i'm thinking about buying a new amp and wanted some feedback on whether marshall or mesa boogie makes a better amp.

7/27/2006 2:35:34 PM

That's a tough one.

I think Marshall is better from bottom to top than Mesa, but I don't think there's anything out there that beats the sound of a triple rectifier.

I just got a new Marshall combo as an anniversary gift from my wife. I forget the model#, but for $499, It's hard to find a better sounding amp

[Edited on July 27, 2006 at 2:45 PM. Reason : gasgsw]

7/27/2006 2:40:41 PM

for crunch/distortion...mesa's can get as deep of a crunch as you want; however i have a marshall dsl100 head/1960A cab and it sounds great to me...also depends on what kind of pickups you have...

for clean...i prefer the marshall's because its more crisp and clear...i think mesa's clean sounds a little muddy

whatever you get, get it used but good condition, especially cabinets. they are so much better after they have been used and broken in...the same goes for tubes unless theyre really old...

7/27/2006 3:09:44 PM

Best advice is to just go in and try them. I don't like Marshall's distortion, but love Mesa Boogie. I ended up getting a Crate caused I thought it was pretty good all around, had a killer warranty, and was at the right price. Mesa Boogie seems to be more of the punk rocker preferred amp and Marshall is more old school rock preferred. But both are quality manufacturers. It's personal preference on sound. Only you can decide that.

7/27/2006 3:11:16 PM

^^ yeah Marshall's clean is good.

7/27/2006 3:12:18 PM

Quote :

"Best advice is to just go in and try them."

Don't put everything in a name or price. Your ears will be the best judge. Having said that, they both produce some killer sounds and are manufactured well. It just depends on what sound you're going for.

[Edited on July 27, 2006 at 11:13 PM. Reason : ]

7/27/2006 11:13:08 PM

Go into the store, pick up a guitar of the same make and model as yours, and give it a try on as many amps as you like. It's hard to say that one brand is objectively better than the other.

7/27/2006 11:34:55 PM