DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

[JimmyO]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

My main cab these days is an Ear Candy Buzz Bomb 2x12 loaded with Eminence Wizards, so they should be reasonably comparable volume-wise. Lead master at 6+ and output master at 2.5 is usable for a bar gig. It's loud enough to get over a drum kit, but shouldn't be over-powering unless you're in a really small room. The loudest I've ever run it at a show was output master at 4, but that was in a larger room. It sounded absolutely great, but would have been a bit much in a small bar. I've never played in anything approaching an arena, but I wouldn't be worried about hearing myself.

Thanks for the info. Yes, I'll likely never have to worry about arenas, but looking to get a good crunch tone at a bar gig and the odd smaller outdoor gig. The following review of the Jubilee is close to the tones I have in my head. I like how the strat and SG both sound like a strat and sg and they both sound great.

http://youtu.be/eNpCIqV0zO8

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

What is a steal on a 100 watt Vintage Modern head? I am not seeing any current sold listings on eBay to give me an idea of market price. I don't even know what they went for new.

There's currently a 100w VM on Guitar Center's Used page for $850 (and a 50w for $800) this is about average, I've seen them go for $150 more and I've seen them for $150 less.

As far as what makes Jubes so special...
Yes it's a cool take on the Marshall sound, but IMO the Silver Tolex and limited quantities of the original model, along with some guy who wears a top hat and played in some rock band used them live

 

[JeffB]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

As far as what makes Jubes so special...
Yes it's a cool take on the Marshall sound, but IMO the Silver Tolex and limited quantities of the original model, along with some guy who wears a top hat and played in some rock band used them live

I think this is the major factor as well. At the time Marshall fans were clamoring for a workable channel switcher with high gain- the 2205/10 had a problem with channel bleed and not enough gain for the needs of trending music. The Jubilee not only was tough to dial in, also was not a good channel switching amp, and didn't really have the gain. At the time, they were not popular among the music stores I frequented in the metro DC area. Most sat for a long time before someone picked them up.I remember seeing them brand new into the early 1990s...and then the 30th came out. I also feel the typical pairing of T75 speakers was a big mistake. But at that time Marshall had made that commitment to that speaker as their base-line, so.....

It's a good amp, but there is a large amount of hype feeding it's reputation.

 

[dystrust]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

I also feel the typical pairing of T75 speakers was a big mistake.

Agree 110%. I've played my Jubilee through T75s on a few occasions, and it sounded horrible. Vintage 30s, greenbacks, H30s, G12-65s, as well as Eminence Private Jacks, Wizards, and EVM-12Ls all sound much better.

It's a good amp, but there is a large amount of hype feeding it's reputation.

That's certainly true to a point.

Slash used Jubilees and so has Joe Bonamassa, but I still sound like myself when I play through it. Strangely enough I was looking for a 2205/2210 when I found my Jubilee, a black/gold one for $550 in June 2001. Over the years my playing has definitely evolved around the Jubilee and I prefer it to 2205/2210s now.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

They kind of screwed up the cabs. The Jubes was designed around the new V30, but then they decided to put T75s in the cab with the V30 as an extra cost option. Jubes need the upper mids that are so prominent in the V30 to balance out the amps EQ curve

 

[JimmyO]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

......so DSL then?

 

[dystrust]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

Thanks for the info. Yes, I'll likely never have to worry about arenas, but looking to get a good crunch tone at a bar gig and the odd smaller outdoor gig. The following review of the Jubilee is close to the tones I have in my head. I like how the strat and SG both sound like a strat and sg and they both sound great.

http://youtu.be/eNpCIqV0zO8

Finally got a chance to listen to the review, and I'm able to get tones quite similar to those. In fact I currently have mine set almost identical to the settings he started at; pres-4, bass-8, mid-8, treb-5, lead master-6, and input gain-6. He's running the output master at 6 which sounds pretty good, but it's hard to imagine just how loud that is. You can get in the same ballpark in the 2.5-4 range I use, but you'll need a boost for a bit of that extra sweetness for the leads.

