TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jessie Sammler
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Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

So I think what I hear you guys saying is, the TSL100 is not only the greatest Marshall ever, but also the greatest amplifier ever, and possibly the single best thing humankind has ever created. Would that be accurate? :doh:
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

No offense to those that have use and or like a TSL but IMHO it is the worst Marshall tube amp maybe ever...

The DSL was a good amp overall...good crunch and great cleans for a Marshall, sounds decent at low levels can get loud if needed...they gave all that upo with the TSL.

The cleans suffered the 2nd chanell is weak and fizzy and the 3rd channel is useless IMO...
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

:laugh2:

Ha! I actually bought one of these a few years ago for $700. I use it with a 1960A. It suits me, I think. Mediocrity suits me; it pretty much defines who I am in all areas of my life.

Can I have a pony?
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

Can't stand the thing. We have one in our rehearsal space. I had to use it once when I was between amps, and it pissed me off. I experienced most of the problems people complain about.

The DSL 50 is the best amp in that line IMO. With a good cab they are a nice amp by any definition.
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

the guy who invented fire said:
No offense to those that have use and or like a TSL but IMHO it is the worst Marshall tube amp maybe ever...

The DSL was a good amp overall...good crunch and great cleans for a Marshall, sounds decent at low levels can get loud if needed...they gave all that upo with the TSL.

The cleans suffered the 2nd chanell is weak and fizzy and the 3rd channel is useless IMO...
Click to expand...

So your saying the MA and MG series is better than the TSL? I think not. However compared to the DSL, 800, 900, jvm, etc than yea i agree
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

^^ He specified TUBE amps so don't mention the MG series

and yeah, the MA50 sounds way better than the TSL100.
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

Okay. Have you played one or are you quoting forum facts to me?

I get to plug into a JVM 410, a TSL120, MA50's or 100's, DSL's...all day every day. For at least eight hours i'm not allowed to LEAVE the guitar shop.

The MA50 sounds like a good tube amp. You can get the tubes warmer than the 100 watt TSL at lower volumes. The cleans are fuller and warmer and the gain isn't quite as heavy but sounds better -- more complex midrange and more of a dynamic rock thing. If you need TSL's high gain levels you can get 'em with a good stomp box in front of the MA50.

The MA50 is like a cheaper DSL50. Can't wait for them to show up used cuz they'll be selling for like $400. TSL is thin and buzzy with too much gain.

I would use the MA50. Not a TSL tho.
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

I'm just not a fan of the MA series. I have played them. It's relevant in terms of quality control. Tone is completely subjective though. So what I like and what you like is completely irrelevant. A TSL may work for someones style, while for others it won't. I think we can both agree that if the TSL had a better OT and PT, it would be a better amp.
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

I watched a very detailed demo of the JVM a couple of days ago where the guy went through all the channels and all of the modes of each channel. It seemed to me that every time he went to the higher gain modes of each channel the amp just sounded worse. If this is an improvement on the TSL I can't begin to imagine how crap they must sound.
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

I'm going to buy six TSL100 full stacks and use them for 5.1 surround sound in my living room.
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

Jessie Sammler said:
I've read about a lot of opinions and experiences with the Marshall JCM2000 TSL100 100-watt tube head. Some people think it's okay; some hate it. Has anyone found lasting love with it? If so, what other gear do you use with it -- cabs, guitars, pickups, pedals, etc? What kinds of tones do you go for? And, finally, have you had much experience with different tubes?

TSL100-f4bfad0148601e2d8bba15d02659.jpg
Click to expand...

i just bought one from a pawn shop last November... had it sent out and retubed as somebody stuck a mis-matched pair in one side...

anyways i have found it does heavy metal sounds good... it does not make my stock single coil strats and teles sound very good... it seems to like high powered humbuckers and Gibson style guitars....

it's a weird amp... i got mine for cheap... i'll hang onto it for now... it has some uses in my collection but the fact it does not work with all my guitars it may go oneday... a really good amp will make almost any guitar sound good to GREAT!
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

