Marshall reveals new Class5 combo

Continuing the current trend for low output valve amps, Marshall has announced the release of its new Class5 combo.

The amp was unveiled 28 July at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho, London, with Joe Bonamassa playing a sterling set through the combo in front of an audience of rock glitterati, Marshall dealers and press.

Bonamassa's set also featured cameos from Scottish singer-songwriter Sandi Thom and Marshall demo stalwart Chris George. The afternoon's entertainment was opened by The Krissy Matthews Band, with emerging young blues star Matthews showcasing Marshall's recent Haze series amplifier.

The Class5

(Click to enlarge)

Built in the UK, the Class5 is a class A, five-watt model loaded with a pair of ECC83s in the preamp, an EL84 power amp valve and a 10-inch Celestion G10F-15 driver.

The simple controls are for volume, treble, middle and bass, and you get a headphone jack socket and a 16ohm extension cab output. The Marshall Class5 is expected to retail under £300.

MusicRadar will be testing one very soon.

Next page: Pictures of the Class5 and the launch event

Krissy Matthews opens up

The Class5's top panel (click to enlarge)

Joe Bonamassa cranks it

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Chris Vinnicombe worked with us here on the MusicRadar team from the site's initial launch way back in 2007, and also contributed to Guitarist magazine as Features Editor until 2014, as well as Total Guitar magazine, amongst others. These days he can be found at Gibson Guitars, where he is editor-in-chief.