Marshall SL5 Slash signature 1x12 combo amp demo

Guns N' Roses' Appetite For Destruction is one of the greatest rock albums of all time, and among its myriad highlights is the gorgeous guitar tone of the band's top hat-totin' whirlwind, Slash. He used a rented Marshall 'Plexi' head and a non-Gibson Les Paul to produce a sound that was full and thick for rhythm, yet sufficiently articulate for solos.

And now, after working together to bring us the limited-edition AFD1000 signature head back in 2010, the Marshall team and Slash himself have gone back to the drawing board to produce a small five-watt combo.

The SL5 is an all-valve package with an EL34 tube in the power-valve section, which is significant because most of Marshall's more powerful amps are based around that type of valve - typically, amps with a similarly low output would use an EL84.

The way the EL34 'squashes' sound is at the heart of the majority of Marshall-based rock tones. The appearance of a 12-inch speaker - a single Celestion Vintage 30 - also gives the sound more body than the amp's diminutive size would suggest.

Control-wise, it's business as usual: two channels, labelled clean and dirty, are controlled by a global three-band EQ, and they can be selected either via a button on the front panel or with the included two-way footswitch. The second switch engages the spangly onboard digital reverb.

However, one of the amp's major selling points can be found around the back: a switch that lowers the output from five watts down to one. Reducing the output in this way means you can crank the amp to maximum for a super-fat tone - all at bedroom-friendly volumes.

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[shawnglass]

This amp is amazing! I discovered it completely by accident. My friend was trying out Les Pauls and we walked over and just plugged into the first Marshall tube amp we saw. I guessed it was tube because it was small but $800. I turned it on. Turned the gain to 3/4 and walked away. He started playing and I said “What the hell is that?!” Walked over and looked closer and saw it was a 5 watt Slash signature. I don’t play much Guns N Roses. I like Slash but I’m a blues rock player. We both played on that amp for a while then plugged into a DSL-15. Absolutely no comparison. Plugged back into the SL-5. I left the store haunted by that awesome tone. Never heard a tone that good from a 5 watt amp. A couple months later I gave in and ordered one. It has been one of my favorite amps ever sense. I’ve used it on a few recordings and it’s my favorite practice amp. My main amp is a Marshall 1962HW. Last week I bought a fryette power station. It not only allows me to attenuate my Bluesbreaker but it allows me to make any amp into a 50 watt amp!! With the power station I can gig my SL-5 with no mic!!...and the power station has an effects loop! Perfect for my Handwired Bluesbreaker and the SL-5! My SL-5 is now a 50 watters with an effects loop! The power station also allows 2 cabs to be hooked up. So I can run the SL-5 with its cab and the Heritage greenback and G12C greenback in the Bluesbreaker cab. I’m in Blues Rock heaven!

[dvilman]

Please don't condemn Marshall products just because they are made in China. I have one of these and find it has fantastic tone. If it was made in the UK it'll probably be over 1200 bucks which is way beyond my budget. The fact that it is cheaper due to the place it is made, has allowed many players to taste near-AFD100 tone at affordable prices. Of course being 5W don't expect to use it for big gigs cuz it's meant to be a studio/practice amp.

Do remember that at the end of the day, Marshall is still corporate. And being corporate, revenue has to be it's topmost priority cuz the CEO has shareholders to answer to. Quality comes next(i hope). I examined the unit for crappy china workmanship but failed to find any. No microphonics in the stock tubes also. I think Marshall actually has decent quality control in the china factory - I would be convinced if the rear tag reads "Made in UK". Getting the amp produced in China helped to cut down labor costs a lot compared to UK and that allow them to lower the selling costs so it's more appealing to players. Marshall can choose not to give a shit and still sell this unit at >$1200 and people will still buy it after hearing its tone, though probably less.

Accept the fact. China's labor costs are much lower than US, Europe and UK because they have millions of them eager to work for lower salaries. The trend is for worldwide companies' production to move to lower cost countries to maintain/ increase revenue.

