Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition

rvin28 · 11-06-2009, 02:46 AM

I bought this about 7 years ago and replaced the speaker with a Vintage 30.
I'm concerned that in all this time I've never had it serviced or changed the output valves (although i have changed the preamp valves) and that it might 'die' on me at some point in the near future - any advice??

I have also read that these models have suffered from overheating issues - I can't say that I have experienced this (touch wood), but I can't say that this has ever been pushed volume wise (its a bedroom only amp!) although it does get cranked up occassionally.

I have seen many DSL 201's and even other limited edition versions but I can't say that I have ever seen another one like it with this grille material.

thrawn86 · 11-06-2009, 11:13 AM

Man, that thing looks nice! How do you like the V30?

Check the serial number under the Mains input-the little bar code thing. It goes something like M-2002-34 ect.... The four numbers after the M are the year of manufacture. The next two are the week of that year. The 201 and 401's made before something like week 37 of 2002(or maybe 2003, I can't recall precisely...) had issues with overheating, and they were biased 'hotter' than the ones made later. So I believe if yours is post-2003 you're ok there. I had to replace the bridge rectifier on mine due to heat, but now I run a fan full-time behind it when I play.

As far as power valves, it would probably be a good idea to procure some more for when they do fail. You'll have to re bias when you re valve, so if you're not comfortable inside the amp and with voltages, take it to a reputable tech, since the bias pot on these is internal and not accessable via the back panel.

It's Friday!

rvin28 · 11-06-2009, 11:58 AM

Thanks Thrawn

Serial No is M -2000 - 16 - 1055A so its an early version.

How did you go about fitting the fan and cooling to the bridge rectifier?

I do have a multimeter and I am not too bad at electronics, do you have or can recommend a walkthro' guide to rebiasing this amp.

V30 is superb with this amp although it did take a long while to bed in. I much prefer this to a single Greenback in this amp. I also use a 2 x 12 with newer greenback G12M's fitted which gives it much more headroom.

Its a very cleaning sounding amp and it takes a lot to drive it to the sweet spot - far too loud for bedroom use.

Then theirs my Class 5..........

Thanks again

atkinsg · 11-06-2009, 12:38 PM

thanks for the tip, I was starting to look for a 201 for a small practice amp.
how do you like the Class 5 for the house?

rvin28 · 11-06-2009, 01:33 PM

Both are excellent amps in my opinion, but I would say that the DSL is the more controllable of the 2 as it has a master volume that the Class 5 lacks but it is a cleaner sounding amp. This is the problem that you will find with valve amps - good tone at lower volumes. To get that lovely overdriven tone/sound both need to be 'driven' i.e. at the point that amp signal begins to break up and at 5 or 20 watts both become very loud indeed to do acheive this.

20 watts is not 4 times as loud as 5 watts and 5 watts is only half as loud as 50 watts.

I usually crank mine up when everyone is out of the house (due to my bad playing and the volume that I play at).

I like both and wouldn't part with either now. Both of these will annoy your neighbours (and family) very quickly indeed so don't be fooled by the wattage of these little beasties.

Happy hunting

rvin28 · 11-06-2009, 01:39 PM

However a point that I forgot to mention!

The DSL OD channel channel is manic - this acheives a highly distorted/overdriven Marshall tone at very low volumes but its too much for my taste.

In this respect the DSL is certainly a Jekyll and Hyde amp.

Do any other DSL 201 owners agree/disagree??

JohnH · 11-06-2009, 02:26 PM

rvin, your amp looks great. The OD channel on a DSL201 is the same gain as the OD2 channel on a DSL401, and so yes, it is pretty wild! On a 401, the clean channel can be made to break up quite nicely, at gain of 6 or above, or with a simple overdrive pedal. Does yours do that? I use my DSL401 at very low volumes when I need to and I get all the tone I want.

On the heat issue, I think that was mainly the 401 - twice as many power valves putting out heat. The front panels get too hot to touch even after playing quietly, so many of us put in fans. If you dont have this issue, then you are probably OK. There's no harm is sticking a heatsink on the bridge rectifier however, which is the internal part that gets hottest. Its the black square with one corner chamfered, and you can do it with thermally conductive cement - a very thin layer.

As for biasing, its not hard, with care noting the high voltages. All you need is a digital multimeter , insulated alligator clips and a small screwdriver, plus a larger one for the case. You have to remove the chassis. I will look for a guide that Im sure I have seen.

