What's the lowdown on Marshall DSL 50?

[rlord1974]

I've had tons of Marshalls, from 800's and 900's to all of the tube preamps and poweramps. I've never had a DSL 50 though, and don't really have the opportunity to take one for a test drive. So, what's the consensus on these amps? Lots of guys use them - Jeff Beck included.

Discuss.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Good bang for the buck that's for sure. With a boost pedal i think i like them better than the JVM's.

 

[ACShreds]

Tried one out in the studio when my band was last recording. Had a decent tone to but it just wasn't all there for me. Was like the amp didnt have any balls to it. If i had to play one for a backline show or something i wouldnt mind but definitely wouldnt use it as a main. But it is true they are popular for a lot of people out there, so definitely not a bad amp just not my thing.

 

[tweed]

It's been my main gigging amp for almost two years now. Did the Fortin mods to it and its pretty bad ass. A good boost in front of the crunch channel is

 

[racerevlon]

Good foundation--you'll need a boost and/or EQ for metal.

 

[jasonP]

Good amp for the money. With a boost or the Fortin mod you can get it to sound awesome.

 

[rlord1974]

I'm not really a metal guy anymore anyways. I'm looking for a good rock/hard rock tone, but also able to clean it up for blues.

 

[ConcreteVampire]

I'm not really a metal guy anymore anyways. I'm looking for a good rock/hard rock tone, but also able to clean it up for blues.

Vintage Modern for what you seek.
I had a DSL 100 wt for 8 yrs or so, the VM has a more complex, nuanced tone. more plexi, less steely. Much better touch and volume control.
Beck plays VM's too!

 

[iplayloudly]

I play a broad range of stuff, and I love my DSL 100. I run it at 50 watts with 2 tubes pulled. For heavier stuff I run a blues driver as a clean boost, and that tightens it up a lot. Overall I think they are great amps.

 

[tweed]

Got a couple of PM's asking about the Fortin Mods, so I'm posting a link to a past thread here that has the mod info and a youtube vid.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=40652&hilit=fortin+dsl

 

[9ball]

Got a couple of PM's asking about the Fortin Mods, so I'm posting a link to a past thread here that has the mod info and a youtube vid.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=40652&hilit=fortin+dsl

i notice in that thread the guy says he "sets the teble and presence BOTH up to around 6 or 7", and then says the "FJA stuff sounds a little too sizzly" or "fizzy" or something for him.... well yeah with both the treble and presence up like that my amp would sizzle like a bacon frier lol.
i keep the presence on my FJA TSL60 down to around 1 or 2 and the treble around 5 give or take a little depending on what guitar im playing. i would imagine it would be the same with any JCM2000 - i've played next to a DSL before and it sounded really similar to what mine sounded like when it was stock.

 

[jerrydyer]

if your a classic rock/ blues guy youre going to feel its lacking something. Most guys who own them have to use something with it to get them where they want to be . Its got no soul.

 

[rlord1974]

Its got no soul.

Damn Jerry! That's what my ex used to say about me to her friends!

Thanks for the input.

 

[blackba]

So between the JVM410, DSL50/100, and vintage modern, what of those amps would work the best at low volumes?

 

[jerrydyer]

Its got no soul.

Damn Jerry! That's what my ex used to say about me to her friends!

Thanks for the input.

is that you in the avatar?
gotta have soul to play that beaut !!

 

[uglyfuzzface]

I have the dsl 100 got it for a good price second hand , didn't think much of it at low volume ,but in the band I think it's great , it does need a boost pedal for solo's and it does lack something but can't put my finger on it yet , despite all these things I have been gigging it and really enjoying it . I have a bogner 101b and a 5150 and been happy to leave them at home , seems to be a whole bunch of artists using them , Gary Moore , jeff beck , satch from steel panther and many more , so must have something going for it , someone said it has no soul and I kinda know what he means , but it seems to fit in a band mix very well and does the job . Not perfect but hey I have had a whole load of amps costing much more and wouldn't gig with them or sent them back to the shop . Marshall dsl is great , would love to know if the mods could make it that bit more special .

 

[jerrydyer]

Ive beefed up a few. Mike is here somewhere. I made the clean more un clean (plexi ish) I jacked the lead channel totally hot rodded it. You cant dime the gain. But find the right level and it kills.