Marshall Haze 40 vs. Albion TCT50 Combo

mattyd

Hi all

I have a Peavey Classic 30 that I love but it's time for a change. Unfortunately, being a student, I can only afford to get something of equivalent value or doing a trade. I'm selling it for R5000.

I have had 2 interested parties come to me and ask if I was willing to trade for their amps. One has a Marshall Haze 40 while the other has an Albion TCT50 2x12 combo.
I've been listening to clips and reviews of both of them and they both seem to have their merits.
I am just a little concerned as I've heard some bad things about both of them (e.g. that the Haze doesn't really give a great Marshall sound, and that the Albion is just a cheapie amp with no real tone).

I do like nice warm clean tones and I love the Marshall breakup, although sometimes I will need a bit more versatility in both channels. Because of this, I am leaning towards the Albion. Obviously I will ultimately have to try both amps to really decide for myself but I just wanted to get some opinions on them and maybe even a few suggestions for something else.
I was holding out for the Blackstar amps to come into the country but apparently there's been a big delay and no real due date.

Thanks for any suggestions ?

Matt

Manfred-Klose

keep the classic 30

mattyd

keep the classic 30

The clean tone is fantastic for single coils but not for my Les Paul-like guitar. The drive tone is not the kind of drive I like. Far too "gritty".
So I'm looking for a change.

guitarboy2828

mattyd wrote:
keep the classic 30
The clean tone is fantastic for single coils but not for my Les Paul-like guitar. The drive tone is not the kind of drive I like. Far too "gritty".
So I'm looking for a change.

You seem quite certain of the tone you are after. I'd say, go find some amps, play them and figure out which one you want. Otherwise, you'll be posting a marshall haze on the classifieds soon and you'll only lose money as you go through amps and try resell them.

mattyd

Thanks for the advice.
Based on the monetary value of each amp, would you say it would be a fair trade?
I see that Max Music is selling the Haze 40 for R4499. If this is the case then I might still ask for a pay in to make up the value of the R5000.
With the Albion, I'm still in two minds.

What would the value be of a good condition 2nd hand Albion TCT50C?

Kalcium

If they each have the amp that you're trying to decide between why not go to each of their places with your guitar and tryout the amps. That way you know the condition and sound of the exact amp you will be stuck with after the trade.

epictring

Mattyd, bit off-topic, but are you from Versus the Wolf?

mattyd

epictring wrote: Mattyd, bit off-topic, but are you from Versus the Wolf?

I am/was. Just very recently left to focus on studies. Very sad ☹

epictring

mattyd wrote:
epictring wrote: Mattyd, bit off-topic, but are you from Versus the Wolf?
I am/was. Just very recently left to focus on studies. Very sad ☹

Damn.. Sorry to hear that - great band.

In relation with your Peavey, I accept you that you're using it with a distortion pedal of some kind? If not, then first have a look at rather investing in a decent pedal. I've heard some great tones from the Classic's with pedals.

guitarboy2828

mattyd wrote: Thanks for the advice.
Based on the monetary value of each amp, would you say it would be a fair trade?
I see that Max Music is selling the Haze 40 for R4499. If this is the case then I might still ask for a pay in to make up the value of the R5000.
With the Albion, I'm still in two minds.

What would the value be of a good condition 2nd hand Albion TCT50C?

Remember, that is new. So, 2nd hand price is probably only R3000? Maybe R3500? So, it is not nearly as much as a peavey classic.

greetings

Keep the Classic 30 unless you can get cash for it and then buy something else. It's a great amp for the money, those two amps aren't better. Don't swap and regret it later, in my opinion. If you don't like the drive tone, you can experiment with changing out tubes, which will alter it somewhat.

Norman86

Sorry, you're assuming the Albion has no tone??

and you havent tried it yet for yourself??

Same with the Haze..

anyways, ask Arno West here on the forum about the Albion NOT having tone!

Stoner-Riff

Norman86 wrote: Sorry, you're assuming the Albion has no tone??

and you havent tried it yet for yourself??

Same with the Haze..

anyways, ask Arno West here on the forum about the Albion NOT having tone!

I 'tested' the 35w head n cab just last week. (for a second time - 1st time was almost a year ago now)
I felt that this amp had a "mehhh" (at best) clean tone, and compared to my old 1966 Bassman, it was not a clean tone i can ever be happy with.

The driven tone, from beginning, right to max gain was EXTREMELY bland and very, very generic sounding, regardless of where the EQ knobs was set.