Marshall DSL100H - Settings For "Grunge" Tone ?

[Kenny821]

I recently bought a Marshall DSL100H all tube amp with an MX 412A cabinet and I would like suggestions on proper settings for achieving a grunge tone ala Alice in Chains/Jerry Cantrell. From Left to Right on the head, my dials are as follows: Reverb ( ultra and classic ), Equalisation: Resonance, Presence, Tone Shift button, Bass, Middle, Treble, Ultra Gain: Volume, Lead 1,2 button, Gain, Channel Select button, Classic Gain: Volume, Clean/Crunch button, Gain. Right now the amp is set 100W @ 16 ohm and I can set it to half power 50W @ 16 ohm, it also has two 8 ohm output Jacks and an FX Loop on the rear of the head. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

[ken361]

Re: Marshall DSL100H - Settings For "Grunge" Tone ?

I get a pretty good Alice in chains tones EVH ect with the red 1 gain at 5 or so trb and pres at 6 mids 7 bass and res 3 I guess it depends if I need more low end where i'm at. Main thing the dsl are usually biased too hot set it 60% the red channel will a bit more smoother. I have a creamback in my dsl40

 

[Aceman]

Re: Marshall DSL100H - Settings For "Grunge" Tone ?

Sweet amp head Kenny!

I can't answer the question, but I can give you suggestion: There is nothing like spending the time to really learn to "play" an amp, and using your own ears!

1. AIC is pretty distorted. Go 50 watts. Why? Better distortion sooner at lower volumes. (Maybe later when dialing in 100 give s a more responsive edge or whatever...)
2. Set everything at noon and go from there.
- First, get the gain levels about right
- Then work the bass and treble until you think you have the right bottom and highs
- Finally - blend in the right mids. It will likely be LESS than on an album or that you would use live
3. Pres/res
- these are global adjusts and I recommend messing with them last

Now - if you can't get there after a while, then go ahead and try the whole thing again with the tone shift. Stuff interacts, changes, etc...Whjat works for my guitar/pickup/room and cab may not work for yours. In fact - that cab is a low end one (I have an MX 2x12) so if someone has a serious classic selection loaded cab, they may be using very different settings.