Marshall MG15CF 15-Watt Guitar Combo Amp Review

If you’re an aspiring rocker guitarist looking for an amplifier, there’s probably a single brand that stands out far above the rest of the crowd – a Marshall guitar amp.

But could you get one for under $100? Sure you can, just check out the company’s MG15CF MG Series 15-Watt guitar combo amp model. With each of the Marshall distinctive features packed into a smaller, yet still effective package, this amp is always a good buy.

Whether it’s the sound, power, durability or price, there’s always something nice one could say about the MG15CF. However, it’s also not an ideal solution for every player, so as always, be precautions with your equipment purchase. Check out the more detailed review below.

Sound

It’s a Marshall, hence it roars. And it’s not just the full-on fuzz blast we’re talking about, it’s just an amp that has a good way of handling high volume. Both clean and overdrive channel have something to offer, ranging from noise-free clear guitar tones to the crunchier hard rock feel.

Speaking of musical genres, the fuzz-oriented styles are what fit the MG15CF the best. Specifically, anything ranging from blues to hard rock or even straightforward thrash metal sounds great played through this device. Other genre’s work quite all right as well, but it’s the crunchy side where the Marshall truly shines.

Getting into the thick of it, the overdrive channel has proved itself as superior to most users, hence making the rock style predominant on this one. Not taking anything away from the clean channel, still works great, especially for the $99 price tag, but this is a rocking amp, and that’s something you ought to keep in mind while making the purchase.

Features

The MG15CF comes with a fairly basic set of features, which is in fact a good thing. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you simply don’t need hundreds of flashy, yet useless and cheap effects some other manufacturers are offering. As noted, there are two channels – clean and overdrive, as well as a standard three-knob EQ (bass, middle and treble). Headphone and Mp3 player inputs are also included, allowing you to play in quiet and along with your favorite selection of tunes.

This is a 15-watt amp and packs more than a fair punch for both the given price and the listed power. It might be small, but you can still get the neighbors banging against walls. There’s actually enough power in it to support a band practice. Getting to the specs part a bit, the amp features a single 8-inch speaker.

If you’re looking to experiment with somewhat non-standard guitar effects on MG15CF, you’ll need to purchase a pedal or two. Maybe the effects aren’t included with the amp, but at least you’re not getting garbage that might even put you off playing for good. The included two-channel options and a basic EQ are all the features you really need on this one, you can take our word for it.

Durability and Reliability

As most Marshall models, MG15CF is a sturdy piece of musical equipment. It’s strong enough to withstand a solid beating sustained through transportation (or the owner’s carelessness) without as much as a scratch. The sides are very well packed and leave little room for damage, the only side you’ll need to pay a bit more attention to is the front panel, but that goes with just about any amp to be fair.

The inside parts are difficult to get shook up or damaged, the knobs are strong and rarely get loose, let alone fall off. The product’s design is classic and slick, yet somewhat bulkier, hence the increased durability. It also results in slightly bigger 16.3 lbs (7.39 kg) weight, along with a 40 lbs (18.14 kg) total shipping weight.

Furthermore, the amp features 15 x 8.1 x 14.9 inches size. The device typically comes with a $99.99 price tag, making it barely fit into our under $100 category. The prices vary though, so you might run into a MG15CF for as much as $150 or even $200, but you can also turn lucky and fetch it for as little as $75.

Overall: Pros and Cons

So what we have here is a neat little rock ‘n’ roller. Don’t be fooled though, it will blast your socks off if properly used. In general, the MG15CF is a house practice amp that can also be used for slightly quieter band rehearsals, as well as house recording sessions. Plenty of goodies to go by – great clean and overdrive channels, a solid EQ, a headphone input for silent jams and a sturdy, reliable body and overall built. So right now we’ll make a brief rundown of pros and cons this 15-watt Marshall brings. Full details below.

MG15CF Marshall Guitar Combo Amp Pros

• Price – It’s less than $100 for a serious piece of musical equipment. Not a large piece, but a serious one nevertheless. These days, that’s the price of two new video games, sometimes even less if it’s major games we’re talking about. And this is a Marshall guitar amp we’re talking about, a true global household brand. A very good bang for the buck.
• Power – As noted, the little guy blasts like a titan. He won’t overpower the big guns of course, but still delivers more than enough for a small amp, making it suitable for smaller band practices and even studio work to a certain degree.
• Durability – Being a sturdy machine, Marshall is not likely to let you down. Strong, high quality built gives it all the needed requirements for sustaining a blow or two.

MG15CF Marshall Guitar Combo Amp Cons

• Rock amp – It depends how you look at it, but being a full-on rock amplifier has its down sides. As noted, the overdrive channel is superior to the clean one, so if clean guitar is what you’re focusing on the most, you might want to reconsider. If it’s gain you need, well then look no further – the MG15CF is just the thing for you.

This Guitar Amp is Featured On Our The 5 Best Guitar Amps Under $100 Article.