Marshall Code25, Code50

103
july 2016 Guitarist
review MARSHALL CODE25 & CODE50 COMBOS
The Code’s USB socket is there to hook
up to a PC or DAW for recording and
transmits audio in both directions, as well
as allowing users to update firmware. The
mp3 input will work with any player that
uses a 3.5mm jack, while the headphones
socket also doubles as a handy line out.
The real-world sounds of both combos
are slightly different. The Code50 is bigger
and louder, with more bass emphasis, as
you might expect from the larger sealed
cabinet and 12-inch loudspeaker. It’s
certainly well up to handling most small-
to-medium sized gigs, while the Code25’s
slightly more squashed frequency
response and lower output makes it
ideal for recording and home practice. A
minor annoyance is that Marshall doesn’t
provide a foot controller with the larger
combo, although it does for the 100-watt
head and 2x12 combo versions.
Verdict
Fans of the Marshall sound no longer need
to look to the competition for the best
Marshall amp models – Code has them all,
along with several others that combine for
a limitless choice of sounds. The amps are
logically laid out, good looking and keenly
priced, while the cherry on the top has to
be the Gateway app, which is unequalled
for ease of use and design. With a range
that suits beginners as well as working
players, if you want the Marshall legend on
a budget, then there’s no real alternative.
MARSHALL CODE25
COMBO
PRICE: £169
ORIGIN: Vietnam
TYPE: Digital preamp, solid-state
power amp
OUTPUT: 25W RMS
VALVES: None
DIMENSIONS: 340 (w) x 350 (h) x
215mm (d)
WEIGHT (kg/lb): 8/18
CABINET: Particle board/MDF
LOUDSPEAKER: 1x custom
design 10”
CHANNELS: 1x programmable, with
up to 100 patch presets
CONTROLS: Gain, bass, mid, treble,
volume. Master volume, patch edit/
scroll. Pre FX, amp, mod, del, rev,
power, cab, exit/store buttons
FOOTSWITCH: 4-Way
Programmable (PEDL-91009, sold
separately, £39)
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Built-in
tuner, Bluetooth connection for
Gateway app, USB in/out, mp3
player in, headphones/line out
OPTIONS: None
RANGE OPTIONS: Along with our
reviewed Code50 1x12 combo,
there’s the 100 2x12 combo (£349),
the 100 head (£289) with a matching
4x12 (£299)
Marshall Amplification
01908 375411
www.marshallamps.com
MARSHALL CODE50
COMBO
PRICE: £299
ORIGIN: Vietnam
TYPE: Digital preamp, solid-state
power amp
OUTPUT: 50W RMS
VALVES: None
DIMENSIONS: 530 (w) x 440 (h) x
280mm (d)
WEIGHT (kg/lb): 13/29
CABINET: Particle board/MDF
LOUDSPEAKER: 1x custom design 12”
CHANNELS: 1x programmable, with
up to 100 patch presets
CONTROLS: Gain, bass, mid, treble,
volume. Master volume, patch edit,
patch scroll. Pre FX, amp, mod, del,
rev, power, cab, exit/store buttons
FOOTSWITCH: 4-Way Programmable
(PEDL-91009, sold separately, £39)
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Built-in
tuner, Bluetooth connection for
Gateway app, USB in/out, mp3 player
in, headphones/line out
OPTIONS: None
RANGE OPTIONS: See Code25
5. The push-button
switches access the
amp and cabinet
models, as well as
the digital effects.
They have secondary
functions, too,
including the built-in
tuner, tap tempo
setting and the
Bluetooth pairing
6. Familiar knobs on
both amps control
all the common amp
features. They are
all programmable,
except for the overall
master volume
PROS The same very usable range
of amp models and effects as the 25;
plenty of power for gigs
CONS It’s a real pity that Marshall
has chosen to leave the foot
controller as an extra
PROS Generally excellent choice of
amp and effects models; compact
and very portable
CONS It’s ideal for home practice
and recording, but not enough
power for live use
8 9
6
GIT408.rev_marsh.indd 103 5/12/16 3:49 PM