New to Marshall Amps. Which one.

Rocket · 02-28-2009, 02:24 PM

I'm wanting a 50 watt Marshall but not sure if its the 2004 or?

Want to play old style rock&roll, 70's/80's, early 90's and blues.

I also want to be able to get breakup distortion a various times.

Just not sure which one would be better.

I think they make a one now that switches to both modes, valve and SS.

I have a Mesa Boogie and it's quite versatile so I'm familiar with certain functions.

Any ideas or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks

zslane · 02-28-2009, 04:29 PM

What is your budget?

Are you only looking for combos, or is a head+cab setup also a possibility for you?

Rocket · 02-28-2009, 04:39 PM

Head. Will consider cab.

Looking for good condition used price range.

zslane · 03-01-2009, 12:49 PM

A used DSL-50 is probably your best bet. It's versatile, plentiful (though the DSL-100 may be easier to find than the 50), and going for good prices used these days.

A used JCM800 is always a favorite option around here, but it is a single channel amp that needs to be played at top volumes to get that vintage rock sound, and will require pedals to give you early 90's gain.

Rocket · 03-01-2009, 02:50 PM

OK thanks zs appreciate your time.

what about a Marshall TSL100 JCM 2000 Amp head?

zslane · 03-01-2009, 05:11 PM

The TSL100 is also very versatile, though user experience here tends to paint a picture of an amp with slightly less aggressive gain character than a DSL. Also keep in mind that a 100W head will give you more headroom, which is great if you plan to gig large venues, but a 50W head will break up sooner and give you those creamer classic rock tones at lower volumes.

My two Marshall heads are 100W, but I think I would be just as happy with a DSL-50, and I can always drop my 6100 into triode mode if I want the break-up characteristics of a 50 watter.

Rocket · 03-01-2009, 06:36 PM

I really don't need 100 watts. I just got a used 30 MGDFX for $30 and its loud enough. Plus I have a JCM 800 100 watter on the way.

The TSL just looked like it would have a lot of diff sound options available that the JCM or the DLS would not have.

I guess a 50 watter with a compressor might do it but I hate stomp box stuff. Its such a pia.

Ken · 03-02-2009, 08:09 AM

I bought a DSL 50 because it has awsome clean tone as well as all the classic Marshall distortion tones. As a bounus they sell used in the $600 range. I tried a JCM 900 and after a lot of fiddling I got good sounds from it, but it's nowhere near as versatile as the DSL. I'm not a fan of those. They sell used in the $800 range; I can't imagine why anyone would pay more for a 900 than a DSL.

The 800 series is more popular than the 900 but it's hard to find a good one for under $1k. I tried one out (not sure the year but was likely a reissue) and it had a great, great sound, but you know, I can get the exact same thing on my DSL for half the money, and the DSL gets way more OTHER sounds as well.

The TSL's scare me due to its fragile reputation, and prices reflect that as they often sell for less than the comperable DSL's. I almost bought one, but my mind boggeled at all the options and I figured it was too much overkill.

Ken

riffdrive · 03-02-2009, 08:45 AM

I have a DSL50 and I love it. The only thing that would make it better is if they had a 25-watt version. The tone ranks up there with the best Marshalls I've ever heard. And prices are reasonable - I got mine for $550 used (but with brand new JJ tubes).

psphill27 · 03-02-2009, 08:58 AM

Yeah...+1 on the DSL 50. I've had one for years and absolutely love it. I also recently picked up a 50 watt JCM900 MkIII and love it. i think the dirty sounds are better on it...just my opinion. But, the 50 had switchable channels and a nice clean tine as well. To me, that would be the biggest determiner. Depends on what you're looking for.

I agree with you on the 50 watt. It's more than enough amp for gigging. I can only run my 50 watt heads on 5 for master volume in most clubs. Just enough to start getting some warm overdrive from the output tubes. 100 watt is too much for most people, unless you're playing some really large venues.

Bottom line: DSL 50 or a 50 watt JCM800 or JCM900. Take your pick, which ever fits the sound and budget you're looking for.

