Now, this is a cool new Marshall amp! This new Marshall amp is getting rave reviews.
The Marshall Vintage Modern 2266 is a 50-watt single channel tube guitar amp with lots of old school vibe. It has a 3-band EQ, a Presence and master volume, and there is also a two dynamic range input which can be switched by using either a footswitch or a push button. There is also a Mid Boost, a Digital Reverb, an effects loop, and two new controls, labeled "Body" and "Detail".
There are only 8 knobs and 2 push-switches on the front plate of the amp. One great feature of the amp is the effects loop, which is even switchable between rack gear and guitar pedal input levels - very nice feature.
This time Marshall decided to go with two KT-66 power tubes and four 12AX7 preamp tubes. The KT66 tubes are probably not as common as EL34's in Marshall amps. They are less agressive sounding, but the they deliver a smooth but ballsy tone as you turn up the amp.
The Dynamic range is another really great feature. When the Dynamic range is engaged, an extra preamp tube kicks in, which gives up to 30dB more of gain. Without the Dynamic range enganged, the tone is towards JTM45 and Fender Bassman sounds. With it engaged, you get a higher gain and more distorted sound, which brings the mind back to the big stacks of the 70s.
I think it's great Marshall has the guts to build an "old fashioned" tube amp. With this I mean the amp is kinda old school. It doesn't have a million features and lots of knobs. No, instead it's a one channel amp with a really useful Dynamic range feature. This effectively makes the amp work like a 2 channel. Well maybe not quite - it's more like a 1.5 channel amp, since all it does is to engage an extra preamp tube. A bit of a surprise - they threw in a digital reverb in the amp. I guess that's the "modern" part. I am not sure I like this part that much.
This is an amp you should play loud. At low volumes, it's hard to get that big, fat Marshall tone that you know is in there. But crank it up a bit, and boy, things start happening! If you dig the old school vintage Marshall tone, take a serious look at this amp. It's a great amp for getting the old school plexi tone of the 70s.
By Robert Renman - www.dolphinstreet.com
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