John

Apula Mawanga · 11-06-2009, 05:31 PM

Wow that's a sweet amp!

thrawn86 · 11-06-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvin28

How did you go about fitting the fan and cooling to the bridge rectifier?

I didn't go to the trouble of wiring one inside the combo. I wanted SERIOUS airflow, so I have an external, 'desk' style clip on fan I use. I could care less how it looks, since it's on the back of the combo when I play and I don't hear it on high; I just aim it at the power valves. Like John H said, I suppose the 201 didn't have the same issues as the 401, so that's a definate sigh of relief for you.

rvin28 · 11-06-2009, 08:17 PM

Thanks Guys,
Makes me feel much better.

Your right about the OD channel - the difference between Marshall 'clean' and 'od' is huge!

Do you agree about the grille cloth - I can't find a similar cloth at all to this. I was hoping to put the same cloth on my 2 x 12 if i can find it.

thrawn86 · 11-06-2009, 08:19 PM

I've never seen one with that cloth either. Very nice, though. Google 'Marshall grille cloth' and you might get a hit.

rvin28 · 11-06-2009, 08:23 PM

Yes,
It does break up quite nicely with the Marshall Gov'ner II pedal that I have - again I would say that this is far too loud as a bedroom amp - perhaps I'm just gettin' old.

Marshall DSL201
Marshall Class 5
Marshall 2 x 12 greenbacks (G12M's)
Matamp Little Rock - Marshall 1912 with celestion Hot 100
Fender USA American Std Strat 89
Fender 72 reissue Telecaster Thinline (sweet)
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop 73
Gibson Les Paul Special Plus Trans Amber (02)

rvin28 · 11-06-2009, 08:28 PM

John H
I notice you have a '76 Shergold Masquerader - a really unsung guitar. I don't live to far away from where these originally were built and I can remember being in a band over 30 years ago where our rhythm player used one.

I haven't seen one of these in a long while

Great guitar

thrawn86 · 11-06-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvin28

Yes,
It does break up quite nicely with the Marshall Gov'ner II pedal that I have - again I would say that this is far too loud as a bedroom amp - perhaps I'm just gettin' old.

Marshall DSL201
Marshall Class 5
Marshall 2 x 12 greenbacks (G12M's)
Matamp Little Rock - Marshall 1912 with celestion Hot 100
Fender USA American Std Strat 89
Fender 72 reissue Telecaster Thinline (sweet)
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop 73
Gibson Les Paul Special Plus Trans Amber (02)

I use my 401 with my 1960b all the time, and since there really isn't much difference in dB between 20 and 40w RMS, you could say it's not effectively a bedroom amp. However, I love the sound I get from mine at low volumes.

JohnH · 11-06-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvin28

John H
I notice you have a '76 Shergold Masquerader - a really unsung guitar. I don't live to far away from where these originally were built and I can remember being in a band over 30 years ago where our rhythm player used one.

I haven't seen one of these in a long while

Great guitar

Well thanks, heres a picture:

I've had it since 1978, and it is one that I will never sell. It has the most beautifully hand carved neck, the most wild and crazy switching and the worst bridge design of any production guitar ever! I love it dearly.

John

rvin28 · 11-07-2009, 05:43 AM

ahh memories....

Thanks for the pic, the guitar looks terrific. Don't ever sell

leeroy123 · 11-08-2009, 01:05 AM

I too run a fan full on at all times with my old 100watt "DSL" SWEET AS!

Richman1 · 11-08-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvin28

I bought this about 7 years ago and replaced the speaker with a Vintage 30.
I'm concerned that in all this time I've never had it serviced or changed the output valves (although i have changed the preamp valves) and that it might 'die' on me at some point in the near future - any advice??

I have also read that these models have suffered from overheating issues - I can't say that I have experienced this (touch wood), but I can't say that this has ever been pushed volume wise (its a bedroom only amp!) although it does get cranked up occassionally.

I have seen many DSL 201's and even other limited edition versions but I can't say that I have ever seen another one like it with this grille material.

Nice practice amp for the bedroom... I would get a amp tech to retube it with JJ tubes and move the bias trim pots and test points to the back of the amp so you can set it yourself in the future without having to take the amp apart. I did that on old 401 and it was awesome. that way you can try different mV settings. I retube once a year on all my amps as a rule. but I run my bias hot...to Marshall specs..so the tubes don't last as long...

thrawn86 · 11-08-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richman1

Nice practice amp for the bedroom... I would get a amp tech to retube it with JJ tubes and move the bias trim pots and test points to the back of the amp so you can set it yourself in the future without having to take the amp apart. I did that on old 401 and it was awesome. that way you can try different mV settings. I retube once a year on all my amps as a rule. but I run my bias hot...to Marshall specs..so the tubes don't last as long...

