DSL20CR: Finally Have a Tube Amp

[Derrick111]

The people that say Boss Katanas sound like/as good as tube amps are huffing glue.

Or it's just people feeling inferior about playing through computers. Both amp types have their merits, but a lot of modeling amp players seem to go out of their way to shit on tube amps. Reliability? Frequent servicing? One trick pony? C'mon... as if... I serviced my 70s Superlead in 1991 and after touring nationally and internationally for nearly 30 years, I have never once had a failure and only ever replaced the preamp tubes (they were Chinese garbage). Had they been Mullards from the start, they would still be there. Nothing else has ever been done to it since 1991! Now that's reliability. Curious how their modeling amps will be doing in 31 years? Or if they will still be able to get parts for them? While my so called one trick pony has played countless shows all over the place, most modeling amps will never leave the bedroom.

 

[ITburst]

Or it's just people feeling inferior about playing through computers. Both amp types have their merits, but a lot of modeling amp players seem to go out of their way to shit on tube amps. Reliability? Frequent servicing? One trick pony? C'mon... as if... I serviced my 70s Superlead in 1991 and after touring nationally and internationally for nearly 30 years, I have never once had a failure and only ever replaced the preamp tubes (they were Chinese garbage). Had they been Mullards from the start, they would still be there. Nothing else has ever been done to it since 1991! Now that's reliability. Curious how their modeling amps will be doing in 31 years? Or if they will still be able to get parts for them? While my so called one trick pony has played countless shows all over the place, most modeling amps will never leave the bedroom.

Well said!

 

[paradox419]

Word around here says our member, @JohnH, has the best sounding, transparent, attenuator around. Many knowledgeable members here speak very highly of it.

Yep. I built one of the JohnH attenuators for use with a few amps, including a DSL20HR. I absolutely love it. You will, too.

 

[scozz]

I barely have the skills to play my Les Paul’s, you want I should solder??

Haha, ok well than I’ll just tell you about the attenuator I bought to use with my SC20. A Weber Minimass 50.

You know the Weber Speaker Co? Same people. The Minimass 50 is for 35 watt and less amps, they have others for higher wattage amps.

Their attenuators are made by hand, one by one as the orders come in, by the company itself, in the US.

If all you want is attenuation a Weber Minimass is a great choice for under$200.

 

[ITburst]

Weber Minimass? I will look into that, thanks.

 

[Old Guitar Player]

Word around here says our member, @JohnH, has the best sounding, transparent, attenuator around. Many knowledgeable members here speak very highly of it.

You can make it yourself if you can solder a little and know some wiring info, if I had those skills I’d own one of his.

I would look into that before anything else, I think @Gene Ballzz will attest to that.

Of course, If you can build your own, that would be ideal!
The thing I discovered is, they can suck highs depending on how much you bring down your signal. Just Remember: The more affordable ones don't generally have IR capabilities or cabinet modeling technology (aka great sounding headphone mixes). But, if all you want to do is bring down the volume in your home, the affordable ones seem to work just fine. Sure, a Torpedo Capture X would be ideal, but it's hard to dedicate $600 specifically for a nice (emulated) headphone mix. For my situation, I picked up a passive Weber miniMASS 50 for $150 and it's been great.

 

[Old Guitar Player]

Well said!

I have 2x GT40s a PG SPARK (for practicing at my office, and at my home office), a GTX100 for smaller gigs, a PODGO with an FRFR Powered Speaker for larger gigs, and the DSL20CR for ultimate reference, personal satisfaction (and selected gigs). They can all get a respectable Fender or Marshall "tone" out front. But modeling will NEVER "FEEL" like a Tube Amplifier pushing a Creamback in an open back cabinet on a stage. It just doesn't.

 

[december]

Haha, ok well than I’ll just tell you about the attenuator I bought to use with my SC20. A Weber Minimass 50.

You know the Weber Speaker Co? Same people. The Minimass 50 is for 35 watt and less amps, they have others for higher wattage amps.

Their attenuators are made by hand, one by one as the orders come in, by the company itself, in the US.

If all you want is attenuation a Weber Minimass is a great choice for under$200.

I just ordered this attenuator for $44 + $7 shipping. It's got a lot of good feedback. We'll see...

 

[fitz]

I just ordered this attenuator for $44 + $7 shipping. It's got a lot of good feedback. We'll see...
View attachment 121415

I had a Carl's, but I never used it on my DSL20.
I think the channel volumes work just fine, and I also like to get speakers moving some air.
Even with my BadCat re-amper, I've been able to get just as good results (imo) at low volume with a few pedals than a cranked & attenuated amp.

