SoundSage

Hey all you JCM 2000 TSL 100 / 122 experts and veterans,maybe you could
help me out on this one. I already have a 122 combo(2005) and am intending
to buy a TSL 100 head and perform an all-out Mercury Magnetics mod.
That would be both transformers and a choke,plus maybe some other
miscellaneous items. I am told that there is a significant difference between
TSL models made from 2005 onwards. This involves different welding material
in accordance with EU regulations. There may be other differences;I do not
know. Anyway,the result is that the 2005 and later amps are said to be
thiner,brighter(maybe more brittle)compared to the warmer and better
sounding 2004 and earlier units. Anyone have any knowlwdge or experience
regarding this? Also,how significantly(if indeed it is)better is a "warm" TSL
after an all-out Mercury Magnetics mod? Thanks!

Marshall Amps

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MartyStrat54

My TSL122 is a 2000 model. I bought it used. It has served me well. I recently had to take it in to the shop, but it was just some minor stuff. Some of the TSL's came with wrong resistors and such on the boards. I don't think my 122 is one of them, or else I would have had problems. As far as how it sounds stock? I can't remember. I have all hand selected NOS preamp tubes and RFT EL34's and two Eminence Man O' War speakers. It goes from a chilly clean to in your face metal rock at the flip of a switch.

My TSL100 also has NOS tubes and it does not sound like a stock unit. It was made the last year they made them.

I looked into a possible MM mod, but I found my tone with good preamp and power tubes and it didn't cost me $700 dollars. I will say that a choke tightens up the amp. If that is what you like great. I like the SAG you get from an amp without a choke.

I never heard anyone describe certain TSL amps as being warmer. That's a new one on me.

Marty

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MARTY

2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine
1989 Fender Strat Plus USA
2008 Fender Tele USA
2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's

TSL100
TSL122
TSL602 #1
TSL602 #2
DSL401 #1
DSL401 #2

BrotherJ

Hi,

That story is a complete fabrication.

The only problems the TSL (& DSL) suffered is from the issue 5 main components board installed in pre '04 models (I hate to be a downer here Marty, but you will have the problem board in there - my '00 model did)

After 2004 (all the units i have looked at since) have had the issue 6 main board which is made from a better material and not prone to the internal problems that the previous versions suffered from.

I also have the Mercury OT & Choke on mine, I definitely would go for it - they do improve the amps characteristics under gain & just make it better.

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steelhorse

I have a post 2005 TSL100 and not one issue ever.

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SoundSage

Hey BrotherJ,does that mean that the TSL amps 2005 and newer are actually
better? I am happy to hear this since my TSL122 is a 2005. What about the
alleged solder material change from 2005 up. Is this true? Does it affect tone?
If the 2005 on up amps are actually better,I would rather get one of these
to do the MM mods as they tend to be less used. That is if the MM mods
actually make a meaningful improvement. I really do not know. The output
and power transformers cost $475. Worth it if it makes a real/significant
improvement,not just a very slight,hardly noticeable one.

steelhorse

MM will definitely make a noticeable difference and you could install them yourself or have them install by a pro for what should be fairly reasonable fee.

The choke is harder to install compared to the tranny and the benefit to cost/effort ratio is much smaller imo, but the tranny is definitely a good score.

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760-956-6619
Garmopat Pedal Mods

"I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

BrotherJ

If I was looking for another one then yes I would be going for at least '04 and up. Bearn in mind that it is really only the main board that suffers this problem and you will find the other PCB's used on the clean, crunch & lead channels still the same issue numbers as some of the older models.

The MM ot added more bass, and generally improved the tone of the amp over all, the gain was mroe defined, the treble was improved etc.

There are other mods I would reccomend as well, one is to add a 390pf cap across R1 on the main board as well as a 47pf cap across the outer lugs of the volume pot on both the Cruch & Lead channels, really takes away the fizz & undesirable treble (Works on the DSL as well)

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SoundSage

BrotherJ,have you heard about:1)Treble bleed capacitors at 100pf for the
clean channel and 220pf for crunch/lead. 2)Bias feed resistors at 5.6k .
Would these be improvements? Any more you can suggest? What brands of
components,and where to buy? Why in the world did Marshall not do this in the first place!?

BrotherJ

Hi Soundsage,

Sure have, personally I would leave the 100pf cap for the Clean / crunch alone, I have tried a few different values there and kept coming back to the 100pf. For the lead channels I ended up completely removing the 470pf bright cap, others have liked a 180-220pf cap in this spot so it's worth a shot to see what you like.

The 5.6k grid blocker resistor is just the normal value Marshall used, the very early versions of the DSL/TSL used 220k in this spot, It does sound better with 5.6k there.

The main issues I usualy help with is taming the brighness of the amp - to a degree of course, you still want to cut through in a band but you dont need an ice pick to the ear at home

I usually buy components from local suppliers over here & Small Bear too - he has good service.

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SoundSage

BrotherJ,thank you very much for all these technical tips! Where can one buy these components and what brand(s)/type(s) would be best? I live in Southern California(near Los Angeles). Do you have anyone you can recommend to perform all these modifications? Once again,thanks!

BrotherJ

Hey no problems at all

I usually go for Mallory caps for tone circuits and Siver Mica for treble/bright caps... (no specific brand, just good tolerance)

Wow LA must be nice at the moment, here in Sydney we are freezing atm!

I'm guessing there would be heaps of techs locally, search the net I'm sure you will have a large list to check

Cheers

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