Marshall DSL15C question

[crossroadsnyc]

Check them out but they are hella expensive $2000+

What? Are you serious? This has to be a joke?

 

[Mike_LA]

What? Are you serious? This has to be a joke?

Limited edition SL = Slash Marshall amp.

Marshall SL-5C Slash Signature 5-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo 2013 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

 

[SkyMonkey]

Like @Mike_LA said (but you don't seem to have acknowledged).

The DSL15 is possibly the only DSL ever to NOT HAVE AN FX LOOP!
That means all TBEs and EQ has to go before the preamp.
If that is important to you, look at another DSL.

 

[Matthewthomas]

Like @Mike_LA said (but you don't seem to have acknowledged).

The DSL15 is possibly the only DSL ever to NOT HAVE AN FX LOOP!
That means all TBEs and EQ has to go before the preamp.
If that is important to you, look at another DSL.

I’ve never used an FX loop before (unless you consider built-in reverb part of a loop if it is after preamp but before the power amp, I don’t know), barely have used pedals. I’m looking for something I won’t have to EQ (apart from the knobs obviously) that has built in reverb and can get classic blues/rock or early classic rock sound, ideally at home volume. I’m not insanely picky either, just don’t want to buy the wrong thing.

As a wild card that also goes against almost everything I’ve said, someone in my area is selling a MA50h…. It has reverb and I just may be nuts enough to make a move like that, but I don’t know much about the characteristics of this unit , other than that I’m guessing it is a pretty serious and legit piece of equipment that can do classic rock with ease, but I would need a cab and I also don’t know whether it would do the sound I’m looking for at lower volume. I’m all over the place I know, help me 😂

 

[Seventh Son]

@Matthewthomas I gave the DSLs a lot of praise in my previous posts, which is certainly well deserved, but I also want you to consider that the DSLs are still very modern sounding amps, built to shine in modern metal settings, where players use extremely low tunings that suit modern metal styles. Between the DSL15C and the DSL20CR, the DSL20CR is definitely the more traditional Marshall, but it still has quite a modern tone stack. To see what I mean by that, take a look at the video below, which compares the JCM800 with the DSL100HR. The video does a great job demonstrating the DSL tonal signature by comparing it to something much more old school, like a JCM800. Disregard the fact that the guy in the video plays metal and just focus on the EQ of each amp. Since you mentioned you like classic rock and older styles a lot, I think you would be better off getting something that gets that sound without crazy EQ'ing, EQ pedals, boosts, and other peripheral tools that go against the simple solution that you want.



Considering that, I think you'd be much better off spending more money to get it 100% right the first time, rather than signing up for the world of frustration that is trying to get an amp to sound like something that it isn't. If you want something like the JCM800 you hear in the video, you will need either an older amp in the style of a JCM800, or one of the more expensive amps with that kind of sound profile. I think your best bet would be something like a 6101, which can do everything you want it to do, but isn't necessarily a metal amp. Above all, and as tempting as it might be to buy something soon, take your time with this and do your homework really well before buying something. You will be much happier in the long run.

Also, if I were you, I would stay away from the MA stuff. It can be good for certain styles, but it is not going to suit your needs.

 

[Seventh Son]

@Matthewthomas Here's another idea. Check out the gear that your favorite players used on the stuff you like to listen to and then try to find something like that either on the vintage market or a current-production amp that is voiced and designed around that type of sound.

 

[crossroadsnyc]

Limited edition SL = Slash Marshall amp.

Marshall SL-5C Slash Signature 5-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo 2013 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

Ok, I see what you are saying ... I'm a bit skeptical about reverb pricing though, as prices on there always seem quite high, and I see a lot of stuff sit for a long time. Well, that use to be the case, as I haven't been on there in a while (for that reason).

 

[scozz]

Hi all,

I’m new to the forum and my questions are hopefully not too annoying, repetitive or redundant…

I’ve been playing guitar a long time, but my tastes have been changing and so I’m getting into the deep waters of searching for classic Les Paul / Marshall tones. My ideal at the moment would be Paul Kossoff to give one frame of reference…

I won’t bother to ask the impossible question of “how do I get a cranked plexi sound at a reasonable house volume” (but if you have a good answer for this I’d love to hear it!) I do want an amp that is portable, not insanely expensive, has built in reverb (the only effect I use and I don’t bother with pedals at least not yet) and can get something like a classic rock crunch. I never play with a lot of overdrive or distortion.

