Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack

pml_laskowski · 07-02-2009, 09:01 PM

i only got one reply so this is a repost with different name.

hey all. im new to the forum so here goes. im am getting back into music after a ten year lay off and man have things changed. i had some finantial hardships and had to sell all of my gear and never replaced it.
i have an ibanez js1000 on the way and now im looking into buying an amp. the type of music i play the most is rock. tons of van halen, satriani, george lynch stuff, ald ozzie with randy rhodes etc. do you think this amp will suit my style? thanks in advance for the help.

Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack
100-watt 2-channel Tube Head with 4 x 12 Angled Amp Cabinet

American Viking · 07-02-2009, 09:36 PM

you should upgrade it to the 1960 cab, it's much better.

pml_laskowski · 07-02-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American Viking

you should upgrade it to the 1960 cab, it's much better.

the 1960A, or AV?

rockinr0ll · 07-02-2009, 11:02 PM

AV if you can afford it but if you can't get the 1960A so then you can upgrade speakers later.. (if you want)

pml_laskowski · 07-02-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockinr0ll

AV if you can afford it but if you can't get the 1960A so then you can upgrade speakers later.. (if you want)

i will look into it and thanks again man.

BrotherJ · 07-03-2009, 05:42 AM

The DSL you want will definitely do those sounds you're after and more. Count this another vote for the 1960AV quad... add a delay to the loop and a boost up front and you'll be screaming with that JS1000!

Riffraff · 07-03-2009, 07:52 AM

The DSL was one of Marshall's more successful models and had the alltime highest sales numbers of any Marshall model. They are a good gigging musicians amp that you can get a good variety of tones from. The new version you are considering is exactly as the old with the exception of the black piping on the head in place of the white that was on the original. Marshall got very aggressive with the pricing on that package and the place they cut cost was on the cab. Head great....cab not so much but usable. Don't get me wrong, it is an attractive deal on a good amp and if you tried it out and like it I wouldn't let that scare you off. It's not so much that the cab is bad, it's just that there are better ones. Keep in mind DSLs have been around a while so there are many available on the used market. It's not uncommon to find heads on Craigslist going for $550-$650. With the savings you could get a used 1960A as well or a brand new Avatar cab with the speakers of your choice and they are every bit as good. So it's possible to get the same amp with a much better cab for the same amount of cash.

satchfan · 07-03-2009, 08:22 AM

I still find my DSL a little too bright even with the Bass Boost button in & a GE7 in the loop, it's not that it sounds bad overall but it's either too toppy or too muddy on the neck pickup.
I can't seem to find that awesome tone that DSL owners talk about, oh well I'll keep searching or trade up maybe!

Steve.

pml_laskowski · 07-03-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riffraff

The DSL was one of Marshall's more successful models and had the alltime highest sales numbers of any Marshall model. They are a good gigging musicians amp that you can get a good variety of tones from. The new version you are considering is exactly as the old with the exception of the black piping on the head in place of the white that was on the original. Marshall got very aggressive with the pricing on that package and the place they cut cost was on the cab. Head great....cab not so much but usable. Don't get me wrong, it is an attractive deal on a good amp and if you tried it out and like it I wouldn't let that scare you off. It's not so much that the cab is bad, it's just that there are better ones. Keep in mind DSLs have been around a while so there are many available on the used market. It's not uncommon to find heads on Craigslist going for $550-$650. With the savings you could get a used 1960A as well or a brand new Avatar cab with the speakers of your choice and they are every bit as good. So it's possible to get the same amp with a much better cab for the same amount of cash.

great info! thanks!

donkost · 07-03-2009, 11:37 AM

All great info above, and let me cast my vote for the DSL100MLB w/MC412 package deal since I bought one a little while ago. Take a look at the "Dsl100mlb?" thread in this forum for more info and pics. You can get this half stack new at around $1100-ish (from the original $1299) if you can use a 15% off discount. This cab sounds great and looks great, and yes it is made of MDF instead of birch plywood like the 1960 cab. I think the 1960 would hold up better if you played a lot of gigs and the cab was getting banged around. Don't get me wrong though- the MC412 is a well-designed, solidly built cab with all of the other appointments of the 1960 (casters are optional though).

