Marshall vs Boss Amps: Which are the Best?

Marshall and Boss are two big names in the amplifier industry, but which makes the best amps? In this article, I’ll be comparing the classic tones of Marshall and Boss, the controls you typically find on each brand, and pretty much every model in each range head-to-head so you can choose the best option for your budget.

The Quick Answer

Boss produce solid-state modelling amps which can be used to mimic a range of tones, whilst Marshall produce both valve and solid state amps with different tones. Marshall valve amps sound more authentic than Boss amps, whereas solid-state Marshall amps can sound thinner and muddier by comparison.

Comparing the Tones

Boss specialises in solid state modelling amps whereas Marshall produce both solid state and valve (tube) amplifiers. Modelling amps are great if you want to easily be able to access different voices to suit different music styles, whilst valve amps sound more classic and vintage. Valve amps are usually significantly more expensive than solid state amplifiers.

Of course, the best way to demonstrate the difference between Boss and Marshall amps, is to actually hear it! So I’ve included some videos to compare the tones as well as summarising them below. Keep in mind that there is a big difference between solid state and valve amps in the Marshall range in terms of the sound.

This video does a great job at comparing solid state Marshall and Boss amp tones.

Clean Tone

• Boss clean tones have a lot of low-end whilst Marshall solid-state amps have a more pronounced mid-range.
• Marshall valve clean tones sound more gritty when the volume is turned up compared to Boss solid state amps which sound smoother.

Distorted Tone

• Boss solid state amps sound more punchy and aggressive, with more pronounced treble than Marshall solid state amps which sound a bit thinner.
• Marshall valve amps sound crunchier and clearer than Boss amps which sound darker and heavier.

Here’s a video comparing a Marshall valve amp with the Boss Katana (solid state).

Boss Katana vs Marshall CODE vs Marshall MG

The Boss Katana and Marshall CODE are both modelling amps which use different modes to access to different tones. The Katana has 5 modes, whilst the CODE has 15 built-in. The CODE has 24 built-in effects whilst the Katana has 15 built-in but software can be used to access over 68 effects. Both amps are available in 100W and 50W versions and the CODE is also available in a 25W version.

The Boss Katana and the Marshall MG GFX (e.g. MG30GFX) are solid state amplifiers. The Katana has 5 modes and 15 built-in effects (58 can be accessed using software), whilst the MG GFX has 4 modes and 6 main effects. The Katana comes in 50W and 100W versions and the MG GXF comes in 30W and 50W versions.

Feature	Boss Katana	Marshall CODE	Marshall GFX
Wattage	50W, 100W	25W, 50W, 100W	30W/ 50W
Models	5	15	4
Effects	60+	24	6
Price Range	$240-$480	$270-$450	$240-$420

Models/ Channels

• The Boss Katana has 5 modes: acoustic, clean, crunch, lead and brown. Each mode also has a variation built-in which adds brightness to each of the modes.
• The Marshall CODE has 15 modes: 4 clean, 5 crunch, 4 overdrive, natural, acoustic.
• The Marshall MG GFX series has 4 modes: clean, crunch, overdrive 1, overdrive 2

Effects

• The Boss Katana has 58 effects, however you need to plug into a PC/ laptop and use the Boss Tone Studio software to access the full range. 15 effects are available from the amp on its own.
• The Marshall CODE has 24 effects which are all accessible from the amp itself.
• The Marshall MG GFX Series has 6 effects built-in.

Wattage

• The cheapest Boss Katana is the 50W version (approx. $240), which is a similar price to the 25W Marshall CODE (approx. $270) and same price as the 30W Marshall MG30FX.
• The 50W version of the Marshall CODE is approximately $320 and the 50W version of the Marshall MG50GFX is roughly $420.
• The 100W Boss Katana is roughly $370 whilst the 100W Marshall Code is around $450.
• This makes the Boss Katana the cheaper amp if you’re looking for high wattage, followed by the Marshall CODE and finally the Marshall MG series.

Check out my comparison between the Boss Katana 50 and 100 to learn more.

The Controls

Here’s a quick insight into the controls commonly found on Marshall and Boss amps.

