Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

[TheProphet]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

Part of me wishes I had enough cash to afford a Road King when I was amp shopping. But the Single covers the sounds that I need. Between the RK and a Mark V, ideally I'd go for both if I could afford it, but I'd end of with the RK mainly for the Recto sound and feel.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

So, this may be a bit off the subject, but I'm new to mesa's. When I've heard them, I love them. But what is the difference in sound and feel between the Rectos and the Marks?

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

Paging Dr. Some_Dude ...

Seriously he'd be the guy to talk to on that as he has both

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

In my opinion, if you have a drive pedal, it makes it harder to go clean.

what the ****? how is that even close to logical?

using drive pedals makes it EASIER to play clean because you can turn them off.

you get these high-gain flamethrower amps that are designed to shoot sludge all day and they come with a footswitch that makes it chill out and play clean

which is basically the same thing as using a clean amp and slamming the input with overdrive and fuzz pedals...and turning the pedals on and off. The biggest difference is with dirt pedals you start with a clean foundation.

Then everybody says "YEAH BUT IT NEVER SOUNDS TRULY HEAVY" and then i say "You're an idiot and there are no rules to this ****."

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

JTM-45 and a Big Muff can do Metal very ... very well

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

what the ****? how is that even close to logical?

using drive pedals makes it EASIER to play clean because you can turn them off.

you get these high-gain flamethrower amps that are designed to shoot sludge all day and they come with a footswitch that makes it chill out and play clean

which is basically the same thing as using a clean amp and slamming the input with overdrive and fuzz pedals...and turning the pedals on and off. The biggest difference is with dirt pedals you start with a clean foundation.

Then everybody says "YEAH BUT IT NEVER SOUNDS TRULY HEAVY" and then i say "You're an idiot and there are no rules to this ****."

This. Amp gain is just alot smoother.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

This. Amp gain is just alot smoother.

Funny - then why do so many guys run a TS infront of 5150's and Rectifiers to get a smoother top end, among other things?



A more fair comparison would be JVM vs Dual Recto. A JVM will have the Marshall flavor your DSL has, but a bit ballsier and, in my experience, just better in general. More harmonically complex, more dynamic, a better clean channel, etc. A seriously bad ass amp - I love those things.

The DR is an awesome amp, too, but they're very different in how they sound and even more different in how they feel. Do you like the kind of 'give' your Marshall has when you dig in or palm mute? It's not really going to be there on a Rectifier. At the same time, the JVM/DSL won't have the same clarity and chord definition or top end grind as a similarly gained Rectifier.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

Funny - then why do so many guys run a TS infront of 5150's and Rectifiers to get a smoother top end, among other things?

Because that's still amp gain being boosted or with a bit of a bass cut/mid boost. I was referring to distortion pedals.

 

[crguti]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

nah... take the Engl Powerball II and thanks me later.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

The great debate has begun and GAS is hitting me hardcore. I'm considering selling my DSL and picking up a Recto. I use a Gibson Les Paul Studio Deluxe and play modern rock, lately it's been more harder rock edge. I use a 212 cab with a Celestion Vintage 30 and a Classic Lead 80. Thoughts?

What is the tonal issue with the DSL? I see in one post you are wanting a better clean? If so a DSL with 5881's has IMO one of the absolute BEST clean channels on the planet!! Try a set of the Short bottle Sovetec 5881's in it. I normally HATE Sovetec power tubes but these particular tubes sound really awarn fat and round in Marshalls. I have a pair in my 1990 MK III Dual Master JCM 900.
going from EL34's to 5881's will scoop some of the mids add a TON of clean headroom a lot of bottom and overall tighten up those amps a LOT.

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

If I had to choose between a DSL and a Mesa Singl Rect (series 2), I'd be all over the Mesa. If I had to choose between a JCM 800 RI and any Mesa, I'd be all over the JCM 800 RI.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

So, this may be a bit off the subject, but I'm new to mesa's. When I've heard them, I love them. But what is the difference in sound and feel between the Rectos and the Marks?

Night and day.

Rectos thump and roar with some teeth. Marks are fluid and vocal with articulate mids.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

Part of me wishes I had enough cash to afford a Road King when I was amp shopping. But the Single covers the sounds that I need. Between the RK and a Mark V, ideally I'd go for both if I could afford it, but I'd end of with the RK mainly for the Recto sound and feel.

Checkout the Mesa Roadster as it is much more affordable than the RoadKing and supposedly the little brother of the RoadKing. The only notable difference as far as I can tell is that the Roadking can be loaded with 2 el34s in addition to the 6l6s while the Roadster can strictly run either all 6l6s or all el34s. I understand the guts of the amps are the pretty much the same though. The only thing that sucks about the Roadster is that it doesn't have the pushed setting like the regular rectifiers (really liked that setting). Everything else looks good so far though. I just bought a Roadster head which will be arriving in 7-10 days I'd guess.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

i think you have already made up your mind and you want us to tell you to go for the boogie. I like marshalls as well as fenders, musicman, mesa etc etc. so im not biased...its all horses for courses.
Just get the boogie! They are awesome!

