I picked up a DSL40CR about a year ago and absolutely love it, with the exception of the "emulated" line-out jack which IMHO sounds like crap. It’s got a 12" Celestion V-Type speaker instead of the Seventy 80, so no complaints there. I've got it mic'd with a Sennheiser e609 anyway, who wants to lose all that great tone? 😉 Bought it from Sweetwater for $799.99 at the time, good thing too. Just checked, and it’s shot up to $1,049.99. Crazy!
Yeah, dont use the emulated out. The amp automatically applies a tone scoop over the already overly digitized signal. A good mic in front is the best option to record this amp! (also any other amp lets be honest)
Hello Elmo! I've owned the amp for several years! The only bad thing about the amp is the speaker. Installed a Celestion G12 NEO Creamback 16 Ohms right after purchase. This speaker is perfect for this amp. Sounds great from clean to high gain!
@@rickwoods5313 I,ve put a Vintage 30 16 ohms on mine and I've been happy ever since. Some would say that Vintage 30 is too bright for this already bright amp, but noting that adjusting the presence knob wouldn't fix
I consider getting two of these to run as poweramps only for Celestion FRLR F12-X200 speakers, I hope these have stable outputs. I have tested the concept on a ENGL screamer and it works, I run my Helix into the poweramp and get some tube life to my tone, while keeping all of the programmable goodness of the Helix.
The head stock on that guitar is freaking incredible. Never seen the Prancing Ferrari horse and Rising Force on a YJM before. Killer amp video too. Thank you.
Nice review. Just got the DSL20CR instead of the 5CR, knowing I'm mostly using it at home - for now. That said, I'm using a volume controller via the FX loop and it works pretty well. Reason being, the 10" Speaker of the 5CR felt more boxy the louder it gets and the 20CR has more going on at the lower end. I like the classic gain channel a lot. And I like the idea of being able to occasionally gig with it.
Hi, I also have the DSL20CR and use it at home as well. What kind og volume controller/attenuator do you use? The Ox always seemed to be the only option, but for me it is way too expensive and in my opnion also not that suitable for such an affordable amp.
@@julius2538 Hi, I got the Harley Benton PA-100 Power Attenuator from Thomann, here Germany. Works pretty well for me. Doesn’t look nice, but works for what it is 😊. You’re gonna need longer speaker cables and eventually a mono adapter (female jack on both sides), as the built-in speaker cable is pretty short.
@@r.heinrich3364 Danke! ;) Das heißt du nutzt den FX Ausgang statt des normalen Ausgangs? Hab da etwas Sorge dass der Amp dann abraucht 😬 Hab aber auch noch keinen Attenuator benutzt.
@@julius2538 Nicht ganz. Wenn du nur ein Volume-Pedal oder ähnliches benutzt, dann über den FX-Loop. Die Lautstärkeregelung erfolgt somit zwischen Vor-und Endstufe. Du kannst demnach nur die Vorstufe belasten. Die Endstufe erreicht keine Sättigung. Darauf bezog sich mein ursprünglicher Kommentar zu dem Video. Kurz darauf habe ich einen Attenuator gekauft. Ein Attenuator funktioniert anders. Dieser wird zwischen Amp und Lautsprecher geklemmt. Regelt also die Lausprecherlast.
@@r.heinrich3364 Ja ok, dann hab ich's verstanden. Das dachte ich mir schon so, weil ein Attenuator zwischen Vor- und Endstufe wenig Sinn ergeben hätte. Danke nochmal ✌🏼
I am biased to the sound of Marshalls after spending all my youth since the 60s/70s + listening to bands play on them including the best around. When you first started playing I was disappointed - it sounded very weedy and Marshalls are not meant to be wimps (my long ago sold Plexi used to sound weeedy at bedroom volumes). As the volume went up so did my ears ! Pretty damn good - I might be able to sneak one of these past the wife and into the house :-) . You can't take the Marshall out of the boy lol.
Agree the 70/80 speaker is horrible replaced mine with Marshall Vintage 30 (made in UK) bought from well known auction site in mint condition for £65 and it transformed the amp. Mine is actually the DSL40C but I’m sure would have same effect in 20 watt variant. Was going to dispose of the amp as unhappy with how it sounded thankfully gave it another chance by changing the speaker. I run the Line 6 HX Effects through it for some awesome cleans and punching Marshall overdriven goodness. Thanks Elmo your video underlined what I had found already but reinforced my decisions. Cheers
Don't some speakers need to be "broken in?" Some people have told me that the cone has to be worked a bit for the final sound to settle in. It never actually made much sense to me as paper doesn't stretch much. At any rate, the Marshall name should make it easy to resell if it doesn't work. Thanks for the video.
