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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → DSL and Jubilee tonal differences
Hi!
Anyone know the differences in tonal qualities between the Silver Jub. and a JCM2000 DSL? And also whether or not it's enough to justify buying a Jub. if you already have a JCM
EDIT: And also what are people's views on power attenuators - do they really work? What effect is there on tube life etc.
Thanks!!
I know Joe has used them with BCC and I have seen him in concerts where he has used rented DSL's instead of his usual amp set up and he sounds just as same as he does with his regular set up. At the end of the day its all in your hands. I would say there wouldn't be a huge a difference, but I don't know from experience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALg8UafPN0U
EDIT: And also what are people's views on power attenuators - do they really work? What effect is there on tube life etc.
Absolutely. They help you get your power tubes cooking while allowing sane levels of volume. If too much attenuation is applied, there is some tonal loss, but at -4dB or so, I don't appreciate anything significant. Best bet is to invest in a good one if you are going that route, as some of the cheaper ones will change your sound pretty noticeably. Check TGP for some of the recs…try not to get caught up in all of the minutia and cork sniffing.
JBFan1, judging by the incredible tone he has with BCC I don't think there would be enough of a difference or improvement to justify buying a Jubilee considering they're very expensive...but then again his normal rig does sound a lot more versatile
wharris, mega 'noob' question here but I've ever only turned my DSL401 up to about a half .. max... is there a large improvement in general tone of the amplifier from low to high volumes? I know with tube amps they are supposed to be pushed hard but I was just wondering about the level of improvement
Many thanks
I would suggest getting something similar to a dumble or fender and blend it with your Marshall to have a more versatile rig.
Yeah. Being in the audience for BCC and his solo stuff - tone almost dead on same.
If anything, I dig the DSL sound a bit more, because it sounds a bit more aggressive to me.
JBFan1, nice idea...I have a dry/wet atm but only with a voxAD30VT solid state for the wet amp....and its set on clean!
Dave, that's interesting. My observation was just based on videos..yet to see BCC live. I understand it's a wet/dry for his BCC rig but is the DSL for the effects set on clean? Or does it do the job of, for example, the twinkleland in Joe's solo rig?
Just to answer your question on tube life with attenuators. If your running a tube amp at full blast with or without an attenuator they will still last the same amount of time. If you wanted to extend tube life while having the benefits of power tube distortion you could install a power scaling/VVR kit to reduce the output volume, these types of kits reduce the B+ going to the tubes and as such their life will be extended, while say a 30 watt amp can be brought down to bedroom levels with this type of technology your tone will suffer, they are very good for reducing by a few dB though. This is also true with many attenuators.
I have owned both and have these obsevations: both are great amps. The DSL is a "true" (I say "true" as Jub owners know you either use one or the other not switching between the Clean and Lead) 2 channel switchable amp and is far more versatile. That being said the Jub sounds better to my ears. More organic - not as processed. Mind you, I use the Clean Channel and boost it with a TS, etc. I agree the DSL has a slightly more agressive attitude when really pushed, but the Jub can hold it's own in the gain dept. I sold my DSL to buy the Jub ('96 Slash 100w) and TBH tonally there is not enough of a difference to justify the outlay of cash...but I FEEL the difference when playing it. It responds better. Notes "ring" a little clearer. If you can get a really good deal for a Jub as I did I'd go for it in a second, as DSL's are a dime a dozen. Jub's are rare and have a mojo to them that is hard to explain.
Two different sounding amps. For a master volume amp I prefer the Jubilee tone. Its very thick and responsive.
My other amps are two Marshall 1987X NMV's.
The Jube doesn't sound like a vintage Marshall, where the DSL can.
Try a Barber Direct Drive pedal with the DSL. It will get you in the Jube area.
Having owned both in the last five years...I would say they are both fine amps for many styles.
Back in 2007 - you could grab a DSL for 600quid and a Jubilee for 600.
2012 - a DSL on ebay for 400 and a Jubilee for 1200+
The separation in monies is just too high to warrant buying an SJ. Sorry Joe, but you haven't helped.
Maybe we should try harder in trying to find the next special amp - not just from Marshall, but from any manufacturer and buy them cheap!
When you think of joes sound from the sj it's really tight sounding and then you hear the dsls on bcc gigs and they sound nice and mid rangy , smooth more smooth then the sj! But what is the common thing with him using these amps??? To me it's the ev12s they bring out the best in both amps and I believe thats the secret to the sound for the marshalls he uses otherwise he wouldn't of used dsls for the bcc stuff , the dsl must be good amps for him to tour with!!! Joe is a real blues rock guitarist and I think that the sj is better for solos no so much for rhythm (my opinion) but the dsl thing can deal with both lead and rhythm really well , a little more versatile ! joes tone from both rig are fantastic if you want to spend a little less , go for the dsl thing it works for Joe so don't get two caught up in the sj thing!! But I wouldn't say no to a sj!! Ha ha
I'm pretty sure high volume through those speakers set fairly clean is the deal breaker...regardless of fingers.
I know Joe has used them with BCC and I have seen him in concerts where he has used rented DSL's instead of his usual amp set up and he sounds just as same as he does with his regular set up. At the end of the day its all in your hands. I would say there wouldn't be a huge a difference, but I don't know from experience.
that vid is with the DSL?
JBFan1 wrote:I know Joe has used them with BCC and I have seen him in concerts where he has used rented DSL's instead of his usual amp set up and he sounds just as same as he does with his regular set up. At the end of the day its all in your hands. I would say there wouldn't be a huge a difference, but I don't know from experience.
that vid is with the DSL?
yeah it looks like he has 3 of them set up behind him.
IMO
DSL would be best choice as Silver Jubilee on its own doesnt do the job
sounds best paired with another amp wheras Dsl will do the job
My answer to this is just buy Fender twin reverb. It wont distort to save its life, but the will blow any Marshall within a mile of it away.
Hey everyone sorry for the late reply!
Thanks for all the comments they have been very useful to me.
One last (Kinda noobie) question...I have a DSL 401 ... except volume, what would be the difference in the DSL heads compared to my combo when cranked up (If any)? I've never tried out a head+cab before ....
Thanks!
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → DSL and Jubilee tonal differences
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