Marshall DSL15C question

[Matthewthomas]

Hi all,

I’m new to the forum and my questions are hopefully not too annoying, repetitive or redundant…

I’ve been playing guitar a long time, but my tastes have been changing and so I’m getting into the deep waters of searching for classic Les Paul / Marshall tones. My ideal at the moment would be Paul Kossoff to give one frame of reference…

I won’t bother to ask the impossible question of “how do I get a cranked plexi sound at a reasonable house volume” (but if you have a good answer for this I’d love to hear it!) I do want an amp that is portable, not insanely expensive, has built in reverb (the only effect I use and I don’t bother with pedals at least not yet) and can get something like a classic rock crunch. I never play with a lot of overdrive or distortion.

I’ve looked through a ton of ideas (from dsl1cr right up to going insane with a jvm head, some type of cab and attenuator, etc) but I want to keep it simple and portable, so my question is:

Does anyone know of a better option than the DSL15C? will a cranked gain on the classic gain channel get me into the late 60s type of sound (bluesbreaker, cream, free, led z, etc etc)? do I need to go crazier and get a head like an origin 20 or even crazier like jcm jvm etc? I know it’s hard to answer. Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[FracStrat]

If you’re keen to look for used.. I’ve achieved this very well with a DSL401 ..
The later models ( say 2004 and newer ) are very stable .. YMMV
I’ve got a ton of Marshall Amps and a tendency to Tweak Um ( speakers, tubes, cap values, etc. )
Another readily available option is the new version of the DSL40CR .. it’s the only Combo that I’ve never felt the need to monkey with .. Bone Stock Rock Machine !!
Welcome to the MAF !!!

 

[Seventh Son]

The DSL15 has a high gain, fairly compressed sound on the Ultra gain channel, and the gain is not what you want on the Classic Gain channel. I recommend the DSL20 instead. It is a more classic Marshall. If you have the cash, the SC20 would be even better (more low mids for classic rock), but it doesn’t have a built-in reverb. As an even more expensive option, the 6101LM has all the sounds you want, minus a built-in reverb. It is a very classic, beefy sounding Marshall.

 

[FracStrat]

Oh Yes …… A 6101 would be a FireBreather … 80 lbs of Face Melt !!

 

[Dave_11]

Did you see this guy's video? It's cranked though, so you would need an attenuator to tame the volume.

'69 JMP vs DSL 15 green channel - which do you like better?

As promised, in the following video I compare two amps that I think can sound surprisingly close to each other despite being in a very different league, but you decide. - My 1969 JMP 50 is my treasure. I have it for 10 years now. It's a beautiful amp inside and outside, it motivates me to play...

www.marshallforum.com

This attenuator has gotten decent reviews and is priced low. If I wasn't going to build an attenuator soon, I would try one of these.

Harley Benton PA-250 Power Attenuator

Power Attenuator and Load Box for Guitar Tube Amps Allows playing a tube amp with high output level for optimal performance, but with reduced volume, Can be used as a dummy load, Useful tool for rehearsal, live performance and direct recording,...

www.thomannmusic.com

 

[Sg-ocaster]

OK Im back on the forum after a long time away only to go straight to a dsl15 thread.LOL
Anyhow if your keen on soldering and know how not to kill yourself on the filter caps. Convert the Ultra channel to OD1 it involves adding a resistor to a blank spot on the board, clipping one cap and series'ing a resistor with a cap. Then swap the bright cap from its current 470pf state to a 180pf, then swap the ultra channel(V1b) cathode resistor from 1.8K to 2.7K. Also check the first coupling cap if its a .01(early dsl15) swap to a .022 Then try some speakers.
You'll have a much more classic Marshall sound after that.
Look up the Johnny Eggz mods for more detail, there are youtube vids of him demoing his amp. Mine is my go-to small amp now.

 

[Matthewthomas]

The DSL15 has a high gain, fairly compressed sound on the Ultra gain channel, and the gain is not what you want on the Classic Gain channel. I recommend the DSL20 instead. It is a more classic Marshall. If you have the cash, the SC20 would be even better (more low mids for classic rock), but it doesn’t have a built-in reverb. As an even more expensive option, the 6101LM has all the sounds you want, minus a built-in reverb. It is a very classic, beefy sounding Marshall.

