New Cheap Marshall Day...

[angelspade]

A very nice guy on Facebook Marketplace offered me an essentially brand new Marshall DSL100HR for $400, and I couldn't say no. I owned one of the older JCM2000 models a ways back and really liked it. I can say that I actually prefer the newer (and yes made Vietnam) version. The resonance control is far more useful by comparison to the "deep" switch and the dual master volumes are very helpful as well. You can also scroll through the 2 channels and 4 modes as well as control the 2 masters and loop with the the Marshall (JVM) 6 button footswitch; so it functions like a 4 channel amp with shared EQ. Also it feels a bit tighter and more aggressive than the JCM2000 I had. The Ultra Gain red mode is actually very usable on the 100HD, where I found it pretty difficult to work with on the JCM2000. In terms of tones, it sounds and feels a little more "traditional" Marshall (some may say more "organic") by comparison to my JVM410H. It's a bit looser than the JVM, has less gain...But still plenty enough for traditional hard rock and metal. As you might expect , the classic gain (red mode) and ultra gain (green mode) take a boost exceedingly well. I should say that in my opinion this is not a "modern" metal amp, even boosted. I can completely understand why several high profile players still tour with the DSL, definitely an affordable workhorse moderate to high gain Marshall. Not sure if I will keep it long term yet, but I will say that the DSL100HR and The EVH5150 Iconic are probably the best used values on the market right now if your looking for a high powered hard rock / metal head.

 

[RaceU4her]

nice score

 

[DanTravis62]

What what a deal! awesome man

happy new amp day

 

[67mike]

Sweeeeeet

 

[BABMusic]

Very nice. That was my main amp for a long time (the older version). $400 is pretty much giving it away. I also noticed your gain knobs of the JVM are exactly where mine were (2-3). JVM has a ridiculous amount of gain.

 

[Rottweiler]

congrats on the new amp!

 

[Shask]

Nice! I keep thinking about grabbing a DSL100HR or JVM. I know you have said the JVM is better for heavy, but there is also something appealing about a simpler amp.

 

[fek]

I bought a 100HR new and kept it for a few years. I liked it a good bit. Only amp that didn't like the original KoKo as boost but that was only on the highest gain channel. JVM's have been on my radar recently though.

I would have picked up the 100HR for $400 in a second. Nice score!

 

[Rick Lee]

For that price, I'd have pounced, and I'm trying to thin the herd.

 

[angelspade]

I bought a 100HR new and kept it for a few years. I liked it a good bit. Only amp that didn't like the original KoKo as boost but that was only on the highest gain channel. JVM's have been on my radar recently though.

I would have picked up the 100HR for $400 in a second. Nice score!

If I could only have one...I'd certainly keep the JVM410H. For my needs...It's the ultimate Marshall.

 

[angelspade]

I bought a 100HR new and kept it for a few years. I liked it a good bit. Only amp that didn't like the original KoKo as boost but that was only on the highest gain channel. JVM's have been on my radar recently though.

I would have picked up the 100HR for $400 in a second. Nice score!

Thanks brother...Yes, only the classic red mode and ultra green mode responded very well to the ZW boost when I tried it.

 

[BABMusic]

SD1 + DSL = good tones

 

[Rick Lee]

For $400 I'd buy it, then upgrade to really good iron, like Merren, add a choke, NOS glass and probably only ever use the green channel with the volume dimed and the gain knob as a volume control. Heavenly tone for very reasonable money and no risk of modding a vintage amp.

 

[angelspade]

For $400 I'd buy it, then upgrade to really good iron, like Merren, add a choke, NOS glass and probably only ever use the green channel with the volume dimed and the gain knob as a volume control. Heavenly tone for very reasonable money and no risk of modding a vintage amp.

Unlike the JVM, this is a Marshall where there are very real tonal benefits to diming the channel volumes and using the master for overall loudness. Maxing out the channel volumes adds that good kind of brightness, attack and evokes some better upper-mid grind. The masters work very well on this amp and you can get somewhat "cranked" style tones at manageable living room volumes. In terms on the that green mode on the ultra gain channel...Yes, that's the one that most Marshall guys will gravitate to. It's got a classic "Mod-Marshall" vibe to it it for sure. It sounds a bit like a boosted JCM800 to my ears. You can get that Accept "Balls to the Wall" thing happening here with the gain at around 1 - 2 o'clock. When you boost the front end with the same settings, you have Slayer in a box, plain and simple. A lot of guys seem to hate the red mode on the ultra gain channel, but I am having some fun with it. It's very thick and a little grainy / hairy by comparison to most Marshalls...Almost like they were referencing a Mesa Recto of early Peavey 5150. I enjoy it for certain things.

 

[Rottweiler]

I wonder if the head will take the JVM footswitch like the DSl 40cr does. That would let you have basically a 4 channel setup. If you have that 6 button FW for the JVM, try it in the 100HR

 

[angelspade]

I wonder if the head will take the JVM footswitch like the DSl 40cr does. That would let you have basically a 4 channel setup. If you have that 6 button FW for the JVM, try it in the 100HR

It does...Only the newer DSL100HR models do this, but it does. You can scroll through all the 2 channels / 4 modes and also control the second master volume (like a solo boost) and also activate the effects loop.

 

[SaberRed]

Nice! Seems like a fantastic buy.

 

[angelspade]

Nice! Seems like a fantastic buy.

Thanks...The price at $400 was silly, but he had it listed at $700 for months apparently...But as we have discussed, used gear (especially tube amps) are just not moving. The guy told me I wanted to "list it at a price that would make certain it was gone by the end of the week". mission accomplished.

 

[Music&Chaos]

A very nice guy on Facebook Marketplace offered me an essentially brand new Marshall DSL100HR for $400, and I couldn't say no. I owned one of the older JCM2000 models a ways back and really liked it. I can say that I actually prefer the newer (and yes made Vietnam) version. The resonance control is far more useful by comparison to the "deep" switch and the dual master volumes are very helpful as well. You can also scroll through the 2 channels and 4 modes as well as control the 2 masters and loop with the the Marshall (JVM) 6 button footswitch; so it functions like a 4 channel amp with shared EQ. Also it feels a bit tighter and more aggressive than the JCM2000 I had. The Ultra Gain red mode is actually very usable on the 100HD, where I found it pretty difficult to work with on the JCM2000. In terms of tones, it sounds and feels a little more "traditional" Marshall (some may say more "organic") by comparison to my JVM410H. It's a bit looser than the JVM, has less gain...But still plenty enough for traditional hard rock and metal. As you might expect , the classic gain (red mode) and ultra gain (green mode) take a boost exceedingly well. I should say that in my opinion this is not a "modern" metal amp, even boosted. I can completely understand why several high profile players still tour with the DSL, definitely an affordable workhorse moderate to high gain Marshall. Not sure if I will keep it long term yet, but I will say that the DSL100HR and The EVH5150 Iconic are probably the best used values on the market right now if your looking for a high powered hard rock / metal head.

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If you want that DSL to really shine - throw a Mullard in the last input slot at least if you can. Nice score! Sits perfectly on top of the JVM. I went from thinking my DSL needed a boost or shaping to plugging straight in after swapping some input tubes with NOS.

 

[angelspade]

If you want that DSL to really shine - throw a Mullard in the last input slot at least if you can. Nice score! Sits perfectly on top of the JVM. I went from thinking my DSL needed a boost or shaping to plugging straight in after swapping some input tubes with NOS.

Perhaps you can elaborate a bit on the effect the NOS preamp tubes had on the tone and response of the amp?