TSL Signal Path-Engineers and Repairmen Only

MartyStrat54 · 07-07-2009, 09:33 PM

Hello. I was asked a question on another thread that I couldn't answer. I know there are a lot of qualified members who can probably answer this.

When the TSL came out, it was heralded as having the highest level of distortion of any Marshall amp. I know the TSL is a complicated amp. What I want to know is what the signal path is through V1, V2, V3 and V4 in the Clean, Crunch and Lead Modes? It is my understanding that in most Marshalls, the signal path is using one half of the triodes in say V1 and V2 for Clean and be using up to three triodes (halves) on the Crunch and Lead.

Can anyone answer this? It would be appreciated.

Marty

jcmjmp · 07-07-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

When the TSL came out, it was heralded as having the highest level of distortion of any Marshall amp. I know the TSL is a complicated amp. What I want to know is what the signal path is through V1, V2, V3 and V4 in the Clean, Crunch and Lead Modes?
Marty

Short answer is no.

JohnH · 07-08-2009, 01:38 AM

Its all there, from the Wiz, on the other Marshall Forum:

The Marshall Amp Forum: • View topic - Preamp Tube Functions

John

MartyStrat54 · 07-08-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnH

Its all there, from the Wiz, on the other Marshall Forum:

The Marshall Amp Forum: • View topic - Preamp Tube Functions

John

Thanks John. I went and looked at that page and they sort of mix the DSL with the TSL and they discuss "two" channels. I know that the TSL's crunch and lead channels share a lot of circuitry. (Some state that the TSL is just a glorified two channel.) So I'm assuming that the signal path for the TSL is the same as the DSL. At least that is how they are explaining it.

Anyway, thanks again. Marty

joshuaaewallen · 07-09-2009, 07:44 AM

Anything more definitive? So far all I am seeing is shared circuitry. But does that make this two channels w/ a boost and dual eq, or is this really three channels. So far there have been lots of opinions on both sides (see Does a TSL have two or three channels?), but no one who has definitively been able to say one way or the other...

Even w/ multiple threads this topic seems to just kinda kick around w/ no clear 100% answer...

Ken · 07-09-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuaaewallen

Anything more definitive? So far all I am seeing is shared circuitry. But does that make this two channels w/ a boost and dual eq, or is this really three channels. So far there have been lots of opinions on both sides (see Does a TSL have two or three channels?), but no one who has definitively been able to say one way or the other...

Even w/ multiple threads this topic seems to just kinda kick around w/ no clear 100% answer...

Circutry not withstanding, If you can't use two or three channels at the same time it's a one channel amp to me. My old Music Man is two channels. I can plug in 2 guitars or split the signal and they have seperate controls except the master volume. I can play clean and overdriven at the same time.

The DSL is to me a one channel amp because you can only use one channel at a time. I would love to run the clean and ultra channels simutaniously but you can't do that. You might as well call the DSL a 4 channel amp if you want to market it because it has the 4 modes, but in reality it's just one channel. The TSL is the same I think...or is it?

Ken

jcmjmp · 07-09-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken

Circutry not withstanding, If you can't use two or three channels at the same time it's a one channel amp to me. My old Music Man is two channels. I can plug in 2 guitars or split the signal and they have seperate controls except the master volume. I can play clean and overdriven at the same time.

The DSL is to me a one channel amp because you can only use one channel at a time. I would love to run the clean and ultra channels simutaniously but you can't do that. You might as well call the DSL a 4 channel amp if you want to market it because it has the 4 modes, but in reality it's just one channel. The TSL is the same I think...or is it?

Ken

You're just playing with words here. The common meaning of a channel on an amp is a specific sound that you can switch to on the fly.

The TSL has 3 switchable sounds that you can switch to on the fly, hence, its a 3 channel amp.

I'd look at the TSL schematic but really, I don't care for the TSL's sound or design.

Ken · 07-09-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcmjmp

You're just playing with words here. The common meaning of a channel on an amp is a specific sound that you can switch to on the fly.

The TSL has 3 switchable sounds that you can switch to on the fly, hence, its a 3 channel amp.

I'd look at the TSL schematic but really, I don't care for the TSL's sound or design.

Yes; in another thread we had the discussion of just what a "channel" is. I don't think we had a definitive answer! By your definition, if the two gain buttons on the DSL had a foot switch it would be a 4 channel amp?

Ken

PaoloJM · 07-09-2009, 05:49 PM

I'm inclined to think of a "channel" as having at least one dedicated gain stage and also some form of individual EQ.

Not sure that there's a strict definition though, not from what I've read so far.
Anyone else know?

07-07-2009, 09:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	TSL Signal Path-Engineers and Repairmen Only Hello. I was asked a question on another thread that I couldn't answer. I know there are a lot of qualified members who can probably answer this. When the TSL came out, it was heralded as having the highest level of distortion of any Marshall amp. I know the TSL is a complicated amp. What I want to know is what the signal path is through V1, V2, V3 and V4 in the Clean, Crunch and Lead Modes? It is my understanding that in most Marshalls, the signal path is using one half of the triodes in say V1 and V2 for Clean and be using up to three triodes (halves) on the Crunch and Lead. Can anyone answer this? It would be appreciated. Marty __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

07-08-2009, 01:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
JohnH Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wollongong NSW Posts: 640	Re: TSL Signal Path-Engineers and Repairmen Only Its all there, from the Wiz, on the other Marshall Forum: The Marshall Amp Forum: • View topic - Preamp Tube Functions John __________________ DSL401 8412 cab Crate Powerblock 1 x 12 Vintage 30 cab '76 Shergold Masquerader '93 Les Paul Studio '83 Roadstar

07-09-2009, 07:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
joshuaaewallen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 372	Re: TSL Signal Path-Engineers and Repairmen Only Anything more definitive? So far all I am seeing is shared circuitry. But does that make this two channels w/ a boost and dual eq, or is this really three channels. So far there have been lots of opinions on both sides (see Does a TSL have two or three channels?), but no one who has definitively been able to say one way or the other... Even w/ multiple threads this topic seems to just kinda kick around w/ no clear 100% answer... __________________ Josh 2004 PRS Custom 24 10 Top Dean Caddy w/ Bare Knuckles Nail Bombs (This One's For Sale, Just Let Me Know If You Are Interested) 1999 Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 122 - Power Tubes: JJ EL34L's - Assorted New & Vintage pre-amp tubes... I like to roll... HardWire DL-8 Delay/Looper http://irkinempire.spaces.live.com/ "... When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all." - Futurama

07-09-2009, 05:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
PaoloJM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 534	Re: TSL Signal Path-Engineers and Repairmen Only I'm inclined to think of a "channel" as having at least one dedicated gain stage and also some form of individual EQ. Not sure that there's a strict definition though, not from what I've read so far. Anyone else know? __________________ www.youtube.com/paolojm

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