I've been gigging with one and a 4x12 1960A (I think) .... I like the amp a lot!! (using a PRS Swap-Ash Special or Les Paul).
I also have a Mesa Lonestar - another great amp!!
The TSL 100 is a good amp if tubed and biased correctly. I'm a classic rock player ... I like the clean (I can get it to sparkle). Channel 2 I use for a crunch (very Skynyrd sounding). The 3rd channel I use for leads ... I found that Channel 2 with an I-Been-Had (Ibanez) Tube Screamer really works well together for leads.
I do not get fizzy overdrive at all!! I can get that thick chunky overdrive tone (if I want it), and can almost get it percussive / bass sounding for more Metal tones.
I don't know what you guys find wrong with the TSL 100 amp or how you have them set up. But I think the TSL is one Marshall that I like (The JCM 800 & Early Plexi also). I Had the 900 for a while ... the diode overdrive did sound fizzy to me. I threw a Mercury Magnetics Transformer (etc. in my 900), Head room galore!! The clean sounded like a huge Fender Twin!! Still never could bond with it's overdrive .... give me tubes over diodes any day!!
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

I used to have a TSL and liked it, but when I bought my JVM, I ended up not using the TSL anymore. I ended up trading it in on my Triple Rec.
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

I have a TSL60. Thin? Absolutely not! Mine has excessive amounts of bass, to the point where it annoys me. The clean channel is amazing, takes pedals very well. The gain channels are more of a rhythm, kind of boring/bland. I use pedals for dirt. The speakers you use make a huge difference on this amp. 1 complaint I have is the effects loop, will not go 100% wet, hard to mix in things that way.
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

I owned a TSL122, which is the same amp in 2x12 combo form. I thought it was the best Marshall made since the JTMs of the '60's, and a lot better in a lot of ways. And unlike most Marshalls, it sounded good at any volume, not just cranked up. I sold it in a moment of dumbassery. I wasn't playing guitar much, and I was going back to school after the Navy. I regret that often. It's a great sounding amp IMO, and very versatile. A few bad points are that the foot switch crapped out, and I had to get it replaced under warranty. Also, the way it switches is a PITA. Some nonsense about not being able to switch between clean and crunch (or maybe lead and crunch) without stepping on two buttons. I don't remember exactly. I didn't use the red channel much. If they could have made an amp that was a two channel version that sounded exactly the same on the green and yellow channels, but didn't have the red channel, it would have been ideal for me. That said, I never really switch channels in the middle of a song anyhow, so that part wasn't a big deal to me.
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

I have very limited experience with most modern Marshall amps. I've played with a guy who uses a TSL100 half-stack and I've tried his. I can't say his tone is bad, but my Mesa Mark III with its Half-back cab has a better clean tone, very ballsy and punchy. The crunch settings doesn't have the fizz that the Marshall does. The Marshall does have more gain in the lead channel; the Mesa amp, though, SINGS. I've thought about getting a TSL122, and been offered a few at ridiculously cheap prices, but there's just something missing there. Not something I would ever choose over the Mesas.

I like the DSL50 better, and I like the 50 more than the 100. Used these a couple of times, and been able to dial in good tones. The Vintage Modern is another Marshall I really like. I could see myself getting either one of these amps, for gigs where the Marshall tone might be more suitable for the gig...but not as my main amp.

Bill
 
Re: TSL100: Who REALLY loves it?

ItsaBass said:
I owned a TSL122, which is the same amp in 2x12 combo form. I thought it was the best Marshall made since the JTMs of the '60's, and a lot better in a lot of ways. And unlike most Marshalls, it sounded good at any volume, not just cranked up. I sold it in a moment of dumbassery. I wasn't playing guitar much, and I was going back to school after the Navy. I regret that often. It's a great sounding amp IMO, and very versatile. A few bad points are that the foot switch crapped out, and I had to get it replaced under warranty. Also, the way it switches is a PITA. Some nonsense about not being able to switch between clean and crunch (or maybe lead and crunch) without stepping on two buttons. I don't remember exactly. I didn't use the red channel much. If they could have made an amp that was a two channel version that sounded exactly the same on the green and yellow channels, but didn't have the red channel, it would have been ideal for me. That said, I never really switch channels in the middle of a song anyhow, so that part wasn't a big deal to me.
Click to expand...

Indeed a very common problem with that series. Fortunately, mine came with the switch doctor footswitch, not the stock unit. Only problem with that one is, it takes a 9 volt battery for the lights on the switch. But now it can jump the amp straight to lead and whatever else.
 
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