[Jotun]

So I've been playing guitar for almost 7 years now and I've been using the same shitty 30 watt marshall in my basement. I was never in a band so I didnt need a louder one, but I will be starting a band in the fall when I get back to school.

I recently bought my friend's Fender FM 212R off of him for $200 and its a pretty solid amp. I like the way it sounds and its pretty loud.

But a friend of mine down in Virginia is selling his Marshall Valvestate 8100 & 8412 halfstack for only $375. I've been wanting a halfstack for a while, just for its sheer power and volume. It seems like a pretty good deal and I am fairly positive it is in good condition. It has a tube it in, and tubes alone are a couple hundred. Every review I have read on this halfstack is pretty good, saying its very versatile with different sounds and packs a good punch.

So what do you guys think? Stick with the 2 speaker Fender or get the halfstack and sell the fender?

[Short Hand]

Well, I am no expert on guitar amps, but ANY tube amp in the Car audio or Home Audio realm = pure audiophile loving.

If you do go for it, just remember tubes get pissy in the cold .

[Zoner]

For me, there would be absolutely no question: Get that Marshall. For $375 that's a steal as long as it's in good shape.

I've never been a fan of Fender amps. I find them tinny and way too reverb-y. For crunch, power and tone you simply cannot beat a Marshall. Just plug in and stomp the dirty channel. It's usually all you need.

The only downside is that it weighs a ton and takes up a lot of room.

[Jotun]

Originally Posted by Zoner

For me, there would be absolutely no question: Get that Marshall. For $375 that's a steal as long as it's in good shape.

I've never been a fan of Fender amps. I find them tinny and way too reverb-y. For crunch, power and tone you simply cannot beat a Marshall. Just plug in and stomp the dirty channel. It's usually all you need.

The only downside is that it weighs a ton and takes up a lot of room.

i agree, but there a few things im concerned about:

1. i dont know this guy personally.
2. i have never seen this amp, so i dont know the condition
3. im concerned because apparently there is a tube in this amp and he is only selling it for $375, so there might be a catch.
4. he isnt the original owner, so im wondering why it is being sold twice.
5. i have never played on this before so i dont know if i like the sound.

[mopface]

Just go scope that shit out bro. I was in a situation a couple years back where i had to sell my Pearl Masters Custom Maple drum set w/ all hardware and cymbals included for 800 bucks. Everything was only about 5 months old and in perfect shape. The dude got a hell of a deal. So definately go check that marshall out, could be the steal of a lifetime

[Zoner]

Yeah, don't buy it sight unseen. You gotta play through it beforehand for sure.

[Jotun]

alright, well i made my decision.

im going to stick with the fender for now. i've only had it for about a month, its very loud and good enough to practice/play shows with, and it has great distortion as it is. having a halfstack would be impractical at college right now, and i would rather just save my money. i will eventually save up for a better halfstack.

thanks for the advice, guys.

[anti]

Cinco makes a good guitar, check them out.

[mopface]

Originally Posted by Jotun

alright, well i made my decision.

im going to stick with the fender for now. i've only had it for about a month, its very loud and good enough to practice/play shows with, and it has great distortion as it is. having a halfstack would be impractical at college right now, and i would rather just save my money. i will eventually save up for a better halfstack.

thanks for the advice, guys.

Ya for sure. When i was in a band in highschool we played a couple of shows, and my guitarist played with his 2x12 vox amp. mic'd up through the pa it sounded greattt. the fender sounds like the way to goo.

[Proteus]

Uuugh if you can get a mint marshall tube half stack for 375$ you're in real luck. If it's working right for that price is it's own question.

[Jotun]

Originally Posted by Proteus

Uuugh if you can get a mint marshall tube half stack for 375$ you're in real luck. If it's working right for that price is it's own question.

yea, i know its a good deal, but its just a real hassel to get it. he lives about 20 minutes from my college, and i was going to take a trip down to my college anyway to do work at the radio station i work at, but i didnt feel like making this long trip with the amp and everything...i know its a good deal, but just doesnt make sense financially as a college student trying to save over the summer.

[Zoner]

I had the same dilemma when I was shopping for bass amps. I could have gotten a full Peavy stack (4x10 cab, 1x15 cab, 300W head) for $666 (I shoulda bought it for the price alone), but it was too big and bulky for me to cart around.