Marshall is one of the most recognizable brands in the world of amplifiers. That’s because Marshall amps and heads produce a powerful sound that’s ideal for bands of all sizes — whether they’re playing in small clubs or arenas.
Another reason why guitar players gravitate to Marshall is they always release new products. This is definitely the case with the Marshall Origin Amp Series. Released in 2018, Marshall aimed to bring things back to the earlier days with vintage-style heads and combos.
Expression begins with the origin series. It delivers two distinct Voices, a new tilt tone blend control, power reduction features, and is pedal-friendly.
How does the Marshall Origin line compare to their other products as well as competitors? In this Marshall Origin Review, we weigh out the pros and cons to determine if the Origin Amplifier line is right for you.
Pros
- Great for low-power and high-power modes
- Produces old-fashion tones, yet they’re flexible enough for modern playing
- Ideal for performing and recording
Cons
- Lacks oomph in the low-end
Overview
One of the most striking qualities about this line is the vintage inspiration. The appearance of these amps, with the minimalist and bulky design, not only conveys a true classic but the tones they produce will also bring you back in time.
The amps in this line are tube amps (also called valve amps). This is essential because tube amps are the first amplifiers produced for modern musicians. To this day, they’re renowned for their simple circuitry yet still have stability and beautiful warm tones. If you’re a tube amp enthusiast, this is definitely the line of amps for you.
The amps in general are simple to use. They come with only the necessary controls to produce the sound you want. The controls have a vintage look and feel to them, ideal for bands who want to convey that retro image.
Keep in mind, these amps don’t have a headphone jack. If you practice in your home and don’t want your neighbors hearing you, be sure to use the low-power setting.
Marshall Origin amps are powerful, but they are lacking. You’ll be able to fill a small venue with your sound, but not a large arena. Fortunately, Marshall does make more powerful amps in the Origin series, which we will discuss later.
Performance
Old-school Marshall players will definitely experience some nostalgia playing the Origin series. These amps focus on giving you that mid-range sound that was famously heard in British rock bands back in the day.
The sound is best described as organic while also maintaining a raw and vibrant sound. It’s ideal for powerful tones for rhythm guitar, yet it sustains a smooth sound for solos. With all of this combined, they still maintain that classic Marshall sound.
What this guitar amp won’t give you is an ultra-powerful sound or floor-shaking bass. But if you want to crank up the master level, you will get more crunch in your sound. The sound produced is definitely cleaner than modern Marshall amps, giving you an intense sound with more balance.
Because of these characteristics, the Marshall Origin series is not ideal if you’re playing metal. However, just about any guitar player or bassist in other genres will find use out of the Origin series, though it’s best for rock bands channeling classic rock music from the 60s and 70s as well as blues.
Amps and Heads in the Origin Amplifier Line
There are three combos and two heads in the Marshall Origin line. Each product offers something different and this line is ideal for various musicians. Here’s a breakdown of each.
Origin5
The Origin5 is all about producing classic tones while staying innovative. The nostalgic design will also look great on stage. This is a 5-watt combo amp that delivers two distinct sounds: normal and high-treble. Inspired by the legendary Marshall amps of the ‘60s, you’ll achieve a classic voice with your playing.
Expression begins with the origin series. It delivers two distinct Voices, a new tilt tone blend control, power reduction features, and is pedal-friendly.
Some of the most notable features of this guitar amp include:
- Switchable high and low output section
- Single-ended 5-watt all-valve (tube) combo
- Effects loop
- Tilt control
- 2 x ECC83 preamp, 1 x EL84 output section
- 8-inch Celestion Eight-15 speaker
- Classic design
Marshall Origin 20C
If you need an amp that gives you plenty of power, consider choosing the 20C. The 20C amp has a three-way output switch that toggles between 20 watt, three-watt, and 0.5-watt. There is also an output for eight and 16-ohm external cabs.
On the signal path, the output valves are EL34S. This is commonly seen in powerful amps, giving this vintage-inspired amp some contemporary power.
Another interesting aspect of this amp is the “tilt” knob. This knob helps you balance between the normal and high-treble channels. You can also use this knob to adjust the levels of your amp tone.
Expression begins with the origin series. It delivers two distinct Voices, a new tilt tone blend control, power reduction features, and is pedal friendly. The classically voiced single channel amps generate rich and harmonic tones that are ideal for players to explore new possibilities and craft their sound.
