Fender or Marshall? The BEST Clean Pedal Platform

About a year and a half ago I purchased my first Marshall. I never used distortion or overdrive pedals with it because the tones in the amp are awesome. I have have been a long time Fender amplifier player. Fender amps are regarded as the ultimate "pedal platform".

► Fender Blues Deluxe

► Marshall DSL40CR
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Guitar Hack had mentioned that he prefers his Marshall with pedals over the Fender amps with pedals so I thought I would give it a shot.

In this video, I am using three overdrive pedals into a Marshall DSL40CR on the clean channel and the Fender Blues Deluxe on the clean channel. Both these amplifiers are at gig volume (118dB) and are mic'd up with an SM57.

Both of these amplifiers are mine and I have been using them for a long time now.

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[ProCoRat]

Conclusion: Pick the one you think looks cooler.

[musicmotorskate]

They both sounded great but that sustain with the Fender was awesome. The Marshall is a much more flexible amp though, it has good cleans and overdrive that can cover blues, classic rock and metal. I really like my hot rod deville but will be picking up a DSL 40CR soon.

[pmoney]

So all of it sounded amazing, all the pedals, both amps. I give the fender a slight edge, I feel like it had a little bit more grit and soul. Also feel like fender definitely better for blues rock/southern rock.

[JBrantley]

Both sounds awesome the fender sounded brighter and the Marshall sounded warmer but it did vary alittle with each pedal definitely loved both tones

[proteus]

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but SRV used a marshall for his cleans and a fender for his overdrive.

[CentHead]

I just picked up a DSL40CR last month, and have been using it conjunction with a Fender Deluxe Reverb. I use them both for my cleans in a "dry/wet" set up (occasionally with some overdrive, and switch to the Marshall for solos. I think the 2 amps compliment each other beautifully in the clean realm, and can actually get pretty close to each other tonally, but the Marshal has that real tube gain that pedals can never top IMHO.

I totally agree that having the master volume at full, and using the guitar volume knob is the way to go. Hot tubes perform better...

[overvieweffect]

I feel neither were better, just different, so if I were to choose one of the two, I'd go for the fender just because imo it sounds better when dead clean

[cliftongardner]

I stack a Fulltone OCD into a Boss DS-1 into the clean channel of my DSL40C (with an Eminence Private Jack swapped in), and they sound so buttery and creamy. Marshall's cleans are so under-appreciated; my DSL sounds rich and full when squeaky clean... Not saying that the DSL can't roar nicely on its own, because it absolutely can! Just a great all-rounder, the DSL40C.

[jamalabdul]

As a Marshall owner, I absolutely love the tones of these amps, both the clean and overdrive tones. That being said, I still love the sounds from Fender amps!!! I can’t choose one over the other because they both do a great job as pedal platforms and for dirty tones!!!! Just get both!!! 😂😂😂 Cool video Shane! Cheers!!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[brammanck]

To be honest I normally prefer Fender all the way but Marshall sounded smoother.. so I go Marshall. Does this mean I have to buy one now ? :)

[GuitarHack]

Thanks for the shout out Shane. And yes I do prefer the warmer smoother Marshall tones. Cheers

[BenCoombs]

Good shootout Shane, I prefer the Fender myself. Nice shout out to a fellow Canadian YouTuber, cheers!!

[gabrielazzopardi]

I own both and have had these amps for several years. I have the DSL40C with a G12T75 speaker and a HRD II with a 12AT7 in PI tube and a C12N speaker.

Both take drive pedals well, different pedals work differently but most of them sound good with both. Delays also work great with both.

On the other hand, modulation is easier to dial in with the HRD. Especially once you start adding pedals like an overdrive, a modulation and a delay, the HRD is apparent that it is better than the DSL. The HRD has a lot more clarity.

My band mates have told me that they really like the DSL rhythm tone a lot better than the HRD. But once I break into a solo, the clarity of the HRD is unmatched by the DSL!

[jasong]

I like that you pointed out they don’t sound too different at gig volume, as I was thinking you can’t go wrong with either of the tones you were getting. I am glad you showed us the amps!

[CagedMan]

Awesome comparison, but I had to wonder. What they might sounded like together in unison and stereo'd...

[AliOsman]

2:50 Your face with the Maxon through the Fender says it all!

[mickbrenton]

Having got both style amps I would suggest that fenders have more volume and tone dynamics when it comes to using pedals on the clean channel! However, when using overdrives they can sound brittle on the top end if don't back off the effects tone control compared to using it on a Marshall which has a softer mid to top end frequency response. I suggest every guitarist buy both if you're undecided! : )

[cflowers]

I use a fender deluxe and a very conservative pedal board. Amazing pedal platform.

[rickbailey]

I liked both! Seemed like Fender had a bit more sustain.

[philclarke]

I'm leaning towards the 'just use what you've got' camp with stuff like this. If I was shopping? Fender.