ibblebibble7 Posted Monday at 21:42 Share Posted Monday at 21:42 hi guys, I have a few questions about the dsl series from Marshall. I'm looking to get one and my budget s around the £450 mark. my questions are A does the dsl 20 give good tones at low volumes and B can I get it to do 60-70s rock with/without an overdrive? thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted Tuesday at 08:35 Share Posted Tuesday at 08:35 One of our members has just been down this route, they might be able to help. Paging @Adders60. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted Tuesday at 09:32 Share Posted Tuesday at 09:32 Good evening... I'd wonder why you specifically want a valve amp in this range. This amp has two EL84 valves, which do not have the same tones as the classic Marshalls. Not that that's a Bad Thing, but it means that you can't refer to the 'Marshall Sound' with it; it's more like a 'Vox AC30' style. If you have played one, and like it, that's fine, of course, but it wouldn't do for me. For half of that money, I'd recommend a BlackStar or a Boss Catana, both solid state, with 50 and 100 watt models with far more tone choices, all of them good, at all volume levels. I've a healthy respect for the 'Marshall Sound' in its historic context, and they do some good combos, but this model is not voiced like these. Your choice, naturally, but, unless you've chosen it for its own sound, I'd suggest looking wider. Disclaimer : I'm old, and a drummer, to boot, soooooo... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knirirr Posted Tuesday at 12:55 Share Posted Tuesday at 12:55 15 hours ago, ibblebibble7 said: hi guys, I have a few questions about the dsl series from Marshall. I'm looking to get one and my budget s around the £450 mark. my questions are A does the dsl 20 give good tones at low volumes and B can I get it to do 60-70s rock with/without an overdrive? thanks in advance Is there somewhere nearby you could try one? I had a go at a branch of PMT and didn't buy one in the end; a nice clean tone but not enough clean volume. I didn't investigate the distorted tones. If ordering online from them it can be returned to the nearest branch if not suitable. In the end I got a Vox MVX150C1, but they are now discontinued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adders60 Posted Tuesday at 22:22 Share Posted Tuesday at 22:22 (edited) The DSL20 is EL34 paired and I would say it’s more 80’s to modern day rock I have the DSL20HR and it’s a great amp and can run at home at 10w It will sound much better cranked of course when it really shines The Origin 20 head is better for 60’s 70’s rock and with a drive pedal in front would cover most ground. I had the Origin 50 head in my old band and it was a lovely sound. For home I think the DSL20 is a good choice as it can still gig or jam or play at home Boss Katana is a good choice too but I still prefer valves I briefly tried the Laney Lionheart Foundry 60 but it was poorly built and sounded boxy and average The current production DSL20 is a great small amp. Can be bright sounding but back off the presence and treble and it sounds great. I use a Standard Strat with single coils and play clean and rock Edited Tuesday at 22:29 by Adders60 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randythoades Posted Wednesday at 07:49 Share Posted Wednesday at 07:49 22 hours ago, Dad3353 said: Good evening... I'd wonder why you specifically want a valve amp in this range. This amp has two EL84 valves, which do not have the same tones as the classic Marshalls. Not that that's a Bad Thing, but it means that you can't refer to the 'Marshall Sound' with it; it's more like a 'Vox AC30' style. If you have played one, and like it, that's fine, of course, but it wouldn't do for me. For half of that money, I'd recommend a BlackStar or a Boss Catana, both solid state, with 50 and 100 watt models with far more tone choices, all of them good, at all volume levels. I've a healthy respect for the 'Marshall Sound' in its historic context, and they do some good combos, but this model is not voiced like these. Your choice, naturally, but, unless you've chosen it for its own sound, I'd suggest looking wider. Disclaimer : I'm old, and a drummer, to boot, soooooo... I'm with @Dad3353. Even running at 10w, a valve amp is far too loud for home use (I would say that even a 1w valve amp is pushing it volume wise for me). A modelling amp provides much better flexibility and give you all the other options as well. The tones are excellent. Just a slight point though, to me they always sound like a 'recorded guitar tone' and you don't get that visceral, trouser flapping monster tone in your face. But for home and rehearsal levels they are a great option without a lot of the cost and the weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adders60 Posted Wednesday at 09:45 Share Posted Wednesday at 09:45 The DSL20 still sounds good at low volume ( better than many solid state in my opinion ) The channel volume allows low volume play at home unlike some valve amps that don’t have a master volume and you really need to crank them for a decent tone. If you only plan to play at home then a 0.5 or 1w amp is plenty but if you want one amp that allows home and small gigs in a band then a 10w /20w valve amp does the job well 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
