Marshall MS-2 Amp Review: Cute little amp with a lot of oomph

The first thing that comes to mind when you see the Marshall logo? That's right, those big, bad-ass amplifiers at rock concerts back in the day. But the MS-2 isn't one of those amps. It's a different product, a different approach. You see, this is a micro-amp, designed for portability. And oddly enough, it packs all the punch it needs at a price lower than 30€. Let's dive right in.

You can find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2BQ2yed

Unboxed...

The MS-2 is delivered in a small box (according to its size). Take it out of that box, and you are greeted by the amp itself, about the same size as a Nintendo Switch with one controller. There is also a tiny manual and a 9V battery. Nothing more. No cable for the guitar, not even a power adapter. Marshall kept it simple in this department, probably to save some cost, which is fine by me. Most guitarists have their own cables anyway and an included power cable would have made the whole "portable" part look like a gimmick.

Features

Just glancing at this little thing reveals how cool it really is: Marshall designed it in a way that makes it look like a miniature classic Marshall Stack. As expected from a brand like Marshall, build quality is right on point. 

The speaker packs a whopping 1 Watt of power (as most laptop speakers do), but that is more than enough for practice sessions. After all, this is a battery powered Amp with a headphone jack and a speaker.
The 9V battery lasts long enough, even at higher volumes.
There is also a belt clip if you are into hooking stuff to your belt.

Controls

These small amps rarely come with a variety of controls (this is in part due to their size). On the front, going from left to right, there is an input jack for your instrument followed by tree knobs. The first one controls the volume, the second one, the tone (acts as a simplified equalizer) and the third one is a power switch that can also change between channels. Yep, Marshall's Overdrive mode is there. On the left, there is another 9.5mm audio jack output (for headphones mainly, although I think it would have been a better solution to include a standard 3.5mm jack) and a power input for the optional adapter. Note that battery isn't rechargeable, just a standard 9V.

Performance

Things get even more exciting when you hear the MS-2: you wouldn't expect such a small amp to deliver this high a quality of tone. But the MS-2, a package that is the epitome of portable. The cleans are full and crisp. Hit the OD, and you will be greeted by the traditional Marshall growl - sure a little thinner, but not to a point where it's a pain to listen to.
However, I must add that when using it with my Fender HSS Stratocaster's bridge humbucker in clean mode on a high gain setting, the amp's case vibrates, distorting the sound. This is not a major problem, as you could just add some sponge padding underneath the speaker when using it. Certainly not a deal-breaker (especially given the price), but a small inconvenience

The MS-2 also gets quite loud despite the small size of the built-in speaker. 

Conclusion

The Marshall MS-2 might not be the Titan's most popular amp, nor its best. However, it still follows the established quality standards and packs a mighty sound for something so small. Aside from the cute look, the best part about this amp is the price. At the time of writing, you can get this for less than 30€ (depending on where you buy it from). At that price, it should be the go-to solution for guitarists working on a small budget and for that friend who casually plays the guitar and who's birthday is coming soon and you still need a gift for. 

In terms of portable guitar amplifiers, this is as good as it gets.

You can buy it from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2BQ2yed

The power adapter for it: https://amzn.to/2APkxzN

Cable for your guitar: https://amzn.to/2Qyt83D