• Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Topic: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Hey all,

I have a question. The minister of finance(wife) has authorized a one time only purchase of a new amp. I already have a BillM modded Tweed NOS Blues Jr and a DRRI modded to reduce brightness. So I decided to get a big boy amp since I have the smaller form factor covered. I have about 2500$ to spend and I want a Marshall. I am going with the JCM2000 DSL100 head because of its versatility. Can anyone suggest the proper cabinet to pair with that head? I play blues, blues-rock, classic rock etc etc. I run Les Pauls and Strats with your standard ts808hw, king of tone, wah etc.

Thanks in advance.
Brandon

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Prepare for the onslaught of opinions and options, but that head sounds pretty good through any celestion type speaker.  I'd go with a cabinet made from wood over MDF, if you have the means to shop around. -S

3 Reply by Brandon_oh (edited by Brandon_oh 2012-01-08 15:22:38)

  • Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Great! Because I have no clue where to begin. I am coming from Fender-land and the British/Marshall type amps are foreign to me.

What about this?
The Marshall 1960X - consists of 4 separate birch ply enclosures, each loaded with a Celestion G12M Greenback 12" speaker

or

Marshall 1960AHW or 1960BHW 120W?

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

I have a Marshall 1960AX cab with the Greenbacks which is ace. I'd prefer the Greenbacks over anything with V30s in it. My only concern is that's a 100W cab for a 100W amp. Rule of thumb is double the amp's watts for the cab. Would you consider a DSL50? Still plenty loud, I should think.

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

I have some G12-65s that (to me) kinda sound greenback'ish, and they do sound great with my DSL.  But I've come to realize a lot of it is in the construction of the cab and materials.  Real wood is just smoother and warmer sounding.  Marshall used that heavier basketweave grill cloth for a while that was supposed to contribute to the sound, cutting down on some high-end I think.  I have one old Marshall cab with window screen for grill cloth and it sounds great, even when I put in gt75s.  There are a lot of cabinet makers out there, Mojo is pretty good and category 5 makes some pretty slick higher end ones.  Another forum member recently bought a Forte cab and says its excellent.

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Yeah definitely consider the 50W version. I don't know your situation volume wise but even at half it will rattle your floorboards lol One thing you need to think about though is headroom if you ARE cranking it - the 100W will give you a lot more than the 50W if you want to use your guitar volume knob to clean it up I should think

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Jlowther wrote:

Yeah definitely consider the 50W version. I don't know your situation volume wise but even at half it will rattle your floorboards lol One thing you need to think about though is headroom if you ARE cranking it - the 100W will give you a lot more than the 50W if you want to use your guitar volume knob to clean it up I should think


I have a 22 watt DRRI and have to dime it to hang with my drummer. Yes, he hits very hard and my amp is full on breakup and sounds harsh. As such, I have zero headroom now. This is why I was going to go for the 100watt head. I have 2 small amps. Obviously, this is not a practice amp where I play at low volumes. Even with a powersoak, this is not bedroom amp smile. I have 2 bedroom amps. I use my volume nobs a lot and would prefer the headroom as I have pedal to introduce OD. I understand that a 50watt 4x12 is WAAAY louder than a 22watt 1x12, but  aside from headroom and volume what other reason would I select the 50watt version? Several people have suggested that. It seems to me I can get the most diversity out of the 100. Let me ask this: what will be the limitations or issues with going with a 100 over a 50?

Thanks again for the feedback. It is appreciated.

  • Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Bluesbreaker wrote:

I have a Marshall 1960AX cab with the Greenbacks which is ace. I'd prefer the Greenbacks over anything with V30s in it. My only concern is that's a 100W cab for a 100W amp. Rule of thumb is double the amp's watts for the cab. Would you consider a DSL50? Still plenty loud, I should think.

Thanks for the feedback. The 50 is probably plenty loud. See my previous post for details. So what issues will I have with a 100watt cab? Do you suggest a different cabinet?

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Brandon_oh wrote:
Bluesbreaker wrote:

I have a Marshall 1960AX cab with the Greenbacks which is ace. I'd prefer the Greenbacks over anything with V30s in it. My only concern is that's a 100W cab for a 100W amp. Rule of thumb is double the amp's watts for the cab. Would you consider a DSL50? Still plenty loud, I should think.

Thanks for the feedback. The 50 is probably plenty loud. See my previous post for details. So what issues will I have with a 100watt cab? Do you suggest a different cabinet?

