DSL50 or JCM800
- Thread starter Budweiser
- Start date
Robert S.
Super Moderator
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
I haven't played a JCM 800 re-issue so I can't really compare the two. Two years ago I played in a band with another guitar player. I had my 84 2203 and he had a 100 watt DSL. He liked my 2203 better for tone overall but the DSL is more flexable. The DSL has more gain but topping the gain out on those amps results in a slightly more modern than old school marshall tone. That not nessessarily a bad thing but it is different. Also, switching to the 800 setting on the DSL isn't nearly as meaty sounding as the 800s used to be and again I can't comment on the re-issues.
The DSLs are fine sounding amps with a lot of flexability and I think they are the best sounding amps after the 800s that Marshall has made in the last 15-20 years.
Thats a hard call to make, but I'll stick with the 800s. But I definately wouldn't suffer owning a DSL.
I haven't played a JCM 800 re-issue so I can't really compare the two. Two years ago I played in a band with another guitar player. I had my 84 2203 and he had a 100 watt DSL. He liked my 2203 better for tone overall but the DSL is more flexable. The DSL has more gain but topping the gain out on those amps results in a slightly more modern than old school marshall tone. That not nessessarily a bad thing but it is different. Also, switching to the 800 setting on the DSL isn't nearly as meaty sounding as the 800s used to be and again I can't comment on the re-issues.
The DSLs are fine sounding amps with a lot of flexability and I think they are the best sounding amps after the 800s that Marshall has made in the last 15-20 years.
Thats a hard call to make, but I'll stick with the 800s. But I definately wouldn't suffer owning a DSL.
Robert S.
Super Moderator
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
It depends on the type of gig. If I need various cleans I run into the low sensitivity input and front end it with an RP-7 to heat up the signal. It works well but you lose a little of the Marshall grunt.
For blues stuff I run into the high sens. input, the pre and post at six and roll the guitars volume.
For rock to insane I roll the volume back for somewhat on the guitar for a somewhat clean (not pristine but good enough for metal) roll the volume up for gain and front end it with a proco Rat for the really agressive stuff.
By rolling the pre and post levels you can get a lot of different tones from the amp, from clean to pushed, crunch to an all out hard grind. Depending on your needs a good OD can push your signal up just enough to get the heat back in your signal and getting you that characteristic Marshall tone without adding color or fuzz.
The 800s don't do everything all the time but what they do, they do damn well.
It depends on the type of gig. If I need various cleans I run into the low sensitivity input and front end it with an RP-7 to heat up the signal. It works well but you lose a little of the Marshall grunt.
For blues stuff I run into the high sens. input, the pre and post at six and roll the guitars volume.
For rock to insane I roll the volume back for somewhat on the guitar for a somewhat clean (not pristine but good enough for metal) roll the volume up for gain and front end it with a proco Rat for the really agressive stuff.
By rolling the pre and post levels you can get a lot of different tones from the amp, from clean to pushed, crunch to an all out hard grind. Depending on your needs a good OD can push your signal up just enough to get the heat back in your signal and getting you that characteristic Marshall tone without adding color or fuzz.
The 800s don't do everything all the time but what they do, they do damn well.
59paul
New member
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
Yep.
You can roll back the volume to clean it up ( it also depends on the type of pickup you're using, as to how well it cleans up. A PAF style pup seems to clean up a little better than others ).
You can also do what I do:
I use 1982 JCM 800 2204 Heads, and I set them just on the threshold of Overdrive......then, I use a Tube Screamer to push them into full Overdrive.
I run my volume on the Guitar at around 7 for Rhythm
I turn the volume knob on the Guitar full up for Leads, and step on the Tube Screamer.
The Guitars are older and newer Les Pauls.
The older one's have PAF's.
The newer one's have 59B's.
Understanably, this tone and method has alway's worked for me. I don't use a whole Bunch of Overdrive,......I'm pretty Old School. It probably isn't for everyone, But I thought I'd share it with you....................
Budweiser said:
Yep.
You can roll back the volume to clean it up ( it also depends on the type of pickup you're using, as to how well it cleans up. A PAF style pup seems to clean up a little better than others ).
You can also do what I do:
I use 1982 JCM 800 2204 Heads, and I set them just on the threshold of Overdrive......then, I use a Tube Screamer to push them into full Overdrive.
I run my volume on the Guitar at around 7 for Rhythm
I turn the volume knob on the Guitar full up for Leads, and step on the Tube Screamer.
The Guitars are older and newer Les Pauls.
The older one's have PAF's.
The newer one's have 59B's.
Understanably, this tone and method has alway's worked for me. I don't use a whole Bunch of Overdrive,......I'm pretty Old School. It probably isn't for everyone, But I thought I'd share it with you....................
No effects
New member
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
I've always loved the tone of artists who used Marshalls (AC/DC, Page, Hendrix) but I would always be disappointed when I went to try them out at the store (i.e., DSL's) . That is until I got to try a JCM 800 and and then a plexi RI (my current amp). One thing you have to remember though, I don't think you buy these amps for their "clean" sound, so these may be mutually exclusive goals, depending on your style and your definition of clean. The way I like to describe my amp is that it gives me a "clean dirty" sound that is perfect for blues, rock and hard rock. I used to have a Fender Red Knob Twin that would never break up, now that's as clean as it gets and too clean for me.
