Marshall DSL40C
- Thread starter Benjy_26
- Start date
stratguy23
New member
Re: Marshall DSL40C
Do you mean the newer version, the DSL40CR?
I would highly recommend going for that. The previous DSL40Cs are likely being blown out to make room for the new version.
The previous DSL40C sounded good but had well-documented tonal issues, namely shared EQ between 2 channels that were impossible to reconcile, with Channel 2 being way too bright in comparison to Channel 1. A lot of folks then used it as a single channel amp, using either Channel 1 (a sort of JTM-type of vintage voicing) or Channel 2 (scorching hard rock/metal) exclusively.
By pretty much all reports, the current 40CR solves those problems and dials down the harshness/brightness of Channel 2, allowing for the shared EQ to work more evenly across both channels.
Do you mean the newer version, the DSL40CR?
I would highly recommend going for that. The previous DSL40Cs are likely being blown out to make room for the new version.
The previous DSL40C sounded good but had well-documented tonal issues, namely shared EQ between 2 channels that were impossible to reconcile, with Channel 2 being way too bright in comparison to Channel 1. A lot of folks then used it as a single channel amp, using either Channel 1 (a sort of JTM-type of vintage voicing) or Channel 2 (scorching hard rock/metal) exclusively.
By pretty much all reports, the current 40CR solves those problems and dials down the harshness/brightness of Channel 2, allowing for the shared EQ to work more evenly across both channels.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: Marshall DSL40C
Clipping the treble bypass capacitor out seems to fix the brightness problem with ch 2, I think it is C19 but it is well documented on the interwebs.
I hate the 70/80 Celestions, but if you like the amp it is probably worth a speaker swap. I know Sweetwater had a special run with Creambacks.
Clipping the treble bypass capacitor out seems to fix the brightness problem with ch 2, I think it is C19 but it is well documented on the interwebs.
I hate the 70/80 Celestions, but if you like the amp it is probably worth a speaker swap. I know Sweetwater had a special run with Creambacks.
Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: Marshall DSL40C
Stratguy23 speaks truth. The DSL40C was a pretty good amp which many people felt needed a few improvements, the speaker and C19 being chief among them. The "bible" on the DSL40C can be found at the Marshall Forum: The Official Marshall DSL40C Information Thread. There's a ton of great info and opinion on the amp to be found there, if you have patience to read all 469 pages.
I just picked up a DSL40CST (the Sweetwater "special" version with a Creamback) from a buddy for $300. That's what GC offered him on a trade and it was too much amp for tiny little $$$ for me to pass up.
The older DSLs are dropping in value because:
Stratguy23 speaks truth. The DSL40C was a pretty good amp which many people felt needed a few improvements, the speaker and C19 being chief among them. The "bible" on the DSL40C can be found at the Marshall Forum: The Official Marshall DSL40C Information Thread. There's a ton of great info and opinion on the amp to be found there, if you have patience to read all 469 pages.
I just picked up a DSL40CST (the Sweetwater "special" version with a Creamback) from a buddy for $300. That's what GC offered him on a trade and it was too much amp for tiny little $$$ for me to pass up.
The older DSLs are dropping in value because:
- Marshall actually listened to their customers and made the needed improvements when they released the new line and
- the new Origin line is getting a lot of attention from people who don't need the extra gain channel
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
ken361
New member
Re: Marshall DSL40C
Had mine for just over 3 years still dig it i have the creamback in it, no problems using the shared eq! main thing was people or the factory biased them too hot at 36 or more you only need 32 i had a lot of people say they love it now more set that way, my tech told me he sets it at! he been servicing amps for over 35 years. I played the new one it didnt seem much different
Had mine for just over 3 years still dig it i have the creamback in it, no problems using the shared eq! main thing was people or the factory biased them too hot at 36 or more you only need 32 i had a lot of people say they love it now more set that way, my tech told me he sets it at! he been servicing amps for over 35 years. I played the new one it didnt seem much different
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FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Marshall DSL40C
I think they are great amps when played very loud, they are ok without the power tubes saturated but that's where the magic is. The channels balance much better at stage volume, don't even need to do c19 in my opinion if you get cookin.
if you want to rely on the preamp for more modern rock a used jvm could be worth holding out for. DSL can do it but can be a little fizzy maybe.