The 1960A would probably be the least expensive cab to find used (or new of course around $800) but many people do not like the sound of the Celestion 75W G12T speakers in that cab. The 1960AV has the Vintage 30 Celestions that many prefer. Celestion rates those speakers at 60W each but Marshall rates the cab at 280W (?). The 1960AX has Celestion Greenback speakers for a raw, classic sound. They are rated at 25W each for a total of 100W in the 4x12 cab. You'd have to be little careful at higher volume levels when using a DSL100 head with that cab.

RiverRatt · 07-03-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satchfan

I still find my DSL a little too bright even with the Bass Boost button in & a GE7 in the loop, it's not that it sounds bad overall but it's either too toppy or too muddy on the neck pickup.
I can't seem to find that awesome tone that DSL owners talk about, oh well I'll keep searching or trade up maybe!

Steve.

Steve,

You might need to play around with the bias on your amp. They all seem to be biased too hot from the factory. At least the older ones did - I don't know about the MLB. If you have a multimeter and a small standard screwdriver, it's easy to do. Marshall recommends 45mV for the DSL50 and 90mV for the DSL100. If your amp has the stock Svetlana EL34s, back them off to around 41mV (double that if you have a DSL100). This really opens the amp up and lets it breathe, with more dynamics and a tighter bass. I'm using Groove Tubes EL34M Mullard reissues and they like it cold, around 36-38mV.

Also, if you want to smooth out the ultra channel, search around for info on the bright cap mod. I just clipped mine out of the circuit to see if I liked it, and it really makes a difference in the tone. The two channels are a lot closer to the same tone, so if you get the EQ dialed in for one, it's probably going to sound good on the other as well.

Riffraff · 07-03-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkost

The 1960A would probably be the least expensive cab to find used (or new of course around $800) but many people do not like the sound of the Celestion 75W G12T speakers in that cab. The 1960AV has the Vintage 30 Celestions that many prefer. Celestion rates those speakers at 60W each but Marshall rates the cab at 280W (?). The 1960AX has Celestion Greenback speakers for a raw, classic sound. They are rated at 25W each for a total of 100W in the 4x12 cab. You'd have to be little careful at higher volume levels when using a DSL100 head with that cab.

That's the reason I suggested looking at Avatar cabs too. Since you are buying factory direct you can get a great quality birch ply cab for $529 + shipping with all the appointments and the Celesion speakers of your choice: Vin30s, Helletone 60s (prebroken in Vin30s), Greenbacks, 12H30s, Hellatone 30s (prebroken in 12H30s), G12T75s, a combination.....whatever. Have it your way cab shopping. And their Vintage style cabs look great. http://www.avatarspeakers.com/

satchfan · 07-03-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverRatt

Steve,

You might need to play around with the bias on your amp. They all seem to be biased too hot from the factory. At least the older ones did - I don't know about the MLB. If you have a multimeter and a small standard screwdriver, it's easy to do. Marshall recommends 45mV for the DSL50 and 90mV for the DSL100. If your amp has the stock Svetlana EL34s, back them off to around 41mV (double that if you have a DSL100). This really opens the amp up and lets it breathe, with more dynamics and a tighter bass. I'm using Groove Tubes EL34M Mullard reissues and they like it cold, around 36-38mV.

Also, if you want to smooth out the ultra channel, search around for info on the bright cap mod. I just clipped mine out of the circuit to see if I liked it, and it really makes a difference in the tone. The two channels are a lot closer to the same tone, so if you get the EQ dialed in for one, it's probably going to sound good on the other as well.

Cheers RR, I'll look into that when I get chance, great info......Where abouts is the bright cap?

Steve.

RiverRatt · 07-03-2009, 02:20 PM

I found a picture of the cap that needs clipping or replacing here. Go down to the fourth photo on the page and there's a picture of the capacitor. There's a long thread on here somewhere about this mod, and it's always referred to as C12, but this website says it can be labeled either C12 or C17. Mine said C17 and looked exactly like the photo. I figured it would be fairly easy to reverse, so I tried it. It's really tight in there - I used a small pair of nail clippers - you only need to clip one side and bend it apart a little. If you want to solder it back, you will probably have to remove the board, though

I noticed that you are running an EQ in the loop as well. I used an old MXR 10-band EQ in the loop for awhile, but I found that it sounded better in front of the amp instead. I've never liked the loop on my DSL - IMHO it makes pedals sound tinny.

satchfan · 07-03-2009, 03:49 PM

Just had a look, I take it that it's the blue bulb shaped cap marked C17 next to the purple dot?
At the moment I've been using the green channel with a Dist. pedal for boost so it won't make a difference will it?