......so DSL then?

That really comes down to which tones you're after. IMO a Jubilee kills a DSL when it comes to classic tones, whereas a DSL will do more modern sounds a Jubilee can't reach.

 

[JimmyO]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

Finally got a chance to listen to the review, and I'm able to get tones quite similar to those.

This really helps. From your descriptions it sounds like the Jubilee may have the edge when it comes to more classic rock tones. One of the things about the DSL is you can walk into any Sam Ash or Guitar center and they will have a bunch in stock. The Jubilee is twice the price, but i'll let my ears be the final decider. If its worth it I don't mind saving up a bit more. I'll try to find somewhere that has both DSLs and Jubilees in stock and see if i can crank them up a bit and A/B them.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

That really comes down to which tones you're after. IMO a Jubilee kills a DSL when it comes to classic tones, whereas a DSL will do more modern sounds a Jubilee can't reach.

Meh... if you cant do classic rock tones on a DSL you need to stop fiddling with the amps and wood shed more. Fact of the matter is that neither a DSL or Jubilee sound like a plexi. As for which is "better" it would be entirely subjective.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

......so DSL then?

In the end you would really need to try them. But that being said if you want channel switching and a workable effects loop the DSL is your best shot. The DSL's green channel can do good early rock tones. What is "better" you will have to decide for yourself.

That being said I think i could do everything you want with the amp you have now just by adding a wampler pinnacle deluxe and maybe an attenuator. Using the pedal as a drive channel then you can either tighten it up with the boost for more modern sounding tones or use the boost for extra sustain and compression when soloing. Its a much cheaper option than a head and before you turn your nose up that its solid state pedal the jubilee that everyone wets their pants over has a bunch of diodes in its preamp too. If your willing to give a Jub a shot you should be willing to give a pedal a shot. See if you can demo one in a store.

 

[dystrust]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

Meh... if you cant do classic rock tones on a DSL you need to stop fiddling with the amps and wood shed more. Fact of the matter is that neither a DSL or Jubilee sound like a plexi. As for which is "better" it would be entirely subjective.

In the end you would really need to try them. But that being said if you want channel switching and a workable effects loop the DSL is your best shot. The DSL's green channel can do good early rock tones. What is "better" you will have to decide for yourself.

That being said I think i could do everything you want with the amp you have now just by adding a wampler pinnacle deluxe and maybe an attenuator. Using the pedal as a drive channel then you can either tighten it up with the boost for more modern sounding tones or use the boost for extra sustain and compression when soloing. Its a much cheaper option than a head and before you turn your nose up that its solid state pedal the jubilee that everyone wets their pants over has a bunch of diodes in its preamp too. If your willing to give a Jub a shot you should be willing to give a pedal a shot. See if you can demo one in a store.

+1

Neither of these amps sound like a plexi, and the Jubilee has a diode-clipping circuit active in both the 'lead' and 'rhythm clip' modes. The DSL also has reverb, an actual clean channel, a far better effects loop, and it's much less expensive either new or used. In the end it really does come down to personal preference, and I like the Jubilee better.

It's also worth noting the huge number of boutique distortion and boost pedals available these days. Since you already have a pretty nice amp, it's worth considering the clean amp / boost pedal route.

 

[JimmyO]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Didn't realize the overdrive on the amps was diode clipping, and currently doing the pedal thing into the JTM45 clone. So maybe not too much difference from what I already have. Really appreciate being able to think over the different options with you all.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Didn't realize the overdrive on the amps was diode clipping, and currently doing the pedal thing into the JTM45 clone. So maybe not too much difference from what I already have. Really appreciate being able to think over the different options with you all.

Not all amps have diodes and not all use them in the same way. The famous Jose Marshall mod uses diodes its not necessarily a bad thing. The point was just dont get hung up on that it must be all tube.

