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Description

The Marshall Astoria Custom Head is where vintage charm meets modern versatility, offering a powerhouse of classic British tone in a meticulously crafted package. Designed for guitarists who crave that iconic Marshall sound, this all-tube amplifier head boasts a pair of KT66 power tubes, delivering a robust and dynamic audio experience. Its handwired construction ensures authenticity and superior quality, a nod to the legendary craftsmanship of Marshall's Bletchley, England roots.

Equipped with thoughtful enhancements, the Astoria Custom features a tube-driven effects loop for seamless integration with your pedalboard, while the footswitchable gain controls empower you to transition effortlessly from rhythm to lead. Perhaps the most clever innovation is its power reduction switch, allowing you to achieve rich, full-bodied sound at lower volumes, perfect for both intimate practice sessions and studio recordings.

Visually striking, the Astoria Custom is wrapped in a distinctive two-tone vinyl covering, complemented by a top-mounted control panel and a classic Marshall logo badge. This amplifier head is not just an auditory instrument but an aesthetic statement on stage.

Whether you're dialing in warm, clean tones or pushing the limits with gritty overdrive, the Astoria Custom is your ticket to sonic excellence and vintage flair.

Key Features:

  • All-tube design with KT66 power tubes and GZ34 rectifier
  • Footswitchable gain boost for dynamic performance
  • Tube-driven effects loop for enhanced modulation and delay effects
  • Body pull switch for tone shaping versatility
  • Handwired in Bletchley, England for unparalleled quality
  • Includes a 2-way footswitch with LED indicators
  • Distinctive two-tone vinyl covering and boutique-inspired design

Product specs

Brand Marshall
Model Astoria Custom AST2 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish Red/White
Year 2015 - 2017
Made In United Kingdom
Categories Guitar Heads
Electronics Tube
Impedance 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 30
Power Tube Type KT66
Reverb None

FAQs

What type of power tubes does the Marshall Astoria Custom Head use?

The Marshall Astoria Custom Head uses KT66 power tubes, which are known for delivering a rich, warm tone with a smooth overdrive characteristic, ideal for classic rock and blues.

How many channels does the Marshall Astoria Custom Head have?

The Marshall Astoria Custom Head features a single channel design, focusing on delivering a pure, uncolored tone with dynamic response, making it suitable for players who prefer using their guitar's volume and tone controls for sound shaping.

What are the impedance options for the Marshall Astoria Custom Head?

The Marshall Astoria Custom Head offers 16 ohms, 8 ohms, and 4 ohms impedance options, allowing for versatile speaker cabinet compatibility.

Does the Marshall Astoria Custom Head include built-in reverb?

No, the Marshall Astoria Custom Head does not include built-in reverb, focusing instead on providing a straightforward, high-quality tube tone.

Is the Marshall Astoria Custom Head suitable for gigging?

With its 30-watt output, the Marshall Astoria Custom Head is powerful enough for small to medium-sized gigs, delivering classic Marshall tones with plenty of headroom.

Guitarist

Guitarist

Marshall Astoria Custom Head and 1x12 Combo

Video thumbnail for Marshall Astoria Custom Head and 1x12 Combo by Guitarist

Marshall Astoria Custom Head and 1x12 Combo

Guitarist

Guitarist

Video thumbnail for Marshall Astoria Custom | Product Demo | Marshall by Marshall Amplification

Marshall Astoria Custom | Product Demo | Marshall

Marshall Amplification

Marshall Amplification

Video thumbnail for Marshall Astoria Custom CME Limited Edition | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman by Chicago Music Exchange

Marshall Astoria Custom CME Limited Edition | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for Marshall Astoria Custom | Product Demo by Big Music Australia

Marshall Astoria Custom | Product Demo

Big Music Australia

Big Music Australia

Video thumbnail for Marshall Astoria Custom - EL34 Power Tubes by GuitarGathering

Marshall Astoria Custom - EL34 Power Tubes

GuitarGathering

GuitarGathering

Video thumbnail for Friedman Small Box 50 vs Marshall Astoria Custom by thejay (Big Battle Bear)

Friedman Small Box 50 vs Marshall Astoria Custom

thejay (Big Battle Bear)

thejay (Big Battle Bear)

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Marshall Astoria Custom Head.

Value and pricing

  • Initial high price dropped by over 60%, leading to mixed consumer reactions and sparking curiosity about the amp's quality.

    Source
  • The Astoria Custom often appears between $2,100-$2,700, with prices potentially reducing further due to a cooling music gear market.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The amp's unique aesthetics, including its non-traditional logo, appeal to some but deter others who prefer classic Marshall looks.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners praise the Astoria Custom for its underrated tones, making it a desirable choice for those seeking boutique sound in a Marshall amp.

    Source
  • The amp's desirability is partly driven by its use by high-profile musicians, such as a member of Greta Van Fleet.

    Source

User experience

  • Finding the amp head is notably more challenging than locating the combo version, suggesting limited availability or higher demand for this model.

    Source
  • A first-time Marshall user, previously loyal to Mesa Boogie and Fender, reports high satisfaction with the Astoria Custom's sound.

    Source
  • The Classics and Duals models are more frequently found and generally cheaper than the Custom, indicating a higher demand for the latter.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The CME limited edition black and gold version is often confused with the standard model and commands a higher price.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Marshall Astoria Custom Head review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Marshall Astoria Custom Head impresses with its legendary build quality and great tone, making it a strong contender in the boutique amp market. Its distinctive design and high-end features, such as a footswitchable effects loop and switchable power reduction, cater to guitarists seeking versatility and dynamic sound. However, the high price point for the head/cabinet format might deter those looking for more competitive options like combos. Overall, the Astoria Custom is praised for its performance and craftsmanship, offering superb tones reminiscent of classic rock and blues, making it a worthy investment for serious musicians.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jake Kiszka uses Marshall Astoria Custom Head

Jake Kiszka

Guitarist

Greta Van Fleet

...
Verified via YouTube

Jake uses a custom version of this model, covered in white tolex. The "Dual" model is the one he uses based on the number of knobs and switches in the front panel.

See how Mami Sasazaki uses Marshall Astoria Custom Head

Mami Sasazaki

Guitarist, Composer

SCANDAL

...
Verified via Photo

The Marshall Astoria (Astria[sic]) Dual amp. MAMI utilises the Astoria as her main amp on the tour when she is not able to use her usual JCM2000 head/cab, and due to the Astoria's dual-channel spec, she gets both her clean and dirty guitar tones from the amp. For the larger venues, MAMI would use the JCM2000 head and 4x12" cab.

Details and photo abstracted from GiGS magazine.

See how Andy Cairns uses Marshall Astoria Custom Head

Andy Cairns

Singer, Guitarist

Therapy?

...
Verified via Photo

Therapy official instagram posted that Andy Cairns uses Marshall Astoria.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Marshall Astoria Custom Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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