Also the color of the tone will change dependent on the speaker used. EVM 12L will NOT add to tone you will get what your head is delivering where others at high voulme will change the tone or add to the break up. It depends what your looking for.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
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  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

100 watt head all the way. It's not even a question - is there a 50 watt club? Doesn't even sound right wink. I played dozens of bar gigs with the 100 watt DSL and never had an issue with being too loud. Play at the same volume you always do. The difference is at gig volume DRRI is flat out and the DSL has the torque to pass a truck uphill towing the Titanic (when you need it) when the DRRI has to pull over with the blinkers on. Both the 50w and 100w DSL's are loud. So is a class 5 cranked up. The beauty with the 100 watter is the mile-high clean headroom. I usually had mine on about 3-4 for most gigs. Maybe 5-6 outdoors but it's howling pretty good by then. Through a TS in front and your in business. Great amp - join the 100 watt club!

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

kevman13 wrote:

100 watt head all the way. It's not even a question - is there a 50 watt club? Doesn't even sound right wink. I played dozens of bar gigs with the 100 watt DSL and never had an issue with being too loud. Play at the same volume you always do. The difference is at gig volume DRRI is flat out and the DSL has the torque to pass a truck uphill towing the Titanic (when you need it) when the DRRI has to pull over with the blinkers on. Both the 50w and 100w DSL's are loud. So is a class 5 cranked up. The beauty with the 100 watter is the mile-high clean headroom. I usually had mine on about 3-4 for most gigs. Maybe 5-6 outdoors but it's howling pretty good by then. Through a TS in front and your in business. Great amp - join the 100 watt club!

smile Yeah, that's what I am talking about! So to my original question. Which cabinet? I want greenbacks and someone mentioned that a 100 watt cab will not be a good choice with the 100watt head.

  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Good ole 300w 1960A or B with G12T-75's for me - bone stock. I do however seal them with caulking and tighten the screws. The 75's should be perfect for what you do - the Greenbacks will break up too soon. I like the power handling of the 75's - really punchy at gig volume and can handle clean to crunch well. You can always change out speakers later to suit your tastes...

Brandon_oh wrote:
kevman13 wrote:

100 watt head all the way. It's not even a question - is there a 50 watt club? Doesn't even sound right wink. I played dozens of bar gigs with the 100 watt DSL and never had an issue with being too loud. Play at the same volume you always do. The difference is at gig volume DRRI is flat out and the DSL has the torque to pass a truck uphill towing the Titanic (when you need it) when the DRRI has to pull over with the blinkers on. Both the 50w and 100w DSL's are loud. So is a class 5 cranked up. The beauty with the 100 watter is the mile-high clean headroom. I usually had mine on about 3-4 for most gigs. Maybe 5-6 outdoors but it's howling pretty good by then. Through a TS in front and your in business. Great amp - join the 100 watt club!

smile Yeah, that's what I am talking about! So to my original question. Which cabinet? I want greenbacks and someone mentioned that a 100 watt cab will not be a good choice with the 100watt head.

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

kevman13 wrote:

Good ole 300w 1960A or B with G12T-75's for me - bone stock. I do however seal them with caulking and tighten the screws. The 75's should be perfect for what you do - the Greenbacks will break up too soon. I like the power handling of the 75's - really punchy at gig volume and can handle clean to crunch well. You can always change out speakers later to suit your tastes...

Awesome. What about the Marshall 1960 AHW or 1960BHW Extension Cabinet. It's 120watts opposed to the 300w.

I have been told by countless people to go with greenbacks. Can you describe the difference?

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Depends where you're planning to gig. Personally, I think 100W tube heads are too loud for small clubs and pubs but horses for courses. If you insist on a 100 watter you should at least have a 200 watt cab (to be really on the safe side when you wish to crank the amp). Try to find an empty Marshall 1960AX cab and put in 4 Scumback M75 at 65 Watt. That should give you a total of 260 watt and it's the best Greenback you can get. They don't come cheap but they are the best.

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

One thing i forgot to mention is that the difference in perceived volume between the 100 and 50 won't be that much so if you're willing to spend an extra 100 or whatever the price difference is then it'll be worth it

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Just buy the 100w version.  You can get great tones out of that head at ANY volume thanks to its 2 channels, with 2 voicing options per channel.

  • Registered: 2009-11-24
  • Posts: 94

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

only 3db difference between a 100 watter and a 50. Not worth saving 100 bucks over IMO. But they do sound a little different, the 50 is a little "smoother", and gets dirty a little bit faster, because even if the volume of the amp is not all that different, its clean headroom is.

  • Registered: 2010-09-04
  • Posts: 12

Re: JCM2000 DSL100 is on the way!

Thanks everyone for the replies. I do appreciate the insight!