Steve.

RiverRatt · 07-03-2009, 04:42 PM

No, the green channel isn't affected.

satchfan · 07-03-2009, 05:19 PM

Thought so! I'll carry on playing with the settings & pedals ect. Thanks again for the info.

Steve.

livewire78602 · 09-20-2009, 11:34 PM

Ah yes the notorious DSL 100. I have the DSL 50, heres the problem with these heads and what they are known or use to be known for.
1. Spring reverb tank fails after a while and not to long after. Replaced tank then its the circuit board inside. Mine is already gone. So I just pulled cable, and use external reverb pedal. you will find this issue on many forums with these heads.

2. Crappy solder jobs on them (Circuit Boards). I had my head looked at and cleaned up, again what the old ones were known for.

Otherwise, they are very versatile and can play any kind of music from Clean Jazz to Heavy dropped Metal. I love my head so much due to tone I want another one, but mine is an old original and I have KT77's in it.

Gtrman58 · 09-21-2009, 08:40 AM

Here is another noob with a dsl mlb and the 412a cab. I love mine so far. Got a couple friends withe the same head and the 1960 cab that paid alot more and told me to jump at the deal. I also paid around 1100.00 for the half stack. I know there are alot of mods that you can do on this amp, new tubes are probably one of the first things I will do....I am also looking for a decent used 1960a cab, but I am in no hurry.

Since everyone is providing all this great info, I have a couple of questions.... on the classic gain channel, is there about a 10 db difference between the clean and crunch channel on everyone elses amp? I did not notice this when I first got the amp. But notice the volume difference now. Is thsi normal?

Is there a link for a video on how to set the bias on the dsl 100? That would be great!

I think you will really enjoy this rig, I know I have so far.

riffdrive · 09-21-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gtrman58

Since everyone is providing all this great info, I have a couple of questions.... on the classic gain channel, is there about a 10 db difference between the clean and crunch channel on everyone elses amp? I did not notice this when I first got the amp. But notice the volume difference now. Is thsi normal?

Not sure whether it's normal or not, but my DSL 50 does that too. But I figure it's not that big of a deal, since you can't switch from clean to crunch via a footswitch anyway, so you probably won't be trying to do that in a live situation, where the difference in volume would really stick out.

I like to keep my DSL on the Crunch channel, and use a volume pedal (or the volume knob on the guitar) to get clean tones. I don't use the red channel that much - the Crunch channel has all the gain I need and sounds fuller and fatter than the red channel.

Gtrman58 · 09-21-2009, 09:50 AM

No its not a big deal, I just did not remember it doing that when I first got it. I have only had it less tahn a month and if its not right wanted to take care of it!

I pretty much keep mine on the Ultra channel Lead setting and the Classic gain crunch setting. Have not been using a whole lot of pedals with this set up either. Love it pretty much the way it is!

DSL 50 · 09-22-2009, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satchfan

I still find my DSL a little too bright even with the Bass Boost button in & a GE7 in the loop, it's not that it sounds bad overall but it's either too toppy or too muddy on the neck pickup.
I can't seem to find that awesome tone that DSL owners talk about, oh well I'll keep searching or trade up maybe!

Steve.

Turn down the Treble and the Presence.

These amps are very bright, and you will need to run these 2 knobs much lower than a normal amp.
I run my Treble and Presence at around "3" each.

Mids around "7" and Bass around "5" (around "3" on the green channel)

Leave the "Bass Boost off, and the Mid Cut off"

The EQ in the loop is good.

Run a Boost in Front of this amp, like a "Bad Monkey, or Tube Screamer type", as these amps tend to sound a bit Muddy.

superimposedmedia · 09-22-2009, 04:14 AM

I'd say go for it. I'm digging mine. You can always upgrade/modify to your needs.

07-02-2009, 09:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
pml_laskowski Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: pullman washington Posts: 8	Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack i only got one reply so this is a repost with different name. hey all. im new to the forum so here goes. im am getting back into music after a ten year lay off and man have things changed. i had some finantial hardships and had to sell all of my gear and never replaced it. i have an ibanez js1000 on the way and now im looking into buying an amp. the type of music i play the most is rock. tons of van halen, satriani, george lynch stuff, ald ozzie with randy rhodes etc. do you think this amp will suit my style? thanks in advance for the help. Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack 100-watt 2-channel Tube Head with 4 x 12 Angled Amp Cabinet

07-02-2009, 09:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
American Viking Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Posts: 1,420	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack you should upgrade it to the 1960 cab, it's much better. __________________ -I'd rather be a good liver than have one...

