Marshall Class5 Guitar Combo Satisfies Amplifier Purists

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Long known for the iconic amplifier "stack," Marshall Amplification is exhibiting the Class5, an affordable, premium-appointed combo guitar amplifier that offers all-valve (tube) tone in a simple format that puts guitarists directly in contact with the amplifier's raw abilities and classic sound. Featuring a traditional top-loaded format reminiscent of Marshall's legendary "Bluesbreaker" style, the Class5 provides easy access to an effective yet simple-to-use panel, offering Bass, Middle, and Treble tone controls, and a single Volume knob. The volume knob encompasses a full range of tones for a dynamic playing experience. Set low, the Class5 delivers a sweet, clean sound - ideal for more lyrical moments. Positioning the volume knob at its midpoint offers the familiar Marshall valve-amp crunch; dialing up further provides an organic crunch for soloing and heavier rhythm playing. The Class5 features a 2 x ECC83 double triode preamp stage; a single EL84 pentode provides five Watts of power - more than enough for a Class A amp of this design. The Class A tone - heavier on second harmonic distortion - is never harsh and delivers a natural, warm sound. Made in the UK, the Class5 features a hand-built, birch-ply cabinet. Interlocking finger construction provides solid Marshall tone and a road-worthy feel. The amp offers a noticeably more "traditional" design, but finished in the same Black Levant covering and fret cloth (grille cloth) used in other Marshall products, for instant recognition. The ten-inch Celestion G10F-15 loudspeaker has been specially designed for the Class5. The speaker provides a solid low-end, often missing in combo amps of this size, while retaining an open sound that reflects the Class5's harmonic content. The 16-Ohm speaker can be bypassed to hook up an external cabinet; a headphone output is also provided. Use of the headphone jack also bypasses the internal speaker for private practice with complete tone intact. The Class5 is now available with a U.S. MSRP of $560.00. Marshall Amplification is exhibiting at Booth 6440 (Hall A) at the 2010 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.