1974X v. SV20C......?

[Buc McMaster]

I own and love a 2004 model 1974X, #7 of 40 built for GC's 40th anniversary...........terrific little banger of an amp! Recently the SV20C has caught my attention, similar power but with a 10" speaker and EL34 output tubes. I've been thinking that, tonally speaking, the EL84 in the 1974X is every bit as potent as the EL34s in the SV. However, it's been well over 40 years since I was intimate with an EL34-equipped Marshall (early 70s SLP....used it with a Sholz Power Soak!) and am not sure my memory is serving me well. Soooo........in the considered opinion of the Marshall devotees here, is there a radical difference in the tone of these two combos? A difference that would make be smile, nod and say 'yep.....that's the ticket'? Or would I find the amps so very similar I would regret the purchase of an SV?

 

[fitz]

I own and love a 2004 model 1974X, #7 of 40 built for GC's 40th anniversary...........terrific little banger of an amp! Recently the SV20C has caught my attention, similar power but with a 10" speaker and EL34 output tubes. I've been thinking that, tonally speaking, the EL84 in the 1974X is every bit as potent as the EL34s in the SV. However, it's been well over 40 years since I was intimate with an EL34-equipped Marshall (early 70s SLP....used it with a Sholz Power Soak!) and am not sure my memory is serving me well. Soooo........in the considered opinion of the Marshall devotees here, is there a radical difference in the tone of these two combos? A difference that would make be smile, nod and say 'yep.....that's the ticket'? Or would I find the amps so very similar I would regret the purchase of an SV?

Any way you can try before you buy, or return if you don't like?

 

[Eric'45]

You can't go really wrong with the SV20C, it's one of the best Amps Marshall has produced for years.
I don't have experience with those particular Amps, but I own a JTM45 Head- that would be quite similar to your 1974X- and I have tested the Head Version of the Studio Vintage at the Store. It has EL34s, it has an SS Rectifier, and I'd say it sounds more aggressive than your 1974X or my 2245. For me, that would be enough of a difference to get both.
Or better put, I will definitely get a Studio Vintage as soon as I have some money to spare, even though I own a JTM45. They're similar, but different enough.

But that's just my opinion, as fitz has suggested, it's always good when you can try out something,

 

[Silverdome]

What are you going to get from the SC20C that you aren't already getting from the 1987x?

 

[Buc McMaster]

What are you going to get from the SC20C that you aren't already getting from the 1987x?

Glad you asked. An effects loop. I do not now and never have cared much for anything between guitar and amp........straight in, straight up. Being primarily a rhythm guitarist, the effects I have much use for are a rotary speak sim or a vibe, both of which would work well in an effects loop, could be left at the amp rather than up front and still be switchable remotely in the Origin 20 combo...........which, but the way, I just ordered! Soooo.......nevermind.

 

[scozz]

The best thing to do is what @fitz288 suggested, try finding a store where you can try one.

I don’t believe they overlap so much that an SV20 would seem redundant, but I don’t have any personal experience with a 1974x.

Or, if you’re buying new, and if a GC is not too far from you, you could order an SV to try during the return period.

I don’t know how long the return time is these days but it used to be 45 days. You might have to pay something for shipping or restocking, but it’s a good way to try an expensive amplifier that’s not available for a test drive.

Some believe it’s morally wrong to do this, I understand that, but I’m not willing to die on that hill.

 

[SlyStrat]

Had a 1974X and 2061X.
Sold them both after buying my first SV.
To me the SV has more of everything.

 

[scozz]

What are you going to get from the SC20C that you aren't already getting from the 1987x?

Hmmm bud , the op is not referring to either of those amps, he’s asking about a 1974x vs an SV20.

Am I missing something?

 

[Silverdome]

Hmmm bud , the op is not referring to either of those amps, he’s asking about a 1974x vs an SV20.

Am I missing something?

LOL one was a typo and the other was I need to get my eyes checked.

I saw it as SC20. UGH.

 

[goldtop0]

Only drawback for me with the C is the 10" celestion, I'd never go with that power output and that size speaker, always a 12".

