Marshall MS2 - Micro Amp - Black

This is a great product when it works! I first bought one from Dawson's and it lasted about 30 minutes before burning out. They were happy to refund (as they had no more in stock), so I ordered a replacement from GAK. So far, so good! It produces a surprisingly loud and clear sound for such a small amp, but while it's great for home practice and maybe for "living room" gigs, it won't do for live amplification outside or on stage. As a practice amp, it's great and well priced. I just hope this second one is more reliable than the first.

Good for its intended purpose

If you're expecting an amazing Marshall sound, you might want to invest in some of the bigger amps Marshall has to offer. If you think you can get a concert level sound out of this little guy, you will not be the happiest person. However, that level of "high" expectation would not be very reasonable or even realistic for such a little amp. This is a very cute, small amp that will help you plug your guitar so you can practice quietly in any room in your house without annoying your wife. It will distort if you crank the volume all the way out, and if you're used to the full sound of a bigger Marshall (like I do) it might make you feel like you're hearing your guitar over an old telephone (just my opinion). However, if you calibrate your instrument volume & tone you ... MoreIf you're expecting an amazing Marshall sound, you might want to invest in some of the bigger amps Marshall has to offer. If you think you can get a concert level sound out of this little guy, you will not be the happiest person. However, that level of "high" expectation would not be very reasonable or even realistic for such a little amp. This is a very cute, small amp that will help you plug your guitar so you can practice quietly in any room in your house without annoying your wife. It will distort if you crank the volume all the way out, and if you're used to the full sound of a bigger Marshall (like I do) it might make you feel like you're hearing your guitar over an old telephone (just my opinion). However, if you calibrate your instrument volume & tone you can find a happy medium. With that said, for the price it is a very nice solution to practice and if the sound seems too weak for you, you have the choice of putting headphones. I personally use it just for practice on the fly, it serves it purpose, but then again I was not expecting the best sound output. So I am happy with the purchase.

Good portable mini amp

It's a good, basic portable amp. I use it around the house to practice when I don't want to move my larger amps from room to room. It has a belt clip attached it that makes it easy to use. The clear channel works best set between 5-8 and the gain channel has a nice crunch sound to it. I like using this when I want to practice, but don't want to hook-up to all my other gear.This what you need to understand about this amp. First, it's a tiny amp, you are not going to get high quality sound from it, so if you buy it it, don't whine about it. Next, you get what you pay for. I read the reviews before I bought this and the negative reviews are ridiculous because a number of them say that this amp isn't high quality. Really???!!! Geeee, I never would have guessed that! ... MoreIt's a good, basic portable amp. I use it around the house to practice when I don't want to move my larger amps from room to room. It has a belt clip attached it that makes it easy to use. The clear channel works best set between 5-8 and the gain channel has a nice crunch sound to it. I like using this when I want to practice, but don't want to hook-up to all my other gear.This what you need to understand about this amp. First, it's a tiny amp, you are not going to get high quality sound from it, so if you buy it it, don't whine about it. Next, you get what you pay for. I read the reviews before I bought this and the negative reviews are ridiculous because a number of them say that this amp isn't high quality. Really???!!! Geeee, I never would have guessed that! It's a "novelty" amp!!So, this is a good portable, mini amp and I'm happy with it and if you keep in mind what it is and what it isn't, you'll like using it.

I love this thing

I don't know what some of you guys expect from this thing, but be realistic: it's an inexpensive 5 inch tall, 1 watt amp. It's not designed for anything but sitting in a chair and entertaining yourself or a couple of people. Within that context, I enjoy this thing and sometimes get it off the shelf and play around with it for awhile.Also, when I owed somebody a 1 minute long riff for his podcast and my main amp was getting some regular tech service, I plugged my American Standard Strat into this thing, mic'd the amp, used the OD channel with the volume and tone both on 10, played the part, then added tons of bass, reverb, and chorus to it in post, and it sounded great and nobody ever knew that I recorded the part using a 5 inch tall amp.It is what it is as long ... MoreI don't know what some of you guys expect from this thing, but be realistic: it's an inexpensive 5 inch tall, 1 watt amp. It's not designed for anything but sitting in a chair and entertaining yourself or a couple of people. Within that context, I enjoy this thing and sometimes get it off the shelf and play around with it for awhile.Also, when I owed somebody a 1 minute long riff for his podcast and my main amp was getting some regular tech service, I plugged my American Standard Strat into this thing, mic'd the amp, used the OD channel with the volume and tone both on 10, played the part, then added tons of bass, reverb, and chorus to it in post, and it sounded great and nobody ever knew that I recorded the part using a 5 inch tall amp.It is what it is as long as you don't expect the world.