07-02-2009, 11:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
rockinr0ll Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,245	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack AV if you can afford it but if you can't get the 1960A so then you can upgrade speakers later.. (if you want)

07-03-2009, 05:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
BrotherJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 267	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack The DSL you want will definitely do those sounds you're after and more. Count this another vote for the 1960AV quad... add a delay to the loop and a boost up front and you'll be screaming with that JS1000! __________________ TSL100 - MM OT & Choke and some circuit mods - 1960AV Stiletto Deuce II - Traditional quad

07-03-2009, 07:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
Riffraff Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dutchess County NY Posts: 266	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack The DSL was one of Marshall's more successful models and had the alltime highest sales numbers of any Marshall model. They are a good gigging musicians amp that you can get a good variety of tones from. The new version you are considering is exactly as the old with the exception of the black piping on the head in place of the white that was on the original. Marshall got very aggressive with the pricing on that package and the place they cut cost was on the cab. Head great....cab not so much but usable. Don't get me wrong, it is an attractive deal on a good amp and if you tried it out and like it I wouldn't let that scare you off. It's not so much that the cab is bad, it's just that there are better ones. Keep in mind DSLs have been around a while so there are many available on the used market. It's not uncommon to find heads on Craigslist going for $550-$650. With the savings you could get a used 1960A as well or a brand new Avatar cab with the speakers of your choice and they are every bit as good. So it's possible to get the same amp with a much better cab for the same amount of cash.

07-03-2009, 08:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
satchfan Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nr Manchester England Posts: 92	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack I still find my DSL a little too bright even with the Bass Boost button in & a GE7 in the loop, it's not that it sounds bad overall but it's either too toppy or too muddy on the neck pickup. I can't seem to find that awesome tone that DSL owners talk about, oh well I'll keep searching or trade up maybe! Steve. __________________ Never sell your vintage Marshall Valve...... You'll regret it for the rest of your life

07-03-2009, 11:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
donkost Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 57	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack All great info above, and let me cast my vote for the DSL100MLB w/MC412 package deal since I bought one a little while ago. Take a look at the "Dsl100mlb?" thread in this forum for more info and pics. You can get this half stack new at around $1100-ish (from the original $1299) if you can use a 15% off discount. This cab sounds great and looks great, and yes it is made of MDF instead of birch plywood like the 1960 cab. I think the 1960 would hold up better if you played a lot of gigs and the cab was getting banged around. Don't get me wrong though- the MC412 is a well-designed, solidly built cab with all of the other appointments of the 1960 (casters are optional though). The 1960A would probably be the least expensive cab to find used (or new of course around $800) but many people do not like the sound of the Celestion 75W G12T speakers in that cab. The 1960AV has the Vintage 30 Celestions that many prefer. Celestion rates those speakers at 60W each but Marshall rates the cab at 280W (?). The 1960AX has Celestion Greenback speakers for a raw, classic sound. They are rated at 25W each for a total of 100W in the 4x12 cab. You'd have to be little careful at higher volume levels when using a DSL100 head with that cab. __________________ 2009 Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 w/MC412A cab 1988 Mesa/Boogie Mark III 60W combo w/EV12L 1988 Gibson Les Paul Custom 1998 Peavey Wolfgang Special 2008 Gretsch G5120 2008 Ibanez RG2550Z 2009 Epiphone Zakk Wylde L.P. (bullseye) Jonesing for a Strat ever since reading "Blackmore tone" thread Pedaltrain PT-Pro w/numerous stomp boxes

07-03-2009, 02:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
RiverRatt Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Between Memphis and Nashville Posts: 470	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack I found a picture of the cap that needs clipping or replacing here. Go down to the fourth photo on the page and there's a picture of the capacitor. There's a long thread on here somewhere about this mod, and it's always referred to as C12, but this website says it can be labeled either C12 or C17. Mine said C17 and looked exactly like the photo. I figured it would be fairly easy to reverse, so I tried it. It's really tight in there - I used a small pair of nail clippers - you only need to clip one side and bend it apart a little. If you want to solder it back, you will probably have to remove the board, though I noticed that you are running an EQ in the loop as well. I used an old MXR 10-band EQ in the loop for awhile, but I found that it sounded better in front of the amp instead. I've never liked the loop on my DSL - IMHO it makes pedals sound tinny.

