• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

I never really heard the difference between two marshall halfstacks before. I found the JCM 800 had a GREAT Randy Rhoads dirty sound, and the DSL had a GREAT clean and really hard Zakk Wylde rock sound... very unlike the JCM800. I might be using the Mig50 for cleans and the DSL for dirt.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
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  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

I don't think the JCM2000 gets near the respect it deserves compared to models like the 1959 Plexis, 1987s, 1974s, JTM45s, Jubilees, and JCM 800s.  I have played a bunch of Marshalls and if you need one amp to cover the entire spectrum at all volumes the DSL100 is IT.  The only gripe I have is reliability, but in my experiences most Marshalls have to be fixed from time to time anyways.  I really like the JCM800s but to be honest they don't seem to have as much gain, crunch, or low end as the JCM2000.  To approximate the JCM800 sound on a DSL you can back the bass to like 4-5, treble noon, mids 7-8, presence to 3-4, gain 4-5, volume to taste on the Lead 1 channel.  Oh and midshift off, deep switch off.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

I've only had one Marshall in my time.  A JCM 800 50 watt head.  When I bought it one of the power transformers died on it.  I literally had the head for 2 years in my closet before taking it to a repairman.  I played that amp one time out, and it was at my church.  I used to play at church 2 to 3 times a week with fender amps.  Anyway that sunday was the first day I had that amp back in working condition and all I heard about was "How did you get that tone?"  I was playing a Gibson ES-335 and that JCM 800 and the guitar with that amp sounded amazing.  Later I sold the amp for fear it would break down again (it was close to 20 years old) I miss it.  So I strongly suggest the JCM 800 50 or 100 watt head.  It had every thing a really good clean, and a really good distortion with all the sustain marshall ever offered.   But then again I think I'm partcal to it because it used to be mine.

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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

I would agree the DSL2000 has great low end, while the JCM 800 has more strong mids and not as heavy of distortion, just a good tubey distortion.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

I think the 2000 is under rated too. It can do just about anything really.
I've had mine for two years now, still the original valves. Sounding great still.
The studios I go to have 2000s and 900s. I always(!) chose the 2000 over the 900. I feel it's got a much clearer tone. With high gain the notes still come through, whereas the 900 I feel at high gain swallows up the notes and it loses it's clarity.

6 Reply by neuro (edited by neuro 2009-04-28 02:49:49)

  • neuro
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Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

I've always heard how the JCM800 was one of the best preamp heads that Marshall ever made, and from what I've heard I'd have to agree.  The 2000 sounds good and is probably a lot more versatile than the 800, but the 800 has a sweeter TONE in my opinion!  Very musical and pleasing, and yeah, the mids are sweeter.  The 2000 is awesome for more modern stuff.

The 900 is a piece of junk though.  Huge difference I think!

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

Well Jeff beck uses the 2000 and seems to like it and all he uses is his fingers and a wammy bar!  So go figure.  Odds are you can't go wrong with either of them.

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  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

AD3THREE wrote:

Well Jeff beck uses the 2000 and seems to like it and all he uses is his fingers and a wammy bar!  So go figure.  Odds are you can't go wrong with either of them.

+1  If you have skill you can get some breathtaking tones out of either.  I heard Jeff was really into the DSL's for a while when he was doing his techno-rock stuff but now he's getting back to his roots with a JTM45/100 + Klon Centaur.  Love the Guv's tone!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

stratpaulguy86 wrote:
AD3THREE wrote:

Well Jeff beck uses the 2000 and seems to like it and all he uses is his fingers and a wammy bar!  So go figure.  Odds are you can't go wrong with either of them.

+1  If you have skill you can get some breathtaking tones out of either.  I heard Jeff was really into the DSL's for a while when he was doing his techno-rock stuff but now he's getting back to his roots with a JTM45/100 + Klon Centaur.  Love the Guv's tone!

He's using a VM too. Ronnie Scotts gig shows a JTM on top of a VM running into the one cab.
Though, watching videos on youtube, it seems the VM isn't on. Weird having it there and not having it on. Maybe the light is broke though.

  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

Most of the time I've seen clipsf Beck its with a plexi amp and a few pedals.  I've never seen him with anything modern like the 2000 series.  I haven't seen the new dvd either.  I'm bad, I might have to hit up the local store to get me a copy lol.

Ben

  • From: South England
  • Registered: 2009-04-23
  • Posts: 154

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

neuro wrote:

I've always heard how the JCM800 was one of the best preamp heads that Marshall ever made, and from what I've heard I'd have to agree.  The 2000 sounds good and is probably a lot more versatile than the 800, but the 800 has a sweeter TONE in my opinion!  Very musical and pleasing, and yeah, the mids are sweeter.  The 2000 is awesome for more modern stuff.

