Is having a JCM 800 100W and a JCM 2000 DSL 100W redundant?

[The~Kid]

Its just a more modern amp. I'd say it's cool to have both.

Me personally would not be able to live with an 800..... Its okay but IMO it's pretty overrated.... Unless youre really cranking the fuckers and goose them with something they don't sound all that good IME

 

[ChurchHill]

Definitely, between the Green and Lead 1, it's worth it to have both. Now if I could have only one... 800 all day, but it's good to have options

 

[Fiesta Red]

Gonna pass on the DSL. Probably hold out for an SLO.

Thank you all for your input

 

[DanTravis62]

Gonna pass on the DSL. Probably hold out for an SLO.

Thank you all for your input

That's gonna be a completely differently animal than the plex or 2203, 100%

Very good choice for you, if you aren't into the heavy heavy stuff

 

[skoora]

That's gonna be a completely differently animal than the plex or 2203, 100%

Very good choice for you, if you aren't into the heavy heavy stuff

Agree, the SLO is Marshall like enough to not be too alien and have your ears reject it in a month or two, but it still has a sound that is it’s own thing.

 

[skoora]

Can’t help but wonder though how the SLO pedal would sound into the clean channel of the DSL or its loop return.

 

[LPMojoGL]

DSL hi gain channel is worth having, if you don't pay too much and it's in working order.
Wish I had kept the 2000 DSL50 I had. It beat out Soldano HR50+ and Splawn Street Rod in sound.
Green channel sucks, imo. Much prefer a JMP/JCM 800.
I'd have a DSL again, and tried a few times, but they all had issues.

SLO is another level. Just swapped in some Chinese 12ax7s on mine, and it's stupid how good it is. Hasn't been getting much play time with the Ground Zero SS100 and Wiz around. But when I do plug in, it's golden.
Despite popular opinion, the SLO does heavy stuff just fine.

 

[ners]

A DSL really sounds very different than either of those amps. Not redundant to me at all. The DSL will do a really convincing early (Kill 'em All or Lightning) Metallica tone.

Weren't those albums just JCM800s with a boost (rat/tubescreamer)?

 

[BABMusic]

Weren't those albums just JCM800s with a boost (rat/tubescreamer)?

Pretty much. I think James was using a DS1 with his Marshall, but not sure if the Marshall was the Jose modded one. Kirk? Not sure what boost he was using back then, but probably a tubescreamer.

I was speaking more about the 1st Ultra gain channel, which I used the SD1 to boost. Something about that channel and the SD1 can easily create that Four Horseman tone when you palm mute the low E strings. Other amps can get in the ballpark, but the DSL + SD1 nailed it.

 

[Briman24]

I have a 2007 jcm2000 dsl100 and a jcm800 2203 and absolutely love both of them. They are very similar but the gain structure sounds and feels more modern on the dsl. I use the green clean chanel boosted with sd-1.

 

[napalmdeath]

The DSL Green channel is very close to the 800. The Red channel isn't that great. It's high gain but missing something.

I think the 100w have known issues with the bias. I don't recall exactly what but you will want to make sure it falls within the dates after they fixed it

The green is indeed close to an 800, but I think a bit fatter. I hit it with a boost and an EQ up front, gets close enough for government work.

 

[The~Kid]

Gonna pass on the DSL. Probably hold out for an SLO.

Thank you all for your input

This or check out a Bad Cat Lynx 50 BCP 2206......



Its just a better JCM800 with modern vibes and with a shit ton more gain and also has a lot of 5150 OG vibe too.....


El34s kick ass too..... But yeah SLOs are great too I hear

 

[VHTStark]

Its just a more modern amp. I'd say it's cool to have both.

Me personally would not be able to live with an 800..... Its okay but IMO it's pretty overrated.... Unless youre really cranking the fuckers and goose then with something they don't sound all that good IME

There is definitely truth to this, IMO.

I own an old 2204. It is dinosaur: and old stage amp MEANT to be loud. At low or typical playing volumes it really isn't very impressive.

With a boost in front and some volume, it does its thing, for sure. The mids fill out, the playing feel gets awesome and it is a punchy, aggressive beast....and really sounds great in a band mix!

Probably gonna move it along though; my Wizard w800 or Rock Standard can do everything my jcm 800 can, plus some.

 

[The~Kid]

There is definitely truth to this, IMO.

I own an old 2204. It is dinosaur: and old stage amp MEANT to be loud. At low or typical playing volumes it really isn't very impressive.

With a boost in front and some volume, it does its thing, for sure. The mids fill out, the playing feel gets awesome and it is a punchy, aggressive beast....and really sounds great in a band mix!

Probably gonna move it along though; my Wizard w800 or Rock Standard can do everything my jcm 800 can, plus some.

And let's be real here......

I mean I spent a good time with this amp and even then at reasonable volumes cranked...... It sounds average or decent IMO.


You really have to crank the fuck out of it goosed or not to make it sound above average and get an amazing sound yes.........But today other amps just carry more value, can do way more and just are better quality and better built than whatever was made in the 80s pretty much 40+ years ago on every level.....


iMO check out a SLO as you're going to or yeah Bad Cat isn't bad either IME and IMO.

 

[Jdub]

Its just a more modern amp. I'd say it's cool to have both.

Me personally would not be able to live with an 800..... Its okay but IMO it's pretty overrated.... Unless youre really cranking the fuckers and goose them with something they don't sound all that good IME

Are you playing in a band or by yourself? 800's shine in a band context, but can be a little dry and rude sounding on their own. But that is why they are so good in a band context. They cut and fit in the mix perfectly. Not so great for the bedroom only guys..

 

[Jdub]

Can’t help but wonder though how the SLO pedal would sound into the clean channel of the DSL or its loop return.

Damn good. That is great pedal. I have the 2 channel version and is very very good in front of a plexi, low input on a 2204 and green channel of DSL 50. I have all three. It is also unbelievably good into the clean channel of Bogner Ecstasy 50.

 

[The~Kid]

Are you playing in a band or by yourself? 800's shine in a band context, but can be a little dry and rude sounding on their own. But that is why they are so good in a band context. They cut and fit in the mix perfectly. Not so great for the bedroom only guys..

Just played it on its own and not saying it can't sound good.....


But IMO as said a lot of other amps offer better value in 2026 IMO for reasons mentioned

 

[Maarcn3]

DSL is nice for more tones in one amp, but you already cover most of that with your current heads.