Ballpark Price Point?

[The Ballzz]

Hi Folks,
I realize that we won't have specific pricing until the formal release, but wondering about a general idea of the intended price range. For the heads, are we assuming the $600 to $1000 range or should we expect more like a $1500 to $1800 range? From the looks of the gut shots, it appears to be sort of a "hybrid" of hand wired turrets on what looks to be a "semi" printed board? It seems that the assembly may not be as tedious and time consuming as old school, hand wired turret construction and that may help to keep the price down to an affordable point. If the pricing is within reason AND they actually sound good, I see at least one in my future!

On a different note, it is my opinion that a very good a marketable feature would have been to have a 15-ish watt option in addition to the 30 and 5 watt choices. Of course, 5 watts can still get pretty darned loud as evidenced by the Class, SL-5 and the DSL-5. I currently gig regularly with a Class5 head or DSL-5C!

Just Gettin' "ANTSY"
Gene

[Cousin Muely]

I've noticed that it appears like they have streamlined the handwired process and wondered if that might equate to a little savings over the traditional handwired. We'll see.

Also, these have power reduction built in already.

[Sully807]

The only things that aren't handwired are the modern options like channel switching etc. also they are pushing that as being revolutionary in the amp world (in reality it isn't so much) and I think in the world corporate marketing and good old capitalism we'll probably end up seeing a premium being added for that even if it does reduce manufacturing time, for overseas you'll be looking at 1000s easily

[surfnorthwest]

We don't know yet. Once officially launched this summer the Retailers should have a MAP price set by then. I don't think they will be much more than the current handwired heads and combos.

While only a guess I am thinking they will be $2700 - $3200, could be totally off base.

[SteveD]

All amps in the Astoria range are 30W. With the power reduction pull switch enabled, the max power changes to 15W.

Best not speculate about anything. Be patient guys.

[Mike_LA]

We don't know yet. Once officially launched this summer the Retailers should have a MAP price.

While only a guess I am thinking they will be $2700 - 3400

HUmmm, how much was that pristine 6100LE blue stack?

[surfnorthwest]

Well I know for sure I want the AST1 combo, and knowing myself I will also grab a AST3 head.

[Torshalla]

I am also very curious...
Steve, does the power reduction go down to 0.1 watt as the AFD100 and the anniversary amps?

[SteveD]

I am also very curious...
Steve, does the power reduction go down to 0.1 watt as the AFD100 and the anniversary amps?

The power reduction toggles between two ranges on the Master Volume, 0 to 30W or 0 to 15W. Analogue variation of output volume is still with the Master Volume control itself.

[Marker]

I am also very curious...
Steve, does the power reduction go down to 0.1 watt as the AFD100 and the anniversary amps?

The power reduction toggles between two ranges on the Master Volume, 0 to 30W or 0 to 15W. Analogue variation of output volume is still with the Master Volume control itself.

Thanks for the clarification; I still have doubts about the power reduction design.
I'm I reading wrong or the power reduction is simply a different maping of the volume knob being the circuit exactly the same in either 15w vs 30 watt setting except for the volume knob range (or resistance of the pot or something similar on the circuit path)? If so will there be any tone advantage in driving it with volume at 10 on 15 watt vs driving it with volume at 5-7 on 30W?

If the difference is just the pot range than the tone will be exactly the same in either 15w or 30w, the only thing different is the volume because the pot has more resistance on 15w so it would be a small trick to fine tune the volume better but no tone improvement at all if you play the same volume in either 15w or 30w , just a different setting on the pot.



I suspect I understood it wrong, I hope that the power reduction isn't just a stacked volume pot with 2 different ranges (2 different potentiometer tracks) and a relay switch to comutate between both, like this:

[Torshalla]

Thanks for your answer Steve! Great to have you here helping us! :)
Now... I must admit I do not understand :) i need to study amp designs... :)
Do you mean that the power reduction takes the amp down to 15watt and the master volume is a regular master volume?
Or do you mean it is a new sort of MV which reduces power output without affecting tone?

[kossofffan]

This is the first advert for The Astoria range I've seen and is at a much better price point than I guessed. Can't wait for summer NAMM and the demos to hear them

http://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-ampli ... 1246page-1

[surfnorthwest]

This is the first advert for The Astoria range I've seen and is at a much better price point than I guessed. Can't wait for summer NAMM and the demos to hear them

http://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-ampli ... 1246page-1

Agree, they really are in line with other handwired amps Marshall sells.

[Marker]

Nice find.
It seems very expensive for me, at last for the European standard prices for Marshall amps.

If you arrange the Marshall amps range by price you have:
http://www.andertons.co.uk/Products/Pro ... 1859page-1

At 2500 Euro to 2750 Euro it's the most expensive Marshall available except for the Bluesbreaker.
The JTM45 Handwired get's in between the price range of the Astoria series but the JTM45 it's full handwired while the Astoria is PCB + turrets for the components. Plus the JTM 45 is a proven and mytic amp, the Astoria is starting now and still has to create it's own legend.

To be honest I was expecting it priced at around the 2555x or maximum at the 1959SLP. It's risky to launch it at that price as it's not a classic/legendary amp yet but many other makers price their "boutique" amps on the same range, there's a small market for that. Let's see if the Marshall pricing strategy for the Astoria is proven right.

[Torshalla]

I must say I agree with Marker... it is expensive compared to the rest of the range... (i.e. 1959 HW)
I guess the prices are market based rather than cost based... it is a small market but one where people are ready to spend money if the amp is right for them...

But I am really looking forward to hearing the demos and to try them myself... then who knows... :)
Although I already have too much gear and can't see how any amp could be better than my AFD... or than my 1 watts...