There's nothing wrong with seventy 80 speakers, apart from being the least expensive celestion speakers. Too many people think that if they don't say it's crap, they're going to be mocked. If Celestion doubled their price, all the gear snobs would be praising it. Smh.
Everybody hates the Celeston 70/80 speaker. It is a demand, a right of passage, and a tribute to mom and the Geetahr Godz to decry the 70/80! Replace it with a Cream, a Green or a V, but Replace IT!!! I have read where it will sound quite nice after breaking it in with a month's or more of loud band practice. But, it's your sound, your vision to shape. I love the DSL 20CR. My only gripe was Marshall jumped on the Gouging Wagon last January, an' upped the price 38% here in the states. The price in Europe remained essentially the same @ ah-boot 500£. The jump here was almost equal to a one way plane ticket from London to NYC. And most of the used market marked theirs up to conform w/ the Covid Cost (cough, cough). T'is a great amp that is for the under $1500 amps section, equal to the Jubelee. The DSL Cabinet went from $650 to $900. The Jubelee Cabinet is now $1950. Am talkin' about the bang for the buck aspect. Either way, Marshall is a must.
Indeed ! Seems The most people just dont have the PATIENCE to "break in " a new Speaker !
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Hello, how are you? First, your videos are amazing. Can you ask me a question? I have a doubt about the DSL5CR and DSL20CR. I play in my home studio 85% of time (more or less) and a little with my friends on a gig. My questions are; 1. Is the DSL20CR to much for a home studio, or its possible to play with low volume and good quality? 2. Is the DSL5CR is enough to play with a band on a GIG? Thank you so much. Responder
12AY7.... 🤔. How would you describe the difference? This is the one amp I own that I have never opened up and "tinkered" with. But I'm imagining less gain at V1 probably smooths out the transition a little from clean to crunchy Marshall goodness! Very interesting
@@mikehartigan2703 - it reduces the fizzy nature of the gain a bit. It also lowers the volume allowing you to turn up the master which is very desirable with a Marshall - overall it is a much crunchier version of the Marshall goodness. Just my opinion of course ;-) easy enough to try though.
Hi, thanks for your videos! Please tell me which device has more sound and convenience: 1) Vox Cambridge 50 2) Boss Katana 50 3) Marshall MG50GFX 4) Marshall Code 50 Thanks a lot!
I have this amp and it is very versatile.....that said I am not a Marshall man as much as fender and as I am older and only playing at home now I think I will sell this and keep on one fender tube amp and some SS stuff a few pedals and my Valeton gp200.....old RP 500 and I have great stereo rig with all cheaply replaced gear......but DSL is versatile for small amp
The clean channel is pretty good. The dirty channel sounds too overloaded like the sound of a speaker breaking up a lot. Other DSL models seem to have a much nicer dirty channel sound.
I prefer the origin myself, J.S. I think the origin takes pedals better but that's just my opinion. I also changed out the 10" speaker in the origin for a 12" 55hz greenback, UK made of course.
I bought the origin 20 head, because of that 10 inch speaker. I already had a 212 cab to run it through, but I would've considered the combo if it had a 12 inch in it. Didn't realise that it would fit a bigger speaker.
Origin is awesome old school Marshall amp , Nothing wrong with the vt 10 inch - Love it ! Once the speaker is well played -Broken in its awesome ! For bigger venues just plug in a 2 X 12 speaker cab !
Nice video I like your honesty I’m 60 years old learning how to play guitar on my own I have a nice guitar a Ibanez as93fm I would like to buy a amp I’m thinking about the boss katana 100MKII or fender champion 100 XL what do you think would be the best amp for a beginner thanks
Definitely loved the video. The amp sounded good although I prefer the tone out of the Celestion Vintage 30 myself. Always a pleasure watching you play although I did notice something in this video. Is it me or does your stuffed Elmo doll look like he's been on a three day bender and is slumped against the pedal passed out? I saw it and I couldn't help laughing.
I have the 20w head (the 20HR with the resonance knob). When I first got it I was a little disappointed. I had watched a bunch of reviews that sounded great, but mine wasn't quite as good... Then I put an attenuator behind it, that changed everything! Cranking the volume really fills out the sound on these IMHO. It is now my main amp (at home). My guitar is plugged into it right now waiting for me to get home from work!