 

[booh]

I have both and prefer the tight tone and presence of the SV20.

 

[PelliX]

If you go for the SV, I'd seriously consider getting the head. 10" speakers in half-open combos don't flip my switch too much - but that's just me.

 

[Maggot Brain]

I'm going to be the odd man out and say I think a 10" is perfect for the wattage of the SV20. I've found the 12s aren't as fun with 20w as 10s, the 10s seem to break up much better with the lower wattage of the studio vintage and compliment the whole plexi sound the SV is aimed for.


It's been a long time since I played around on a 1974x but I feel like the SV20 is more aggressive.

 

[V-man]

FWIW, I don’t own one. From what I read, the results are completely mixed… tons of praise for the approximation of the bigger contemporary’s tone one side, with complaints about it being far too loud for strict residential use and not nearly loud enough (unassisted) live on the other.

My takeaway is it makes a great and compact studio preamp to use with your pre-existing DI/IR and DAW or portable live rig when you can depend upon plugging in to the FOH/PA, etc. what it is not is a good solution for (unassisted) quiet/acceptable volume residential use or (unassisted) live use. Considering the price of these new at present, I believe many of the would-be customers would be about as well served buying the 50w/100w article (particularly used) when both applications call for attenuation or a DI/IR setup.

In any event, I can’t speak from experience for the sheer fact that owning a 100w NMV and MV JMP with proper attenuation means these Studio units offer nothing I don’t have a better, more usable version of already and the cost is thus utterly unjustifiable.

 

[purpleplexi]

I love my SV20C. I used to have a fairly high end h/w plexi clone and to my ears the SV has more plexiness than the 50 watt.

 

[scozz]

If you go for the SV, I'd seriously consider getting the head. 10" speakers in half-open combos don't flip my switch too much - but that's just me.

Yeah I have to agree, almost $2000 for a single 10” 20 watt combo?! Not for me.

I don’t think I buy Marshall’s explanation either, they claim they tested all kinds of speakers, 10” and 12”, and the 10” V-type won the bid.

This, after the mini Jubilee combo has been out for years,… (before the Studio line came out in 2019),… loaded with a 12” Greenback.

Why does a premium amplifier come with such a rather un-premium speaker?

(ok that’s not a word but you get my drift).

 

[SlyStrat]

Had the SV combo.
The 12" V-Type is better in every way.
The 10" isn't as articulate and fuzzier sounding.
It colors the amp tone too much for me.
There's a thread about putting a 12" speaker in the combo.
I've tried MANY speakers and I prefer the V-Type.
And I call BS the SV doesn't sound as good as a 100 or 50.
I've had them all:

 

[donwagar]

I'm quite happy with the 10" speaker in my SV20C.

If you feel you have to have a 12", you can just buy the SV20H.

 

[PelliX]

Why does a premium amplifier come with such a rather un-premium speaker?

I call BS on a 10" sounding better than a 12" in just about any scenario, certainly if they're Celestions. The V-type isn't necessarily an un-premium speaker (I'll borrow that lingual horror you created ), but they even managed to cram a 12" in the DSL20, which has the same width chassis. Maybe they reckon it sounds to cramped in there on the SV, I dunno.

And I call BS the SV doesn't sound as good as a 100 or 50.

Johan Segeborn did a pretty decent side by side test. At volume. Camera shaking volume, dimed the heck out of both. Same 2x12 for both amps, IIRC. Some bits the SV20 beats the Plexi to my ears, but that's perhaps 30%, the other 70% I think I prefer the Plexi, but that's also specific tones and dialing in. I'd say it sounds a little different, but not 'worse' as in thinner, tinnier or less articulate (when desired). I still want one.

 

[TXOldRedRocker]

I have a SC20H connected to a 2x12 with Celestion's. My favorite tone machine I own BY FAR. As I own other brand amplifiers. I'd like to find a Marshall combo to get as close as I can, but higher output. That's turning out to be more difficult that I would expect. Marshall needs SC50H/C and SV50H/C. (Or sub 50 for 40.)