The world's most famous iPhone from Apple also made in China(contract manufacturer is Foxconn). So if you hate China-made products yet hold an iPhone, you have a contradiction problem.

[guitardave]

If only it had an fx loop it would be perfect...

[guitar]

I WISH WE COULD HERE MORE CLEAN TONES ON THE 1 WATT WITH REVERB SOME DELTA BLUES, THIS AMP IS SO VERSATILE.

[CoverCriticShane]

The amp sounds really good for a MIC amp. Britain and the US pretty much tax things out of existence.

[lockpickerk]

Yes volume will affect your tone, typically the louder you play the more saturated your tubes get and the crunchier your tone will be. Try using input 1 as recommended for low output (single coil pickups) I still use it with humbuckers as shown in the video. If you still need more gain at really low volumes try using an overdrive pedal to boost the OD channel. I use an MXR GT-OD when playing whisper quiet for extra crunch. Remember a little boost in gain goes a long way. Hope this helps. :-)

[enakki]

I have blackstar HT-1 for bedroom playing but do not like the OD chanell at all. then i got this one and have to agree with other guys - it's amazing. clean and OD channels are beautiful. a lot of versatility. i really love this amp. even playable at 5 watt. i like it to play at low volume better than on 1 watt. plays great with strat but with my LP studio it rocks! rally worth the money. and i don't care the slash name on it.

[shield]

This is a great amp, I will go as far as to say 'THE BEST' 1&5 Watter to date. Forget the "Slash" name on it, this is a great amp regardless. With awesome tones, versatility and a real (not relabeled) Vintage 30 speaker. Made in China? So what...what isn't these days!? The quality of the build and components are top notch and extremely detailed. If you're that shallow as to avoid it because of the Slash name or the Made in China label then it's your loss. I am thoroughly enjoying mine!

[BlackWolfgang]

i tryed this in a local store and it's incredibely loud for being a 5 watts

[MischievousIQ]

I agree the 40C is way too bright even with the treble almost at zero. I also found the bass a bit mushy. Actually I think the Blackstar Club 40 sounds better than the dsl40c. Maybe they should have made the 40C closed back. I also think the 40c would benefit greatly with a G-12 Creamback speaker instead of the Seventy 80. Haven't tried the SL5 yet. :(

[lockpickerk]

I didn't care much for the Blackstar, it's a very modern sounding amp...almost sterile at times. Even when using the (ISF) knob. Cleans were nice but the OD had lots of gain but no crunch. IMO, besides new tubes the Invader 50 speaker from WGS would make a great Club 40 upgrade.

[javiceres]

Just a reminder: all your iPhones and Samsungs are made in China as well.

[lockpickerk]

This amp is great, played both the SL-5 & DSL40C this week and bought the SL-5. The 40C was nice but way too bright for me and the bass seemed flubby. I also wasn't crazy about the fuzzy ultra gain. FYI: Anyone interested in the SL-5 should act quickly as they are indeed limited according to Marshall USA distributor. Don't believe me 'Google it'!

[MrOzgooner]

They should of made a 50 watt version of this combo at least

[ThePureCowbell]

This is actually my first tube amp, and it is amazing! I have a question regarding volume though. I usually don't play that loud, so is that taking away from any gain or tone? Mine doesn't seem to have as much gain as what is shown, so does this have to do with volume level? Any help is appreciated!

[Joska]

C 5 is all the way different kind of amp made for os lived along with Green, Blackmore, Tull, Lizzy e.t.c. Out of production line and true new classic!

[finemessugotmein]

I have no problem with MIC but the price tags used or new should represent this ... Way overpriced

[rockerstreet]

Marshall made this amp to be slash-like tone, 80s distortion, but it’s only 5w, like wth?

[ratsalad]

Considering that you can get an all American boutique hand wired 5 watt head or combo for $799 - $999 (Dr. Z, Suhr Corso, Swart), yeah this mass produced Chinese built amp is a bit pricy... Can point out a few problems with this amp for the $700 street price, being "only" 5 watts however is *not* one of them.

[liamsilver]

just WHY would you play a strat when it's a Slash signature amp?