New vs old Marshall DSL 40
- Thread starter CodeDante
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Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
I have a DSL40c from 2016.... I replaced the original speaker with a Celestion Vintage 30. I really like the way it sounds. The crunchy channel is diverse and I use it for clean tones (volume on guitar rolled off) as well as low-gain crunchy goodness (guitar volume full open). The high gain channel is good as well and meets a variety of needs. The amp takes pedals well in the front as well as the FX loop. The reverb on it is fine for just adding a little depth to the sound. I always have a delay pedal running too.
I have tried a variety of distortion pedals through this amp and have determined that the best distortion available is the amps natural distortion
. To play it at home, I just use my volume pedal in the FX loop to lower the overall volume while still maintaining sustain and saturation for the most part.
This amp is very good for recording and playing with a band. I would not recommend the 40watt version for just regular bedroom practice.. it is too loud unless you follow my suggestion above.
I can't speak for the newest version of these amps.
A head version of this amp is probably better to move around for rehearsals and gigging.... but to each their own.
I have a DSL40c from 2016.... I replaced the original speaker with a Celestion Vintage 30. I really like the way it sounds. The crunchy channel is diverse and I use it for clean tones (volume on guitar rolled off) as well as low-gain crunchy goodness (guitar volume full open). The high gain channel is good as well and meets a variety of needs. The amp takes pedals well in the front as well as the FX loop. The reverb on it is fine for just adding a little depth to the sound. I always have a delay pedal running too.
I have tried a variety of distortion pedals through this amp and have determined that the best distortion available is the amps natural distortion
. To play it at home, I just use my volume pedal in the FX loop to lower the overall volume while still maintaining sustain and saturation for the most part.This amp is very good for recording and playing with a band. I would not recommend the 40watt version for just regular bedroom practice.. it is too loud unless you follow my suggestion above.
I can't speak for the newest version of these amps.
A head version of this amp is probably better to move around for rehearsals and gigging.... but to each their own.
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
Thanks for all the info yeah i agree 40 may be overkill for the ocasional band practice. I know its like apples and oranges but i also had an eye on the fender bassbreaker 15.
I have a DSL40c from 2016.... I replaced the original speaker with a Celestion Vintage 30. I really like the way it sounds. The crunchy channel is diverse and I use it for clean tones (volume on guitar rolled off) as well as low-gain crunchy goodness (guitar volume full open). The high gain channel is good as well and meets a variety of needs. The amp takes pedals well in the front as well as the FX loop. The reverb on it is fine for just adding a little depth to the sound. I always have a delay pedal running too.
I have tried a variety of distortion pedals through this amp and have determined that the best distortion available is the amps natural distortion
This amp is very good for recording and playing with a band. I would not recommend the 40watt version for just regular bedroom practice.. it is too loud unless you follow my suggestion above.
I can't speak for the newest version of these amps.
A head version of this amp is probably better to move around for rehearsals and gigging.... but to each their own.
Thanks for all the info yeah i agree 40 may be overkill for the ocasional band practice. I know its like apples and oranges but i also had an eye on the fender bassbreaker 15.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
More like apples from two different farms. The Bassbreaker 15 is a sweet amp for small gigs and studio work. If i didn't already have a pile of vintage amps I'd seriously consider owning one.
More like apples from two different farms. The Bassbreaker 15 is a sweet amp for small gigs and studio work. If i didn't already have a pile of vintage amps I'd seriously consider owning one.
cvansickle
New member
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
I had the DSL40C for five years, and recently traded it for the DSL40CR. I definitely prefer the sound of the CR. It's warmer and fuller, has better EQ control, and is more manageable at all volumes. All four channel modes are useful.
I had the DSL40C for five years, and recently traded it for the DSL40CR. I definitely prefer the sound of the CR. It's warmer and fuller, has better EQ control, and is more manageable at all volumes. All four channel modes are useful.
allstarrme
New member
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
There’s a pretty big thread on the gear page about the new dsl’s. The new eq allows a lot more sounds to be dialed in starting from the old dsl sounds and going more modern sounding.