Other defining features of this amp include:
- EQ
- DI output
- Input for the included footswitch
- Effects loop
- 5 tubes in total: 3 ECC83 pre-amp tubes and 2EL34 power-amp tubes
- Gain boost feature
- 20.5”/52cm x 17.3”/44cm
50C
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, the 50C should be the amp you choose. This amp runs at 50, 20, and 5 watts. The best part is you don’t lose power with each set. The 5-watt sound is just as crunchy as the 50-watt setting.
This is a single-channel amp that has neutral and wide-range tonal responses. Because of two EL34 power tube and three ECC83 preamp tubes, you get plenty of roar out of this amp.
This amp is also dynamic. You can use distortion or you can clean it up by only adjusting a few knobs. But even at high volume, this amp offers a lot of treble-rich amp tone.
The Marshall Amplification Origin 50 is a 50W combo amplifier intended for use with electric guitars. With a 12" Celestion G12N-60 Midnight 60 speaker, the amp gives you a tone that screams Marshall.
Other features include:
- Push/pull high gain switch
- Boost stage
- Foot pedal and second footswitch
- Effects loop
- Tilt knob
- Open-backed amp with a secondary baffle
- Made of composite material
- Components assembled on a circuit board
- 40 pounds/18 kilograms
20H
With this head, you get high power at 20 watt, mid at 3-watts, and low at 0.5-watts. It’s an all-valve head with modern features. The head includes a footswitch to control the effects and a gain boost feature.
The Origin20H 20W Guitar Amplifier Head from Marshall is an all-valve amplifier head for electric rhythm or lead guitar instruments. It can be used to deliver rich and harmonic audio tones when paired with a speaker cabinet (sold separately), for live stage and recording studio applications.
Other features include:
- Single-channel
- 3 ¼ speaker outputs: 8-ohm cabs, 16-ohm cabs, and DI output
- ¼ input for footswitch
- Controls: boost, gain, bass, tilt, treble, middle, presence, master, power stem
- Three ECC83 preamp valves and two EL34 power amp valves
- 225 mm / 8.9″ tall and 520 mm / 20.5″ wide
- Weight: 21 pounds/9.4 kilograms
50H
This head is a single-channel, all-tube, and is 50-watts. There are two EL34 tubes and three ECC83 tubes for the effects loop and preamp, as with the amps. This head has three settings: low (1-watt), mid (10-watt), and high output (50-watt).
The front panel controls are conveniently arranged in three sections: Output, EQ, and gain control sections. Presence and Master are in the Output sections and you’ll find the treble, middle, bass, and tilt in the EQ section. Even though there’s only one guitar input jack, the tilt toggle lets you choose between normal and classic channels (as well as a blend of both voices).
On the rear panel, you’ll find a footswitch jack, ¼ send and return jacks, three speaker jacks that can connect to 8 or 16-ohm speaker cabinets (or a pair of 16-ohm cabs), and a 14 inch DI output.
This all-valve amp has power-reducing features making it ideal for different environments from performing on stage to recording in the studio. With a 2-way footswitch available you can turn the gain boost and the FX loop on and off.
Breakdown of the features:
- Three wattages: 1, 10, and 50-watts
- Single-channel amp head
- Simple tone control panel
- Boost function
- Variable power output
- Effects loop
- 26 pounds/11.8 kilograms
Other Alternatives to Consider
Do you want a vintage-style amp but want to consider other options besides the Marshall Origin series? Here are a few other recommendations:
Fender Pawn Shop Special Greta Amplifier
If you’re looking for vintage amp authenticity and not a combination of retro and modern, you’ll want the Fender two-watt Greta tube amp. While you’ll get those old-school dirty tones, the amp also sounds clean. That’s thanks to the single 12AX7 and 12 AT7 valves.
This fun little Fender Great Guitar Amplifier head is a whole lot of fun! It’s packed with a 12-AX7 Preamp tube and a 12AT7 Output Tube which makes this an all-tube head. It’s part of the new fender. 
Bogner Goldfinger 45 Amplifier
Bogner created this beautiful retro-inspired head. With gold accents, this amp offers a vintage sheen that will look awesome with your stage set-up. But it offers more than just beauty — this amp head can support a myriad of tones with its two-channel valve capabilities.
The Goldfinger's power amp has the finesse of a Bull Rider that knows the art of hanging loose and tight at the same time, not an easy sonic accomplishment by any means.
