50W Marshall

[chrisa]

I'm thinking of getting a 50w head. I'm also considering Marshalls. The 1987x and dsl50 don't differ that much in price, but as I understand are two very different amps. btw I've never tried Marshalls. I know the dsl50 would be quite versatile, but as I've read here the 1987x is one of THE Amps to own. So tell me, how well can the 1987x handle modern music, say progressive in the style of Gordian Knot, or heavy like ZW etc. I think I'd like to use the head with a 1960AC cabinet. All thoughts are welcome!

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: 50W Marshall

hmmm if you can get an older 50w GO FOR IT! It will NOT be versatile BUT hey - run it with a killer OD pedal and you will LOSE YOUR MIND! ESP with a G12H30 cab.

Overall though, for price and versatility get a DSL and mod it with new tranny's

 

[chrisa]

Re: 50W Marshall

Sorry to seem kinda stupid, but what's a "tranny"?
I doubt I'll be able to get my hands on an older 1987x, only a new vintage reissue.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: 50W Marshall

I think the reissues are a pretty good buy. You get a simple quality amp with an fx loop thrown in.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: 50W Marshall

Sorry to seem kinda stupid, but what's a "tranny"?
I doubt I'll be able to get my hands on an older 1987x, only a new vintage reissue.

The tranny is the output transformer and it's one of the main upgrades....Alot of guys replace key components on the reissue circuit board and even the board changes from pcb to ptp...Better tubes get used,and guys will put a phase inverter master volume into these models..The 4 input Marshall amps have an overall better clean tone even though guys use Marshalls to grind,compared to the JCM 800 models...

The DSL 50 is a great amp but since it has more "bells and whistles" might set you up for some reliability issues? The DSL 50s clean tones are ironically very Fender sounding also...

 

[Gunny47]

Re: 50W Marshall

Get a JCM 800 2203x and put an attenuator to it. If you want your Zakk Wylde, that is the amp to go with (and of course crank it and put an od pedal in front to blast your tone to hell)! Attenuators are great products. If you need an amp like 50 watts or so, you can use an attenuator to absorb some of the speaker output so it is quieter and you are able to get the amazing clipping of a Marshall at lower volumes. I like the THD Hot Plate, never tried a Weber Mass but heard good things, played a Marshall Power brake and didnt like it as much as the THD (and it was $200 more) and Gibson makes one called the Power Stealth which is the same exact thing as the THD but says Gibson on it and has a different color pattern.

Or, you can find a vintage original JCM 800 from the early 80s that is 50 watts. But my suggestion, go for the 2203X. And with all Marshalls, they really only sound good cranked, even the DSLs and the TSLs. Good luck with your decision.

 

[chrisa]

Re: 50W Marshall

Based on what I've read here in this forum, I think the jcm 800 wouldn't suit my style. I asked about ZW type of sound just because it's high gain. I guess the best thing to do would be just to try all those amps, but finding all of those in a music shop is quite a big problem here where I live. The funny thing is that you can order anything from the shops. That's not a problem. The problem is that usually this item is not in the shop (or never has been) prior to you ordering it, so you have no idea what it is that you're actually ordering. Hopefully I can locate a Marshall retailer around here who actually has them in stock.

 

[jdm61]

Re: 50W Marshall

You can get an older reissue like mine with no effects loop......supposedly better. Metroamps makes PTP boards and sells Mercury Magnetics transformers, etc. It isn't going to sound like a Krank, etc, but it willsound GOOD!!! you can always use pedals toget nasty modern sounds,

 

[MDS]

Re: 50W Marshall

The DSL gets really modern heavy sounds as well as good clean and mid crunch tones. Its high gain tone is much different than my Mesa's, but it definitely has the ability to do hardcore metal. The 1987 is a classic, so it is hard to say not to get it, but if you're mainly doing metal the DSL might be an easier path to the tone you're after...

 

[Mike M.]

Re: 50W Marshall

I own a DSL 50. Keep in mind this is the only Marshall that I've owned or have played thru so I can't compare them to other Marshalls. The DSL 50 (in it's stock form) can be a very high gain head especially on the Ultra channel. There's enough treble there to slice your head right off if you're not careful. I kept reading how Marshall sets the bias too hot on these and how lowering the bias makes a huge differance. I had mine lowered from 45mV to 35 mV and it took away a LOT of the harshness away and made it sound more "Marshall" if that makes any sense.

I don't use any pedals with this amp at all. Thru the Classic channel (and with some pickup switching) I use the Classic channel for a crunchy rhythm sound. Sounds very Silvertide, AC/DC' ish. Then with some more pickups switching I use the Ultra channel for leads and it all works out pretty good for me.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: 50W Marshall

I'm almost positive that the amp you want is the DSL50, based on what you say and the guitar in your avatar. Plexi's have a loud clean 60's sound, and that's probably not what you're looking for. With the DSL, you can get great cleans, classic midgain, and Zakk type highgain.

 

[Stratman]

Re: 50W Marshall

Contact Celtic Amps and purchase an Edana from Scott_F

That will do the trick and a lot more...







PS: Clips to come - real soon now, ,, ,

 

[chrisa]

Re: 50W Marshall

Thank's for your thoughts, all of you. Probably the dsl50 would suit me best, especially since I'm a young musician and need something very flexible. And maybe later on get a plexi or sth.