The classic gain crunch mode with a boost when cranked is pretty epic I think but it was too loud for me
I think they are great amps when played very loud, they are ok without the power tubes saturated but that's where the magic is. The channels balance much better at stage volume, don't even need to do c19 in my opinion if you get cookin.
if you want to rely on the preamp for more modern rock a used jvm could be worth holding out for. DSL can do it but can be a little fizzy maybe.
The classic gain crunch mode with a boost when cranked is pretty epic I think but it was too loud for me
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Marshall DSL40C
The JVM's are likely out of my price range. I'm looking at this one for a couple of reasons:
1: I have a Marshall cab but no Marshall amps
2: I like EL34 tones
3: This one came up for a song.
The JVM's are likely out of my price range. I'm looking at this one for a couple of reasons:
1: I have a Marshall cab but no Marshall amps
2: I like EL34 tones
3: This one came up for a song.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Marshall DSL40C
Then I think you can make it work, good luck and if it's not for you you can get back what you paid
Then I think you can make it work, good luck and if it's not for you you can get back what you paid
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Marshall DSL40C
That'a what I'm thinking. As long as it doesn't blow up or fail spectacularly, I'll likely come out ahead.
That'a what I'm thinking. As long as it doesn't blow up or fail spectacularly, I'll likely come out ahead.
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
BadBen
New member
Re: Marshall DSL40C
I'm still working through it. I haven't been able to have the volume past about 10 o'clock yet, and most things I read say that's a necessity to really feel it. I also want to check tube bias before I form a real opinion. I'm looking forward to this weekend when I have time to crank this beast!
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
I'm still working through it. I haven't been able to have the volume past about 10 o'clock yet, and most things I read say that's a necessity to really feel it. I also want to check tube bias before I form a real opinion. I'm looking forward to this weekend when I have time to crank this beast!
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
man-in-moon
New member
Re: Marshall DSL40C
I just got one a few weeks ago. I agree with what everyone is saying. They are good amps and the C19 mod helped a lot. I plan on replacing the speaker as soon as I can. I also plan on getting an EQ pedal to help with the limitations of the shared EQ.
I just got one a few weeks ago. I agree with what everyone is saying. They are good amps and the C19 mod helped a lot. I plan on replacing the speaker as soon as I can. I also plan on getting an EQ pedal to help with the limitations of the shared EQ.
ThisDyingSoul76
New member
Re: Marshall DSL40C
I am picking one of these up from a pawn shop in the next few weeks. At the volumes I could reach without killing myself in their soundproofed room, it sounded pretty good.
I put it on layaway and plan to go back and trade another amp I had that sort of had that Marshall character but not quite.
I'm probably going to be using the crunch channel more than anything, but I may check to see if it's got the C19 mod done to it. I'll wait until I've used it a bit to decide if I'm going to do it if it hasn't been done yet.
I don't even know if it's got the stock speaker or was replaced yet. I have a pair of 2x12 Marshall cabs too, so if I don't like the speaker in it, I can connect a cab for now.
I've had my eye on getting one of these amps for a while but the $800 CAD for a new one was more than I could justify. I didn't know about the issues with the mismatched tones between channels but it's good toknow if I decide to use both channels the C19 mod should fix that. But being a huge pedal junky I may just set the crunch channel to get my dirty rhythm tone at full volume and use an OD or boost to get my lead tone.
I am picking one of these up from a pawn shop in the next few weeks. At the volumes I could reach without killing myself in their soundproofed room, it sounded pretty good.
I put it on layaway and plan to go back and trade another amp I had that sort of had that Marshall character but not quite.
I'm probably going to be using the crunch channel more than anything, but I may check to see if it's got the C19 mod done to it. I'll wait until I've used it a bit to decide if I'm going to do it if it hasn't been done yet.
I don't even know if it's got the stock speaker or was replaced yet. I have a pair of 2x12 Marshall cabs too, so if I don't like the speaker in it, I can connect a cab for now.
I've had my eye on getting one of these amps for a while but the $800 CAD for a new one was more than I could justify. I didn't know about the issues with the mismatched tones between channels but it's good toknow if I decide to use both channels the C19 mod should fix that. But being a huge pedal junky I may just set the crunch channel to get my dirty rhythm tone at full volume and use an OD or boost to get my lead tone.