Yamaha THR5
Yamaha took classic practice amps and reinvented them to be more powerful. With full-range speakers, a 10-watt output, and hi-fi functionality, this amp can achieve big sounds while having the appearance of your first practice amp.
The little brother of the THR10, the THR5 offers the sound quality of the THR10 in a more portable form, making it perfect for use at home or when traveling tone.
FAQs
Do you want to learn a bit more about the Marshall Origin Amp? Let’s take a closer look at some FAQs:
Question: Where Are Marshall Origin Amps Made?
Answer: They’re made in Vietnam. Components are assembled on the circuit board.
Question: Why Are Marshall Amps Popular?
Answer: Marshall was a breakthrough during its time. Rock musicians struggled to achieve the sound they wanted. This is where Marshall came in — they offered a high-powered amp with plenty of distortion while offering the flexibility that musicians could also find in the equipment of that time.
This legacy continues making Marshall a household name in the world of amplifiers. Not only that, but their products are reliable even for modern musicians.
Question: Which Artists Use Marshall Amps?
Answer: Some of the most legendary guitar players preferred Marshall amps over the competition.
Some of Marshall’s most legendary players include Jimi Hendrix, Malcolm and Angus Young (AC/DC), Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Jeff Beck, Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction), Joe Satriani, Lita Ford, Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead), and Phil Campbell (Motorhead, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons).
Marshall also has a whole roster of modern musicians under their endorsements.
Some notable names include Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper), Michael Amott (Arch Enemy), Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth), Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth), and Paul Gilbert.
Question: Who Owns Marshall Amps?
Answer: Jim Marshall founded Marshall Amplification.
Question: Are the Origin Amps the Best Marshall Amps?
Answer: While the Origin amps produce a great sound, they’re only ideal for guitarists who play classic rock or blues. Therefore, they’re not the highest-rated amps in Marshall’s roster.
That’s where the Marshall DSL20 comes in. This amp is the classic choice because it’s versatile but has an extraordinary tone. It’s also ideal for musicians in all genres. Other great choices include Marshall DSL40C, Marshall JVM Combo, and Marshall JVM Head.
Question: Are Tube Amps the Best Option?
Answer: As stated in this Marshall Origin Amp Series Review, the amps in the Origin line are tube amps. Many guitar players prefer tube amps because they offer euphonic distortions. They also produce a more organic sound. However, all guitar players will have different opinions on this. The key thing is to choose the type of amps that works with your playing and the sound you want.
Question: Are Marshall Amps the Best for Your Money?
Answer: Marshall is one of the most renowned names in amplifiers and heads. They offer a variety of products for all types of players and they do offer great quality amps for a good price.
However, Marshall isn’t your only option. You should also consider trying these apps:
• Yamaha
• Positive Grid
• Boss
• Blackstar
• Fender
• Victory
• BluGuitar
Question: Which Amp Will Give Me a Clean Sound?
Answer: If you’re looking for a Marshall amp that gives you a cleaner sound, we recommend choosing the Marshall Amps M-DSL40CR-U Guitar Combo Amplifier. Other good options include:
• VOX AC30C2
• Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb 22-Watt 1×12-Inch
• Fender ’65 Twin Reverb 85-Watt 2×12-Inch
• Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus 120-Watt
Question: Is Marshall Expensive?
Answer: For the price, you’re paying for the quality, many guitar players think you’re definitely getting your money’s worth when you buy Marshall amps. However, the competition is often cheaper than Marshall. This largely depends on where the amp is made and the retailer selling the amp.
Will You Use the Marshall Origin Amp Series?
Expression begins with the origin series. It delivers two distinct Voices, a new tilt tone blend control, power reduction features, and is pedal-friendly.
The Marshall Origin amp series is popular among any guitar player who want to achieve that true rock n’ roll sound. Marshall takes us back in time to their earliest amps while offering some modern features. However, this line isn’t ideal for heavy metal guitarists and won’t deliver the power needed to play a large venue or arena.
We also recommend looking at Marshall’s competitor Fender. The Fender Bassbreaker 15 is an all-tube combo amp that has a huge sound yet is versatile enough for all types of players. Read our review as well as our other amp recommendations.
- Yamaha APX500iii Review: Should You Buy It? - February 6, 2023
- BC Rich Warlock Review and Guide - January 24, 2023
- Fishman Fluence Review: How Good are Their Pickups? - January 18, 2023