Marshall DSL combo or head?

[BluesGuyJ]

Hey guys,

I've been checking out some videos of DSLs on you tube lately and I am really digging the tone.

All of the videos I have come across have been of the head and a cabinet.
Would the combo sound much different than the head and cabinet?

Does the DSl 50 sound much different than the DSL 100?

If the head/cab makes a big difference tonaly, then I think I'd like to look into a DSL 50 and a 2x12 of some sort.

Thoughts, opinions?

Is the combo powerful enough and sound just as good as the head versions?

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

The combos use EL84 tubes and the heads use the classic Marshall EL34 tube power amp design. Moreover, the combo's are more prone to heat and solder joint issues. Plus the combo may not have the speaker you want for that sound.

I'd go with a 50 watt head plus the speaker cabinet(s) that best suite your needs.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

Vintage 30's would be the way to go with that amp. My other Guitar player has both a 50W and a 100W DSL and he has th 4 12 with V30's..... Sounds great!

 

[baritone]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

My general choice is to lean toward the getting separate heads and cabs. This way, I get to totally customize my sound, and I develop a better understanding of how each component contributes to the sound.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

I believe that the only DSL combo's were the 201(20 watts) & 401(40 watts), while the heads were available in 50 & 100 watts. I think 50 watts with a 2x12 would be great.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

I like having the head versions of an amp so I can mix and match it to a 2x12 or a 4x12 depending on our needs,plus my Marshall 4x12 stereo cab can be used as just a 2x12 also. I also favor V30s in all of my cabs.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

Awesome, thanks for the advice!

How much do you think I could get for my Mesa Mark III combo with foot switches, in good condition with cooling fan installed? I believe it is a blue stripe model, which is the closest to a Mark IIC+?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

Awesome, thanks for the advice!

How much do you think I could get for my Mesa Mark III combo with foot switches, in good condition with cooling fan installed? I believe it is a blue stripe model, which is the closest to a Mark IIC+?

You could contact a local music center that knows the Mesa stuff and ask what it's worth or see what people on E Bay are paying for the same amp.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

I'll check out ebay and see how much they are going for...

Do the DSL heads have a reputation for going down as often as the combos supposidly do? Reliability is huge for me, I don't want to invest into something that is going to let me down.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

I'll check out ebay and see how much they are going for...

Do the DSL heads have a reputation for going down as often as the combos supposidly do? Reliability is huge for me, I don't want to invest into something that is going to let me down.

A friend of mine has one that he bought when the series first came out.Other than just output tube replacements,no other problems with his...

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

Great to hear!

 

[suislidE03]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

I had the 401 some time ago, ive posted about it numerous times. Love the sound from the el84s, but volume wise it didnt have it. More comparable to a 30 watt tube amp maybe. Im actually about to pull the trigger on a new DSL 50 head, but the only thing stopping me is figuring out how much ill get for my laney, and whether or not to get a 6505+ instead.

I did play the 50 watt DSL head, and it does sound pretty good. Not near as warm as the 401, but it has a MUCH more crunchy tone on the gain channel, but the 401 has a better sounding clean channel by a good shot. I had to use my SD1 on the combo to acheive a crunchy high gain tone, and even then it didnt handle gain very well because of feedback. I also think the gain channel is considerably brighter compared to the combo. The treble around 0-2 is about the same as the combo with treble around 5-7. Seriously. Put some thought into speaker choice.. I ordered an Eminence governor, and im trying to get a manowar to couple with it for my Splawn 2x12. Ive had bad luck with Celestion speakers in every single case ive tried them. Cant wait.. good luck!

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

Thanks for the input man, appreciate it a lot!

 

[Brewtone]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

I'll check out ebay and see how much they are going for...

Do the DSL heads have a reputation for going down as often as the combos supposidly do? Reliability is huge for me, I don't want to invest into something that is going to let me down.

I bought a DSL 50 straight out of Musicians Friend as soon as they came out and it was my main gigging amp through college. Since 2002 it's been retired to my band practice amp, however it looks ragged from road wear and tear and other than replacing tubes. I haven't had one issue with it!!!

 

[rockman23]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

--I had a DSL401----new from Musiciansfriend----I had it 2 years, bedroom only, NEVER had the volume over 4----IT BROKE 3 TIMES, cost $80.00 to fix each time--the third time it broke I got it fixed & sold it...GOOD RIDANCE!!

--I will say, I put a vintage30 in it & it sounded really good, I didn't even need my distortion pedal, BUT, the amp freekin broke too much--

-I treated it very well, but it just wasn't dependable...

 

[LesPaulRules]

Re: Marshall DSL combo or head?

When I was in a cover band, my main gigging amp was a DSL 50. Great amplifier that had killer distortion, but also a nice clean channel. The thing never broke down once.