Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

[Mr. B]

I really miss the clean channel on my old Marshall DSL 401 (and before that the 201) combo amp. Those little combos had the perfect clean tone to my ears. It was super warm, woody, has just enough chime but was not too bright or bouncy, and worked great with single coils and humbuckers.

If you have played a DSL 401 or 201 and know the tone I am talking about, do you also know of an amp that has a similar tone, but takes up less floor space? Space is at a premium in my little cabin, or I would just buy another DSL 401.

Please don't throw out a million random suggestions of your favorite combos if you have never played the 401/201's. I am only looking for tone similar to that amp's clean channel, and it is very unlike anything else Marshall has made. The DSL 50 and 100 had good clean tones, but even they were not the same as the 401/201.

Thanks,
B

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

the footprint of pretty much any 1x12 combo or even head/1x12 box is pretty much the same, so you might as well get the amp you like.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

Thats what I'm saying though. I can't fit another standard sized marshal combo in the space I have left, so I am looking for something smaller. There are a lot of little combos that are smaller than the Marshall DSL 401. It doesn't have to be a 12 inch speaker, as long as the tone is similar.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

Postulating and wondering if a Class 5 or Blues Jr or other EL84 combo wont come close?

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

Marshall have just announced a new range of DSLs, including a 15 watt combo and head. Check out the Marshall site.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

Marshall have just announced a new range of DSLs, including a 15 watt combo and head. Check out the Marshall site.

IMO that's better than the original DSL 401, I hated the spongy EL84's on the original , I'm curious how the 6v6's sound

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

Postulating and wondering if a Class 5 or Blues Jr or other EL84 combo wont come close?

My experience with the Class 5 is that there is very little clean headroom.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

Marshall have just announced a new range of DSLs, including a 15 watt combo and head. Check out the Marshall site.

Why do you tempt my tummy with the taste of nuts and honey?! Some of those look awesome man! What a great idea on their part. Super curious to try one.

http://www.marshallamps.com/product_range.asp?productRangeId=34&pageNumber=1

 

[51501984]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

IMO that's better than the original DSL 401, I hated the spongy EL84's on the original , I'm curious how the 6v6's sound

Only thing I'm not digging about this 6v6 15 watter is no fx loop

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

I notice the new DSLs have no clean channel, the two channels are Classic Gain and Ultra Gain.

I guess you don't buy a Marshall for the clean tones...

 

[ken361]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

I just picked up a used Marshall Haze 40 watt, great clean channel! nice over drive also.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

Hmmmmm.... That new 15/7.5 watt DSL combo looks interesting. May not be the tone I'm after at the moment, but I do like 6v6 amps.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

IMO that's better than the original DSL 401, I hated the spongy EL84's on the original , I'm curious how the 6v6's sound

Actually, I just saw this on Musicians Friend web site- the new DSL 401's will have 2 EL34's, rather than the 4 EL84's I hated on the originals

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/marshall-dsl40c-40w-all-tube-1x12-guitar-combo-amp

Also, I didn't like that the original lacked a presence control. These new ones have both presence AND resonance controls (I saw one in Guitar Center, didn't get a chance to play it). My obly gripe is the the originals were a compact size, these new DSL 401 combos are pretty big, almost as wide as a 2x12

 

[MustaineFanboy]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

I notice the new DSLs have no clean channel, the two channels are Classic Gain and Ultra Gain.

I guess you don't buy a Marshall for the clean tones...

Actually if you look closely at the controls, on the Classic Gain channel there's a button that switches between Clean and Crunch.

 

[fretburner]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

^ To add to that, Marshall clean is basically not going over 11 o'clock on the gain dial and just using the master volume.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

Tried one of the new dsl combos today. Cool amp. Lots of tone options. More than enough gain on tap for me. Kinda pricey for what it is, but would make a killer recording amp. Had some kind of deep or fat button that unleashed some major bass thump. Not seeing how it's big. Seemed very compact to me.

Cleaner side was neat, had that sorta dirty thing going on that I find useful.

Would have liked to try the lower watt setting but didn't notice switch (on back) until I was unplugged and ready to go.

Will be a good deal when about $450 used.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Marshall DSL 401... in a smaller package?

Kinda pricey ?? It is an improved design of an amp that sold for almost twice as much a decade ago. That is not par for the course for Marshall. Its a good deal for an EL34 based marshall, no matter where it is manufactured.

Keep in mind though that the clean channel is probably going to sound much more like the EL34 based DSL 50 head than the older EL84 based DSL 401 Combo that we've been talking about.