Marshall VM vs. DSL

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mrp5150

mrp5150

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I'm trying to decide between these two combos but I'm not sure which one I should go with. I hear a lot of mixed reviews about both amps so I'm kinda torn between the two. Can anyone compare these two amps for me? Which would be better suited for a modern Iron Maiden style tone like this...

https://youtube.com/watch?v=enTPV_wkKbA

I've heard that both amps can sound kind of weak, but I can't imagine either one not being able to do a good Maiden tone, at least with a boost? I can get a DSL combo for a good bit cheaper than the VM, but that's not really a huge deal. So which one would you guys suggest out of those two amps?
 
I used to have a 5150 combo, didn't like it nearly as much the head plus it weighs 90 lbs. :lol: :LOL:

I was considering maybe getting one and putting 2 Greenbacks in it, but I dunno.
 
HAHHAHA

wait for it.........



you need.........






A Revolution Combo !!!! :lol: :LOL:
 
SgtThump":3tt2538w said:
Megadeth7684":3tt2538w said:
I used to have a 5150 combo, didn't like it nearly as much the head plus it weighs 90 lbs. :lol: :LOL:

I was considering maybe getting one and putting 2 Greenbacks in it, but I dunno.
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I admitted above that I haven't heard the VM combo, but there is NO way you will like it. I have played on the head a few times and it's pretty cool, but I'm a Marshall guy and I don't even think I could get into it that much. It has it's own thing going on that I have yet to bond with. I think you'd hate it immediately.

So out of those two, I'd go with the DSL401... Heck, maybe even look for one of the TSL combos?
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Hmm, really? yngzaklynch's VM video clips sound amazing IMO. I was leaning towards the VM because it has a few more options like the mid boost and the body and details controls.
 
after trying both, the DSL gets better maiden tones
 
I was in a band where the other guitar player used a TSL 2x12 combo. It was the biggest piece of shit that i have come across from any major brand. Not only did it sound like complete dogshit, it had something breaking on it every week. We played out a lot and that amp just couldn't deal with the abuse of doing 4 shows a week. It wasn't a tube isssue either because he had the tubes swapped on it twice. Knobs broke off the thing, input jacks were always coming loose on him. I would always try and get a useable tone from the thing but never could. I would tweak it while we had it pumped through the PA, then walk around the club and it sounded like total ass.

Eventually he dumped it and borrowed stuff from me, or he used a crappy little Tech 21 1x12 combo which killed that fucking TSL. I know, i was suprised as well. From that experience i would never consider getting a Marshall combo, i think Mesa Boogie kills Marshall in combo designs.
 
tweed":3rbwkkeb said:
mkiv combo FTW!
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I have a MkIV combo right now, and I also have a Theile 1x12, and IMHO a mk series head and a theile are the best way to go. It's easier to carry a head in one hand and a 1x12 in the other, than to carry a 80lb combo and have to switch hands every 25-30 ft and the tone is a LOT better IMHO. Of course, neither are a semi-Cheap option.


I also agree with danyeo on the tech 21 combo, I've got two of them, and for home playing, and even light duty playing out they sound really good. There's nothing better out there for home playing and practicing IMHO because they sound great at whisper volumes and you can practice with music on your computer.
 
danyeo":3v4cfbbf said:
guitar_god123456":3v4cfbbf said:
tweed":3v4cfbbf said:
mkiv combo FTW!
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for modern iron maiden tone? :confused:
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Why not? Why do people question a Mark IV when the word Modern comes up?
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not modern tone, no doubts it can do that, just thinking a marshall would be better for maiden tones as opposed to a mesa.
 
Megadeth7684":3tqjn0p1 said:
I used to have a 5150 combo, didn't like it nearly as much the head plus it weighs 90 lbs. :lol: :LOL:

I was considering maybe getting one and putting 2 Greenbacks in it, but I dunno.
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I love greenbacks, but I think I've heard that they REALLY don't work in an open-back situation. Honestly, I really think you should keep the 5150 and get a 2x12 cab. If you need portable, then put castors on it. An open back situation is not going to be tight or have much low end. I've played a MKIV combo a few times, and the head version destroys it. We know they are the same circuitry. That means the only difference is the speaker presentation...

The other option would be a closed back combo. I don't know of many of those (then again, I haven't really looked around for one).
 
I'd also consider a Mesa Studio .22+ cal , Eq model a must, if you can find one. I they had a .50 Cal combo too, but it's even rarer to find.. My brother has had the 22+ with the Theile 1x12 since the 80's, and it is a great sounding little amp. Plenty loud enough for bedroom wanking. Takes OD pedals nicely.

Here's a vid of some guy playing a .50 cal+ , not the greatest but gives you an idea of the tone of both of these combos. They have a good amount of gain, even better when boosted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcmxEYHi ... re=related

I am more of a Marshall guy, but always liked Mesa a bit better for combo amps. Mk III / IV would be nice, but more $$. You'll get it back when you sell it a couple months anyways :lol: :LOL:

I haven't tried the VM combo, but have played the DSL 401 several times. It sounds OK, but as mentioned forget about any significant amount of bottom end. They were known to have reliability issues, think it was heat related, remember people having to install fans in them. Not sure if / when it was addressed. Something to watch out for.

If I were going the portable / combo route, I'd get a Mesa 1x12 combo to drag around, and either a Thiele 1x12 or some 2x12 cab to leave at home to plug into to get more fuller sound.
 
While I haven't played the VM combo, I can tell you that you will probably not like the DSL401. It is a very enemic sounding combo, and doesn't really share anything in common with the rest of the DSL line.
 
A Mark IV combo is too expensive and too hard to find. Even Mark III combos are going for upwards of $1000+ now, and are also hard to find. Is the DSL combo really that bad? I don't even like a lot of bottom end anyways. :confused:
 
Marshall combo's are risky IMO, I would get a head and 1x12 cab if you want portability :thumbsup:

bog-112.jpg
 
Just remembered that I might be able to get an Engl Screamer combo for a pretty good price. Might have to go with that instead. Hmm...
 
Megadeth7684":2vnld5tw said:
Just remembered that I might be able to get an Engl Screamer combo for a pretty good price. Might have to go with that instead. Hmm...
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That might be a better route. I saw a cover band once and they guy was playing one of those into a 2x12. Sounded pretty decent I remembered. Those go new for ~ 1,200, so if you can get a good deal it may be worth checking out.
 
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