This isn't for home practicing, it's more for leaving at rehearsal and playing smaller, indoor places. I have a Peavey C30 that crapped out on me last weekend, it's #3 amp. My #1 is a Marshall 3203 & 1965a for larger places/outdoor and #2 is H&K 20th Anniv combo for indoor/bars. The C30 is loud and small but I've had a few issue with it so I may repair and get rid of it. I use clean channel and use pedalboard for all dirt and effects. These are four amps out in the wild right now: A. JTM 30 1x12 @$200 B. JTM 60 head @$300 C. DSL 40C stock speaker @$350 D. DSL 40C w/ Creamback installed @$430 I really don't want to haul a head and cab so option B is not really an option...unless it's an unbelievable deal/amp..and then I'd consider building a 1x12 cab for it.
I'd vote for the DSL4Cr but of course the 40C is cheaper. I don't own one but have played on them every chance I get and believe it is a fantastic Marshall offering. I believe it can ballpark all eras of Marshall tones from 60s JTMs to JCM900 between all the modes. I have never owned nor played the JTM30 but I do hear a lot of headache concerning the known overheating issue... Tbh I wouldn't want to own an amp like that at all. *edit* if your thinking about ditching the Peavey Classic 30 for issues then I think you'd be going backwards with the JTM30
Yea, a DSL 40CR would be good but I don't want to spend quite that much on a backup amp. There's a one-year-old Blackstar HT 40 Mark 2 for $400 locally too and the cleans are great on them, I just don't know if I want to join their team I've also read that Marshalls are easier to work on than BStar, and Marshall's also sound like a Marshall. Your comment about going backwards on the JTM30, you may be right. Classic 30 the older, square style and is getting on in years. Having a newer amp in the similar price range sounds good to me.
My Dsl40c’s still have the stock speakers in them, but I set them up on MG cabs. Can’t go wrong for the money on the Dsl40c, but I am a bit biased in my opinion. Cheers Mitch
No comments on whether the one with the Creamback is worth it, or necessary. I have a cple speakers laying around I could swap in for the 70/80, but the 70/80 isn't a complete wreck of a speaker and may be adequate, no? Not sure which Creamback it is, the seller doesn't know either and is getting back to me.
DSL40C here but I am biased as well! Go with the Creamback one and you won't be disappointed, especially if its the 75 Creamback which is my favorite
from reading... JTM 30/60 both had heating problems. Seems people added fans & it helped. But, for the most part, not a very reliable amp (either one). Last thing you need is an unreliable backup, IMO. DSL, may not sound as nice, but, for the most part, can sound good enough & if you get past it's quirks, it can be reliable. Funny thing though, I saw someone post, earlier, about the 40C having a heating problem. Do a search on each amp, type in the model & put heating issue after it & see what comes up. Or, just type the model & issue, problem, or repair after it... Read up & make an informed opinion...
@joe_cpwe this opinion isn't from a gigging artist (I sincerely wish it was!) but from a senior IT sysadmin with 25+ years of experience: you don't need backups, until you do. If a system (device etc) can fail, it WILL sooner or later. Try to buy the best backup amp you can afford and make sure you regularly test it.
I had a blackstar which traded for a DSL. Thank God. I really persevered with that amp too. I also had JTM30 which didn't have the nads in a loud 3 piece.