From the Marshall line up, the Jubilees, 2205,2210,JCM900 4100 and 2100 series amps (except the SLX's) had some form or another of diode clipping. Diodes are not a bad thing its all in how they are used. Hell ive owned a JCM900 4100 since i bought it new in 1992 and I didnt have any clue that amp had diodes until 2006. Even then its still one of my favorite amps I own.

My point was in this day and age though there are some REALLY good pedals out there. They are worth a look too.

If you want a new head go buy a new a head, its all good. I was just offering another suggestion that might get you where you want to go.

 

[JeffB]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

The green channel on the DSL is where it's at for classic rock and into classic metal. I think both the JCM2K and the new DSL40c/100h series do a fine job. Right speakers, maybe a tube upgrade, and good to go.

That said the Jooby handles that same territory well, albeit at a much more expensive price point.

It's just personal preference.

Me? I would rather have a Vintage Modern among modern Marshall designs. It's essentially a modded version of the amp you own but with more gain, versatility, and tone shaping, though without the tube rectifier, so it's tighter and more aggressive. It can sorta handle the JTM45 side of things in Low Dynamic mode, and then gets into pseudo JMP 2203/4 territory as well in High Dynamic range. They are very affordable on the used market (they were discontinued a few years back).

 

[Securb]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

I haven't played a Jubilee but I have heard plenty of them they are a fine amp. I do own a DSL 100H and find it to be the most versatile amp I have ever owned. The classic channel will get you right in the pocket with those Walsh, Page and Green tones. If you goose the channel with a boost the dynamics are fantastic. Great responce and beautiful harmonics. The clean channel is clean enough to play country or Jazz with add a little reverb and I dare say it can sound Fendery. The gain channel will take you to the depths of hell. With any set of high gain pickups I can push the amp to any metal tone. If you go darker on your settings the thing will bark and growl.

The bottomline is if I had to replace my DSL 100h I would by another one

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

I would really recommend trying out the Jubilee before buying. I haven't played the reissues but I find the originals, especially with the matching cab, sound thin and really bright. From that era I can find the Marshall tone that I like much more easily from a JCM800. YMMV.

I also find that newer Marshalls, while greatly benefiting from volume, are not as dependant on it as older models.

 

[dystrust]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

I would really recommend trying out the Jubilee before buying. I haven't played the reissues but I find the originals, especially with the matching cab, sound thin and really bright. From that era I can find the Marshall tone that I like much more easily from a JCM800. YMMV.

I also find that newer Marshalls, while greatly benefiting from volume, are not as dependant on it as older models.

Most of the matching cabs have T75s, and you're right that they sound thin, bright, and grainy. Through just about any other speaker, it's a totally different beast. I haven't looked, but judging from the tone in the review video, I'd wager that the new cabs are loaded with Vintage 30s.

 

[JeffB]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

Yeah new cabs are v30 only.

They were smart enough this time around not to repeat that mistake.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

My silver cab had T75s in it when I bought it used. It currently has G12M25 greenbacks. I'm not planning to change those out any time soon.

I own a boutique JTM45. I can get the clean channel on my Jubilee to sound just like it, although all the knob setting will be very different. Also the input gain will only be about 4-5. That leads us back to the gain knob compromise issue.

I have tried pedals into the 45 but have never been satisfied with that approach. YMMV

A max 50 watt Marshall would be my choice. I would not even consider a 100 watter for gigging. Old or new design.

Try a Vintage Modern first before you pull the trigger on something though.

 

[richard parker]

Re: DSL100H vs Silver Jubilee Reissue Marshalls - Classic Rock

At my rehearsal place I get a choice of amps that includes a Jubilee, old DSL and a 900 series. All half stacks. I don't like the 'lead' channels on any of them. I'll set the amp up on it's crunch setting and use a pedal for more drive. If it's available I'll always go for the 900. It's clean channel with the gain maxed is a great sound and there is enough headroom to get a volume boost as well as more gain when hitting the o/d pedal. I played a gig recently using the other band's rig which was a 900 SLX and it sounded great. Don't ignore the 900 series. And they're usually cheap.