Marshall Amp Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter white_noise
  • Start date Start date

Which Amp do you prefer?

  • Marshall DSL50

    Votes: 2 14.3%

  • Marshall TSL60

    Votes: 4 28.6%

  • Stay with the Boogie

    Votes: 6 42.9%

  • Other

    Votes: 2 14.3%
  • Total voters
    14
W

white_noise

New member
Question,

I am considering the purchase of a new Marshall amplifier and was interesting in soliciting some opinions. The two models that come into play are the DSL50 and the TSL60. I don't always trust the vibe I get from a demo ride at Guitar Center. It seems when I actually get things home they always sound different.

I like the separate EQ and drive settings on the TSL as well as the silent recording option but I am most concerned with tone and durability. I plan on driving it hard for most of it's life and I want it to hold up.

I play everything from clean stuff all the way to modern metal with most of my time spent playing rock. The guitars that I use are an USA Jackson soloist and Les Pauls. My current amp setup is a Mesa Rectifier.
Thanks
 
What is it that you expect a Marshall to do for you that the boogie can't? What are you looking for, tonewise?
 
I guess what I am looking for is more of an overdrive tone than distortion. I want a smooth sustaining tone without allot of fuzz but I still want the ability for distortion if needed. The problem is that I can only really afford one amp of that caliber. I have played with the 100 watt stuff and liked the tone but. I don't need that much volume. I would rather play the 50 hard. besides the tsl100 is getting away from me price wise.
 
A/B 'em

Bring the Rectifier to the shop and compare them side-by-side. The acoustics of the shop will affect their tone, but you still distinguish the subtle nuances between the amps for making a more informed decision.

The Marshalls and the Mesa are different amps tonally. I prefer each for different situations, but usually stick with Mesa for personal taste reasons. An A/B comparison is the best way to go.


Matt
 
BBB,

Thanks for the advice. I have done that allready. I agree with you also in regaurds to the differences in tonallity and the fact that each one has it's own place where it shines. That's kinda why I am asking other musicians what they think.

I am not sold on getting rid of the Boogie either. That is why I put that sugestion on the poll. I am staring to think that the best decision is to start saving for a Marshall and keep the Boogie.........
 
I agree with you that 50 watts is plenty. I thought I would never live to hear my self say that! Must be a side reaction to getting my hair cut-off! Oh well, I was one of the last holdouts, and one of the originators of the long hair days! I should be happy I still have hair to cut!! Any tube amp sounds best when pushed a bit. I don't know where you live, but around here, the few rock clubs left aren't big enuff to crank up the big guns! I'm probably gonna be in the market for a 50watt head, too. Let me know what you narrow it down to! Good Hunting!
 
Nothing compares to

a good Marshall

n-o-t-h-i-n-g

nothing.


Haven't tried a boogie yet, I have no need to, what with my certified '78 900 JCM master volume.
 
white_noise

I don't know those Marshall models, but if they have channel-switching I would advise against it. I think all those type of Marshall's really suck as far as tone.

I played a Boogie Mark IIC for 15 years and really liked it alot, but wanted a change. I ended up getting a Marshall Bluesbreaker combo, the 1962 reissue, with 45 loud watts and two Celestion greenbacks. I particularly like the nice tight low end that the amp has, much better than the Boogie which was kind of loose.

I use it with a Real Tube overdrive (made by Tubeworks), using just a bit of overdrive. When I want to clean up my tone, I just back off on my guitar volume. I think this is a much better concept than the channel switching, which is so much THIS then THAT, which is unnatural.

Just MHO.

swpee
 
Oh you people!

