Eag

I'm mostly a fan of the big-bottle amps, but I do love a good EL84 screamer and I actually own a quite good one, a Mesa Rocket 44 head.

Other EL84 amps I have had in the past:

Laney LC- 15R
Fender Pro Jr
Mesa Blue Angel
Mesa F30
Mesa Express 5:25

I've played and owned a bunch of Marshalls but it just occurred to me that I never tried a 1974, a DSL401, or any of their EL84 amps at all.

Anyone here like Marshall EL84 amps and own them? What's your take on them? Which ones give up the goods for screaming solo tone?

Marshall Amps

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joeellistsl

I think the 1974X is a great sounding amp. I do not own one, but I intend to purchase one some time next year. Go to the link below to read reviews.

Marshall 1974X: Harmony Central User Reviews

Eag

Thanks Joe. Those are some pretty solid ratings - 9.5 from 59 reviews. Have you played one? I bet the combo and matching extension cab are pretty nice together.

steelhorse

That Laney LC- 15R is a very nice amp, if it weren't so pricey I'd get one.

I'd rather out that kind of $ toward a bigger amp or other gear because all it would ever be is a practice amp.

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sojatriani

The DSL401 is junk, I have had two, both were unusable for me, no tone. (He asked for opinions ) Even with the V30, JJ's tubes and a fan. Just junk.

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Marshall 92 JCM 900 4101/running thru 1936 212 cab
Marshall 2008 Vintage Modern half stack
1975 VOX AC30 with extension cab
Peavey Classic 50 212 combo
Peavey Triple XXX 212 combo

'85 Les paul
'74 strat
2002 American Deluxe Strat/Fat 50's
2004 Richie Sambora Strat
1997 USA Roadhouse Strat
1992 Ibanez RG 550
1996 ESP Eclipse

joeellistsl

Eag,

I have played through the 1974X. A local music store had one for a while and I'd play it while my daughter was getting lessons. It takes pedals very well also. It is suprisingly loud for 18 watts. Maybe it is just my imagination, but there may be something to a hand wired amp. I really think it sounds incredible. Keep in mind, I mainly play contemporary blues and vintage rock which this thing is perfect for. I will be ordering one in a few months. I am saving my money now. The nice thing is these guys will order it for me and let me take it home once I have made enough of a down payment and will let me pay the reaminder off over time. I am going to connect it with my TSL601 (has been modded with Tung-Sol tubes and Celestion G12-75 speaker) and see what kind of sounds I can get. I haven't tried the xtension cabinet, but I may get one later.

joeellistsl

Eag,

I forgot to comment on one thing. You can crank it pretty good without it running you out of the room, so you get that sweet power tube saturation. It could get pretty loud in a smaller room, I suspect. I have a couple of THD attenuators if I need them for the bedroom. I crank my TSL pretty hard without the attenuator, so maybe I can manage the volumn of the 1974. lol. I have a small bedroom in the back part of the house where my daughter and I play. We can shut some doors so we don't kill the cat or wife. We also live in the middle of nowhere and the closest neighbor is several hundred yards away. Perfect.

steelhorse

And just think you wanted to trade that pile of junk straight across for a new DSL100?

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