I have played both of the old type dsl’s and would definitely pick up a newer one instead. Most complaints in the last one were fixed with better speakers in the combos or a good re-bias in the 15, but a lot of people dumped the 15 for a new 20 watt head it seems.
The new 20/40/100’s all use el34’s now and have pretty great reviews almost everywhere.
There’s a pretty big thread on the gear page about the new dsl’s. The new eq allows a lot more sounds to be dialed in starting from the old dsl sounds and going more modern sounding.
I have played both of the old type dsl’s and would definitely pick up a newer one instead. Most complaints in the last one were fixed with better speakers in the combos or a good re-bias in the 15, but a lot of people dumped the 15 for a new 20 watt head it seems.
The new 20/40/100’s all use el34’s now and have pretty great reviews almost everywhere.
ken361
New member
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
Had my 40c for over 3 years now and still dig it I played the new one side by side with the 40c at store levels I couldn't tell much difference at all. Rebea from Andertons music likes the 40c better and you probably wont see him using it in there demos lol. I talked to 2 people on facebook that owns both and like both very much. Usually master volumes muck up your tone, more issues with these new models for sure. I want to try a Origin out. Keep your bias cooler at 32!
Had my 40c for over 3 years now and still dig it I played the new one side by side with the 40c at store levels I couldn't tell much difference at all. Rebea from Andertons music likes the 40c better and you probably wont see him using it in there demos lol. I talked to 2 people on facebook that owns both and like both very much. Usually master volumes muck up your tone, more issues with these new models for sure. I want to try a Origin out. Keep your bias cooler at 32!
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
I have played a few older dsl amps going way back...I am not a big fan of the 70/80 speaker.....heard a bunch of switched out speakers with mixed results.....best I heard were the v type and green back.....I waited to get one until the 2018 model due to the v type speaker and dual master volumes.....couldn't be happier. I use it with all kinds of pickups (Seymour Duncan) mostly.....single coils and h.be. all sound great.,
I have played a few older dsl amps going way back...I am not a big fan of the 70/80 speaker.....heard a bunch of switched out speakers with mixed results.....best I heard were the v type and green back.....I waited to get one until the 2018 model due to the v type speaker and dual master volumes.....couldn't be happier. I use it with all kinds of pickups (Seymour Duncan) mostly.....single coils and h.be. all sound great.,
Drunken Bowling
New member
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
I bought a DSL40 from Sweetwater about a year and a half ago. It was dead on arrival. After that, I decided to go solid state.
I bought a DSL40 from Sweetwater about a year and a half ago. It was dead on arrival. After that, I decided to go solid state.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
I liked the DSL401, but the newer amps don't do anything for me.
Bill
I liked the DSL401, but the newer amps don't do anything for me.
Bill
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
Yes.
Picked up a cheap supposedly-busted 20yo TSL100 (just a blown HT fuse lol) and dropped by GC and tried a new DSL combo to get some comparison baseline... it was bland as hell with a proper fullbrand ESP Eclipse II
Although in the combo's defense, the 412 in my garage is vastly superior.... but, still, the properly re-fused TSL100 perched on a quad of proper 80s Celestions utterly stomps the DSL on any channel, but even more surprisingly, AT ANY VOLUME. Yes even at quiet cleans and mild breakup crunches at bedroom volumes that won't annoy the neighbors.
Then again... the current DSL might well suffer from the old Marshall Wacky Speaker Choice Syndrome. Older DSLs and TSLs were quite boring with 1960A's/T75's too, although some of the odder old combos like the V30/H30 one were a step in the right direction
Yes.