 

[sbecker67]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

.....The only notable difference as far as I can tell is that the Roadking can be loaded with 2 el34s in addition to the 6l6s while the Roadster can strictly run either all 6l6s or all el34s.

Not "can" be loaded, IS loaded. The RK uses both EL-34 and 6L6 in the power stage and allows you to assign either/or, or, both per channel. The other main difference is the Roadster does not have A/B/Y cabinet assignment per channel. Any other differences are so minor they're not worth mentioning.

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

Checkout the Mesa Roadster as it is much more affordable than the RoadKing and supposedly the little brother of the RoadKing. The only notable difference as far as I can tell is that the Roadking can be loaded with 2 el34s in addition to the 6l6s while the Roadster can strictly run either all 6l6s or all el34s. I understand the guts of the amps are the pretty much the same though. The only thing that sucks about the Roadster is that it doesn't have the pushed setting like the regular rectifiers (really liked that setting). Everything else looks good so far though. I just bought a Roadster head which will be arriving in 7-10 days I'd guess.

The EL34's is what it's all about.

Basically for me (on the Single) the clean channel is WAY better running EL34's, the Dirty Channels are best with 6L6's ... The Roadking would allow me to run (unless I've completely misread the manual)

Channel 1: Clean - 2xEL34, Diode Rectifier, Cab A
Channel 2: Brit - 2xEL34, Tube Rectifier, Cab A
Channel 3: Raw - 2x6L6, Diode Rectifier, Cab A+B
Channel 4: Modern - 4x6L6, Tube Rectifier, Cab A+B

Plus have 2 assignable FX loops is almost essential for me as I have a clean chain and a dirty chain.

 

[sbecker67]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

The EL34's is what it's all about.

Basically for me (on the Single) the clean channel is WAY better running EL34's, the Dirty Channels are best with 6L6's ... The Roadking would allow me to run (unless I've completely misread the manual)

Channel 1: Clean - 2xEL34, Diode Rectifier, Cab A
Channel 2: Brit - 2xEL34, Tube Rectifier, Cab A
Channel 3: Raw - 2x6L6, Diode Rectifier, Cab A+B
Channel 4: Modern - 4x6L6, Tube Rectifier, Cab A+B

Plus have 2 assignable FX loops is almost essential for me as I have a clean chain and a dirty chain.

You are correct Sir!! I find the Modern modes, especially Channel 4, sound better with the diode rectification. That channel in Modern mode is Dual Rec territory. Channel 2 on Brit mode with the EL-34 power section is awesome. It's Crunch heaven!! If Channel 3 or 4 had a Brit mode I wouldn't have bought a Marshall last week.


I typically set mine up like this;
Channel 1: FAT mode, 4x6L6, tube rec, Cab A (G12T75), medium-low reverb
Channel 2: BRIT mode, 2xEL-34, tube rec, Cab B (V30), low reverb
Channel 3: RAW mode, 2xEL-34 + 2x6L6, tube rec, Cab B, low reverb
Channel 4: VINTAGE mode, 4x6l6, diode rec, Cab A, no reverb

I use my Fender for cleans.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

Not "can" be loaded, IS loaded. The RK uses both EL-34 and 6L6 in the power stage and allows you to assign either/or, or, both per channel. The other main difference is the Roadster does not have A/B/Y cabinet assignment per channel. Any other differences are so minor they're not worth mentioning.

Thats what I meant but thanks for making more clear.

 

[philthis]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

if you check out alot of pro rigs, many people just use a Marshall for maximum clip along side an amp with 6L6's or KT88's. played togather the clip of el34's and the gain of 6L6's or KT88's round out a pretty awsome full tone. then use a fender for cleans. most people use an A/B/C box for this. I hate tap danceing on numerous pedals to get tone. the trick is when running 2 heads at once for the distortion tone say.......one with el34's and one with 6L6's you have to eq it to your taist both at bedroom levels and rehersal or playing out levels. you can pick up a Marshall head (for the clip tone) for around 500 to 700 then spend the wad on your 6L6, Kt88, or what ever tube amp for gain and lows, highs, and solo's. marshall and fender mass produced so many amps you can pick them up used for cheap. you can spend a fortune for expensive pedals and allways be chaseing the next fad when 3 amps will solve the problem. most big time studio recording engeneers have allready been doing this for since the early 90's.
good luck and let us know what you find out there:cool2:

 

[philthis]

Re: Marshall DSL 100 or Mesa Single/Dual Recto

LOL my spelling is the sh!ts