I’ve looked through a ton of ideas (from dsl1cr right up to going insane with a jvm head, some type of cab and attenuator, etc) but I want to keep it simple and portable, so my question is:

Does anyone know of a better option than the DSL15C? will a cranked gain on the classic gain channel get me into the late 60s type of sound (bluesbreaker, cream, free, led z, etc etc)? do I need to go crazier and get a head like an origin 20 or even crazier like jcm jvm etc? I know it’s hard to answer. Any thoughts appreciated!

I’d say a Dsl15 is not only a great choice, it’s also a great value.

Welcome to the forum @Matthewthomas.

 

[Matthewthomas]

@Matthewthomas Here's another idea. Check out the gear that your favorite players used on the stuff you like to listen to and then try to find something like that either on the vintage market or a current-production amp that is voiced and designed around that type of sound.

You’re awesome, thanks for these in depth answers. When I look at the gear used for my favourites, it pretty much comes down to stuff like the jtm45 and 1959, both loud and insanely expensive. I think you are right and I’ve been seeing it a lot that the dsl is going to be too metal/modern to get what I’m after easily, so it comes back to the impossible question of how to get the plexi sound in something portable and low volume. I believe the jcm800 is from the 80s, does that mean it’s getting to be a modern sound and getting far away from the 1959 type sound? or would a jcm800 or something from the jcm800 type line definitely do the trick? Confusing for me is the fact that I see “jcm800” written on a lot of different combos that go under different names, but I’m guessing all of those have the same type of circuits and possibly same or similar tubes so they will mostly do the same thing? Would I likely be safe to get a combo that says jcm800 on it?

 

[Mike_LA]

Ok, I see what you are saying ... I'm a bit skeptical about reverb pricing though,

Yah, an extreme example to be sure, but they were pricey when they came out and have only gone up . . .

 

[Matthewthomas]

@Matthewthomas Here's another idea. Check out the gear that your favorite players used on the stuff you like to listen to and then try to find something like that either on the vintage market or a current-production amp that is voiced and designed around that type of sound.

Like should I get a SC20c and call it a day?

 

[fitz]

The more I read and think about it, the more I'm starting to lean toward getting a dsl20cr, the only drawback seeming to be the seventy 80. How much of a drawback do you think it is, and what speaker would you recommend if I replaced it for the most classic sound? The ones I've heard talked about the most are the greenback, creamback, v-type, and vintage 30. I literally don't know enough to even know if those are all different or whether some of those names refer to the same thing, or whether there are even several types of each of those. If you were buying a new dsl20cr tomorrow, would you need to switch the speaker and which would you choose if you literally cared only about blues and early classic rock (which as I understand actually doesnt have very high gain, overdrive or distortion). Appreciate your help!

to the forum.
I'm late to the thread, but I just read you mention one of my favorite amps.
I never tried a DSL15 mainly because of the lack of a loop, but I love my DSL20HR.
I've tried quite a few speakers in my little stack and currently have a pair of G12H-30 Anniversary that I think work perfectly for me with this amp.
Bluesy classic rock is the kind of tone I shoot for.
If you go with the 20c, I'd also recommend swapping out the V1 tube with a JJ ECC823.
And I'll say it again, EQ in the loop is a game changer.

 

[Seventh Son]

@Matthewthomas I think something like a JCM800 would get you much, much closer to what you want than a modern DSL. It might not be perfect, in theory, but it will probably do the job so well in practice that you won't wish it were something else. Since you want a reverb, JCM800 won't have a reverb, but the reissue does have a loop. A really good, studio-quality reverb pedal would be the MXR M300. Pricey, but very high quality for a reverb pedal—the kind of pedal you would pair with an expensive tube amp.

 

[Matthewthomas]

@Matthewthomas I think something like a JCM800 would get you much, much closer to what you want than a modern DSL. It might not be perfect, in theory, but it will probably do the job so well in practice that you won't wish it were something else. Since you want a reverb, JCM800 won't have a reverb, but the reissue does have a loop. A really good, studio-quality reverb pedal would be the MXR M300. Pricey, but very high quality for a reverb pedal—the kind of pedal you would pair with an expensive tube amp.

