Fargen

[Ventura]

Discuss...

Where they at compared to, say, Marshall? Or, say, Friedman? I hear the workmanship is incredible with these amps - why aren't they getting more press??

 

[scriptphase]

I'd associate Ben Fargen more with improved takes on Fender tweed and blackface designs than Marshalls, but he's put out great amps based on Vox and Marshall designs too.

I've had a variety of his Marshall-inspired amps: his first version (MKI) of the Mini-Plex (switchable 8/12 watts) & Mighty-Plex (40 watts) as well as a MKII Mini-Plex (redesign with MM trannies, powerscaling, and more gain), an Olde 800 (50 watt, JCM800-based) and a 25 watt version of the Olde 800.

Great amps and customer service is second to none. I'd say his amps lean more towards vintage Marshalls with improved features than modded, revoiced Marshalls like Friedman. Seems like he's been upping the gain on his amps in recent years, though. Kinda OT, but I'm not sure I've ever seen him release a Marshall-style amp with more than 50 watts.

IMO, Fargen's forte is getting classic Marshall sounds, with some modern features, at lower volumes.

The only thing I have negative to say is that resale value can be rough, but I guess that's the case for lots of boutique amps. I think they don't get more press because they're a small company and the market is somewhat saturated. They'd definitely be worthy of attention, though.

 

[threadkiller]

What he said. I was looking for a classic marshall design but wanted lower wattage/volume and I wanted a new amp. I am lucky enough to live near Destroy All Guitars and actually went and tried out some amps. For what I was looking for the Fargen was a no brainer. I got to try out some incredible amps including a Metro 45/100 that I still have wet dreams about and some Friedman amps. For modded marshall the Friedman was king and I already mentioned that Metro which is classic marshall all the way but I'd have to be playing outdoor arenas with no PA to use it. The Fargen is really a classic marshall tone with some cool modern features. It's got a little more gain on tap in 80's mode than the old marshall's so it covers a lot of ground but for high gain/modded tones there are better options. Hard to beat for classic tones at usable volumes. I bought the miniplex, supposedly a practice amp, but I gig it with no problem. When was the last time you played somewhere with no PA?

BTW if you want something akin to the Mak4 we both own, the Fargen ain't it.

 

[dooredge]

Every time I hear the word Fargen I think of this:

 

[Ventura]

BTW if you want something akin to the Mak4 we both own, the Fargen ain't it.

Nope. Expanding my sonic palette actually.

I just heard some really positive feedback about these amps from some reputable cats in the biz; yet never really hear the name "Fargen" come up. Thanks for the intel with the above 2 posts.

Peace,
Mojo