I have some in-depth guides to the controls and settings of both amplifier brands so check them out if you’re looking for some more detail:

• Guide to Marshall Amp Settings
• Guide to Boss Amp Settings

Comparing Amp Models

The Boss Katana isn’t the only amp in the Boss range, so I wanted to compare some more models against Marshall amps in this next section. I have collated pretty much every currently available Marshall and Boss amp and compared their specifications and the price (based on the price at Guitar Center at the time of writing). I’ve put all this information into tables to make it clear to read, and split it into three categories. Each table is organised from the lowest to the highest price.

Guitar Center are always the first place I look at when I’m interested in a new amp because have a huge range of amplifiers for sale and always have some excellent deals on. Here’s a link to take you directly to Guitar Center’s amp range so you can see all the offers available at the moment. 

Contents

• Solid state combo amps: $100-$900
• Valve (tube) combo amps: $350-$2850
• Head units: $550-$2600

Solid State and Combo Amps

Amplifier	Wattage	Price	Settings
Marshall MG10G	10W	$100	2 channels, gain, contour
Marshall MG15	15W	$120	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ
Marshall MG15DFX	15W	$180	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger
Boss Katana 50	50W	$240	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Marshall MG30GFX	30W	$240	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger, octave
Marshall CODE 25W	25W	$270	14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Marshall CODE 50W	50W	$320	14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Boss Cube Street II	10W	$350	7 guitar models, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, chorus, delay
Boss Katana 100 1×12	100W	$370	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Marshall MG50GFX	50W	$420	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger, octave
Marshall CODE100W	100W	$450	14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Boss Katana 100 2×12	100W	$480	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Boss Nextone Stage	40W	$515	4 models, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, delay, presence
Boss Katana-Artist	100W	$600	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Boss Nextone Artist	80W	$720	4 models, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, delay, presence
Boss Nextone Special	80W	$900	2 channels (and 4 models), 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, delay, boost, custom tune, presence

Key Points:

• Boss amps start at a higher price than Marshall amps which cater for new guitarists.
• Boss produces the highest wattage (100W) solid-state combo for the lowest price.

Head Units

Amplifier	Wattage	Type	Price	Settings
Boss Katana	100W	Solid State	$350	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Marshall CODE 100W	100W	Solid State	$400	14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Boss Katana-Air Wireless	30W	Solid State	$412	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Marshall Origin20H	20W	Tube	$450	Gain, 3 band EQ, tilt, boost, presence
Marshall Origin50H	50W	Tube	$550	Gain, 3 band EQ, tilt, boost, presence
Marshall DSL20HR	20W	Tube	$550	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Marshall DSL100HR	100W	Tube	$950	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Marshall Studio Classic	20W	Tube	$1400	Presence, 3 band EQ
Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee	20W	Tube	$1400	Gain, presence, 3 band EQ
Marshall Vintage Studio	20W	Tube	$1500	Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb
Marshall Studio Classic	20W	Tube	$1500	Presence, 3 band EQ
Marshall JMV205H	50W	Tube	$2000	2 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb
Marshall JMV210H	100W	Tube	$2200	2 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb
Marshall JMT45	45W	Tube	$2600	Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb
Boss Waza	150W	Solid State	$2780	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, presence, reverb, FX
Marshall JMV410H	100W	Tube	$2850	2 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb

• Boss only make solid-state head units and Marshall make tube and solid-state head units.
• Boss make the cheapest 100W head unit.
• Boss make the highest wattage head unit (150W).

Valve Combo Amps (Marshall Only)

Amplifier	Wattage	Price	Settings
Marshall Origin20C	20W	$550	Gain, 3 band EQ, boost, tilt, presence
Marshall DSL5CR	5W	$550	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Marshall DSL20CR	20W	$650	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Marshall Origin50C	50W	$700	Gain, 3 band EQ, boost, tilt, presence
Marshall DSL40CR	40W	$800	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee	20W	$1600	Gain, 3 band EQ
Marshall Studio Classic 20W	20W	$1700	3 band EQ, presence
Marshall Studio Vintage 20W	20W	$1700	Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb
Marshall JMV215C	50W	$2600	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance

Key Points:

• Only Marshall currently produce valve (tube) amps, Boss do not make valve amps.

In the market for a new amplifier? Check out my complete amplifier buyer’s guide to help narrow down your selection and find the perfect amp for you.

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