I compared a JCM 800 R.I. to a DSL 100 at the store today....

dcooper830 · 01-11-2009, 09:17 PM

So I stopped by my local Marshall dealer today (they're open on Sundays).

I've really really been wanting to get a JCM 800 R.I. So I got to try one out today through a 1960B cab.

And there was a DSL 100 atop a 1960B cab right next to it, so I fired it up to.

I noticed that the JCM 800 has a more up front immediate response and tighter sound. The DSL 100 seems a little looser and more distant sounding.

I think the 800 would cut through a mix better the DSL 100.

The JCM 800 sounded a little harsher though. The DSL 100 had a smoother tone in comparison.

All in all, I think the DSL 100 does get the JCM 800 sound pretty well. I'll still never part with mine if I can help it!!!

But I LOVED that JCM 800!! This test I did today made me want one even more! It sounded GREAT!

Incidentally, if anyone's interested, here's a comparison I did the other day between my DSL 100 / 1960AV halfstack and my MG100HDFX halfstack upgraded with Warehouse Speakers Veteran 30's:

YouTube - Marshall DSL 100 vs. MG100HDFX halfstack

.

stock_hippie · 01-11-2009, 09:25 PM

dcooper...it would be way cool to get a 800 reissue because its newer and more reliable...right??...here's my REAL question...how did the reissue 800 you play sound at low volume?
thanks
sh

dcooper830 · 01-11-2009, 09:35 PM

Oh yeah...... I forgot to mention I didn't really crank these amps up. I had them at moderate volume. Not quiet, but ..... just loud enough so I wasn't completely obnoxious in the music store.

So I had the JCM 800 up to 1 and the DSL 100 up to 2 and they were about the same volume.

So my test was slightly flawed in that I didn't get to really open 'em up... but I open my DSL 100 up at gigs all the time, so I know what it's like.

Also, I don't know the reliability of the JCM 800 R.I.s.

stock_hippie · 01-11-2009, 09:55 PM

i ran thru the the harmony-central reviews ..about half of them are reissues and the rest vintage...most reissue buyers love them...and they say they havent owned their jcm 800 RI long enuff to know about reliability...so thats cool...!!!!

dcooper830 · 01-11-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stock_hippie

here's my REAL question...how did the reissue 800 you play sound at low volume?
thanks
sh

I'm sorry, I never really answered that question did I...

Well, just like the DSL 100, I found the 800 to sound quite good at low volume.

Chadman · 01-12-2009, 01:41 PM

Hey,...I've had an 800 re-issue for almost a year now...(brand new) and it's killer!!!! never had any problems....sounds great and is very simple to use

the great thing about them as well is they have a loop for FX's...put an e.q. in the loop like I did and it's just pure Marshall heaven!! get one...you'll see

HOT TUBES 70 · 01-12-2009, 10:32 PM

being a 800 owner in the past , and a huge fan of marshall amps in general , its hard
for me to really understand how the 800 series amps sometimes get "beat up" by other
previous owners and players etc. i thought that my 2210 800 was one of the best
rock amps ever made , i had little to no trouble with it ,and it was my workhorse for
the better part of 8 years , the 800 series were the amps that all other amps
were tested against in the 80's .

Chadman · 01-15-2009, 01:42 PM

I hope that stands true for the new ones as well

01-11-2009, 09:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
dcooper830 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 131	I compared a JCM 800 R.I. to a DSL 100 at the store today.... So I stopped by my local Marshall dealer today (they're open on Sundays). I've really really been wanting to get a JCM 800 R.I. So I got to try one out today through a 1960B cab. And there was a DSL 100 atop a 1960B cab right next to it, so I fired it up to. I noticed that the JCM 800 has a more up front immediate response and tighter sound. The DSL 100 seems a little looser and more distant sounding. I think the 800 would cut through a mix better the DSL 100. The JCM 800 sounded a little harsher though. The DSL 100 had a smoother tone in comparison. All in all, I think the DSL 100 does get the JCM 800 sound pretty well. I'll still never part with mine if I can help it!!! But I LOVED that JCM 800!! This test I did today made me want one even more! It sounded GREAT! Incidentally, if anyone's interested, here's a comparison I did the other day between my DSL 100 / 1960AV halfstack and my MG100HDFX halfstack upgraded with Warehouse Speakers Veteran 30's: YouTube - Marshall DSL 100 vs. MG100HDFX halfstack . __________________ Videos of me playing guitar.

01-11-2009, 09:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
stock_hippie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 626	Re: I compared a JCM 800 R.I. to a DSL 100 at the store today.... dcooper...it would be way cool to get a 800 reissue because its newer and more reliable...right??...here's my REAL question...how did the reissue 800 you play sound at low volume? thanks sh

01-11-2009, 09:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
dcooper830 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 131	Re: I compared a JCM 800 R.I. to a DSL 100 at the store today.... Oh yeah...... I forgot to mention I didn't really crank these amps up. I had them at moderate volume. Not quiet, but ..... just loud enough so I wasn't completely obnoxious in the music store. So I had the JCM 800 up to 1 and the DSL 100 up to 2 and they were about the same volume. So my test was slightly flawed in that I didn't get to really open 'em up... but I open my DSL 100 up at gigs all the time, so I know what it's like. Also, I don't know the reliability of the JCM 800 R.I.s. __________________ Videos of me playing guitar.

01-11-2009, 09:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
stock_hippie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 626	Re: I compared a JCM 800 R.I. to a DSL 100 at the store today.... i ran thru the the harmony-central reviews ..about half of them are reissues and the rest vintage...most reissue buyers love them...and they say they havent owned their jcm 800 RI long enuff to know about reliability...so thats cool...!!!!

01-12-2009, 01:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chadman Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 93	Re: I compared a JCM 800 R.I. to a DSL 100 at the store today.... Hey,...I've had an 800 re-issue for almost a year now...(brand new) and it's killer!!!! never had any problems....sounds great and is very simple to use the great thing about them as well is they have a loop for FX's...put an e.q. in the loop like I did and it's just pure Marshall heaven!! get one...you'll see

Today
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01-12-2009, 10:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
HOT TUBES 70 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SASKATOON Posts: 2,346	Re: I compared a JCM 800 R.I. to a DSL 100 at the store today.... being a 800 owner in the past , and a huge fan of marshall amps in general , its hard for me to really understand how the 800 series amps sometimes get "beat up" by other previous owners and players etc. i thought that my 2210 800 was one of the best rock amps ever made , i had little to no trouble with it ,and it was my workhorse for the better part of 8 years , the 800 series were the amps that all other amps were tested against in the 80's .

01-15-2009, 01:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Chadman Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 93	Re: I compared a JCM 800 R.I. to a DSL 100 at the store today.... I hope that stands true for the new ones as well

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