What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

DSL 50: multi channel, separate tone controls for both channels, slightly watered down tone but still a Marshall. Much more flexibility thatn the SL-X

2100 SL-X: overgained mushy mess that somehow manages to sound like a Marshall, one set of tone controls, 2 switchable volume setting (so loud mush and louder mush), for some reason people still appear to like them, But I´ve never knowingly heard anybody get a good tone out of one....

Given the choice and the funds to go either way, for me the DSL is the obvious choice.
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

The SLX doesnt sound bad at all. It's the dual reverbs you'll have to look out for they are the ones with diode clipping. Not to say that sounds horrible but it's not what most people are looking for. I think the Slash JCM 2555 has diode clipping but that amp seems to pull it off way better.
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

The Jubilees use LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) in conjunction with the V1 12AX7 tube. Most of the so called 'diode clipping' used non LED diodes. LED's seem to be more organic and tube like than regular diodes. The Dual Reverbs also use several (14) op-amps. The SLX is actually the MKIII 2100 (that everybody likes) but with the MKIII's diodes replaced by an extra 12AX7 tube. The JCM800 channel switching amps 2205/10 used diodes before that.

In a way diodes and 12AX7 tubes as a team, do the high gain pre-amp thing with less mush and less buzz than just more 12AX7 tubes ....pushed too hard.
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

The SL-X is ok, but does get mushy. Adding that extra preamp tube and voicing/tuning it the way they did could have been done better. A lower gain preamp tube in that slot (V2) would probably help.

For versatility, the DSL would serve better. For flat out in your face one trick, done well, that's the SL-X.

What I get a laugh at is people making a fuss over diodes in an amp's preamp to get more overdrive and then you look on their pedalboard and what's there? An overdrive pedal that uses diodes. :smack:
 
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Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

The SL-X is ok, but does get mushy. Adding that extra preamp tube and voicing/tuning it the way they did could have been done better. A lower gain preamp tube in that slot (V2) would probably help.

For versatility, the DSL would serve better. For flat out in your face one trick, done well, that's the SL-X.

What I get a laugh at is people making a fuss over diodes in an amp's preamp to get more overdrive and then you look on their pedalboard and what's there? An overdrive pedal that uses diodes. :smack:

good point
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

The SLX doesnt sound bad at all. It's the dual reverbs you'll have to look out for they are the ones with diode clipping. Not to say that sounds horrible but it's not what most people are looking for. I think the Slash JCM 2555 has diode clipping but that amp seems to pull it off way better.

I disagree, I love Marshalls but can´t stand the SL-X. Tonally I´ll take a 4100 High Gain Dual reverb head over an SL-X any day of any week and be much happier.

The SL-X is living, breathing proof that more tubes or all tube in no way means better tone than solid state. teh 2100 MK III and 4100 /4200 Dual Reverb heads are much tighter and clearer, and IMO they sound more like a Marshall then the SL-X which almost feels like Marshall was trying to get Boogie gain levels while trying to keep the rest of the design untouched. I know that "all" they did was replace the transistors with a tube, but TBH I much prefer the transistors in this case ;)
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

The SL-X is living, breathing proof that more tubes or all tube in no way means better tone than solid state. teh 2100 MK III and 4100 /4200 Dual Reverb heads are much tighter and clearer, and IMO they sound more like a Marshall then the SL-X which almost feels like Marshall was trying to get Boogie gain levels while trying to keep the rest of the design untouched.

to be honest this is how i felt when i sold on my DSL401.. went for a much lower gain amp and i'm getting some really nice metal tones now!
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

I have one, well is used to be an SL-x. It has been modded with a different transformer, a tube rectifier and a bogner mod in the preamp.

It totally rules.
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

it has a 2nd gain knob that goes from 11 to 20. I'm being super super cereal. Buy it for that alone.

I need to build an amp with 3 gain knobs. 0-10, 11-20, 21-lol wut
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

DSL 50: multi channel, separate tone controls for both channels, slightly watered down tone but still a Marshall. Much more flexibility thatn the SL-X

2100 SL-X: overgained mushy mess that somehow manages to sound like a Marshall, one set of tone controls, 2 switchable volume setting (so loud mush and louder mush), for some reason people still appear to like them, But I´ve never knowingly heard anybody get a good tone out of one....

Given the choice and the funds to go either way, for me the DSL is the obvious choice.

DSL shares tone controls between the channels. One of the constant frustrations with the amp.

Other than that,, the DSL slays.
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

I happen to like the SLX a LOT. The SLX can get mushy but if you drop in a set of 6L6's to tighten the bottom and scoop some of the mid then run the right pre amp tubes they KILL!! That whole JCM 900 Dual Master line ROCKED and are just much Much Much better sounding amps than the Dual Reverb and the later TSL's were!!
I'm playing my 1990 JCM 900 MK III 2501 50 Dual master out a lot and REALLY digging the tones. It's all about the combo of amp guitar cab speakers and tubes. Get it right with a SLX are they ROCK!!
I like the tones of old Dual Master MK III 900's better than anything Marshall has out right now BIG time!!
 
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Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

I was trying to decide between these two amps a week ago. There was one of each for sale near me.
I decided on the DSL50 because I needed a clean channel.
I got my DSL50 for $530 out the door from Guitar Center. It's in mint condition.
It has more than enough gain for me. I'm running the gain knob at about half way.
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

Good for you....Good price for a fine amp
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

The SL-X 2100 is on my list of amps I must own. I've been intrigued by it since I first read about it 15 years ago. Rather hard to come by around here.
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

SL-X is as mushy as your playing :)

Unless you max both gain knobs the same time. That's over the top, indeed. Well... Try to have an enjoyable ride of your fav car through the city with full throttle all the time. No fun.

As a start, turn all knobs at 12 o'clock. If you don't like what you hear, the amp is probably not for you.
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

It is the Ultimate Marshall I would like to own. As always, play the amp - don't just dime the thing. Use a little restraint.
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

The SL-X is ok, but does get mushy. Adding that extra preamp tube and voicing/tuning it the way they did could have been done better. A lower gain preamp tube in that slot (V2) would probably help.

For versatility, the DSL would serve better. For flat out in your face one trick, done well, that's the SL-X.

What I get a laugh at is people making a fuss over diodes in an amp's preamp to get more overdrive and then you look on their pedalboard and what's there? An overdrive pedal that uses diodes. :smack:

:laughing:
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

i like the slx too but it can turn to mush pretty quick. with more mild gain settings, which is still loads of gain, it can sound very nice. the dsl50 is more versitile for sure
 
Re: What can you tell me about the JCM 900 SLX 2100??

It depends on what type of music you do and what tone/sound you are after. I have a 50W 900 DR 2 12 combo and I like it quite a bit. The cleans on it are good, but not great, the OD for rock & blues is decent. If you are looking for an amp to have the best cleans, overdrive & metal tones.... look elsewhere!
 
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