Marshall DSL vs JCM900

Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

I prefer the DSLs over the 900s and if you front end a DSL you can get them to be seriously nasty. I'm not saying thet the 900s are not nice amps but the DSLs have a more traditional Marshall tone to my ears.

Then again, my EL-34 loaded 2203 eats the lunch of any DSL I have paired it up against and when front ended makes the 900s seem lacking by comparison. Up to about 1990 there were two schools of Marshall thinking. You either cranked them up to ungodly levels or you front ended them to get them really cooking and those were the tones you hear on most hard rock stuff unless someone snuck a Mesa into the studio.

Marshalls after 1990 while still being cool, lost some of that magic when they started adding gain into their preamps whether by IC or diode clipping. It's just my opinion but for me the DSLs seem to have a bit of that old flavor while the 900s for the most part sacrificed gain for tone.
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

fretburner said:
I think the vast majority of the guys here like the MkIII 2100 and SL-X, so my question is:

How does the MkIII 2501 compare to the MkIII 2100?

From what I read, the only difference is that one is the combo version of the other. Or do I need to google more?

also, what's a good price for a 2501?



P.S. I'm the dude who's been thinking about the jtm30 (now out of the market ... another dude bought it), jcm900 4501 (recently re-tubed with sovteks), V65r (i can get it really cheap) and now, 2501 (somebody just put this out for sale).
The MkIII 2501 is a 50 watt 1x12 combo, same circuit as in the 2500 head and 2502 combo.
The MkIII 2100 is a 100 watt head.

What else do you want to know?

For price, check completed eBay auctions but about $600-$700 USD is pretty much average from what I've seen.
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

ErikH said:
The MkIII 2501 is a 50 watt 1x12 combo, same circuit as in the 2500 head and 2502 combo.
The MkIII 2100 is a 100 watt head.

What else do you want to know?

For price, check completed eBay auctions but about $600-$700 USD is pretty much average from what I've seen.

what are the basic differences/similarities in tone with the 2100 and 2500?

thanks!
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

fretburner said:
what are the basic differences/similarities in tone with the 2100 and 2500?

thanks!
The 2500 may be a little darker but that's about it. It's not uncommon for 50 watt versions to be a little darker than their 100 watt brothers. The JCM800 2204 is a little darker than the 2203, but that's about it. The preamps are the exact same. Only the power amp is different.
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

ErikH said:
The 2500 may be a little darker but that's about it. It's not uncommon for 50 watt versions to be a little darker than their 100 watt brothers. The JCM800 2204 is a little darker than the 2203, but that's about it. The preamps are the exact same. Only the power amp is different.

But they do have the same power tubes right? Both are EL34s?

Thanks!
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

ErikH said:
Yes, both use EL34's.

coolness.

anyway, i called up the guy who's selling the 2501 and he told me one of the reasons he's selling it cheap is because 3 of the pots are no longer the originals, and that the volume pot is already scratchy.

if i want to replace all the pots to high quality pots, would that be difficult to do myself?

what are good replacement pots for marshall tube amps?

my boss who's into high end, audiphile stereo systems told me a pot change can do wonders. and he loves EL34s and 12a7 JJ/tesla tubes.

thanks!
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

The pots probably just need to be cleaned, not changed. That's one thing that people do when it's not completely necessary. When I took my 2100 in for service last year, the tech sprayed some cleaner inside each of the pots and turned them all in both directions a few times. No more scratchy.

If he's selling it cheap, snag it, then clean the pots.
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

ErikH said:
The pots probably just need to be cleaned, not changed. That's one thing that people do when it's not completely necessary. When I took my 2100 in for service last year, the tech sprayed some cleaner inside each of the pots and turned them all in both directions a few times. No more scratchy.

