Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

[The_Sentry]

Howdy.

This is one my rigs. It's a Marshall TSL60 with a Genz Benz cab.

I like the tone well enough...but it doesn't have that sparkle of another TSL amplifier I own (a TSL122 combo that was re-soldered and fitted with Teslovak preamp and power tubes). I like this rig a lot because it sounds like a halfstack while only using 2 speakers...but the crunch channel..sounds muddy, and I feel like I have to drive the amp a hell of a lot harder than I should have to (sometimes going up 2/3 of the way on the master just to keep up with the band!)

So...I suspect it needs some TLC. But while I'm there, I'm also wondering if I should look into some different speakers as well? Style wise I play a bit of rock, funk, clean and crunchy rhythms, and overdriven leads. (The TSL really is a nice amp for me....puttin' it that way...)

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

Why not try some new preamp tubes to start with, and go from there? It's a cheap & easy way to alter the tone a little bit. I've always like Electro Harmonix for that sparkly type of tone. Others will chime in with better ideas, I'm sure. Good luck!

 

[The_Sentry]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

Why not try some new preamp tubes to start with, and go from there? It's a cheap & easy way to alter the tone a little bit. I've always like Electro Harmonix for that sparkly type of tone. Others will chime in with better ideas, I'm sure. Good luck!

Thanks, Jay. :cool2:

I'll probably go with what the amp tech recommends...but yeah, I know tubes can make a HUGE difference..and this might be just what the doctor will order on this one...

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

Try them out! At least you can keep them as emergency spares if they don't quite do the sound you want.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

Try out different preamp tubes. This is cheap and you should have backups anyway.

Also it may be the cabinet that is causing the problems. Maybe a more conventional 2x12 with an open back would not be as muddy + heard better in a band situation.

 

[The_Sentry]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

Try out different preamp tubes. This is cheap and you should have backups anyway.

Also it may be the cabinet that is causing the problems. Maybe a more conventional 2x12 with an open back would not be as muddy + heard better in a band situation.

Yeah, I've wondered about that as well. Problem is I don't want to get into a new cab if I can help it.

The issue also seems to primarily involve the crunch channel. The lead and clean channels sound fine. (But, I do have an amp stand...maybe it'll be time to drag it out of storage if this doesn't do the trick!)

Thanks for the advice, Ksmith! :1:

 

[Ascension]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

Try a pair of EL34L JJ's in the power section. i would then go with a set of the new Sensor Mullard Reissue 's, Tung Sol's or a set of Shunghang 12AX7's in the pre. Stay FAR FAR away from JJ's in the pre amp as it will just turn to MUD!
i had a TSL 60 head for a while and went through a lot of tweeks and that is what I wound up with in mine.

 

[The_Sentry]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

Try a pair of EL34L JJ's in the power section. i would then go with a set of the new Sensor Mullard Reissue 's, Tung Sol's or a set of Shunghang 12AX7's in the pre. Stay FAR FAR away from JJ's in the pre amp as it will just turn to MUD!
i had a TSL 60 head for a while and went through a lot of tweeks and that is what I wound up with in mine.

Sweet! That is EXACTLY what I was lookin' for!! Thanks, Ascension!!!! :1:

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

I really liked winged"C" svetlanas in mine with Tung-sol pre amps. Didn't like the Mullard reissues. I personally don't like JJ's anywhere in the TSL. All that said though, your comments about the crunch channel sounding a bit muddy/muffled and needing to be dimed to get enough volume out of, sounds too familiar. i think that may be par for the course on a stock TSL.

 

[drjones]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

Would re biasing help?

 

[The_Sentry]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

Oh, that'll happen anyway!

 

[The_Sentry]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

*bump*

I dropped it off yesterday to TubeSonic in Sacramento. Shane took a look at it, and didn't think it would have the same issues as the TSL122. It works...and he also spied the cheap Chinese preamp tubes.

I just told him to replace everything with Teslovak. That amp outta purr like a kitten when I get it back!!!

*BUT I still don't understand WHY Marshall would put cheap tubes in an amp like that. Seems to me that's sort of like shooting yourself in the foot.*

 

[Ascension]

Re: Marshall TSL60 Upgrade Advice needed

I really liked winged"C" svetlanas in mine with Tung-sol pre amps. Didn't like the Mullard reissues. I personally don't like JJ's anywhere in the TSL. All that said though, your comments about the crunch channel sounding a bit muddy/muffled and needing to be dimed to get enough volume out of, sounds too familiar. i think that may be par for the course on a stock TSL.

I like the Tung Sols a little better than the Mullard reissues normally but the dude wanted a little more sparkle. The Mullards are a little less thick. I had both the Winged C's and the JJ 34L's in mine. I thought the JJ EL34L's just sounded better to my ear. But what do I know I have been playing through Fender Prosonics for years with 6L6's.
I traded a Prosonic head for the TSL then sold the TSL and bought another Prosonic (made a few hundred $$ on the whole deal though :naughty .