VM2266 Gig Volume Question

[jimmyshakes]

I gigged with the 2266 again this weekend and had to get the Master Volume up around 8 to merge with the band. Even then I could have done with a bit more thrust from time to time as it was getting a bit squashy. We're only a 3 piece but I suppose we are quite loud. We were in a small club (about 100 people) with a small vocal PA and no monitors.

My question is, is this normal with this amp? Also, can I routinely run the volume that high - or even flat out - without any harm being done? The other thing I'm wondering is how fast I'm going to burn through power valves from now on!

Of course with the MV that high, the tone and feel were great (High Range mostly - detail 4, body 3) and the mix of the band was fine, it's just that I'm not used to running an amp that hard. My previous gigging amp was a 100W DSL where the volume usually stayed around 3 or 4 on the green channel. I'm using a Marshall 4x12 with Vintage 30's which are quite efficient speakers. These days, a lot of our gigs are like this; small venues where we only take a vocal PA, so there's not always the option to mic up.

I do have another Marshall 4x12 so I'll be taking both cabs to the next gig to see if that helps with the spread of sound.

[surfnorthwest]

A 2266 wil not run with a DSL 100, but a 2466 100 VM will. I would rather mic your 4x12 Running through your PA would be the simple fix or get the 2466

[LivewireBlanco]

Yes, that's normal for the volume. It's great to get real tube distortion and really makes the amp sing. I would rather crank it and have better tone and change a tubes a little more often. Depends on how much you gig, but I changed mine after a little over a year. As Surf said, a 2466 or miking the amp would be the easiest solution.

[slowpokerhino]

As far as hurting the amp by running it wide open, Steve has said that the VM was designed to be played loud. Even with the master dimed your not hurting a thing.

I usually play in low range and with my band I have to dime the master to be heard, I've had the amp for well over a year now and my poweramp tubes are still going strong. I changed the preamp tubes early on but that was more out of preference than necessity.

[jsegovia]

In Low range the VM is surprisingly quiet but even in High range I think the VMs are quiter than other Marshall amps of comprable wattage. I've owned JCM800, JMP and TSL 100 watt amps and those things were torture to stand close by with the master volume level up around 12 o'clock, but even in High range I can stand playing in front of the VM when it's louder than that. I love the sound of this amp but I won't say it's the loudest Marshall I've ever played.

Jesse

[mety]

You will not damage your amp by running it loud!
This is the way that this amp range, the old 1959 and 1987 amps were meant to be used.

Does anyone really believe that Marshall would put out an amp that will damage itself if its turned up? No way!
Anyone that tells you otherwise is full of it.

Crank it up and enjoy.
In the words of Mick Ronson: "Play Don't Worry".

That's the only way I've used the many amps I've ever owned since the late 70s.
I never run my 2466 below 7 on the master and I haven't had to replace anything since I bought the amp, which was soon after its launch.

[jimmyshakes]

Thanks everyone - I was hoping for those sort of answers. I know Marshalls are meant to be cranked it's just that I've never been able to do it on a regular basis until now. I think I'll be leaving it on full from now on and running things from the guitar which I know is how it's designed to be used.

It's certainly got a real personality this thing.

[StephenRutledge]

It's certainly got a real personality this thing.

hell yeah man :D

[jjb]

My master is usually dimed......no problems so far......great tone that way too!