Marshall vs Fender Amps: Which are the Best?

Marshall and Fender are two of the leading amp brands and their products are used by countless famous guitar players. In this article, I’ll compare the signature tones as well as the different models in each brand’s ranges, so you can decide which is the best option for you.

The Quick Answer

Fender amps often sound brighter and cleaner compared to Marshall amps. Marshall amplifiers usually have more mid-range compared to Fender amps which often have a scooped mid-range. Fender amps are best known for their clean tones whilst Marshall are well known for their crunchy distortion.

Comparing the Tones

Marshall and Fender both make solid state amplifiers and valve amps which sound different from one another. When trying to pin down the “signature” tone, it’s usually easier to look at the valve amp offerings, since a lot of solid state amp attempt to emulate this tone.

Of course it’s hard to compare the tones of entire brands, particularly when their ranges are so expansive, but I’ll make some key points here.

Clean Tone

  • Fender clean tones are often described as “sparkly” and are usually scooped meaning that the mid-range is lower compared to the bass and treble.
  • Marshall clean tones have more mid-range and less top-end compared to Fender amps which allows the Marshall amps to “cut-through the mix” more when playing with a band.

Distorted Tone

  • Fender amps usually have a lot of “headroom” meaning that you need to crank them quite high to achieve a distorted tone. Again, the tone is more scooped with less mid-range than bass and treble.
  • Marshall amps are well known for their crunchy and saturated overdriven tones. Many Marshall amps are described as “high gain” so will typically have less headroom than Fender amps.

Music Styles

Fender amps are more associated with country, surf and blues whilst Marshall amps are more associated with rock and metal, but both brands produce amplifiers that are capable of playing a wide range of music genres. Generally, Fender amps are chosen more for their clean tones and Marshall more for gain tones.

Examples

It’s tough to make tone comparisons without actually hearing the amps in action, so here are a few videos where you can listen to Fender and Marshall tones back to back and decide which you prefer the sound of.

#1 Fender Bassbreaker vs Marshall DSL (Valve Combo Amps)

  • The Marshall amp had slightly better sustain than the Fender amp
  • The Fender amp sounded a bit brighter than the Marshall
  • The Marshall amp had a tighter low-end compared to the Fender

Example #2 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe vs Marshall Vintage Modern

  • The Marshall amp sounded warmer and fuller than the Fender
  • The Fender sounding brighter and cleaner than the Marshall

Example #3 Fender Mustang GT vs Marshall CODE (Solid State Modelling Amps)

  • The Fender sounded brighter but the Marshall sounded fuller on the clean channel
  • The Fender sounded fuzzier when using gain

Comparing the Ranges

Now let’s take a look at the features and prices of the different amps in the range. I’ve compiled information in the tables below for pretty much every currently available Fender and Marshall amp. The prices are all from Guitar Center at the time of writing but are subject to change.

Both ranges are very extensive so to make things more manageable, I’ve split the tables into categories and ordered them all from the lowest to the highest price within the tables. Here are the categories:

  • Starter Amplifiers (solid state amps under $200)
  • Solid State Combo Amplifiers (over $200)
  • Valve (Tube) Combo Amplifiers
  • Head Unit Amplifiers

Don’t get bogged down too much with these tables. I’ve just made them so you can quickly identify which models are available within your price range from each brand.

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. 

Starter Amps ($80-$180)

AmplifierWattagePriceSettings
Fender Frontman 10G10W$802 channels, gain, treble, bass
Marshall MG10G10W$1002 channels, gain, contour
Marshall MG1515W$1202 channels, gain, 3 band EQ
Fender Champion 2020W$1302 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Fender Mustang LT2525W$15030 presets, gain, 3 band EQ
Marshall MG15DFX15W$1802 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger
Marshall vs Fender starter amps compared.