Do your homework! :)

Heres my take on things... If you have a dual rec, then consider switching it into low power mode and THEN cranking it up, maybe backing off the gain. It has a spongy switch and, umm.. let me go look... oh, vacuum tube switch. Most people use the silcone diode setting and totally discount the tube phase. Its called a rectifier BECAUSE of the tube rectifier section, try it out. The tube section will lower the wattage some, as will the spongy section(lowers internal wattages). Play around, also try using the orange channel instead of the red. I have one of the new 3 channel recs so i have a clean channel, a warm vintage channel, and then all out shred. I like it.
As for Marshalls... their QC is terrible. Set up 5 TSL's (the one I;d recommend from Marshall) side by side, and compare. Everyone will sound different and only one or 2 will sound really good. The rest will sound average. Also, the footswitches for the marshall are notorious for giving up during performances. Ouch.
Play with your Boogie. It has a million settings you can try, and one of them will make you happy. Try tube and high power... then try spongy with tube, try different configurations.
The boogie shines with a true vintage 30 cabinet too. Smoother.
Peace,
Paul
 
Thanks for stating your opinion. I have taken the tone road though Boogie land. I never said that I didn't like the tone of the boogie. There are just some sounds it wasn't designed to get and as it stands right now I will probably stay with it.

I was just trying to solicit opinions from people that have had more experience than I with some of the Marshall line. You never really form an accurate opinion until you have used a piece of equipment for a period of time.

I am aware of how to use a tone knob, and what the switches do to the tone. I have played with my Recto for five years almost every day and it is my second boogie, but thanks for the info.
 
123

Well, after 3 Marshalls, a custom designed Ampeg, a 5150 and numerous other junk... you see what I have :)
 
tubedude said:
As for Marshalls... their QC is terrible. Set up 5 TSL's (the one I;d recommend from Marshall) side by side, and compare. Everyone will sound different...
Click to expand...

Good point. Marshalls do have a tendency to vary in tonal characteristic within the same model line.

Also, W_N, I like your inclination to keep the Boogie and get the Marshall. For most it's not financially feasable, but if you can swing it, you'll have an excellent arsinal of sound to select from. Some days one will be more appropriate than the other. Some days one will sound better than the other. Some days both will sound excellent. Some days both will sound like shit... ;)

As td implies, when you decide to get the Marshall, compare a few of the same model and pick the best.


Matt
 
Re: white_noise

spweedah said:
I think this is a much better concept than the channel switching, which is so much THIS then THAT, which is unnatural
Click to expand...

Well put - for the most part it comes out sounding like a bad punch-in. Plus I love a sound that is clean when played softly but breaks up based on physical attack - better dynamics. Beck does it better than anyone I've heard.
 
From what i have read the dsl has a far better rep. than the tsl. it does seem as though the more diverse an amp is (more channels etc) the worse the rating/opinion (though it should be the other way round in logically).

I know Gary Moore use(s/d) a dsl 50 (came down from a dsl 100).
 
Have y'll gone bonkers . . .

Good . . .

Then I will feel more @ home posting in this thread.
 
Buck62 said:
I'd keep the Mesa and forget about getting the Marshall.
Click to expand...

Ditto. Marshalls are thin and inconsistent.

Mesa Boogies rule!
 
Re: white_noise

spweedah said:
I think all those type of Marshall's really suck as far as tone.
Click to expand...

What! Thats too general of a statement..It depends alot on what model and what cabinet your using, I can say mine does not suck. Its tone is very good for the genre of rock and metal. Mine's even been loaned to bands for studio work because of its tone. But then again, its not a stock Marshall.
Most Marshall amps are designed to run with all the knobs at 10, all day everyday. Another thing to consider is the type of guitar, single coil pick ups or humbuckers, strats or les pauls. The absolute best way is through head to head comparisons in the same room with 2 guitar types. Some people like green...some people like red... I like some of the mesa's and some of the older Randalls...You might even try out a Soldano or one of those boutique amps by Bogner too...Tone is the ear of the beholder!

Peace,
Dennis
 
Thin and inconsistent? My JCM 800 LEAD MKII kicks all forms of ass. I paid 600 bucks for it (with the 1960A cab!) and it is truely the best sounding amp I've ever heard. I would consider it my most prized piece of equipment I own (besides my guitar obviously). Overdrive is smooth, and clean is beautiful.
 
About the channel switching. I had a 900 for a good time, but I never saw it as a clean/distortion switch, it seemed more of a distortion/lead. Never did get much clean out of it. Then again at that point in my life I could not for the life of me understand the volume knob on my guitar (I had a solidstate Crate beforehand so, forgive me.....). Just thought I would mention that.
 
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