While the Marshall 40 travails continue (I'm not giving up on it yet), I've invested in a Fender Super Champ XD. Some specs:
Type: Tube Amplifier with DSP
Output: 15 watts (Class "AB")
Ohms: 8 ohms
Speakers: One 10", 8-ohm Special Design Speaker
Channels: Two (Normal and Amp Voice)
Features: 15 Watt Tube “Class AB” Power Amp.
"Voice" Control with 16 Different Amp Voicings Delivering Various Clean and Overdriven Tones for any Style of Music: Blues, Rock, Country, Jazz, Metal, and More.
16 DSP Effects (Vibratone Slow; Vibratone Fast; Delay 130ms; Delay 300ms; Delay 450ms; Large Room Reverb; Concert Hall Reverb; Classic Fender Spring Reverb; Reverb+Delay; Fast Chorus; Deep Chorus; Chorus+Delay; Chorus+Reverb; Tremolo Low Speed; Tremolo Medium Speed; Tremolo High Speed).
External Speaker Output Allows use with External Speaker Cabinet Line Output.
Ok purists, some may argue that the DSP makes it a non-true all valve but the proof is in the sound and..... it kicks. Clean channel has great Fender tone that breaks up beautifully when cranked. At least 5 of the 16 "voices" on the second channel are actually really really good. The others range from ok to cheesy to "what the hell does any actually want to model 80s SS metal whine". A lot of tweaking fun to be had and the great tones are there for sure. It doesn't weigh a ton, a big plus for those whose backs have been bent by 100w monsters and 2 x 2 year old monsters that insist on being carried.
What I'm not 100% happy with: i'd prefer a 12" speaker, the 10 does mids nicely but I like a broader sound and there's no headroom playing clean with a drummer unless you mic up or line out of course.
Pics:
Back with protection removed:
Fixed...