What did that run you to move the test points and bias pot, Richman?

Richman1 · 11-08-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrawn86

What did that run you to move the test points and bias pot, Richman?

About $60 bucks...very much worth it... That was a tech that does not over charge me for simple mods..probably about 30 min.labor and parts for that mod are very inexpensive....

rvin28 · 11-08-2009, 06:03 PM

You guys are lucky, here in the UK, people want to charge top dollar for everything so I would think that $60 bucks is an absolute bargain.

£50 (about $83) an hour labour costs are far more usual here without the price of parts!

thrawn86 · 11-08-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richman1

About $60 bucks...very much worth it... That was a tech that does not over charge me for simple mods..probably about 30 min.labor and parts for that mod are very inexpensive....

Wow I should have that done. The task is daunting as things currently stand; that'd make things a snap.

11-06-2009, 02:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
rvin28 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Southend on Sea Posts: 18	Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition I bought this about 7 years ago and replaced the speaker with a Vintage 30. I'm concerned that in all this time I've never had it serviced or changed the output valves (although i have changed the preamp valves) and that it might 'die' on me at some point in the near future - any advice?? I have also read that these models have suffered from overheating issues - I can't say that I have experienced this (touch wood), but I can't say that this has ever been pushed volume wise (its a bedroom only amp!) although it does get cranked up occassionally. I have seen many DSL 201's and even other limited edition versions but I can't say that I have ever seen another one like it with this grille material.

11-06-2009, 11:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
thrawn86 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Far Nor Cal USA Posts: 426	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition Man, that thing looks nice! How do you like the V30? Check the serial number under the Mains input-the little bar code thing. It goes something like M-2002-34 ect.... The four numbers after the M are the year of manufacture. The next two are the week of that year. The 201 and 401's made before something like week 37 of 2002(or maybe 2003, I can't recall precisely...) had issues with overheating, and they were biased 'hotter' than the ones made later. So I believe if yours is post-2003 you're ok there. I had to replace the bridge rectifier on mine due to heat, but now I run a fan full-time behind it when I play. As far as power valves, it would probably be a good idea to procure some more for when they do fail. You'll have to re bias when you re valve, so if you're not comfortable inside the amp and with voltages, take it to a reputable tech, since the bias pot on these is internal and not accessable via the back panel. It's Friday! __________________ Drivin' faster in my car... 02 DSL 401-Ei's 02 1960b 02 Gibson LP Studio Silver 03 PRS Santana SE Holy Grail reverb Originally Posted by J. Robert Oppenheimer "We knew the world would not be the same."

11-06-2009, 11:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
rvin28 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Southend on Sea Posts: 18	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition Thanks Thrawn Serial No is M -2000 - 16 - 1055A so its an early version. How did you go about fitting the fan and cooling to the bridge rectifier? I do have a multimeter and I am not too bad at electronics, do you have or can recommend a walkthro' guide to rebiasing this amp. V30 is superb with this amp although it did take a long while to bed in. I much prefer this to a single Greenback in this amp. I also use a 2 x 12 with newer greenback G12M's fitted which gives it much more headroom. Its a very cleaning sounding amp and it takes a lot to drive it to the sweet spot - far too loud for bedroom use. Then theirs my Class 5.......... Thanks again

11-06-2009, 12:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
atkinsg Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition thanks for the tip, I was starting to look for a 201 for a small practice amp. how do you like the Class 5 for the house?

11-06-2009, 01:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
rvin28 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Southend on Sea Posts: 18	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition Both are excellent amps in my opinion, but I would say that the DSL is the more controllable of the 2 as it has a master volume that the Class 5 lacks but it is a cleaner sounding amp. This is the problem that you will find with valve amps - good tone at lower volumes. To get that lovely overdriven tone/sound both need to be 'driven' i.e. at the point that amp signal begins to break up and at 5 or 20 watts both become very loud indeed to do acheive this. 20 watts is not 4 times as loud as 5 watts and 5 watts is only half as loud as 50 watts. I usually crank mine up when everyone is out of the house (due to my bad playing and the volume that I play at). I like both and wouldn't part with either now. Both of these will annoy your neighbours (and family) very quickly indeed so don't be fooled by the wattage of these little beasties. Happy hunting

11-06-2009, 01:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
rvin28 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Southend on Sea Posts: 18	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition However a point that I forgot to mention! The DSL OD channel channel is manic - this acheives a highly distorted/overdriven Marshall tone at very low volumes but its too much for my taste. In this respect the DSL is certainly a Jekyll and Hyde amp. Do any other DSL 201 owners agree/disagree??