I’ve had a chance to check them out and you seem bang on recommending the jcm800 type. There’s a great video from sonic drive studio on you tube with the sv20 sc20 2525 and dsl20 heads. To my ears the sv and sc sound similar and equally good for what I want - awesome crunch, not overly gainy and nice and clear. The 2525 sounds good but has too much gain. The dsl sounds, I don’t know what (compressed, muddy, dark, I don’t know the terminology yet I guess) just not what I’m looking for. Sounds good and Marshall-y and if I tried only it I’d probably like it, but back to back it’s very clear I prefer the sc and sv. Seeing the features explained I think the sc is simpler for someone like me, no jumping cables, I can turn the gain and volume where I like, I think it’s the one to go for. With a head I can buy a 1x12 cab greenback or creamback or whatever. It won’t be cheap but it will be awesome. You’ve definitely steered me in the right direction so 🙏🤙 big thanks

 

[Mike_LA]

With a head I can buy a 1x12 cab greenback or creamback or whatever.

2 speakers ----> 2X10 or 2X12
It's worth it . . . . . .

 

[Seventh Son]

2 speakers ----> 2X10 or 2X12
It's worth it . . . . . .

I agree. A 1x12 typically sounds boxy and sharp. A 2x12 is the sweet spot. Get one of those and all your bases are covered. But, if you want to go for a combo with a 1x12, there's nothing wrong with that either. By the way, I've done testing with my DSL20CR versus the same amp through a matching 1x12, and saw no significant difference for my home applications. I suppose there are some differences, but they get exaggerated by people online who claim that open-back and closed-back configurations sound vastly different, which they don't. The difference is mainly in projection. A closed-back cab projects mostly forward, whereas an open-back or semi-open-back combo spreads the sound around, which is certainly nice for home applications.

 

[Matthewthomas]

I agree. A 1x12 typically sounds boxy and sharp. A 2x12 is the sweet spot. Get one of those and all your bases are covered. But, if you want to go for a combo with a 1x12, there's nothing wrong with that either. By the way, I've done testing with my DSL20CR versus the same amp through a matching 1x12, and saw no significant difference for my home applications. I suppose there are some differences, but they get exaggerated by people online who claim that open-back and closed-back configurations sound vastly different, which they don't. The difference is mainly in projection. A closed-back cab projects mostly forward, whereas an open-back or semi-open-back combo spreads the sound around, which is certainly nice for home applications.

Quick change in direction for me, I’m going to grab an origin 20 head, watched a bunch of reviews and demos and I think it does exactly what I need at least for now. I honestly think it will have enough gain because it has the master volume and the gain with the boost, and since I’ll need a reverb pedal, I can get a tumnus or tube screamer or something for more boost or gain or whatever if I need to. I have my fender that has a seventy 80 I can plug into for now, and then I can get a 1x12 or probably a 2x12 with green or cream backs or something soon to get more serious, but I’m hoping the low power mode through my seventy 80 will work for now for home volume and something decently approaching legit classic rock tone - remember I’m not crazy picky and not an amazing player so this is all a bit Mickey Mouse at my level anyway. I have a ‘22 Les Paul standard that I want to get some PAF clones into soon (Monty’s, Seymour Duncan antiquity, DiMarzio 36th ann. , something like that) I want to get an R9 eventually and then I’ll up my amp and cab game down the line…. So I’m hoping the origin 20 and a couple of cream backs will tide me over well for now; do I have everyone’s blessing 😆😁 I really appreciate everyone’s input on this

 

[fitz]

I’m going to grab an origin 20 head

I can get a tumnus or tube screamer or something for more boost or gain or whatever if I need to

probably a 2x12 with green or cream backs

And I'll say it again, EQ in the loop is a game changer.

 

[Matthewthomas]

Eq in loop just to broaden my tones or to fix specific problem? Or need to do something specific to get the particular early classic rock sound?

 

[fitz]

Eq in loop just to broaden my tones or to fix specific problem? Or need to do something specific to get the particular early classic rock sound?

There's no problem to fix.
EQ in the loop just opens up a multitude of tone options.
Different guitars and pickups and some front-end juice with an EQ in the loop will give you just about anything you want from an Origin.
My O20H can go from a beautiful mellow clean to DSL red territory with the boost and a good dirt pedal in the front.
A pair of greenbacks are magic with this amp.