Hi Elmo Karjalainen Another question: The hype about Supro, amps, Pedals - Are these products really outstanding or good to this company has hired a bunch of smart PR guys? What I hear on VT seems pretty good to me. If I have a look at the price seems good to me too...😉
Between the Marshall DSL20CR or DSL20HR head Since you've tested both, I'd like to know which one you recommend and why. Speaking of Marshall's DSL series is it good for many styles of music? From Blues, through Rock to Metal? I became interested in the Fender Bassbreaker, I played it and liked it, but I gave up because its construction is bad, accessing the components is very difficult, the block was designed and made thinking about the space it occupies and not thinking about repair / maintenance. And if it gives problems, it's a headache. Thanks for your videos
Yeah the Bassbreaker is a nightmare. I bought one used, it died, and two separate repairmen refused to repair it. The DSL should do loads of things just fine.
Off topic but Randy Bachmann said the solo on "Rock around the clock" was one of the hardest solos to play. Do you agree? I am planning to attempt it someday
extremely tuff solo all the early 50s to 60s solos that didnt really have any effects are very tuff...try also after learning rock around the clock ...learn Rock this town by the stray cats ...omg these songs humble fast heavy metal players
It's funny I have a DSl 40 CR and 5CR and I love both but I just can't get on with the 20 . I much prefer the 40 in low power mode compared to the 20 . I have tried probably 15 different amps over the last 5 years including more expensive supposedly better amps like the mini sliver Junilee a couple of different JVM models and an SL5 an those are just the Marshall's and the 2 DSls are the only ones that have stuck
Ive tried this amp and i could say that is a great amp, but the original speaker that comes with it is pretty bad, but if you replace it you have a pretty solid amp.
Always the high volume issue with our little tube amps (for playing home). Amazing video, just as always. (In time, I wish I had one of these when I was a teenager, in my band…)
Does anyone know the weight( Kg) of the DSL 20W combos? Im looking at something that i can easily carry to rehearsals rather than my ageing JCM 800 or twin rev ( back breaking !) ? Nothing on Marshall’s web site that I’ve managed to find .
Love my DSL20 but wish they made the DSL5 in a head version, I would grab that too for home jams on a 1x12 cab I have. Don't care for the small cab and 10 inch speaker in the 5 so I sold mine to buy the 20...
since there is no master isn't the 40 watt version better for ''all'' situations? 40 watt is way too much for practicing at home but the master knob can take care of it maybe? I'm wondering why would you go the 20 or the 5 if you can have the master on the 40? out of the budget issue of course. thanks :)
The DSL's are definitely good amps as far as they go. I'd rather an 800 but that's me being picky and happy with what I've got there. The 900's aren't bad either though I don't have one of those. The 800's are my favourite.
Hi Elmo, I ordered this amp based on this video thank you, but I find the sound very harsh and thin, and actually quite boxy. I also have a DSL15 which by comparison is much warmer with much better low end base. I tried plugging the DSL20 amp into the DSL15 speaker and it was better but still very harsh. Did you find there was a considerable hiss with all the volumes down?
Have you played a Roland JC-40? I'm wondering what Marshall combo would pair best with it, in terms of volume. I'm not opposed to solid state (obviously), because I don't have unlimited money and I've never been a tube snob. I also like to play at low volumes for extended play sessions and late night writing. I can't test out any amps, so was wondering about the MG30GFX, for example, if it would be a good match, or something else. Or maybe you haven't tried the JC-40 and can't help me, that's okay.
I think that amp is awesome. I even like the speaker. What i like less is the clean sound that is a little too bright for my "clean taste". But the gain channel goes from crunch to awesome thrash metal high gain so, im my oppinion its almost perfect. Cheers from Portugal 🤘🍺🇵🇹
@@portuguesebeer5069 You can use the clean channel with high presence as well if you just turn up the gain and lower the volume. What otherwise makes a tone sound dull actually improves the clean sound by a heck on this one.