11-06-2009, 02:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
JohnH Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wollongong NSW Posts: 640	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition rvin, your amp looks great. The OD channel on a DSL201 is the same gain as the OD2 channel on a DSL401, and so yes, it is pretty wild! On a 401, the clean channel can be made to break up quite nicely, at gain of 6 or above, or with a simple overdrive pedal. Does yours do that? I use my DSL401 at very low volumes when I need to and I get all the tone I want. On the heat issue, I think that was mainly the 401 - twice as many power valves putting out heat. The front panels get too hot to touch even after playing quietly, so many of us put in fans. If you dont have this issue, then you are probably OK. There's no harm is sticking a heatsink on the bridge rectifier however, which is the internal part that gets hottest. Its the black square with one corner chamfered, and you can do it with thermally conductive cement - a very thin layer. As for biasing, its not hard, with care noting the high voltages. All you need is a digital multimeter , insulated alligator clips and a small screwdriver, plus a larger one for the case. You have to remove the chassis. I will look for a guide that Im sure I have seen. John __________________ DSL401 8412 cab Crate Powerblock 1 x 12 Vintage 30 cab '76 Shergold Masquerader '93 Les Paul Studio '83 Roadstar

11-06-2009, 05:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Apula Mawanga Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Melbourneville Posts: 35	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition Wow that's a sweet amp! __________________ fender american telecaster, cable, fender blues junior (hopefully to be replaced soon)

11-06-2009, 08:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
rvin28 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Southend on Sea Posts: 18	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition Thanks Guys, Makes me feel much better. Your right about the OD channel - the difference between Marshall 'clean' and 'od' is huge! Do you agree about the grille cloth - I can't find a similar cloth at all to this. I was hoping to put the same cloth on my 2 x 12 if i can find it.

11-06-2009, 08:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
thrawn86 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Far Nor Cal USA Posts: 426	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition I've never seen one with that cloth either. Very nice, though. Google 'Marshall grille cloth' and you might get a hit. __________________ Drivin' faster in my car... 02 DSL 401-Ei's 02 1960b 02 Gibson LP Studio Silver 03 PRS Santana SE Holy Grail reverb Originally Posted by J. Robert Oppenheimer "We knew the world would not be the same."

11-06-2009, 08:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
rvin28 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Southend on Sea Posts: 18	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition Yes, It does break up quite nicely with the Marshall Gov'ner II pedal that I have - again I would say that this is far too loud as a bedroom amp - perhaps I'm just gettin' old. Marshall DSL201 Marshall Class 5 Marshall 2 x 12 greenbacks (G12M's) Matamp Little Rock - Marshall 1912 with celestion Hot 100 Fender USA American Std Strat 89 Fender 72 reissue Telecaster Thinline (sweet) Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop 73 Gibson Les Paul Special Plus Trans Amber (02)

11-06-2009, 08:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
rvin28 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Southend on Sea Posts: 18	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition John H I notice you have a '76 Shergold Masquerader - a really unsung guitar. I don't live to far away from where these originally were built and I can remember being in a band over 30 years ago where our rhythm player used one. I haven't seen one of these in a long while Great guitar

11-07-2009, 05:43 AM	#16 (permalink)
rvin28 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Southend on Sea Posts: 18	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition ahh memories.... Thanks for the pic, the guitar looks terrific. Don't ever sell

11-08-2009, 01:05 AM	#17 (permalink)
leeroy123 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 14	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition I too run a fan full on at all times with my old 100watt "DSL" SWEET AS!

11-08-2009, 06:03 PM	#21 (permalink)
rvin28 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Southend on Sea Posts: 18	Re: Marshall DSL 201 Limited Edition You guys are lucky, here in the UK, people want to charge top dollar for everything so I would think that $60 bucks is an absolute bargain. £50 (about $83) an hour labour costs are far more usual here without the price of parts!

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