All that being said, the sound does clean up when you roll back your guitar volume and I've found that your picking attack (or use of fingers) provides a lot of dynamic range. Case in point, my dad, a Chet Atkins guy, played beautifully clean stuff with his fingers and I then proceeded to make the amp scream with an aggressive attack of a barre chord - the settings wre the same.
I've always loved the tone of artists who used Marshalls (AC/DC, Page, Hendrix) but I would always be disappointed when I went to try them out at the store (i.e., DSL's) . That is until I got to try a JCM 800 and and then a plexi RI (my current amp). One thing you have to remember though, I don't think you buy these amps for their "clean" sound, so these may be mutually exclusive goals, depending on your style and your definition of clean. The way I like to describe my amp is that it gives me a "clean dirty" sound that is perfect for blues, rock and hard rock. I used to have a Fender Red Knob Twin that would never break up, now that's as clean as it gets and too clean for me.
All that being said, the sound does clean up when you roll back your guitar volume and I've found that your picking attack (or use of fingers) provides a lot of dynamic range. Case in point, my dad, a Chet Atkins guy, played beautifully clean stuff with his fingers and I then proceeded to make the amp scream with an aggressive attack of a barre chord - the settings wre the same.
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strat_master
New member
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
I would say dsl 50 becasue of the two channel versatility there. Thats about it. One channel might be hard to manage depending on what you play.
I would say dsl 50 becasue of the two channel versatility there. Thats about it. One channel might be hard to manage depending on what you play.
No effects
New member
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
Very true of the non-master plexi's. You do have a bit more flexibility with the master vol. models (i.e., adjust gain depending on the situation), but it's hard to switch in the middle of a song. In the end it comes down to personal preferences and needs and I'll take tone over versatility any day.strat_master said:
D
DeadSkinSlayer3
Guest
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
DSL, 2 channels, too much work for me to roll down my volume knob to get cleans, I'd rather click a switch and fiddle with the control a tad if I need to.
DSL, 2 channels, too much work for me to roll down my volume knob to get cleans, I'd rather click a switch and fiddle with the control a tad if I need to.
Neeradj
New member
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
JCM800! DSL50 certainly didn't have the dynamics I had in my old JCM800. Sure it's got more gain, but I didn't find the gain half as good sounding as the gain I could get out of JCM800 with high volumes, not to mention a good boost! I also found the DSL missing a little bit of chunk, unless you used the boost (I don't know what it's called anymore), it gets a bit dull after you've used that feature though.
JCM800! DSL50 certainly didn't have the dynamics I had in my old JCM800. Sure it's got more gain, but I didn't find the gain half as good sounding as the gain I could get out of JCM800 with high volumes, not to mention a good boost! I also found the DSL missing a little bit of chunk, unless you used the boost (I don't know what it's called anymore), it gets a bit dull after you've used that feature though.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
JCM 800 2 channel amp, 2205 or 2210 (50 and 100 watt respectively). Spend an extra $350-$500 having it modded by either Jeff Seal or Scott Splawn. Then you can have pristine Fender cleans AND awsome Marshall OD tones tailored to your preference (Plexi, Silver Jubilee, 2204, you get the idea)...all in one package. A bonus is that it will be PTP, not PC board. Where else can you get custom tailored Marshall tone for around a grand?
If you're talking stock Marshalls, and cleans are a must, the the DLS wins that battle. The 800's are built for overdrive. I like the channel switching 800's.
JCM 800 2 channel amp, 2205 or 2210 (50 and 100 watt respectively). Spend an extra $350-$500 having it modded by either Jeff Seal or Scott Splawn. Then you can have pristine Fender cleans AND awsome Marshall OD tones tailored to your preference (Plexi, Silver Jubilee, 2204, you get the idea)...all in one package. A bonus is that it will be PTP, not PC board. Where else can you get custom tailored Marshall tone for around a grand?
If you're talking stock Marshalls, and cleans are a must, the the DLS wins that battle. The 800's are built for overdrive. I like the channel switching 800's.
Guitarist
Mesa-ologist
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
Not for the dirty tones on the DSL at all. Flabby and unfocused. Never played a reissue, myself, so unfortunately, can't really help you with comparisons. I like the simplicity of the one channel though. Get a nice dirty british tone and roll that volume back when you want it to clean up. Back to tube balls and if that ain't enough stick a distortion pedal in there.
Not for the dirty tones on the DSL at all. Flabby and unfocused. Never played a reissue, myself, so unfortunately, can't really help you with comparisons. I like the simplicity of the one channel though. Get a nice dirty british tone and roll that volume back when you want it to clean up. Back to tube balls and if that ain't enough stick a distortion pedal in there.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: DSL50 or JCM800
Depends on the year; I'm not a fan of DSL, regardless of the year (TSL is another story), and I really don't like the buzz saw "tone" of the JCM 800 RI's.
Depends on the year; I'm not a fan of DSL, regardless of the year (TSL is another story), and I really don't like the buzz saw "tone" of the JCM 800 RI's.
