Marshall Class 5

[RectoGriz]

I just picked up a Marshall Class 5. These things are going to take the world by storm for $400. I just can't say enough good things about this little economy buster! Unless I mysteriously received some kind of fluke Custom Shop masterpiece... The English are Back!

[Blakemore Effects]

I'm curious in hearing more about these. They look pretty cool, but I heard there was a rattle issue. I haven't heard many clips really. You able to make some?

[RectoGriz]

No recording gear at home Blake. No rattle either. btw... Timmy Good!

As for the Class 5, in simple terms... maybe some of my excitement comes from nostalgia. From '75 to '85 I played thru a Marshall 1987 JMP 50 watt head. All I'm saying is this thing has a lot of the the same attributes. As well as... thru the years I've played thru a lot of Blues Jrs. and as for comparison to another popular $400 amp... the Class 5 is going to embarrass a whole lot of BJs.

Here are the noticable outstanding features... for $400...
Very articulate.
Very loud.
Very well built.
Very lightweight.
Very much 'not' tweed.
Very much 'great' bass response.
Very much looks like a mini-Bluesbreaker.

I have nothing to gain by promoting these things, I'm just excited a $400 amp can sound this good. I'm tired of spending $2500 a pop just to hear great guitar tone. That said... I won't be selling my Bad Cat anytime soon!

[Blakemore Effects]

The Timmy showed up today? Awesome! I didn't think it'd show up until Monday. Glad you like it!

These amps do look cool. I've never thought of purchasing a Marshall before, but these interest me a bit. Thanks.

[vmann]

Hi Recto

Don't know if you've had time or opportunity but is it loud enough standalone for gigging, assuming small venues/clubs?

Thanks,
Jim

[Totally Bored]

Great amp and loud as hell. Have not gigged mine yet but I will. Gotta love the Marshall crunch.

[RectoGriz]

With a fair amount of uncertainty that's probably a no vmann. But... it's loud for 5 watts so I feel like it could pull it off for some. Would depend more upon style, clean headroom needed, drummer volume, mic'd up or no, vocal mic bleed, etc. I can see it working out for some and others laughing at the possibility. With a dynamic band and no huge need for clean headroom and with good sound reinforcement I give it a shot in a heartbeat.

[manimal]

Hmmm, I currently have an Orange Tiny Terror head and Blackheart cab, which sounds great to me when very loud, for both cleanish to raging heavy. It does have a master volume which is great, but at times I'm just not into the preamp distortion. I like the idea of a smallish but substantial all-in-one EL34 combo that I can tailor the gain with at all volumes with a good OD pedal. Would I be nuts to consider selling my rig to obtain one of these Class 5's? I'm very intrigued!

[777]

Can it get a real nice overdrive at loud bedroom levels? I'm not talking whisper quiet, but I'm not talking about deafening loud either. Just a 'good kinda loud' in the practice room.

[manimal]

Well, I have played one in a some-what large store, and it was just mega-loud before breakup, too loud where the sales-guys were trying to help other people and stuff. Nice amp for sure, just not sure if I should sell my TT for something like this.

[XmasTree]

...they are NOT MADE IN ENGLAND, buddy

They do sound awesome though, i am a lil interested and Thank You for your detailed review

[RectoGriz]

Yup, you're right XmasTree. I just opened it up and a chinese fellow has been in there. He made the speaker as well. I figured they were getting the circuit board or the complete chassis from China but the review I read made it sound as if they were being assembled in England. I should have known better I guess. Does anyone know the real story as for the build and assembly?

I don't get the mega-loud before breakup thing. It breaks up good at some pretty reasonable levels to me. I did just hook it to a vintage G12M Greenback and it's a much fatter animal. Thick grindy and creamy syrupy stuff. Pretty much Kieth Richards out of the box though. At studio levels.

I'm sure there will be many upgrade kits coming out. Some nice transformers, metal input jack, a standby switch, etc. They'll be another one of those cheap amps that some folks sink way too much money into. Monday night I'm planning on trying my Allesandro Muzzle on it. Some different tubes. Should be interesting for some realizations.

So far, I'd have to say I recommend, but I'd play one before selling other gear. I'd also say that just like anything else in electronic musical instruments... you get what you pay for... and these are $400.

[auratnik]

Wait until it start to rattle.

[SgtThump]

Now wait a second... I thought they were Made in England?

[RectoGriz]

I thought so too Thump, but as it turns out I'm guessing the chassis is assembled in China. I'd like to know the real deal. Best case maybe the chassis is assembled in England from some Chinese parts? Several reviews talked about the pride of the Brits building it there.

aura, I don't think this one is going to rattle. I pushed the chit out of it and never heard a rattle at all. However, it may be too late now that I've played thru my vintage Greenback 12" in a Rockbox cab I can't make myself go back to the chinese 10" in the combo cab. With the Greenback it's cream city.