haze vs DSL

FuseG4

FuseG4

Our Neighbor Totoro
I'm thinking of getting a marshall amp for some beefier drive tones.
I was thinking of a DSL 100 half stack but it looks like I'm moving into an apartment in 3 months.

I have people's houses I can go jam at but I don't think I'm willing to haul around 120 lbs of half stack every weekend. It just doesn't seem practical at all. My car's a 4 door focus and my mom's car is a jetta.

I might get a haze 40 instead.. I've played one before and I like the sound and the volume. It doesn't have as much gain as what I think a DSL has but I have a mild OD pedal and can get something with more gain to throw in front later if I need. I don't play metal anyways.
I can get a GOOD 2x12 cab for the Haze with the money I save over the DSL, if I start doing gigs and need volume, or get sick of the speaker vibrating the tubes.
I'm sure the DSL is built better, has a richer tone, and has better resale value, but faced with my situation, I'm thinking maybe those things aren't so relevant.

So... would I be crazy if I got the "inferior" amp based on cost, size and portability? I mean, 40W is also "too loud" for an apartment but if I got the Haze I could afford to keep my night train as a practice amp.

I could always get a used JCM 800 later when I'm living on my own, right?

p.s. I've heard over and over that the MA amps are lame as hell. Anyone think otherwise? I've never played one but the 50W combo fits in with my portability thing.

p.p.s. the bogner alchemist is also back on the table. i'd have to play one to make sure but I already know I enjoy the haze.
 
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Re: haze vs DSL

what is it you're looking for that the night train isn't doing? do you think another cab could possibly be the answer?
 
Re: haze vs DSL

blues, blues rock, classic rock, punk rock, ska-punk, indie rock, pop rock. stuff like that.
For blues to classic rock my main influences (and ideal tones) I think are Led Zeppelin, the Who, Clapton, and the Rolling Stones.
For punk, think early Bad Religion, if you've heard them.
The rest of my influences include a bunch of J-rock. The Pillows, Buck-tick, L'arc en Ciel, Ore Ska Band, and some other stuff.
 
Re: haze vs DSL

Pop rock, at least certainly the very modern stuff, you don't want less than 100 watts.
Gotta have the headroom and thickness only a 100 watter will provide.
 
Re: haze vs DSL

dr. ad said:
what is it you're looking for that the night train isn't doing? do you think another cab could possibly be the answer?
Click to expand...
The el84's compress a lot in the bass when I play through the "thick" mode. it gets a nice sort of "bluesbreaker" thing goin on, really warm and thick. But the bass leaves when I crank it or boost the front end.
it doesn't do the ROAR that I felt when cranking either the Haze or a Hot Rod Deluxe, or similar amps with bigger/more glass and beefier iron.

Footswitchable channels, an FX loop, and reverb are also missing from the NT
 
Re: haze vs DSL

Petrovsk Mizinski said:
Pop rock, at least certainly the very modern stuff, you don't want less than 100 watts.
Gotta have the headroom and thickness only a 100 watter will provide.
Click to expand...

Well, yeah you're right. But I feel really apprehensive about dragging a half stack around.
Should I get the half stack and trade the cab for a 2x12?
 
Re: haze vs DSL

Petrovsk Mizinski said:
No one said you need a 4x12 dude.
A good high quality 2x12 will be fine. The average 2x12 weighs half as much as a 4x12
Click to expand...

well, the only retailers i know selling new DSL100s sell it in the half stack package for 1299.
I guess there's lame-ass musicians friend selling the head only for 1199 or about 959 used.
I'm not trying to do the ebay thing this time, I'm dedicated to shops/online stores with a warranty and a return policy.
 
Re: haze vs DSL

i'd be interested to hear how the night train sounds through a 2x10 or 2x12
 
Re: haze vs DSL

FuseG4 said:
blues, blues rock, classic rock, punk rock, ska-punk, indie rock, pop rock. stuff like that.
For blues to classic rock my main influences (and ideal tones) I think are Led Zeppelin, the Who, Clapton, and the Rolling Stones.
For punk, think early Bad Religion, if you've heard them.
The rest of my influences include a bunch of J-rock. The Pillows, Buck-tick, L'arc en Ciel, Ore Ska Band, and some other stuff.
Click to expand...

dude, your playing style and mine are waaaay similar. i like those types of tones too, and if i were gonna get a big amp for that kinda stuff i'd be looking at the vox ac50 head. basically, it's a 50w el34 amp with a clean channel voiced as closely as possible to an ac30 as 34s can get, and a dirt channel that's a brighter, gainier 800.
head:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-AC50CPH-Classic-Plus-50W-Amp-Head?sku=481027
combo:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...CP2-50W-2x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=481037

it's been discontinued, but i'd love to have one.

if volume wasn't as much of an issue as it will be for you though, i'd say look into the dr. Z ezg 50 to run some dirt pedals with, it's basically a 50w DRRI in head or combo form!
 
Re: haze vs DSL

Unless you are playing stadiums, then a combo amp is fine. Actually a lot more useable for the reasons you mentioned - and by the fact that less speakers means it is easier to dial in a good sound for the front of house guy to mic.
There is no way in the wide world i can imagine "needing" a jcm 800 MV half stack at a gig. Heck - i didn't even need one when i used mine in some outdoor arenas at festivals - and that was nearly 20 years ago. Times have changed. Combos are good for the vast majority of working musicians. Once there is a Mic on the speaker, the front of house sound is governed by that - so do you need 4 or 8? Better to have a smaller amp that you can turn up past 3.
I still have my 100w JCM, but if i want to record a classic marshall crunch sound, then I just squirt it thru a 1x12!
The Haze sounds like the amp you have already decided on- however, its also worth trying an HRD also - they are the most popular tube amp in the world right now. They are not "hand wired" or "boutique", but they have what it takes to do the job, night after night for professional musicians across the globe.
If you want mainly good crunch, then get the marshall. If clean is more important to you, get the fender. OR..... if you like the night train, then maybe a vox AC30 would be the best option...
RE: MArshalls, and which one (haze vs. dsl etc)....I have always found it is better to spend your money on gear that you can use in 20 years. If the haze fits that bill, then buy that...if it is a compromise then maybe wait and get an amp you will be happy with.
 
Re: haze vs DSL

I've got to go find a way to play some amps. Maybe I'll have some time around the end of the month. there's one music store around and they have peaveys and nothing else right now.
The HRDx has great cleans but the drive channel isn't what I'm looking for right now. I'm gonna buy a HRDx eventually but my night train has nice cleans.
 
Re: haze vs DSL

I don't think Murdock Music does have much in the way of high-end amps. Vegas is what, an hour away? See if you can get some buddies together on a mutual day off. You'll have a blast. Like The Hangover with guitars.:friday:
 
Re: haze vs DSL

What cab is that Night Train pushing? I notice no lack of lowend at the shop when i run ours through a 1960A...and i have a reputation for always adding too much lowend to my sound.

That little lunchbox is a LOT of amp for the money. I would try a 2x12 or even a 4x12 before i went looking at a new brain for your rig. Then if the bigger cabinet isn't doing the job I would track down a used higher-wattage tube amp.

Do not fear eBay or online deals! Buying used gear is as good if not better than a store with a return policy because you can usually get what you paid for a used piece. Buy it, try it, sell it if you don't like it. You only lose if you sell it in a rush for less than you paid.

Also, have you tried the MA series heads? I'm starting to like them better than DSL's. They're more 'mid gain' but that just means it still sounds good with the gain up all the way and not muddy and sludgey. The price they're asking for them makes them pretty competitive with used DSL's...
 
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