I'd be interested to know what makes you say the classic gain in the dsl15c wouldn't work for getting close to late 60's british rock sound - I was hoping with the green channel gain cranked it would get pretty close to that territory. Is it that it would not be breaking up yet? Or just a very different type of tone in terms of EQ, or it makes a more modern sound, etc. My plan was to use the classic gain on the dsl15c with bass low, middle and treble highish, gain cranked and volume to taste... The DSL20CR is another option I'm thinking of as you mention (actually not sure if you meant combo or head), but I'm not crazy about it coming with a Seventy 80, both because I already have a 40w Fender Deluxe Vintage Modified with a Seventy 80 in it, and I've also heard a lot of criticism about Marshalls with seventy 80s (perhaps unwarranted?). I could maybe go with a dsl20 head perhaps? but then I would need a cab, which might be fine and give more tonal options but would have a cost in terms of get-up-and-go convenience. I will never be gigging, but I do jam with friends at very (very) moderate volumes, so I'm hoping for low watt options with built in reverb and low weight if possible. Also I know people swap out speakers in dsl20 combos for something like a green or cream back, but would rather not get into modding, even simple stuff.Thanks!

 

[Seventh Son]

@Matthewthomas The DSL15’s Classic Gain channel does break up, but I was thinking you might need/want more than that, just to cover more ground. Keep also in mind that the DSL15 is a mid-boosted amp, so it can sound very honky and boxy, especially through a 1x12, unless you scoop the mids through the onboard EQ to counter that inherent character. The DSL20 has a more relaxed bass and is a bit scooped relative to a DSL15. On its own, the DSL20 is a very balanced, classic Marshall sounding amp. Both amps require running Treble fairly low and Presence high to get them to thicken up, but getting there while retaining brightness and presence can be a delicate balancing act.

The G12-60 in the DSL15C is a low-mid leaning speaker with a more dirty character. I much prefer it to the present and modern but somewhat sterile sounding Seventy 80.

 

[Matthewthomas]

@Matthewthomas The DSL15’s Classic Gain channel does break up, but I was thinking you might need/want more than that, just to cover more ground. Keep also in mind that the DSL15 is a mid-boosted amp, so it can sound very honky and boxy, especially through a 1x12, unless you scoop the mids through the onboard EQ to counter that inherent character. The DSL20 has a more relaxed bass and is a bit scooped relative to a DSL15. On its own, the DSL20 is a very balanced, classic Marshall sounding amp. Both amps require running Treble fairly low and Presence high to get them to thicken up, but getting there while retaining brightness and presence can be a delicate balancing act.

The G12-60 in the DSL15C is a low-mid leaning speaker with a more dirty character. I much prefer it to the present and modern but somewhat sterile sounding Seventy 80.

The more I read and think about it, the more I'm starting to lean toward getting a dsl20cr, the only drawback seeming to be the seventy 80. How much of a drawback do you think it is, and what speaker would you recommend if I replaced it for the most classic sound? The ones I've heard talked about the most are the greenback, creamback, v-type, and vintage 30. I literally don't know enough to even know if those are all different or whether some of those names refer to the same thing, or whether there are even several types of each of those. If you were buying a new dsl20cr tomorrow, would you need to switch the speaker and which would you choose if you literally cared only about blues and early classic rock (which as I understand actually doesnt have very high gain, overdrive or distortion). Appreciate your help!

 

[Seventh Son]

@Matthewthomas I think a Greenback might be a good option, but others are welcome to comment on that and correct me if I am wrong. The Creamback is too woody and midrange dominant, in my opinion. I would also look into the Heritage G12-65. A pricey speaker, no question, but very good sounding and universally liked by those who have tried it. It works really well with bright Marshalls and gives them a balanced sound. The G12T-75 is a more scooped and premium equivalent of the Seventy 80. I have tried it in my old DSL20CR as an upgrade and wasn’t too crazy about the result. It was OK, but not great. The Vintage 30 is the modern metal standard. If you want “that sound,” you need a Vintage 30, but I think there are much better pairings for the DSL20 if you want a more classic sound and don’t want to have to worry about the amp sounding fizzy. The V-Type is similar to the G12E-60 that comes with the DSL15C. That would be the kind of speaker if you wanted to upgrade the stock speaker in the DSL15C, but want to preserve the overall character.

 

[Seventh Son]

@Matthewthomas Keep also in mind that the DSL20 is fairly heavy. It is not a simple grab’n’go amp. It’s the kind of amp you put in one place and leave there most of the time. Just thought I’d mention that, just in case you think you’ll be able to just grab it with one hand and carry it around like it’s a tote.

 

[Matthewthomas]

@Matthewthomas Keep also in mind that the DSL20 is fairly heavy. It is not a simple grab’n’go amp. It’s the kind of amp you put in one place and leave there most of the time. Just thought I’d mention that, just in case you think you’ll be able to just grab it with one hand and carry it around like it’s a tote.

