Pricing and availability
Average Price: $600
Standard/Professional
$300
$801+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Immerse yourself in the rich, authentic tones of the Marshall Class5 Head, a beacon of pure British craftsmanship. This compact powerhouse delivers a no-nonsense, all-tube tone, perfect for those seeking the classic Marshall vibe without the arena-shaking volume. Crafted in England between 2010-2012, its vintage charm and modern reliability form a perfect harmony, making it an ideal choice for both bedroom rock stars and recording maestros. With its straightforward operation and the dynamic range of its all-tube signal path, this amp head promises to bring your guitar's voice to life.
Key Features:
- 5W all-tube power, ideal for personal practice and studio recording.
- Equipped with one EL34 power tube and two ECC83 preamp tubes for authentic, vintage tones.
- Three-band tone control allows for detailed sound shaping.
- Manufactured in England, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and reliability.
- Compact and portable design, perfect for musicians on the go.
Product specs
| Brand | Marshall |
| Model | C5-H Class 5 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2009 - 2012 |
| Made In | United Kingdom |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 1 Channel |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 5 |
| Power Tube Type | EL84 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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Is the Marshall Class5 Head loud enough for small gigs?
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The Marshall Class5 Head, with its 5-watt output, is suitable for small gigs and practice sessions. It delivers authentic Marshall valve tone, but for larger venues, additional amplification might be necessary.
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What kind of tubes does the Marshall Class5 Head use?
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The Marshall Class5 Head uses a pair of ECC83 tubes in the preamp section and an EL84 power tube, providing classic Marshall tonal characteristics.
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Does the Marshall Class5 Head have any built-in reverb?
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No, the Marshall Class5 Head does not feature built-in reverb. It focuses on delivering a straightforward, classic Marshall tone without additional effects.
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Can the Marshall Class5 Head be used with different speaker cabinets?
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Yes, the Marshall Class5 Head can be connected to speaker cabinets with 16 ohms or 8 ohms impedance, offering flexibility in pairing with various cabinets.
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Is the Marshall Class5 Head suitable for home practice?
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The Marshall Class5 Head is ideal for home practice due to its manageable 5-watt output, providing rich tube tones at lower volumes.
Videos
PMTVUK
Marshall Class 5 Head & Gibson Les Paul Demo
Marshall Class 5 Head & Gibson Les Paul Demo
PMTVUK
Marshall Class 5 Amplifier Head
intheblues
How's it sound? - Marshall CLASS 5 head into 4x12 Cabinet with Gibson SG
gearmanndude
Musik Fair 2011 Marshall Class5 Head
MusicStoreTV
Marshall Class 5 Head Demo with 3 Pickup Styles
studio1087
Marshall Class 5 Head + Cabinet - review
AmpsOnAir
Reviews
PROS
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Emulates Plexi/Bluesbreaker tone closely, satisfying old school sound enthusiasts
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Built in England, ensuring authentic Marshall craftsmanship
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Versatile with pedals, handling even modulation effects well
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Features a headphone jack for quiet practice
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Compact and portable, making it great for studio, small gigs, and rehearsals
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Loud enough to keep up with drummers, especially when mic'd
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Reacts well to tube swaps, offering customizable tones
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Priced more affordably than an actual Plexi
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Reliable performance, suitable for recording and live use
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Simple operation with no unnecessary circuitry
CONS
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May require multiple units to match drummer volumes in band settings
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Not suited for those seeking modern amp features or high wattage power
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Marshall Class5 Head.
Use cases and applications
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A dirt or boost pedal placed in front of a fuzz face with the fuzz turned down offers unique tonal possibilities with the Class 5.
Source -
A 2x12 cabinet enhances the Class 5's loudness significantly, making it suitable for gigging when mic'd, achieving closer Plexi-like tones.
Source -
Running the Class 5 head through a 4x12 cabinet is noted to handle concert situations effectively, providing ample volume for larger settings.
Source -
The Class 5 head paired with a 1x12 cab is suitable for small gigs if mic'd, but struggles with clean tones in louder settings.
Source -
Rolling back the volume on a Strat can produce warm clean tones despite the amp's early breakup, ideal for vintage Marshall tones.
Source
User experience
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Over-driving the Class 5 by maxing all controls can lead to component failure, as noted by an owner whose V2 did not survive such treatment.
Source -
Owners report that the Class 5 head captures a real vintage plexi tone, which is not overly saturated even at high volumes.
Source -
Owners report the amp can keep up in band settings when volume is at 5, but struggles for solos in louder, hard rock songs.
Source
Comparisons
Features and functionality
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The Class 5 head is "sticky" until played loud enough to naturally overdrive, offering a sustain-rich tone once pushed to higher volumes.
Source -
The lack of a master volume control is noted as a limitation for those concerned about managing output volume in shared spaces.
Source -
The Class 5 head can be switched from 5 watts to 1 watt, offering flexibility for different noise levels and practice environments.
Source -
The 5-watt amp breaks up quickly, making it ideal for rock tones needing distortion but unsuitable for clean country styles.
Source
Value and pricing
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A user found a Class 5 head for $180 on eBay, suggesting significant value for those who shop around.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
Mini Plexi
A really good inexpensive Plexi style amp head. Get this if you can afford a real Plexi.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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