NAD - Marshall content (UPDATE: now NCD)

Jonathangus

Having only ever owned two amps in my life (a Session Duette 110 and a Vox Adio), I've been feeling for a while that it was time finally to get something decent.  And for various reasons, it would be best if it said 'Marshall' on the front.

So I've watched countless videos of the various small Marshalls (and one or two other things as well), and before lockdown I tried a few in Anderton's.  None of them really quite did it for me, but there were a few videos I kept coming back to; plus, I played through one at the last Woking jam and it was awesome.

And as I turned 50 last year, I wanted something a bit special.  So, long story short, this arrived from eBay today:

Have to say, I think it looks fantastic.

How does it sound, you ask?  That brings me to the favour.

I don't have a cab - yet.  I'm thinking of possibly ordering something from Zilla, but first off I want at least to check it out and make sure it's fully functional.  So - is there anyone in the Reading area who could lend me a small cab for a few days, or would let me bring it round and plug it in?

chromatuna

That is a thing of beauty! 

ICBM

Original, or rehoused? They did make a mini-head version of the 2204, but I’m pretty sure it would have had the later big logo and ‘elephant’ vinyl. Very cool, anyway! Given how much ridiculously wasted space there is in the full-size heads…

Be careful with the voltage and impedance selectors. That type are not reliable and ideally need to be either replaced with rotary switches or hardwired and the caps removed. (I prefer to connect one speaker jack each to the 8 and 16-ohm taps.)

Jonathangus

ICBM said:

Original, or rehoused? They did make a mini-head version of the 2204, but I’m pretty sure it would have had the later big logo and ‘elephant’ vinyl. Very cool, anyway! Given how much ridiculously wasted space there is in the full-size heads…

Be careful with the voltage and impedance selectors. That type are not reliable and ideally need to be either replaced with rotary switches or hardwired and the caps removed. (I prefer to connect one speaker jack each to the 8 and 16-ohm taps.)

Rehoused - it's actually a chassis from a 2104 combo.  Think it's just a homemade job - but you can't really tell until you get close up.

If it works out, I have a Metro FX loop that I plan to have fitted (sorry, purists), so I could request they do your suggestions at the same time.

Winny_Pooh

Congrats! That will be very rock and roll. Sadly I don't live near enough to you anymore (E London now). Could be worth just going to a rehearsal room with a decent cab for an hour, that way you can crank it up too.

cosmiccarrot

ICBM said:

Original, or rehoused? They did make a mini-head version of the 2204,

Wow I was never aware of this, do you remember the model number by any chance?

Looks great I saw this on ebay, it will sound great but might need a powerbrake or the likes. I'd get a used 2x12 and fit a G12H and maybe a creamback (used, save braking them in).

Jonathangus

cosmiccarrot said:

ICBM said:

Original, or rehoused? They did make a mini-head version of the 2204,

Wow I was never aware of this, do you remember the model number by any chance?

Looks great I saw this on ebay, it will sound great but might need a powerbrake or the likes. I'd get a used 2x12 and fit a G12H and maybe a creamback (used, save braking them in).

The small version is the 2204S.

A 2x12 would be nice, but living in a first-floor flat with a narrow winding staircase up to it, it's not really practical atm.  I'm thinking more along the lines of a Zilla ported, or possibly the Studio Vintage cab might be an option.

And yes, I might need an attenuator if I want to use it at home...

Winny_Pooh said:

Congrats! That will be very rock and roll. Sadly I don't live near enough to you anymore (E London now). Could be worth just going to a rehearsal room with a decent cab for an hour, that way you can crank it up too.

You back now?  Last I heard you were stuck in South Africa.  Good thinking on the rehearsal room thing.

cosmiccarrot

Jonathangus said:

The small version is the 2204S.

A 2x12 would be nice, but living in a first-floor flat with a narrow winding staircase up to it, it's not really practical atm.  I'm thinking more along the lines of a Zilla ported, or possibly the Studio Vintage cab might be an option.

And yes, I might need an attenuator if I want to use it at home...

Well you live and learn, thanks for that, 2204S.

Personally I've never liked ported cabs although I do like the open back of a combo. I'd go for a used Studio vintage then, although your amp is loud so I'm not sure what speaker you'd get as at some stage I would imagine you'd use it live/band situation..

mark_jwedge

If portability is an issue it might be worth looking at a barefaced audio 1x12. I have been looking at these for a while. There are more expensive than other options but seem to be small, light and good sounding 

Jonathangus

The Barefaced ones are very nice, but too narrow, and you'll get the Stonehenge effect.  The SV112 is almost wide enough - probably barely noticeable - but I've just seen the price...

Nerine

Now THAT is very cool. 

Nice! 

TTBZ

Awesome, looks like the head version of the 2104 combo which is probably the best Marshall I've ever played! Would love one of these and the small box enclosure is great.

Jonathangus

Took @Winny_Pooh 's advice and booked an hour at a studio.  Once we'd got in the door (why do these things always happen at Pirate studios?), plugged it into a Marshall 4x12 and gave it a blast.

All I can say is...

The hunt for a cab now begins. 

Emiel

Wow, I'd love to have that!! These amps really sound best with the master up high, Johan Segeborn has a nice video about it.

Pair it with some Greenbacks or G12-65s, the latter are a bit more middy and smoother. 

victorludorum

What about a good old fashioned Marshall 1912? Simple, small and very available. @FelineGuitars had a pair of empty ones for sale a while ago, although I imagine that they are gone now.

FelineGuitars

victorludorum said:

What about a good old fashioned Marshall 1912? Simple, small and very available. @FelineGuitars had a pair of empty ones for sale a while ago, although I imagine that they gone now.

All gone I'm afraid

I favour the Mesa Thiele cabs for my own use now (have Celestion sidewinders in them), although a vertical 2x12 from Zilla would be cool

Modulus_Amps

victorludorum said:

What about a good old fashioned Marshall 1912? Simple, small and very available. @FelineGuitars had a pair of empty ones for sale a while ago, although I imagine that they gone now.

One should never buy a Marshall 1912, They are really boxy sounding next to a better cabinet.

ICBM

Modulus_Amps said:

One should never buy a Marshall 1912, They are really boxy sounding next to a better cabinet.

There's a surprising difference between the ply ones and the MDF ones. The ply ones aren't bad at all - the MDF ones are terrible.

That said, the best I ever heard one sound was a ply one with an EV, used with a Trace Elliot AH150 for a super-compact bass rig...

CHrisP86

I nearly bought this when it popped up but I couldn’t justify having two of them.

I use mine with a Zilla Fatbaby. Sounds great.

Speaker wise, I’ve tried Neo Creambacks, V30’s and old blackbacks.  Maybe a bit odd but I really like the V30 with it. 

Jonathangus

Yeah, the thought of lugging 20-25 kg of 2x12 up and down my stairs is not attractive.  The only candidate I think would be a Matrix NL212, but they're hard to come by.  Hence looking at 1x12 cabs for the time being - light and portable is the thing at the mo.  So, something like the Zilla ported or SV112.  Speaker-wise, I'm intrigued by the newish Neo V-Type.

Emiel

Don't rule out the Neo Creamback, that's a great speaker. The JMP MV's are quite aggressive sounding amps, Greenbacks help to tame it a bit...

And dibs if you'd ever consider selling that amp!