Good point, I should have been more clear, for grab and go I sort mean something less than 50lbs, a combo, and features that will allow me not to need a bunch of accessories like pedals, attenuator etc just to use how I want it, but definitely a good point. I think the dsl20cr is something like 35 pounds and reasonably compact, at least better than my fender deluxe which i think is heavier and also just wide enough to be annoying to carry through tight spots etc. Very much appreciate all your input!

 

[Rokinroller]

I'd vote DSL15H . Check the vid link in above post . Juicy 6V6 power . Small , light , portable . Use on any cab of choice . I'm on the hunt for next reasonably priced one that comes up local . Gotta have it .

 

[Mike_LA]

Humm DSL15 No FX Loop

 

[Matthewthomas]

I'd vote DSL15H . Check the vid link in above post . Juicy 6V6 power . Small , light , portable . Use on any cab of choice . I'm on the hunt for next reasonably priced one that comes up local . Gotta have it .

I agree, it sounds amazing in that video, but I don't know enough to know how much is down to the cabinet, and I'm pretty set on having a combo that I can just grab and use without extra stuff. One day I'll probably get a serious head and cabinet of some kind. For now, I feel like I probably couldn't go wrong with either a dsl15c or dsl20cr - the 20 i can just go pickup new and not worry about finding one or the condition etc. It would be nice to be able to A-B both at the same time, but I feel like I'll be safe if I just go dsl20cr.... I'll go by my local guitar shop soon and try that out

 

[crossroadsnyc]

How about an SL5?

 

[Matthewthomas]

How about an SL5?

Hadn't even heard of it! I watched a couple of demos - there are things I definitely like, but I don't think it's quite right for me for a couple of reason - the clean channel doesn't have a gain switch, and the overdrive channel seems over the top and too modern sounding for what I'm looking for, but I could be wrong. I'm really looking for cleanish crunch, not really Slash sounds unless I'm way off

 

[crossroadsnyc]

Hadn't even heard of it! I watched a couple of demos - there are things I definitely like, but I don't think it's quite right for me for a couple of reason - the clean channel doesn't have a gain switch, and the overdrive channel seems over the top and too modern sounding for what I'm looking for, but I could be wrong. I'm really looking for cleanish crunch, not really Slash sounds unless I'm way off

Yeah, I don't know that I'd call it modern sounding (DSL would technically be more modern sounding), but it's main wheelhouse is definitely voiced toward the 80's. Nevertheless, it's a surprisingly versatile amp in my experience. I got one last year in a trade, and I've been in love with it ever since ... best Marshall combo I've ever owned (even prefer it to my old VM2266C & 1974x). You are right about a gain knob for the clean channel ... it's a 2 channel amp, where you have a clean channel (based on clean green from the JVM2's), and a gain channel based on the AFD. 5W switchable down to 1W. No pedals needed ... just plug in and enjoy! Oh, and I wouldn't look at it as a Slash tone amp ... sure, you can coax out "Slash Tone" if that's your thing (not mine either), but it's definitely more versatile than that. Anyway, just a thought, as they are fantastic amps for enjoying at home. Still, might not be your thing which is totally cool. I've been meaning to speak out on the amp now that I've had it a while, and just picked your thread to start doing so haha.

 

[Matthewthomas]

Yeah, I don't know that I'd call it modern sounding (DSL would technically be more modern sounding), but it's main wheelhouse is definitely voiced toward the 80's. Nevertheless, it's a surprisingly versatile amp in my experience. I got one last year in a trade, and I've been in love with it ever since ... best Marshall combo I've ever owned (even prefer it to my old VM2266C & 1974x). You are right about a gain knob for the clean channel ... it's a 2 channel amp, where you have a clean channel (based on clean green from the JVM2's), and a gain channel based on the AFD. 5W switchable down to 1W. No pedals needed ... just plug in and enjoy! Oh, and I wouldn't look at it as a Slash tone amp ... sure, you can coax out "Slash Tone" if that's your thing (not mine either), but it's definitely more versatile than that. Anyway, just a thought, as they are fantastic amps for enjoying at home. Still, might not be your thing which is totally cool. I've been meaning to speak out on the amp now that I've had it a while, and just picked your thread to start doing so haha.

I appreciate the idea, I will put it in my list, definitely like the size, the 1w mode, the 12” speaker and the built in reverb (though I hear the vintage 30’is more a metal thing?) I misused the term “modern” which for me means newer than the 60s LOL. I really just want something that can do the super early rock/blues and classic rock stuff as stock as possible. If the SL5 fits that bill I should definitely check it out. The lack of gain knob on green channel is a big bummer, but I guess pedals could sort that out, like a boost or overdrive or both whatever; I’m even more of a pedal noob than amp noob so it’s out of my element at the moment

 

[Mike_LA]

If the SL5 fits that bill I should definitely check it out.

Check them out but they are hella expensive $2000+