The Carl's will take away top end frequencies the more you attenuate.
Might work well with a DSL with stock tubes and speaker - depends on the tone you're going for.
I look forward to hearing what you think, and I hope it works for you.

Tubes and speakers can also make a big difference with the tone of the DSL20.
And as always, I feel I should say, try an EQ in the loop - it may surprise you how much more this amp can do with some post tone stack tone shaping.

 

[AustinPaul]

I see some guys who won’t buy an amp because it doesn’t have reverb. I don’t understand that because reverb pedals sound much better than any amp reverb I’ve heard.

Hmmmm...not only do you have the famous Fender reverb (esp. the external units), but there are many production amps that don't cost an arm and a leg, that have fantastic reverb. Yup, excellent pedals out there, but onboard is always preferable in a pinch.

Ironically, my plexi half-stack is the only amp on which I don't miss it having reverb. I tend to play it pretty loud and its resonance isn't something I want to mess with. But, it's not exactly a grab and go rig either.

 

[scozz]

.

 

[scozz]

Ironically, my plexi half-stack is the only amp on which I don't miss it having reverb. I tend to play it pretty loud and its resonance isn't something I want to mess with. But, it's not exactly a grab and go rig either.

My point is I don't mind if an amp doesn’t have reverb, its not important to me, I don’t use it. Some guys will not buy an amp if it doesn’t have reverb, I'm not one of them.

 

[scozz]

I just ordered this attenuator for $44 + $7 shipping. It's got a lot of good feedback. We'll see...
View attachment 121415

Be sure to use speaker cables with the power soak, not instrument cables. Did you have to specify to them what ohm value you need?

 

[DaDoc]

Congrats!

I don't care what anyone says, ya just can't beat a good tube amp.

 

[ITburst]

So I don't want to derail this thread further, is there a good thread detailing the pros and cons of attenuators? I have read that damage can be done to amps from attenuator use. Any links would be brilliant!

 

[Rokinroller]

I’ve been thinking about getting an attenuator myself but I really don’t know much about them, which works best, which is better for the amp, etc.
Advice from the gang here is always welcome but I know I would be up against the “ask and you’ll get a thousand different opinions” kind of situation. I know everyone has their own opinion on which is best so I’m not sure I want to look into that rabbit hole just yet. But it is on my mind lately

Get it out of your mind ! Its a bad dream . I'm of the camp of no desire to CHOKE an amp . Its like putting a cork up yur arse . Forcing only a bit to come out while you are popping veins in your forehead . Thats what they do to amps . Yuk . An ISO box is a much better , amp healthy thing . I just use a great modeler with great IR's for low volume anything . Why burn expensive tubes and transformers when there are much better options .... and MASTER VOLUMES on most amps these days . Nightmare for amps .

 

[december]

I had a Carl's, but I never used it on my DSL20.
I think the channel volumes work just fine, and I also like to get speakers moving some air.
Even with my BadCat re-amper, I've been able to get just as good results (imo) at low volume with a few pedals than a cranked & attenuated amp.

The Carl's will take away top end frequencies the more you attenuate.
Might work well with a DSL with stock tubes and speaker - depends on the tone you're going for.
I look forward to hearing what you think, and I hope it works for you.

Tubes and speakers can also make a big difference with the tone of the DSL20.
And as always, I feel I should say, try an EQ in the loop - it may surprise you how much more this amp can do with some post tone stack tone shaping.

I have 5 band parametric EQ in the FX loop. I don't know how people can use amps without them. It's essential if you're recording.
Also a BBE Sonic Maximizer.

 

[december]

Be sure to use speaker cables with the power soak, not instrument cables. Did you have to specify to them what ohm value you need?

There are 4, 8, and 16 ohm versions. I got a 3' 14g speaker cable for it.

 

[scozz]

There are 4, 8, and 16 ohm versions. I got a 3' 14g speaker cable for it.

I use the same 3’ 14 gauge cables.

Although I read that 16 gauge speaker cable is fine and has no disadvantage as long as the run is relatively short.

If it’s a long run, like 20 feet or so, than 14 gauge is supposedly a better choice.

 

[AustinPaul]

Hmmmm...not only do you have the famous Fender reverb (esp. the external units), but there are many production amps that don't cost an arm and a leg, that have fantastic reverb. Yup, excellent pedals out there, but onboard is always preferable in a pinch.

My point is I don't mind if an amp doesn’t have reverb, its not important to me, I don’t use it. Some guys will not buy an amp if it doesn’t have reverb, I'm not one of them.

Yep, I get that. At the same time, plenty of players will choose their amp FOR its reverb on top of its tone. Nothing wrong with preferring a genuine spring reverb vs digital pedal. Want to run reverb into the front of a cranked amp, no bueno. Want to avoid an effects loop? Plenty do.