2525H Mini Silver Jubilee : Big Marshall sound in a little box

I was bouncing back and forth over which Marshall to go for. Yes the DSL range may have more channels and a wider range of tones , but for pure 'rock' sound, OK the 'Slash' sound you really can't beat it.

I had spent some time on the internet reviewing the build inside and from my understanding the main circuit board in the Jubilee seems to be much superior to the DSL range and likely to last much longer. Nothing to do with where it is made, just the materials it is built from.

I think the problem with this amp is that it might be classed as a 'one trick pony', which I have to admit it could be, but it does that trick very very well.

The pull pot for the diode clipping on the gain knob I think sounds quite nasty and never use it, it thins the sound out quite dramatically and in my ears not in a nice way. The EQ is very powerful and more than most amps in it's range of cut and boost. However, with Base, Middle and Treble on full with the gain at 12 o'clock, you have a fat rock sound to die for.

To really make this amp sing, pump the front end with a clean boost (I use the TC Spark) allow the amp tubes to do their business to create the overdrive and distortion. I don't switch the lower wattage setting as it takes much of the body of the sound away, but it does allow bedroom level playing.

If you want that 80's / 90's glorious rock sound then this is the amp for you. Having it at a lower wattage helps greatly in overdriving the tubes for 'that' sound. I would not choose it for metal or anything harder.

All in all a very nice little amp head. If you want that Marshall sound in a head that will last for ever then this is the one for you.

Hghly recommended!