Tone Comparison between TSL60 and TSL100 amps.

[Cossack]

I played a TSL60 head in a local store a while back and really enjoyed it. I convinced myself I wasn't in the market for a head at the time and it's now long gone. I particularly liked the "Crunch" Channel, which had a slightly darker "hollow" but not mid-scooped character (I'm not sure if I'm describing this well). Anyway, I'm casually shopping for a head or combo and if the right deal comes along I might jump on it.

I'm wondering if the TSL100 and TSL122 have basically the same tones on tap as the TSL60s. I've read that they are voiced a little differently. Has anyone owned both or had enough experience with both to talk about the tonal differences (if any)?

I understand the differences in specs and features and can look those up as needed. Mostly just interested in finding out if I can expect the same tone qualities out of the 100 line as the 60 line. My thought is that if the right deal at the right price comes along as a TSL 100, maybe I'll get it - if it makes the sounds that the 60 does.

I also think the 100 looks better than the 60 - the TSL60 panels look like a mess to me, although that's not a big deal, of course.

It's also my understanding that the TSLs can have the bias drift issue with the PCB while the TSL 60s don't. Please correct me if I'm wrong there.

 

[paul-e-mann]

I played a TSL60 head in a local store a while back and really enjoyed it. I convinced myself I wasn't in the market for a head at the time and it's now long gone. I particularly liked the "Crunch" Channel, which had a slightly darker "hollow" but not mid-scooped character (I'm not sure if I'm describing this well). Anyway, I'm casually shopping for a head or combo and if the right deal comes along I might jump on it.

I'm wondering if the TSL100 and TSL122 have basically the same tones on tap as the TSL60s. I've read that they are voiced a little differently. Has anyone owned both or had enough experience with both to talk about the tonal differences (if any)?

I understand the differences in specs and features and can look those up as needed. Mostly just interested in finding out if I can expect the same tone qualities out of the 100 line as the 60 line. My thought is that if the right deal at the right price comes along as a TSL 100, maybe I'll get it - if it makes the sounds that the 60 does.

I also think the 100 looks better than the 60 - the TSL60 panels look like a mess to me, although that's not a big deal, of course.

It's also my understanding that the TSLs can have the bias drift issue with the PCB while the TSL 60s don't. Please correct me if I'm wrong there.

I dont know anything about the TSL but I demo'd a 100 and it sounded really good, it had power scaling built into it to take it to 25 watts which was cool.

 

[purpleplexi]

I had a 60 and I too liked the crunch channel. Worked great for Zep tones. Haven't tried a 100....

 

[Jethro Rocker]

The 100 has the extra set of EQ controls, if that means anything. Never ABd them, my bandmate has a TSL602 amd I have a 122 but the speakers are so horrid with the 602 that you cannot compare.

 

[Cossack]

I've found a couple TSL122s that I could get to my door for under $650. I'm just concerned about being liable for return shipping if I get a dud with issues, because I know these are not going to be cheap to ship. How risky? Besides the bias drift issue, don't TSL100s have a reputation for being fragile? Plus as combos they might have issues related to overheating. I really want to try one out, and the prices seems good, but I don't want to end up with a giant unusable boat anchor.

 

[EADGBE]

I've played both. The 100 watt model is much louder. I prefer the 60 watt version because I value my hearing. But the 100 watt version sounded very professional. But didn't some versions of the TSL100 have a bias drift problem?

 

[Alowerdeep]

No difference really ,have owned and played them all.aside from added features,the jcm2000s all basically sound the same

 

[Cossack]

Well, I called Guitar Center in Omaha and had a guy go over the amp for me. So now I have a 2004 TSL122 in the mail, with footswitch, for $565 including shipping. It’s got a little cosmetic wear. I figure I should be able to move it locally at that price and get my money back if it’s not all that I hoped for. I’m just not seeing them too often at that price anymore.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Well, I called Guitar Center in Omaha and had a guy go over the amp for me. So now I have a 2004 TSL122 in the mail, with footswitch, for $565 including shipping. It’s got a little cosmetic wear. I figure I should be able to move it locally at that price and get my money back if it’s not all that I hoped for. I’m just not seeing them too often at that price anymore.

My 122 is about a 2001 and a killer amp. Fantastic. Enjoy that amp!