New amp - Marshall Haze 40 Combo

[reverbbb]

I stopped by GC today to buy some new guitar cables to replace some that were stolen. I had heard about the new Marshall Haze 40 for several months. I was fairly excited to see a new amp of this size and feature set from Marshall. It also has a built in reverb & DSP effects.

I know what you're thinking, built-in effects, who needs them? I am asking myself the same thing. However, I am drawn to this amp because of its size and valve operation. It is a two channel amp with a few boost switches splashed here & there.

So, I am very conciously looking for the Haze amp at GC. I knew that they had been release in the UK, but would not be in the USA until mid summer. But low and behold! There it was. Some guy was playing it in the isolation room. It turns out that these amps are scheduled for actual release on June 30th (according to one source). It also turns out that the amp arrived at the store just yesterday. The guy playing the amp was already committed to buying. I asked him several times, and assured me that he was going to buy it. It was the only one at that store.

So, I went to another store and asked. They did not know anything about it until they looked it up on the computer. The saleman went to the back and found it still unopened as it had arrived yesterday. As he was bringing it to the front, another salesman alerted him that he already had a standby buyer the moment it came in. Yet, I had already asked before he was aware the amp was in the store.

So, he brings it out and I play it for nearly an hour. I am not convinced that this is the best amp that Marshall has ever made. But I was certainly enjoying the features and the sound. At $699, I find it to be a very good value for such utilitary amp. Small foot print and nice sounding Celestion speaker. I am very familar with new and old Marshall sounds. This amp attempts to get both. I find it does a fairly good job at this attempt. Yet, the single 12" speaker is obviously not as big and full sounding as a Marshall Stack.

I am going to give this amp a trial run for a few weeks. I have the option returning it if I find it is not what I can use on a regular basis.

[reverbbb]

Wierd, nobody is interested in this amp enough to comment or inquire about it.

I have had the amp for almost two months now. I am TOTALLY digging it. It is not the amp of all amps, that's for sure. But I love the price point, size volume, tone and features. What more can a guy ask for?,

I still need a 4 button pedal to make the effects more accessible on the fly. I only have two slightly negative observations. First, is that the gain channel looses some of the high end crispness. But the clean channel is bold and clear. The second curious thing, is the way they setup the speaker jacks. I have never seen this before. You can either use a 16 ohm load or an 8 ohm load. But you cannot plug into both jacks at the same time (no dual 16 ohm for an 8 ohm load - no internal+external speaker at the same time).

These amps are what the doctor ordered. Too bad nobody is interested in these amps enough to inquire. Yet, they are difficult to locate. I gotta go play mine some more. Ta ta!

[BluezyBruce]

I tried to find one but there not in stock yet in Boise ID.

[pchilson]

I was very interested in that amp a while back but was never able to find one to try. Time passed and so did my interest. Never saw this thread till you posted again.
I'm glad you're pleased with it as it gives me reason to seek one out again. Thanks

[Scrap_Iron]

I think it's a cool idea to have a tube Marshall at that price and size. I am more interested in the 15Watt head. And now they have a 5Watt combo that look sweet.

Rock on!

[pchilson]

I like the fact the 40w combo is using EL34 tubes and not the 6V6s in the 15w head. I have yet to see either one in person. I've only ever bought one guitar new from online and don't think I'd ever buy an amp unheard online.

[reverbbb]

I know that Music123.com had 24 in stock about a month ago. If you ask nicely, they will provide you free shipping and $100 off certain purchases (hint, hint). 45 day return policy means that you would only be out the cost of shipping it back if you didn't like it.

[tazzboy]

I've seen video clips of this compare to the Vox Night Train. The Night Train beat this amp hands down.

[reverbbb]

Originally Posted by tazzboy

I've seen video clips of this compare to the Vox Night Train. The Night Train beat this amp hands down.

There is ALWAYS going to be a better 'this or that'. I am not attempting to make any comparisons to other amps. However, I am a Marshall guy through & through. The Haze 40 just happens to be a great new flavor that I am enjoying for now.

Vox amps are great, but not my cup of tea. I played one of those amps too. Nice little rig, yet butt ugly. I found it trying to compete more with the Haze 15 & Tiny Terror. In that catagory, I would agree. The Vox was a more versitile amp. However, the Haze 40 sounds very different because it is an EL34 amp. All the other aforementioned amps are EL84 based.

[pchilson]

Originally Posted by tazzboy

I've seen video clips of this compare to the Vox Night Train. The Night Train beat this amp hands down.

So, nobody should buy the Haze cause in your opinion the Vox romped it?

[Canuckcaster]

I like the idea of the Haze myself, but I'm wondering if it's going to be that much better than my AVT100. I haven't seen one in person yet either, but I'm hoping to remedy that this weekend.

CC

[tazzboy]

Originally Posted by pchilson

So, nobody should buy the Haze cause in your opinion the Vox romped it?

I'm not saying that, but here is the video that was done.

[tazzboy]

Actually I got the Haze 15 and 40 confuses. Haze 15 just doesn't do it.

[bargoedboy]

i bought the HZE 40 and love it , the clean is better than any vox or previous marshall has ever had, the overdrive is very similar to my last marshall 25/50 combo , but with the bigger cab on the haze its got a more natural bass respponse , fantastic with tele`s , and the effects are all ok . not great but damn` good.

[reverbbb]

Originally Posted by tazzboy

I'm not saying that, but here is the video that was done.

Great demo. Frankly, I can hear the distinctive differences that are trademark to each amp brand. Yeah, the Vox has more bite and more edge. But to my ears, it is less defined and less articulate. The fuller/rounder Marshall sound fits my performance style better. When I am noodling around and not being constructive, the Vox sound would be fun. The Vox sound would also cut through a stage mix better in some scenarios.

In the end, I am still a Marshall guy. Thanks for the demo!

[vintage52]

I'm waiting for the Class 5. Should be a sweet little combo!!

[studio1087]

I saw one at Cream City Music in Milwaukee. The size and power look smart. I didn't try it but it made sense to me.

Thanks for the review.

[photoweborama]

I've been very curious..

[fiestabender]

this question is for reverbb or anyone else. i got one of these amps almost based on your opinions on this board. i am sure it is not going to blow up like is said. but when you use the footswitch to turn off the effects, does that do the same as turning the knob down till iti clicks? any one got some amazing settings i should check out with my tele. sounds good at lower volumes too which is nice. have a 4x12 at the rehearsal space with ev's and something else. can't wait to hear it through the cab. but even the 1x12 sounds great. great little combo. kills the line 6 spider valve i exchanged it for.