Rocket · 03-02-2009, 10:59 AM

What your saying is just what I've heard form other forums on this topic. That's good.
I bhght one yesterday and it's on its way. We'll see. I also have a JCM 800 100 watter on the way. It'll prob be too much for per the loudness.

riffdrive - One thing I'be been looking at and rading about is taking outtubes to reduce the power. I may try it. You have to take specific tubes and I think lower the ohm loading to the amp from the speakers.

riffdrive - Where are you located? I'm from Ga and used to to to N Ga a good bit. In Ak now..

psphill27 · 03-02-2009, 01:55 PM

If you have both the DSL 50 ahd the JCM 800, you should be very happy. Those are two great marshall heads and they'll take good care of you. Enjoy

Rocket · 03-02-2009, 02:22 PM

psp - One guy that uses it to do mostly covers uses a Klon up front and that's pretty much it. I like the sound he gets to.

Are you into Leslie at all?

riffdrive · 03-02-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket

riffdrive - Where are you located? I'm from Ga and used to to to N Ga a good bit. In Ak now..

I'm in Cornelia.

So you'll have an 800 and a DSL50? Sweet! Between those two you'll have access to some great toneage.

Rocket · 03-02-2009, 03:16 PM

Oh your out in the country then. South of Helen a bit.

Get any snow lately?

We got over 6" the other day and at 7am it was -10degF. VEry white but pretty.

02-28-2009, 02:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rocket Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 52	New to Marshall Amps. Which one. I'm wanting a 50 watt Marshall but not sure if its the 2004 or? Want to play old style rock&roll, 70's/80's, early 90's and blues. I also want to be able to get breakup distortion a various times. Just not sure which one would be better. I think they make a one now that switches to both modes, valve and SS. I have a Mesa Boogie and it's quite versatile so I'm familiar with certain functions. Any ideas or suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks Last edited by Rocket; 02-28-2009 at 04:53 PM. Reason: Deleted word combo

02-28-2009, 04:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
zslane Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 475	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. What is your budget? Are you only looking for combos, or is a head+cab setup also a possibility for you? __________________ JCM2000 DSL-100 head + 1960A 4x12 cab 30th Anniversary 6100 head JCM2000 DSL-401 combo Les Paul Standards ('96 Goldtop, '99 Ebony, '03 Honeyburst) Les Paul Custom ('04 Alpine White w/ gold hardware) Les Paul Supreme ('07 Trans Black w/ black hardware)

02-28-2009, 04:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rocket Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 52	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. Head. Will consider cab. Looking for good condition used price range.

03-01-2009, 12:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
zslane Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 475	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. A used DSL-50 is probably your best bet. It's versatile, plentiful (though the DSL-100 may be easier to find than the 50), and going for good prices used these days. A used JCM800 is always a favorite option around here, but it is a single channel amp that needs to be played at top volumes to get that vintage rock sound, and will require pedals to give you early 90's gain. __________________ JCM2000 DSL-100 head + 1960A 4x12 cab 30th Anniversary 6100 head JCM2000 DSL-401 combo Les Paul Standards ('96 Goldtop, '99 Ebony, '03 Honeyburst) Les Paul Custom ('04 Alpine White w/ gold hardware) Les Paul Supreme ('07 Trans Black w/ black hardware)

03-01-2009, 02:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rocket Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 52	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. OK thanks zs appreciate your time. what about a Marshall TSL100 JCM 2000 Amp head?

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03-01-2009, 05:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
zslane Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 475	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. The TSL100 is also very versatile, though user experience here tends to paint a picture of an amp with slightly less aggressive gain character than a DSL. Also keep in mind that a 100W head will give you more headroom, which is great if you plan to gig large venues, but a 50W head will break up sooner and give you those creamer classic rock tones at lower volumes. My two Marshall heads are 100W, but I think I would be just as happy with a DSL-50, and I can always drop my 6100 into triode mode if I want the break-up characteristics of a 50 watter. __________________ JCM2000 DSL-100 head + 1960A 4x12 cab 30th Anniversary 6100 head JCM2000 DSL-401 combo Les Paul Standards ('96 Goldtop, '99 Ebony, '03 Honeyburst) Les Paul Custom ('04 Alpine White w/ gold hardware) Les Paul Supreme ('07 Trans Black w/ black hardware)