Picked up a cheap supposedly-busted 20yo TSL100 (just a blown HT fuse lol) and dropped by GC and tried a new DSL combo to get some comparison baseline... it was bland as hell with a proper fullbrand ESP Eclipse II
Although in the combo's defense, the 412 in my garage is vastly superior.... but, still, the properly re-fused TSL100 perched on a quad of proper 80s Celestions utterly stomps the DSL on any channel, but even more surprisingly, AT ANY VOLUME. Yes even at quiet cleans and mild breakup crunches at bedroom volumes that won't annoy the neighbors.
Then again... the current DSL might well suffer from the old Marshall Wacky Speaker Choice Syndrome. Older DSLs and TSLs were quite boring with 1960A's/T75's too, although some of the odder old combos like the V30/H30 one were a step in the right direction
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
the 40c is a great amp for gigging around with. its got the half power pentode and triode swich on the back to help reduce volume. you must rebias the amp and you must replace that nasty 70/80 celestion speaker and then its a great gigger. it has plenty of juice to play live and its easy to get good tone out of it. its fairly inexpensive and has the Marshall signiture tone. Few amps in this price range sound as good. Maybe the blackstar club 40? theres a couple more but Meh, not much that comes close and nothing that flat out beats it untill you hit the $1000 plus mark
the 40c is a great amp for gigging around with. its got the half power pentode and triode swich on the back to help reduce volume. you must rebias the amp and you must replace that nasty 70/80 celestion speaker and then its a great gigger. it has plenty of juice to play live and its easy to get good tone out of it. its fairly inexpensive and has the Marshall signiture tone. Few amps in this price range sound as good. Maybe the blackstar club 40? theres a couple more but Meh, not much that comes close and nothing that flat out beats it untill you hit the $1000 plus mark
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
Asian-made budget combos (much like guitars) usually compete mostly against their parent brand's own used market.
2x12" combos, ~29 lbs heavier:
JCM2000 TSL122 --- top shelf, UK Celestion V30/H30 pairing, 25w/100w switchable wattage.... tasty stuff
JCM2000 TSL602 --- similar, but with crap speakers
1x12" combos, same weight
JCM2000 TSL601 --- crap speaker
JCM2000 DSL401 --- crap speaker, shared EQ, less channels
JCM2000 DSL201 --- crap speaker, shared EQ, less channels
Asian-made budget combos (much like guitars) usually compete mostly against their parent brand's own used market.
2x12" combos, ~29 lbs heavier:
JCM2000 TSL122 --- top shelf, UK Celestion V30/H30 pairing, 25w/100w switchable wattage.... tasty stuff
JCM2000 TSL602 --- similar, but with crap speakers
1x12" combos, same weight
JCM2000 TSL601 --- crap speaker
JCM2000 DSL401 --- crap speaker, shared EQ, less channels
JCM2000 DSL201 --- crap speaker, shared EQ, less channels
Last edited:
Skater
New member
Re: New vs old Marshall DSL 40
Dude I could not agree anymore, V30, I tried a boss British tube pedal, boss sd1, a mosky plexi, and none of them had a equivalent amount of tone than the natural red channel.
Mine is a 2015, I played a new one about 2 weeks ago, I mean new, I was the first one at my local guitar store to play it, took it out of the box and let me go to he'll with myself. There nice, the thing I noticed, on mine, I play half wattage, maybe 9 0 clock. On the new one It was half wattage, but I had that volume knob at almost 10 o'clock, granted it was brand new, but Idk if all of them are like that, I'm curious how loud they get compared to the older ones ��
Dude I could not agree anymore, V30, I tried a boss British tube pedal, boss sd1, a mosky plexi, and none of them had a equivalent amount of tone than the natural red channel.
Mine is a 2015, I played a new one about 2 weeks ago, I mean new, I was the first one at my local guitar store to play it, took it out of the box and let me go to he'll with myself. There nice, the thing I noticed, on mine, I play half wattage, maybe 9 0 clock. On the new one It was half wattage, but I had that volume knob at almost 10 o'clock, granted it was brand new, but Idk if all of them are like that, I'm curious how loud they get compared to the older ones ��
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