Hi Elmo! May I make a general channel suggestion? I know you focus on electric guitar gear, but it definitely helps to know how gear like amps work with other instruments for those who play or want to play multiple types and don't have room and money specific amps/gear for each -- so in this case, how this Marshall would handle an acoustic-electric guitar? An electric or bass guitar? A ukulele? Maybe a keyboard? Here is why I'm asking: I'm looking for an affordable one trick pony amp, for instance, that is great for home use and a variety of instruments to plug into it. I really like the looks of the Line 6 Catalyst 60w, which has amazing reviews for electric and acoustic guitar from what I've seen, but nobody I could find has made content about using the Catalyst with other instruments. Since March 2020, I've learned to play acoustic-electric guitar, electric guitar, ukulele, and would like to learn bass. I would also like to brush up my keyboard skill sometime. I always hear that you shouldn't use a bass with a guitar amp because the speakers might get blown out, but I am sure that all depends on the quality and specs of the guitar amp, volume, effects, and other factors. Can you consider other instruments when making reviews -- even if it's quick opinion without getting in depth? I know you focus on electric guitars, but please tell us whether you think the product you're testing would be good for other acoustic-electric and electric instruments at the end of each review, or maybe you can make a second vid where you can quickly test/demo gear with some other common instruments. Perhaps you already have some other instruments you can use to test with or can get some. This info would be very helpful to making purchase decisions, especially where slightly pricier gear is concerned . . . or knowing where a slightly more expensive model may be worthwhile (ie getting a 100w vs. 60w amp). I would hate to buy something like an amp and then get sorely disappointed when I find out it's not very good at handling ukulele tones -- or find out the hard way that the amp wasn't suitable for a bass guitar. I am sure many of your viewers would find this type of information, even if brief, useful to making decisions. Thanks, Elmo! You make very helpful videos!
Dear 2 Twoovie, The critter ya wants jus' don't egzist. What chur wantin' is the equivalent to a device that shoots derranger size bullets an' machine gun size bullets an' that fast, an' bazooka size shells an' rockets and wooden arrows. Ya can'ts get there from here. Amps are built for specific types of instruments. They are matched sets. Yes, the low frequencies of the base will blow out the speaker(s) in an electric guitar amp. Amp speakers start at $125. Electric guitar amps don't have the dynamic frequency response needed for a keyboard, nor the uke, nor an acoustic guitar. The parts on a ukelele can't be use on a electric piano. That goes for it's whole system. Even in gathering sound by microphone, you don't use the same microphone for a drum kit that you'd use for that ukelele. I would recommend you talk to adults at a few music stores and any tech people there. They will explain much better than I. There are videos on youtube on these subjects, also. What you are asking of Elmo seems to be putting him in the poh-zitshun of bein' music teacher, head technician, super sales rep, an' all around Guru. he knows his Chrome Dome Dohbies an' iz a purddy darn good geetar scratcher, bu he only walks on water during a darmn hard winter. You need to do your own reasearch from many sources. It's the joy of exploration in knowledge and experience that makes it stick and worthwhile an' fun. Some amps try to do double duty, like the Fender Mustang GTX 100. It has an acoustic channel, but wasn't built to be one. The Roland Micro Cube is a practice amp that has channels for voice and acoustic guitar and several amp sounds. It is a light practice amp and great for busking. And it just went out of production, but there'z tons of used ones for sale. Plus Roland makes many other types of amps. There really ain't no Miracle Music Machine Amplifier For All Occaisions & Instruments With a Bass-O-Matic A-tachment for when ya gets hungry. Basically, 2 Twovie, ya's gonna have teh spring for the whole show an' naught try to fudge it by stretchin' the opening act.
Hi! Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I'll just be sticking to electrics. Going outside those realms would be outside my area of (what little) expertise (I have).
A bass won't ruin guitar speakers it will just break them in a bit. For everything else it sounds like you want a keyboard amp or an acoustic guitar amp or even a PA speaker. The reality is electric guitar amps are very specialized and they scoop the mids which is not desirable probably for keyboards and maybe any effect for other instruments. In fact if you get a keyboard amp that's the one I used to have it was a guitar/base/keyboard amp it'll work just fine for electric guitar but you will need a multi-purpose pedal like a zoom 505 or a DigiTech or a line 6 etc to get guitar sounds out of it.
stoy interesado en comprar un altavoz para mi Marshall DSL 20W Valvular, ya que el que trae de serie me resulta bastante extridente en agudos, busco un altavoz que se adapte bien a altas ganancias con distorsión, sin que suene estridente ni barroso. Por poner un ejemplo un sonido similar a la guitarra de Sex Pistols o Ramones. ¿Cúal me recomienda? (El precio es indiferente) Muchas gracias por su atención, un saludo.