07-03-2009, 03:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
satchfan Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nr Manchester England Posts: 92	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack Just had a look, I take it that it's the blue bulb shaped cap marked C17 next to the purple dot? At the moment I've been using the green channel with a Dist. pedal for boost so it won't make a difference will it? Steve. __________________ Never sell your vintage Marshall Valve...... You'll regret it for the rest of your life

07-03-2009, 04:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
RiverRatt Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Between Memphis and Nashville Posts: 470	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack No, the green channel isn't affected.

07-03-2009, 05:19 PM	#17 (permalink)
satchfan Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nr Manchester England Posts: 92	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack Thought so! I'll carry on playing with the settings & pedals ect. Thanks again for the info. Steve. __________________ Never sell your vintage Marshall Valve...... You'll regret it for the rest of your life

09-20-2009, 11:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
livewire78602 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack Ah yes the notorious DSL 100. I have the DSL 50, heres the problem with these heads and what they are known or use to be known for. 1. Spring reverb tank fails after a while and not to long after. Replaced tank then its the circuit board inside. Mine is already gone. So I just pulled cable, and use external reverb pedal. you will find this issue on many forums with these heads. 2. Crappy solder jobs on them (Circuit Boards). I had my head looked at and cleaned up, again what the old ones were known for. Otherwise, they are very versatile and can play any kind of music from Clean Jazz to Heavy dropped Metal. I love my head so much due to tone I want another one, but mine is an old original and I have KT77's in it.

09-21-2009, 08:40 AM	#19 (permalink)
Gtrman58 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 120	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack Here is another noob with a dsl mlb and the 412a cab. I love mine so far. Got a couple friends withe the same head and the 1960 cab that paid alot more and told me to jump at the deal. I also paid around 1100.00 for the half stack. I know there are alot of mods that you can do on this amp, new tubes are probably one of the first things I will do....I am also looking for a decent used 1960a cab, but I am in no hurry. Since everyone is providing all this great info, I have a couple of questions.... on the classic gain channel, is there about a 10 db difference between the clean and crunch channel on everyone elses amp? I did not notice this when I first got the amp. But notice the volume difference now. Is thsi normal? Is there a link for a video on how to set the bias on the dsl 100? That would be great! I think you will really enjoy this rig, I know I have so far. __________________ 2009 JCM 2000 Dsl 100 MLB MC412A 1951 Fender Deluxe 2006 Hot Rod Deluxe 1995 Blues Junior 1994 Blues Deville Vox Path Finder 1982 Legend A 30 1980 Gibson Herritage Cherry Sunburst Standard 1980 Explorer White with gold HW 2000 52 Telecaster USA RI 1983 57 Strat LH USA RI 2003 57 Strat USA RI 1960 Silvertone Danelectro 1994 Fender P-bass 68 RI Acoustic guitars....not enough space to list !!!!!

09-21-2009, 09:50 AM	#21 (permalink)
Gtrman58 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 120	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack No its not a big deal, I just did not remember it doing that when I first got it. I have only had it less tahn a month and if its not right wanted to take care of it! I pretty much keep mine on the Ultra channel Lead setting and the Classic gain crunch setting. Have not been using a whole lot of pedals with this set up either. Love it pretty much the way it is! __________________ 2009 JCM 2000 Dsl 100 MLB MC412A 1951 Fender Deluxe 2006 Hot Rod Deluxe 1995 Blues Junior 1994 Blues Deville Vox Path Finder 1982 Legend A 30 1980 Gibson Herritage Cherry Sunburst Standard 1980 Explorer White with gold HW 2000 52 Telecaster USA RI 1983 57 Strat LH USA RI 2003 57 Strat USA RI 1960 Silvertone Danelectro 1994 Fender P-bass 68 RI Acoustic guitars....not enough space to list !!!!!

09-22-2009, 04:14 AM	#23 (permalink)
superimposedmedia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 114	Re: Marshall DSL100MLB and MC412 Half Stack I'd say go for it. I'm digging mine. You can always upgrade/modify to your needs. __________________ Listen to Bee Sting - myspace.com/superimposedmedia

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