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Average Price: $313

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Description

The MA50H is a powerhouse of authentic Marshall tone, delivering 50 watts of pure all-tube power that captures the iconic soundscape Marshall is renowned for. Crafted for both the seasoned performer and the aspiring guitarist, this 2-channel head amplifies your sonic potential with a blend of classic and contemporary features. Whether you're seeking crystalline cleans or bone-crushing overdrive, the MA50H has you covered. Its Crunch Balance control allows seamless transition between overdrive and boosted levels, effectively giving you a third channel for your dynamic performances.

The intuitive design features independent EQ stages for both clean and overdrive channels, ensuring your tone is precisely tailored without compromise. A built-in spring reverb adds depth, while the presence and resonance controls fine-tune your overall sound. The included footswitch enhances live versatility, letting you toggle with ease between settings, ensuring your performance is always in command.

Designed to be both visually striking and road-ready, the MA50H combines durability with a sleek aesthetic, highlighted by the glowing interior LEDs that showcase the power tubes. Its simple yet versatile layout encourages exploration, making it a perfect fit for both home and stage environments.

Key Features:

  • 50-watt all-tube head
  • 2 channels: Clean and Overdrive
  • Crunch Balance control for an additional sound channel
  • Independent 3-band EQ per channel
  • Built-in spring reverb
  • Presence and resonance controls
  • Includes a 2-way footswitch
  • EL34 and ECC83 tubes
  • Serial effects loop for external effects integration

Product specs

Brand Marshall
Model MA50H 2-Channel 50-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish Black
Year 2010 - 2013
Made In United Kingdom
Categories Guitar Heads
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Color Family Black
Electronics Tube
Impedance 16 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 50
Power Tube Type EL34
Reverb Spring Reverb

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Marshall MA50H amp head best suited for?

The Marshall MA50H amp head offers classic Marshall tube tone with its EL34 power tubes, making it ideal for rock, blues, and hard rock genres. Its two channels and versatile controls allow for a wide range of sounds, from clean to overdriven tones.

Does the Marshall MA50H come with a footswitch?

Yes, the Marshall MA50H includes a footswitch, allowing you to easily switch between its two channels during performances.

How does the spring reverb on the MA50H enhance the sound?

The built-in spring reverb on the Marshall MA50H adds a classic, warm ambiance to your sound, which is perfect for creating depth and space in your guitar tone.

Can the Marshall MA50H amp head be used with different speaker cabinets?

Yes, the MA50H is compatible with 16 ohm and 8 ohm speaker cabinets, allowing for flexibility in pairing with various speaker setups.

What are the key features of the overdrive channel on the MA50H?

The overdrive channel on the Marshall MA50H features Gain, Crunch, and Balance controls, providing a wide range of distortion levels from subtle crunch to heavy overdrive, suitable for various playing styles.

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Marshall MA series (MA50H & MA50C) demo

Video thumbnail for Marshall MA series (MA50H & MA50C) demo by Rob Chapman

Marshall MA series (MA50H & MA50C) demo

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Video thumbnail for Marshall MA50H 50watt Guitar Amp Head by Andertons Music Co

Marshall MA50H 50watt Guitar Amp Head

Andertons Music Co

Andertons Music Co

Video thumbnail for Marshall MA50H pt. 1 by tonemeister3

Marshall MA50H pt. 1

tonemeister3

tonemeister3

Video thumbnail for Marshall MA50H mod (first version / step) by Stone

Marshall MA50H mod (first version / step)

Stone

Stone

Video thumbnail for Marshall MA50H & M412A Unboxing by Official Modulation

Marshall MA50H & M412A Unboxing

Official Modulation

Official Modulation

Reviews

PROS

  • Clean channel works well with pedals, versatile for different sounds

  • Offers classic Marshall EQ with a bass-boosted tone curve

  • Exceptionally loud, suitable for live performances

  • Ideal as a starter amp or for touring musicians

  • Can achieve a great tone when pushed, especially with overdrive

  • Works as a solid platform for sonic experimentation

CONS

  • Distortion quality is lacking, described as "sucks"

  • Stock tubes may need replacing for optimal tone

  • Requires significant volume to achieve the best sound, which might be impractical

  • Brittle, harsh high-end sound on stock settings

  • Some users experience fizzy static with higher fret play

  • Finding a usable tone can be time-consuming and challenging

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MA50H.

Features and functionality

  • The MA50H achieves typical Marshall cleans but falls short on crunch; a distortion pedal is recommended for enhanced sound.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Pairing the MA50H with a Friedman BE-OD pedal or similar can significantly improve its tonal output.

    Source
  • Users recommend the Fulltone OCD or its clone, the Joyo/Harley Benton Ultimate Drive, for achieving a desired crunch tone without breaking the bank.

    Source
  • Consider Seymour Duncan Little 59 pickups for Telecasters to improve clarity and brightness.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The MA50H is priced around $300, leaving room for additional pedal purchases within a $500 budget.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Bugera 1960, particularly the Infinium series, is mentioned as a cheaper alternative for achieving Marshall-like tones.

    Source
  • The Laney GH100L paired with a custom speaker cab is suggested as a superior alternative to the MA50H for achieving authentic Marshall crunch tones.

    Source
  • Blackstar HT Dual is mentioned as a potential option for improving overdrive, with mixed user feedback on its effectiveness.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that the MA50H paired with a quality pedal can closely mimic the sound and features of higher-end Marshall amps.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Rolling down the guitar's volume knob can help achieve a cleaner tone when using overdrive, though it may reduce crunch.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Atoragon's Guitar Nerding Blog: REVIEW: Marshall MA50H

atoragon.blogspot.com

The Marshall MA50H may tempt budget-conscious players with its low price, but it fails to deliver the expected Marshall quality. Aesthetically, the hidden LED to mimic tube glow feels cheap, and the amp's tone is a bigger letdown—thin and lacking the warmth and richness of a true tube sound. While its volume is adequate and it features typical controls like Reverb and Presence, the sound remains cold and dull across its two channels. Prospective buyers should test it alongside competitors like the Peavey Valveking, which offers a more authentic tube experience in the same price range.

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