If he's selling it cheap, snag it, then clean the pots.

but 3 of those pots have already been replaced, possibly by cheaper ones. i do feel i have to replace them if i buy it. besides, the replacement pots have longer shafts so that the knobs are protruding.
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

fretburner said:
but 3 of those pots have already been replaced, possibly by cheaper ones. i do feel i have to replace them if i buy it. besides, the replacement pots have longer shafts so that the knobs are protruding.
If you feel the need to replace them, then get Marshall replacements. They are PCB mounted pots so you might want to take it to a reputable tech to have it done. It'll be worth having it done right if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself.
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

ErikH said:
If you feel the need to replace them, then get Marshall replacements. They are PCB mounted pots so you might want to take it to a reputable tech to have it done. It'll be worth having it done right if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself.

darn it. now i have to consider those to the total cost for this amp. oh well... not sure if allparts or maybe like peavey or fender pots would work?

do you know what are the typical pot values for these things?
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

fretburner said:
darn it. now i have to consider those to the total cost for this amp. oh well... not sure if allparts or maybe like peavey or fender pots would work?

do you know what are the typical pot values for these things?
Get only the Marshall replacements. They'll fit correctly. Shouldn't cost that much more. Just talk with a local tech.

Can't remember the values off the top of my head. Which ones were replaced and which Volume is scratchy?

PM me the info and I'll look at the preamp schematic later.
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

You guys know my choice LOL!
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Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

I'd go for a DSL...truth is that those amps sound great. They are not made as well as old Marshalls but then again, neither are JCM 900's!

The DSL's have a great clean channel and both a modern and classic Marshall crunch tone as well as the best reverb on any Marshall ever...however the TSL's are a joke...at least IMO...then again I play through a Sound City!
Hi guys, im thinking about buying dsl40c or jcm 900....im into green days stuff...but i also like blues aswell...and im gonna be in a band soon so i dont know realy which one is better for gigging...im also open to new recomendations for the amp ...i just want to get as close as possible to that 1959 plexi sound that billie joe armstrong has.
right now i own a blackstar id core 20....and i have an affinity strat with slanted jb sh4 at the bridge....im looking for a decent upgrade to replace my blackstar and i want the new amp to be with me for a long time
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

Hi guys, im thinking about buying dsl40c or jcm 900....im into green days stuff...but i also like blues aswell...and im gonna be in a band soon so i dont know realy which one is better for gigging...im also open to new recomendations for the amp ...i just want to get as close as possible to that 1959 plexi sound that billie joe armstrong has.
right now i own a blackstar id core 20....and i have an affinity strat with slanted jb sh4 at the bridge....im looking for a decent upgrade to replace my blackstar and i want the new amp to be with me for a long time

I might be biased owning one but I would go for the DSL. As others have said the 900 is a one trick pony. It is a great sounding amp but limited when looked at side by side with the DSL. The DSL can deliver a serviceable 900, 800 tone and the Plexi tone you want, while the cleans are amazing.

From the Marshall DSL 100 Manual - Channel A features two modes.The first, Clean, is reminiscent of an early 1959 Plexi SuperLead head. Depending on Gain settings (item .19) thismode will take you from clean to a controlled Plexi stylecrunch. Crunch will take you up to a JCM 800 2203 style grind

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/401036/Marshall-Amplification-Jcm-2000-Dsl-100.html?page=4#manual
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

The DSL can deliver a serviceable 900, 800 tone and the Plexi tone you want, while the cleans are amazing.

Overall, it is really hard to argue with the DSL.

But - if I wanted a one trick pony...I'm going for the 900 SL-X. Or a Peavey 5150.
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

I'd pick an SL-X, 50W, EL34. One thing, done extremely well. I like this idea.

Also, it's ridiculously easy to fix / maintain. Almost as reliable as a Laney.
 
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Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

I might be biased owning one but I would go for the DSL. As others have said the 900 is a one trick pony. It is a great sounding amp but limited when looked at side by side with the DSL. The DSL can deliver a serviceable 900, 800 tone and the Plexi tone you want, while the cleans are amazing.



https://www.manualslib.com/manual/401036/Marshall-Amplification-Jcm-2000-Dsl-100.html?page=4#manual

How close is the current DSL line to a JCM2000 DSL?
 
Re: Marshall DSL vs JCM900

How close is the current DSL line to a JCM2000 DSL?

I am not really sure. The only new DSL I have played was the 15w head. The little puppy was a screamer and sounded great. I would say it captured the essence of the JCM2000 nicely. If I wasn't living in the hotel I would have definitely grabbed it. I would love to try the new DSL 100 side by side with my amp.
 
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