Key Points:

  • Fender make the cheapest starter amplifier
  • The more affordable Fender amps come packed with more effects than the Marshall amps

Solid State Combo Amps ($220-$500)

AmplifierWattagePriceSettings
Fender Champion 4040W$2202 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Fender Champion 50XL50W$2302 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Marshall MG30GFX30W$2402 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger, octave
Marshall CODE 50W50W$32014 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Fender Mustang GTX 5050W$38030 presets, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Fender Champion 100100W$4002 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Marshall MG50GFX50W$4202 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger, octave
Fender Champion 100XL100W$4502 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, voice control, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Marshall CODE100W100W$45014 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Fender Mustang GTX 100100W$500200 presets, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Marshall vs Fender solid state combo amps compared.

Key Points:

  • Fender make more affordable high wattage solid state amps
  • Both brands make amps with lots of effects and features

Valve Combo Amps ($400-$2600)

AmplifierWattagePriceSettings
Fender Super-Champ X215W$4002 channels, gain, voice, treb, bass
Fender Bassbreaker 0077W$450Gain, 3 band EQ, treb boost
Marshall Origin20C20W$550Gain, 3 band EQ, boost, tilt, presence
Marshall DSL5CR5W$5502 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Fender Pro Junior IV15W$600Tone
Fender Blues Junior IV15W$6503 band EQ, reverb
Marshall DSL20CR20W$6502 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Fender Bassbreaker 15W15W$650Gain, structure, 3 band EQ, reverb  
Marshall Origin50C50W$700Gain, 3 band EQ, boost, tilt, presence
Fender ’68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb5W$7503 band EQ, tremolo, reverb
Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue40W$8002 channels, drive, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence
Marshall DSL40CR40W$8002 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe40W$9003 band EQ, reverb, presence, various switches
Fender Bassbreaker 30R30W$9002 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb
Fender Super-Sonic 2222W$10502 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb
Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb12W$1100Treble, bass, reverb, tremolo
Fender Tone Master Super Reverb45W$12002 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, tremolo
Fender 68 Custom Pro Reverb40W$13003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch
Fender Vintage Reissue ’65 Deluxe Reverb22W$14003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb
Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb85W$15003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch
Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee20W$1600Gain, 3 band EQ
Fender Vintage Reissue ’65 Twin Reverb85W$17003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch
Marshall Studio Classic 20W20W$17003 band EQ, presence
Marshall Studio Vintage 20W20W$1700Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb
Fender Vintage Reissue ’65 Super Reverb45W$18003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch
Fender ’64 Custom Deluxe Reverb20W$25003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch
Marshall JMV215C50W$26002 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Marshall vs Fender valve combo amps compared.

Key Points:

  • Fender make a wider range of valve combo amps compared to Marshall
  • Fender make more affordable valve combo amps compared to Marshall
  • Fender valve combo amps typically have more controls than Marshall

Head Units ($400-$2850)

AmplifierWattageTypePriceSettings
Marshall CODE 100W100WSolid State$40014 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Marshall Origin20H20WTube$450Gain, 3 band EQ, tilt, boost, presence
Marshall Origin50H50WTube$550Gain, 3 band EQ, tilt, boost, presence
Marshall DSL20HR20WTube$5502 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Fender Bassbreaker 15W15WTube$600Gain, 3 band EQ, structure, reverb, bright switch
Marshall DSL100HR120WTube$9502 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Fender Super-Sonic 2222WTube$10002 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb
Marshall Studio Classic20WTube$1400Presence, 3 band EQ
Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee20WTube$1400Gain, presence, 3 band EQ
Marshall Vintage Studio20WTube$1500Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb
Marshall Studio Classic20WTube$1500Presence, 3 band EQ
Marshall JMV205H50WTube$20002 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb
Marshall JMV210H100WTube$22002 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb
Marshall JMT4545WTube$2600Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb
Marshall JMV410H100WTube$28502 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb
Marshall vs Fender head unit amps compared.

Key Points:

  • Marshall make a much wider range of head units compared to Fender
  • Marshall offer the highest wattage head units
  • Marshall head units start at a lower price than Fender head units

I’ve also written more amplifier brand comparison guides so make sure to check them out if you’re still narrowing down your list:

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.

Heather

Hey, I'm Heather. I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24.

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