03-01-2009, 06:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rocket Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 52	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. I really don't need 100 watts. I just got a used 30 MGDFX for $30 and its loud enough. Plus I have a JCM 800 100 watter on the way. The TSL just looked like it would have a lot of diff sound options available that the JCM or the DLS would not have. I guess a 50 watter with a compressor might do it but I hate stomp box stuff. Its such a pia.

03-02-2009, 08:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ken Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington Heights, IL Posts: 1,613	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. I bought a DSL 50 because it has awsome clean tone as well as all the classic Marshall distortion tones. As a bounus they sell used in the $600 range. I tried a JCM 900 and after a lot of fiddling I got good sounds from it, but it's nowhere near as versatile as the DSL. I'm not a fan of those. They sell used in the $800 range; I can't imagine why anyone would pay more for a 900 than a DSL. The 800 series is more popular than the 900 but it's hard to find a good one for under $1k. I tried one out (not sure the year but was likely a reissue) and it had a great, great sound, but you know, I can get the exact same thing on my DSL for half the money, and the DSL gets way more OTHER sounds as well. The TSL's scare me due to its fragile reputation, and prices reflect that as they often sell for less than the comperable DSL's. I almost bought one, but my mind boggeled at all the options and I figured it was too much overkill. Ken

03-02-2009, 08:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
riffdrive Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: north Georgia mountains Posts: 237	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. I have a DSL50 and I love it. The only thing that would make it better is if they had a 25-watt version. The tone ranks up there with the best Marshalls I've ever heard. And prices are reasonable - I got mine for $550 used (but with brand new JJ tubes). __________________ ----------------------------------------------------------- 2001 Marshall DSL 50 2005 Marshall Mode Four Avatar 2x12 (1x Hellatone 60, 1x Greenback) Taylor Standard Solidbody Ibanez RG2EX2

03-02-2009, 08:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
psphill27 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 486	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. Yeah...+1 on the DSL 50. I've had one for years and absolutely love it. I also recently picked up a 50 watt JCM900 MkIII and love it. i think the dirty sounds are better on it...just my opinion. But, the 50 had switchable channels and a nice clean tine as well. To me, that would be the biggest determiner. Depends on what you're looking for. I agree with you on the 50 watt. It's more than enough amp for gigging. I can only run my 50 watt heads on 5 for master volume in most clubs. Just enough to start getting some warm overdrive from the output tubes. 100 watt is too much for most people, unless you're playing some really large venues. Bottom line: DSL 50 or a 50 watt JCM800 or JCM900. Take your pick, which ever fits the sound and budget you're looking for.

03-02-2009, 10:59 AM	#11 (permalink)
Rocket Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 52	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. What your saying is just what I've heard form other forums on this topic. That's good. I bhght one yesterday and it's on its way. We'll see. I also have a JCM 800 100 watter on the way. It'll prob be too much for per the loudness. riffdrive - One thing I'be been looking at and rading about is taking outtubes to reduce the power. I may try it. You have to take specific tubes and I think lower the ohm loading to the amp from the speakers. riffdrive - Where are you located? I'm from Ga and used to to to N Ga a good bit. In Ak now..

03-02-2009, 01:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
psphill27 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 486	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. If you have both the DSL 50 ahd the JCM 800, you should be very happy. Those are two great marshall heads and they'll take good care of you. Enjoy

03-02-2009, 02:22 PM	#13 (permalink)
Rocket Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 52	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. psp - One guy that uses it to do mostly covers uses a Klon up front and that's pretty much it. I like the sound he gets to. Are you into Leslie at all?

03-02-2009, 03:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
Rocket Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 52	Re: New to Marshall Amps. Which one. Oh your out in the country then. South of Helen a bit. Get any snow lately? We got over 6" the other day and at 7am it was -10degF. VEry white but pretty.

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