It's a Practice Amp, Nothing More

I've owned my MS-2 for well over 20 years. It is exactly what it looks like: a novelty practice amp. It's meant to just try out a couple of licks in the living room or work out a progression that's been bugging you for a couple of nights. Need to practice your scales and modes just to get a couple of minutes or an hour of playing time in? This is the item for you. Need to work on dynamics and nuances for your next gig or recording? This is NOT the item for you; plug into your real rig.Don't expect more out of it. Built-in overdrive is plain and amateurish in tone, but really, what does one expect for a 3" speaker and electronics that were designed probably 25-30 years ago? This is not the pinnacle of modern audio technology (or even "vintage" for that ... MoreI've owned my MS-2 for well over 20 years. It is exactly what it looks like: a novelty practice amp. It's meant to just try out a couple of licks in the living room or work out a progression that's been bugging you for a couple of nights. Need to practice your scales and modes just to get a couple of minutes or an hour of playing time in? This is the item for you. Need to work on dynamics and nuances for your next gig or recording? This is NOT the item for you; plug into your real rig.Don't expect more out of it. Built-in overdrive is plain and amateurish in tone, but really, what does one expect for a 3" speaker and electronics that were designed probably 25-30 years ago? This is not the pinnacle of modern audio technology (or even "vintage" for that matter).It's ultimately designed to just make your electric guitar louder. You certainly can pop it in at the end of your effects chain; my Boss Metal Zone sounds just fine enough through it. Obviously not as great-sounding as with a real amp, but I'm not using the Marshall MS-2 as a "real" amp. It's purely for drills and trying out songwriting ideas when you're by yourself at home and not wanting to disturb anyone in the house.

Lots of fun!

The MS-2 is a great sounding little amp. I bought mine for more of a decoration piece but its actually a lot of fun to use! The battery life lasts way long than I though it would, and I always have it in OD with the Volume and Tone cranked. If you try to play it with a drive pedal it sounds like its about to blow up but thats okay because for the price having one of these is almost a must!

Nice and fun! But is a toy.

Nice toy!You can definitely have some fun. Tone is not actually tone. You end up always with some clipping (overdrive). So, if you are looking for a clean guitar sound, this is not for you. Also no proper bass. Don't expect miracles from the 2.5" drive.Apart from that, its a nice looking toy that you can actually have a lot of fun with! Battery lasts some 10 hours, so you are good to go. But buy yourself some 9V usb rechargeable batteries if you really intend to use is. Power source is a no go since you will most likely use this clipped to your belt to annoy friends and treat your love. :-)

Rock-n-Go!

Love this amp. Plenty loud enuff. Bought it 2 walk around outside and jam. Great tone. Fun Amp, Great sound. Great for outside like the park or just playing rockstar outside. Great buy, make a great gift for young beginners and all ages. Inspiring, don't want to put down. Got myself 2 rechargeable 9volts to go with it. Highly recommended. Get one today for the kids, dad or start rock in yourself. You will be pleased.

The Micro Miracle!

Dynamite does come in small packages and for what this little amp does, it covers everything that it's designed to do. This can be played anywhere. It has an earphone jack for quiet, private practice or wear it around the mall while you're playing and where headphones like others do with their smart phones. I've made the most of this amp by practicing at the food court or while in a car. You can get clear tone or great distortion. Can't see any reason why you can't record using this. Just place a mic in front and go through a PA. It has it's own sound, especially for those who don't use reverb and it gets loud for its size. For a great demo, watch the movie 'School of Rock'. Jack Black incorporates this AND the double-stack micro amp into his classroom performances. ... MoreDynamite does come in small packages and for what this little amp does, it covers everything that it's designed to do. This can be played anywhere. It has an earphone jack for quiet, private practice or wear it around the mall while you're playing and where headphones like others do with their smart phones. I've made the most of this amp by practicing at the food court or while in a car. You can get clear tone or great distortion. Can't see any reason why you can't record using this. Just place a mic in front and go through a PA. It has it's own sound, especially for those who don't use reverb and it gets loud for its size. For a great demo, watch the movie 'School of Rock'. Jack Black incorporates this AND the double-stack micro amp into his classroom performances. It has an easy-access compartment for the 9-volt battery or you can use a wall adapter. Clips right on to your guitar strap or belt for easy transport while you play...

The micro Marshall is master.

Its a true Marshall. Ideal for the learning and practise of electric guitar, without the space been taken up. The sound is good and the boost is Excellent. Its everything the children and learners need to get into electric guitar playing.