Hi, i have the dsl 5, i play it at home but is not powerfoul for me.. ( i came from a marshall gfx 30w), do you think that with this dsl20 in 10 watt mode i could break the sound, or still too loud for a house? Thank you
Good amp. Donť like the sound when you turn the gain up though, probably the cab/speaker to blame. Separate head and cab could be great. By the way, it's always a pleasure to stop by and listen what you have to say. ; ) I have two ideas for some another (hypothetical) gear review. It's the Joyo DC-15 practice amp and the Palmer EINS, an interesting little tube amp. The Joyo could be a microcube rival/killer? :-O Harley Benton also sell the Joyo as Harley Benton HB-15GXD JamBox.
I think DSL with 50 Watt could be good for some sessions with a metal drummer. 100 watt tube is too loud for my ears 😀 The studio lines are 800-900 Euro and have only 20 watts.
Hey Elmo! What a type of OD would you reccomend ti push a M Dsl20? A 808 style or more a transparent like Ehx Soulfood? I play a strat with a S Duncan Jb junior on the bridge. Thanks.
@@MrPolevaulter it sucks because they sound so good. Gotta use a boost or eq to suck those ultra low frequencies out so it hits the gain stage with less low end signal. I noticed you can make it work if you lower your pickup a bunch. But its just weird because every other amp in the world seems to dial out those super low frequencys when the dsl doesnt. Feels like they could have just thought about that in the design process.
@@MrPolevaulter Came across an almost new DSL5CR at a great price and couldn't be happier. If it wasn't for your channel I probably would have got another modelling amp. This is a totally different experience - it's like switching from a cheap casio keyboard to a proper piano. So thank you!
Oh well… sounds like a K…..oad to me . Maybe a DSL40? I noticed you have never done a review of one. Maybe a bit over budget at this point in time. Not that much more, well yeah it is. But it does have an upgraded speaker. Thanks teacher. Hope all is well
Been playing with a Boss katana mk2 100w, just got the DCL20 combo, just curious if anyone noticed how little of a sweep the reverb on the marshall is vs all 3 types of reverb on the boss katana (ex, the boss reverb if dimed almost sounds like a delay, marshall i dont really noticed the difference in a pronouced way, i hear a very suble not too noticeable sweep on the marsh. reverb knob, vs the boss katana mk2 where the reverb was much more senesitive. Question being , this is my 1st tube amp, is rhe reverb much more suble then an amp like the boss spring/hall/digital Reberbs that were built in, or do the from of tube amps have weaker (leas fouced on reverb effect?) the sound is much more crisp & beefier thru the mashall DSL 20 no (clean & with gain). Also on the tube marshall, is vol.2-3 loud enough to wKe the house at midnight, cuz mine is lol hard…gets loud very easy (no issue just wondering & especially how the reverb sweep is on the marshall dsl 20 Thanks for any help
@@MrPolevaulter im wondering if mine is defected cuz th reverb dial, from 2-3-10 (maxed out) doesnt have much of a difference/sweep, where as my boss amps reverb has a very noticeable/intense reverb when maxed out or even half of my boss reverb is still more then the marshalls reverb at full
Put a cheap volume attenuator pedal in the fx loop.....I got one for $30 maybe.......then crank volume on front but cut with loop.....gets everything cooking at much lower volume
@@user-cd2cz3tv3u I have all your mentioned amps.....the DSL reverb sucks..... lol.....no need to go above 2 or 3.....it is not dynamic at all......forget about DSL reverb....respectfully! edit.....again, any cheap reverb pedal in loop or in front is wayyyyyyyy more dynamic
1 last piece of advice for your 2 amps....play into DSLcr but extend a line from its extension port into the back of your Katana external power input....and you have a stereo 1x12 set up......plugging another amp into the back port of the katana bypasses the Boss preamp and you have a nice 1x12 extension speaker with its own dedicated volume......you are set up young fella....good luck!
DSL is a thin sounding amp, the best is the jcm800 with some boost pedal. You can reach the "clean" with the guitar pot...it's a compromise but give you the Marshall juice every note
Or a guitar or not setting it up the right way, I struggled with mine till I figured out amp settings and tone settings on my guitar and it’s no longer thin at all
@@jessetate9701 it's the celestion 70 eighty, so yes, it's definitely the speaker I had the matching cab with these speakers with my dsl20 head, and I sold the cab, because it sounded like shit, it was like playing through a piece of paper Use v30s and a boost and it's an incredible amp 👍🏻
Hay Ellmo don't pay attention to these Simpletons you do just fine you show your products off the way they should be used and dude Iove the way you play
