amp. Yes it has the attenuator which is really a headphone out, but IMO the internal speaker does not sound good through it. It's good for headphones though, and IMO VERY good for recording as it records after the power section. Also has balanced and unbalanced line outs, both of which I have used to great effect. I have used the amp itself as a monitor and plugged the balanced line out into a board, and it sounded great.

The distortion on it reminds me most of a JTM45 I think. With an OD pedal it can get closer to JCM 800 or plexi sounds. Really it's it's own thing though. You would need to try it for yourself to know if it's for you. Hope this helps.

[bosstone]

Originally Posted by Sparky6string

After trying my Studio 15 through a larger cab I can say that yes, the cab holds the Studio 15 back. I kinda wish mine was a head, but I can use it as a head or as a combo right now so I should just leave it alone.

I agree with bosstone on every point except when he says they are not versatile. They have excellent cleans and dirt, and they take pedals surprisingly well. The multiple outs on the back help with the versatility of the amp. Yes it has the attenuator which is really a headphone out, but IMO the internal speaker does not sound good through it. It's good for headphones though, and IMO VERY good for recording as it records after the power section. Also has balanced and unbalanced line outs, both of which I have used to great effect. I have used the amp itself as a monitor and plugged the balanced line out into a board, and it sounded great.

The distortion on it reminds me most of a JTM45 I think. With an OD pedal it can get closer to JCM 800 or plexi sounds. Really it's it's own thing though. You would need to try it for yourself to know if it's for you. Hope this helps.

The sounds are versatile, it is more that there is no channel switching, effects loop, reverb etc.

Yes they do sound like a Marshall and I would keep one stock and use it as a combo for some things and through a larger cab for others. Too bad I sold my Studio 15s now that I have discovered Marshall 4 X 10" cabs that I have modded with a rear port. That would be a nice combo.

Incidentally, if you have a Studio 15, you will discover that past noon on the mid knob, the gain gets increased very noticeably.

[Sparky6string]

Originally Posted by bosstone

The sounds are versatile, it is more that there is no channel switching, effects loop, reverb etc.

Yes they do sound like a Marshall and I would keep one stock and use it as a combo for some things and through a larger cab for others. Too bad I sold my Studio 15s now that I have discovered Marshall 4 X 10" cabs that I have modded with a rear port. That would be a nice combo.

Incidentally, if you have a Studio 15, you will discover that past noon on the mid know, the gain gets increased very noticeably.

I'm with you on the channel switching. Seems that we have similar tastes. I wish all my amps had channel switching sometimes, but my favorite amps these days don't have it. I'm trying to get used to riding my volume knobs.

And ya that mid knob is something isn't it? Very interesting effect.

[908SSP]

My Studio 15 sounded better with a Scumback in it that V30 is awful. But even better through a 4x12. The Master is really good as it is PPIMV so you get the phase inverter tube involved in the distortion. It is not high gain but take pedals better because of it. Very nice tone even compared to my real deal Plexis.

[thelionsden]

I personally did not care for the Studio 15 I had very much. I think there are better choices. I haven't tried the Budda but I have heard good things about it.

[bosstone]

Originally Posted by 908SSP

My Studio 15 sounded better with a Scumback in it that V30 is awful. But even better through a 4x12. The Master is really good as it is PPIMV so you get the phase inverter tube involved in the distortion. It is not high gain but take pedals better because of it. Very nice tone even compared to my real deal Plexis.

I didn't try a Scumback or green back but I did try it with a pre Rola, G12-65 Celestion Blue and an EV FORCE. I didn't get a significant improvement with those speakers. I did with larger cabs though. It can sound a lot like a Marshall 2204 through a large cab.

[RKHIII]

Wasn't crazy about the Studio 15 I had either...owned it for a coupla years and just sold it a week or two ago. Let your ears be the judge though...and if you want one, Chris at www.chrisguitars.com just posted one on his site.

[SvenHock]

I have had both, still have the Budda. More versatile and better sounding all around.