Can you describe a Marshall tone?

[peperonn]

bright?

 

[metropolis_4]

One other thing about Marshall tones - some of the best ones sound terrible when you’re playing by yourself, but brilliant in a band mix!

 

[smolder]

Heavy mids and lots of bass is the common denominator for me. There are as many Marshall tones as there are Fender.

I have a 50 watt plexi clone that has some beautiful cleans ; )

 

[markybird]

I'm sorry, what ? I can't hear you........... what's that ringing in my ears ???????

 

[GasBubble]

 

[markybird]

Oh, and most people hear it before t is even turned on. A Marshall amp looks iconic.

I agree with the sentiment that often it sounds better in a band mix than in isolation.

 

[dronerstone]

Raunchy, nasal mids.

 

[hugbot]

Its the "kerrang" that comes from the bright cap, with a hint or raspiness in the top end and less tight low end compared to a modern high gain amp.

Blackstars sound like marshalls without the raspiness (which can make them feel kinda dark). Friedmans sound like marshalls with tighter lows.

DSLs sound like marshalls, but bad.

The Line 6 Helix Marshalls are modelled from ones with the bright cap removed, so they dont sound right until you put a shelving EQ in front.

 

[alex mansman]

There are so many versions of Marshall tone depending on the user. That's my favorite part of a crunchy plexi sound - it's a sound that can go anywhere depending on what the player gives it.

One of my favorite examples is the ACDC Live album from '92. Track 2 on disc 1 "shoot to thrill". That intro is such a fantastic capture of great live Marshall tone. Then on disc 2 check out "Highway To Hell". That's what it's all about

 

[Jarick]

AC/DC
Jimi
EVH
GNR

There’s thousands of great recorded Marshall tones over the years that have a wide variety in sound because the amps are so different over the years. But it usually starts with one of those.

 

[kyolic]

"Can you describe a Marshall tone?"

Yes:

 

[spikey]

Yes, I can describe a Marshall tone. The Plexi in my Axe-FX III Mk2. And the one in my Marshall DSL 100H of course. They both have that Marshall tone.

 

[Mac70]

Ringo says it sounds like a chainsaw in an octopus's garden.

 

[Rocco Crocco]

Am I the only one who always turns the bass almost all the way down on Marshall amp sims?

 

[phil_m]

Can you describe the Eiffel Tower to me using interpretive dance?

 

[CarlGuitarist]

Strident, a bit unforgiving, lots of mids and when handled properly, glorious.

 

[smallbutmighty]

Can you describe the Eiffel Tower to me using interpretive dance?

I could send you a video, but to really understand it we would have to be in the same room.

 

[alex1fly]

One other thing about Marshall tones - some of the best ones sound terrible when you’re playing by yourself, but brilliant in a band mix!

This

Love the sound in recordings

Horrendous when I play at home

 

[Bob Zod]

Exactly! KERRANG !!

and haunting mids

 

[Akeron]