The 900 is a piece of junk though.  Huge difference I think!

The 900 isnt a piece of junk! It is, for example, waaaaaayy better than the MGFX range. I'm still after an 800 myself but i'm currently getting some nice smooth tones out of my 900, it just doesn't sound quite right though.

  • Registered: 2008-10-10
  • Posts: 180

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

My 2203 gets so much low end it's silly, can't imagine needing more.  Not a high gain amp though...But takes pedals great. I didn't like my jcm2000 when I had it...didn't sound "organic" (bad analogy, can't think of anything else) and the touch response just wasn't there, like with the 800.  I also have to look at it from a resale value standpoint...I think we all know the older 800s will make money in the long term

Where the hell does one get a black-backed gold top anyway?
  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

The 2000 in the classic gain setting has a rediculous amount of low end too. Rarely use that setting for that very reason. It causes so many things in the house to rattle.

  • neuro
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Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

GregP wrote:
neuro wrote:

I've always heard how the JCM800 was one of the best preamp heads that Marshall ever made, and from what I've heard I'd have to agree.  The 2000 sounds good and is probably a lot more versatile than the 800, but the 800 has a sweeter TONE in my opinion!  Very musical and pleasing, and yeah, the mids are sweeter.  The 2000 is awesome for more modern stuff.

The 900 is a piece of junk though.  Huge difference I think!

The 900 isnt a piece of junk! It is, for example, waaaaaayy better than the MGFX range. I'm still after an 800 myself but i'm currently getting some nice smooth tones out of my 900, it just doesn't sound quite right though.

Ha, I guess that was a little harsh!  Didn't mean to say it was useless, I just have heard better tones before, especially out of the 800. 

For me (in relation to the topic), I play a Diezel Einstein and so far that is one of the most versatile heads I have played.  Great smooth marshall-esque tones...hard to get a bad tone out of the amp.  Sure its a more "modern" amp company, but the Einstein mid-gain channel/mode has such a unique texture.  It has a cool low-mid thing going on (from my ears), and is really beefy.  I'd still love to get a dumble-type head like a Van Weelden or Carol-Ann and mix some tones!  If only they were cheaper... sad

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

You could always get a Brown Note D'Lite or Ceriatone OTS.  They are very affordable and are amazing Dumble inspired amplifiers.  My tone lust for a Two-Rock, Fuchs, Carol Ann, Bludotone, etc ended when I recieved my Ceriatone OTS HRM100.  IMHO, when you begin blending amps the very subtle differences between the circuits are very hard to differentiate.  I can nail the Ford/Carton/Bonamassa tones with ease, too bad I don't have the chops to match!  BTW the Diezel Einstein is a monster!  Really nice amp...how much did that puppy put you back? tongue

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

Slightly off topic but I don't think I ever had a sweeter strat tone than Beck untill Ken brought his Strat to my house and blew me out of my garage.  Out of a Buddha! 

Me likey Gibson through a Marshall...or my son's PRS with P90s...  That SOB plays through a Line 6 & gets what he calls "a rather robust Slash like tone..."

My Oh My...suweeeet.

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
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17 Reply by ken (edited by ken 2009-04-29 03:35:15)

  • ken
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
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Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

bigjeffjones wrote:

Slightly off topic but I don't think I ever had a sweeter strat tone than Beck untill Ken brought his Strat to my house and blew me out of my garage.  Out of a Buddha! 

Me likey Gibson through a Marshall...or my son's PRS with P90s...  That SOB plays through a Line 6 & gets what he calls "a rather robust Slash like tone..."

My Oh My...suweeeet.

Sounds pretty mean with a lp too! big_smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcEnoEKt … p;index=33

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: JCM 800 vs. DSL2000

On his last studio CD I read a guitar world or gutiar player mag that said that some record producer came into the studio and was blown away by the tone he heard on one of Jeff's cuts when they asked him what he was using he said, "My Strat and a DSL 2000."  Nothing more!  The producer seemed disappointed and walked off after that.  Although I can't for the life of me remember what CD it was I can tell you it was recent or in the last 5 years anyway.

GoT MuLe 31788 wrote:

Most of the time I've seen clipsf Beck its with a plexi amp and a few pedals.  I've never seen him with anything modern like the 2000 series.  I haven't seen the new dvd either.  I'm bad, I might have to hit up the local store to get me a copy lol.

Ben

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