Marshall MB60 Bass Combo Amplifier Review

Although they make very nice amps, Marshall have never been all that big in the bass amplifier world. The new MB range appears to be a step in the right direction for the company, with solid construction and the ability to create quite a diverse range of sounds, albeit after spending a little time changing the dials. 


The range of sound this amp can make is thanks to the two channel system, with an included footswitch that lets you quickly change from one channel to another. The Classic channel has a clear, smooth sound suitable for jazz or reggae. Turn up the gain and you have a nice classic rock sound. The Modern channel has a more piercing, "twangy" feel to it, and is suitable for more energetic sftyles, such as punk and metal.

I've used a 30w 10" Fender Rumble, which I wasn't very impressed with, an 80w 10" Trace Elliot BLX-80 which had a nice low end "thump" but lacked treble, a Laney bass cabinet and head which were quite good (but too large for my needs), and now this 60w 12" Marshall MB60. I play a 4 string Warwick Corvette Double Buck. 

The MB60 Modern Channel.

Coming from a growly, rumbly 80w Trace Elliot, I found that while very smooth and tonally impressive, the MB60 lacked the low end "thump" I'd been used to. That being said, I was still impressed by how smooth and buttery the Classic channel sounded. The Modern channel took a little more setting up to get the sound that I wanted, but certainly has its uses, and being able to quickly switch between the channels with the footswitch is a nice feature indeed.

This is a good practice amp that is loud enough to play a small venue. If you need more volume, consider the Marshall MB150, which has a 15" speaker, but the same features and higher wattage. The next model after that, the MB4210 450w 2x10" adds the ability to blend the two channels together if you wish. 

All in all, I'm very happy with this amp and, after a bit of fiddling around with the dials, I'm constantly being impressed with the different sounds it can make.