Thoughts on the DSL 50

MikeA

MikeA

New member
Okay so I love my boogie, but it just doesn't cut like i want it too. And I'm tired of it after 4 years. I am diggin' the marshall sound (surprise) and i need a dual channel.

So right then I narrowed down things to a JCM900 or DSL50 (there may be others but those were the 2 that rang a bell). Although I was looking into the 900 I am just worried I will buy the wrong one and end up with one of the lemons. Not to mention what repairs or upkeep may be needed on a 16 year old amp. So what's up with the DSL 50. I remember trying it and liking it. High or low gain, and the clean didn't sound half bad. The stock tubes definately needed to be scrapped but who keeps tubes stock anyway...


And would it be an equal trade money-wise for a single-rectifier(retubed)?

-Thanks in advance...
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

Why would you be looking at a JCM900 over an 800? And don't worry with trade ins, ebay it.
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

Mephis said:
Why would you be looking at a JCM900 over an 800? And don't worry with trade ins, ebay it.
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Ha, well. I really need channel switching. (Ska band). And the only reason i would rather trade is time. My band plays out regularly and practices at least 4 times a week. So those few weeks would be killing me...
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

MikeA said:
Ha, well. I really need channel switching. (Ska band). And the only reason i would rather trade is time. My band plays out regularly and practices at least 4 times a week. So those few weeks would be killing me...
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I was in pretty much the same shape so I financed the 6505 till I can sell off the rest of my stuff to pay for it.

I can see a need for channel switching, but I wouldn't get a 900. I'd go with a DSL if I had to pick between the 2, I've heard alot of them and they're pretty toneful amps with really nice cleans.

You could finance a DSL new, sell the mesa on ebay, then pay off the DSL.
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

In the JCM800 line, look at the 2205/2210. They are dual channel amps.

In the JCM900 line, the 4100/4500 are the dual channels and are much better with EL34's vs. the 5881's that a majority came with. The first few years of them came with EL34's. Not bad with those but the bad rap is because of the affect the 5881's had on the sound.

In the JCM2000 line, the DSL50 is a good sounding amp. It takes more to dialing those in than the 800 or 900 but once you find the sweet spot, it's really nice.

To be honest, go with the one you like better but I will give this advice...if you prefer the 900 and go with it, get it rebiased and retubed with EL34's if it has 5881's in it.
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

I would say go with the DSL 50. I've played numerous JCM 900 Dual Reverbs and I think the DSl sounds much better than those. The JCM 900's have a dry sound to them compared to the DSL. The 2 channel JCM 800's are alright, but the clean channel is nowhere near the DSL's clean channel. Plus they run more money used than the DSL does. For the value and versatility, a DSL is one on thop in this one.
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

If you're playing ska then the DSL would be a great amp for you because the clean channel is quite good. The dirty channel is decent as well.

Eric
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

I liked the DSL50 out of all the current Marshalls, although, if you need Marshall style crunch and great cleans, a Rivera might be something you'd want to look at.
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

Michael. Buy a Rivera. I will find one for you. Its everything you need.
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

When was the last time you changed tubes in your Mesa?

If you want cut, I would think that the 6L6 option would be a better choice for ska. I'd use the Winged C/SED 6L6s from a good vendor who knows enough to provide tubes that meet Mesa specs.

I might even invest a quarter, and give the Mesa techs a call--you might be surprised how helpful they can be to getting you your tones.

If you really need to make a change from your Boogie....

If you really want CLEAN slice-and-dice cut, I'd look at a Twin Reverb or a Super Reverb, rather than a channel switching Marshall.

My .02....

Good Luck!

Bill
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

I've played a JCM 900 dual reverb and it sounded really bad... Also played a TSL and it sounded better, but not amazing, but everyone says that the DSL sounds better than the TSL... I'd say look into other companies besides marshall, you can find better stuff today in the DSL price range.
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

Boogie Bill said:
When was the last time you changed tubes in your Mesa?

If you want cut, I would think that the 6L6 option would be a better choice for ska. I'd use the Winged C/SED 6L6s from a good vendor who knows enough to provide tubes that meet Mesa specs.

I might even invest a quarter, and give the Mesa techs a call--you might be surprised how helpful they can be to getting you your tones.

If you really need to make a change from your Boogie....

If you really want CLEAN slice-and-dice cut, I'd look at a Twin Reverb or a Super Reverb, rather than a channel switching Marshall.

My .02....

Good Luck!

Bill
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It's had 2 new sets of tubes I really ran out of ideas. I tried JJ 6L6's and then i rebiased and got some EH EL-34's. I has had EH 12AX7's for preamp for about a year or two as well. I dunno. maybe i'll give them a call.
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

For what you're talking about, a DSL 50 will probably be the easiest option. Just go and play one heaps before making the deal...oh and I wouldn't tell a shop that you want to trade a Mesa Single Rectifier for one because they might rip you...a Single Rectifier is worth heaps more than a DSL 50!!!!

Best advice is to find a DSL 50 (or JCM 800/900 channel switcher) that you want to buy in a shop, put a deposit on it or put it on lay-by so that it's put away for you and ready to walk away with...then put the Mesa on ebay or sell it in some other similar way and as soon as you have the money from the Mesa sale you can go pick up your Marshall so you won't have any down time without an amp. You should be able to come out on top money wise though because that Mesa should still be worth more used than a new DSL 50.
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

I think I like the DSL 100w more than the 50w. I like the extra bass that it has. It's not like an older 100w Marshall with impossible volume - it is prettey tame-able :D

Also, if you are looking for classic Marshall tone, the speakers make quite a difference. I played a couple of DSL amps with the G12T75 speakers and did not like the lack of midrange. Greenbacks or G12h speakers are more agressive in the mids. To me, they sound more 'classic' Marshall.

These are only my personal opinions - not that one amp or speaker is better than the other :D
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

Stevo said:
I think I like the DSL 100w more than the 50w. I like the extra bass that it has. It's not like an older 100w Marshall with impossible volume - it is prettey tame-able :D

Also, if you are looking for classic Marshall tone, the speakers make quite a difference. I played a couple of DSL amps with the G12T75 speakers and did not like the lack of midrange. Greenbacks or G12h speakers are more agressive in the mids. To me, they sound more 'classic' Marshall.

These are only my personal opinions - not that one amp or speaker is better than the other :D
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The DSL 100 is still too loud for most situations imo. I'd rather go with the 50.

But I'm with you on the speaker thing, G12Ts suck with any JCM2000 head. Get Greenbacks, G12Hs or V30s (whichever you like best)
 
Re: Thoughts on the DSL 50

Kommerzbassist said:
The DSL 100 is still too loud for most situations imo. I'd rather go with the 50.

But I'm with you on the speaker thing, G12Ts suck with any JCM2000 head. Get Greenbacks, G12Hs or V30s (whichever you like best)
Click to expand...

Yep my cab is ready \/
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