• Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Topic: JCM 2000 DSL

I just came across a Marshall DSL 100 in mint condition for $600...thought it was a great bargain and I picked it up.  I had been searching for a great deal for weeks and weeks, tried the amp out at Guitar Center, watched Youtube vids, read tons of reviews.  So I was thrilled when my amp finally showed up.   I love the clean and crunch of the guitar as well as the lead 1 and lead 2.  My only problem is I can't find a good lead tone EQ settings...I am playing through a USA deluxe strat the I put a SD Hotrail in the bridge for some extra kick.  The problem I have is when I play in either of the lead 1 or 2 settings, the amp seems to just sound kinda tinny on my high string bends, etc.  I usually keep my lead 1 and 2 gains around 5-6 and at high volumes has a great crunch I am looking for.  I just don't like the tinny highs.  I saw posts earlier where Joe apparently turned his treble to around 7, mids 5, lows almost 10.  What about the presence? 

I have a similar effects layout as Joe in that I get a great delay and chorus sound running those through the effects loop.  I guess I am just trying to find some settings or advice to get my leads to sound tight and articulate like JB...which my amp is very articulate...but I am also trying to get more cream and smoothness on the leads.  Any ideas or experience with this amp?  Joe...anything that I could try.  I read that you adjust the tone knobs on the  guitar itself...I'm just kinda frustrated.  It even sounds worse when I use a wah pedal, lol.  Maybe I need to bias the amp or get new tubes...?!?

  • From: Tampa, Fl.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 870

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Hey- sorry to hear about your troubles with it... its frustrating trying to get a good tone out of some amps.  Personally, I've never really been able to get a lead sound i was happy with out of that amp- but the best results I've had to make it less thin is putting the bass all the way up, almost no presence, a good amount of mids and not too much treble- maybe try that and see if it helps at all?

Scott

"Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought-- particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things." - Woody Allen

http://www.last.fm/user/skynyrd128
  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

thanks, I will give this a shot.  I did find that rolling back the bridge tone helps to smooth things out.  I will have to get my hands on a LP and see how that sounds too.

  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

I don't know...Joe I need some help...maybe I should retube it.  I don't know how much it was played before I got it.  Yet I read that these amps are noted for being kinda tinny on leads.  I guess it just makes me have to work harder and clean up my playing because the amp is pretty articulate and you can really pick out the notes on lead.  I was just going after something smoother with a little more saturation on leads...ala JB of course.  Joe sounds so amazing on his instructional dvd while playing his strat and doing leads.  Joe, you have GOD tone my friend.

  • From: Tampa, Fl.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 870

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

mantegna wrote:

I don't know...Joe I need some help...maybe I should retube it.  I don't know how much it was played before I got it.  Yet I read that these amps are noted for being kinda tinny on leads.  I guess it just makes me have to work harder and clean up my playing because the amp is pretty articulate and you can really pick out the notes on lead.  I was just going after something smoother with a little more saturation on leads...ala JB of course.  Joe sounds so amazing on his instructional dvd while playing his strat and doing leads.  Joe, you have GOD tone my friend.

Don't forget too- Joe is pairing amps the whole time- thats how he gets such a rich tone...

"Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought-- particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things." - Woody Allen

http://www.last.fm/user/skynyrd128
  • From: Boston
  • Registered: 2006-11-25
  • Posts: 133

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Im running a jcm900 rig, i can send you some clips if youd like then tell you my settings.  I use a keeley compressor as well, that really smooths things out and ads a fat bottom end as well.  let me know your email so i can send you those clips.
Conner

Fender '62 reissue Stratocaster, 2001 Gibson Les Paul Studio(Stock), Marshall JCM900 100W Head, Original 1972 Carvin 4/12 Cabinet,Ibanez Ts9 Reissue, Keeley Compressor, Boss DD-3 Delay, Vox Wah
  • From: Ga
  • Registered: 2007-11-26
  • Posts: 21

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Try turning the treble back aroung 0 or 1 on your amp then, turn the tone all the up on your guitar and effects pedals. This should darken it up some, play some leads with bends for awhile then go back to your settings where your trying to get some tone, and see how that sounds compared to the treble being turned down on the amp.

It's kinda like taking a step back to make sure your headed in the right direction. Don't give up!

  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

www.myspace.com/allfournothing

not to plug me...but that is me playing some guitar...but on someone elses rig, not my DSL which I just got.  I mean, I really LOVE this amp...I am just a tone junky that is always searching for that ever elusive perfect tone.

  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

for anyone who wants to send me clips

my email is mike8610@yahoo.com

  • sweeps
  • sweeps
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  • From: South elgin
  • Registered: 2006-08-30
  • Posts: 36

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

I know exactly what you are dealing with. I have the DSL 50 and 1960 cab. I have bought and sold this amp twice now and am about to do it again. With my strat I just cant get that fat lead tone at all. He is my setup:

Strat - Warmoth Maple Neck 6100 frets, fender 91 body, Suhr VLP 60 single coils.
Ernie ball 11's

Fulltone Full Drive mosfet edition
TS-9 modded
Dunlop Wah

Rotovibe
DD-20 Gigadelay

Gibson LP Standard 1995, SD 59's Ernie ball 11's

Marshall DSL 50 Head , 1960 4X12 Cab
settings: vol 4/5, bass 5 , mid 7/8, treble 6/7, presence 3, verb 3. NO deep switch or scoop. If i use the deep switch i get a low thump that is not pleasant and it messes with the bass player. Classic channel pre on 10 and switch in. 800 channel pre on 5 switch out.

Now with the LP it sound good but still a little crispy. I have retubed and biased the amp myself. (its super easy on the DSL and will cost you 25 bucks for the meter at radio shack) I tried GT tubes with a high rating for less break up and currently have a low (2) rating set in there. Either way the brightness is there. At practice we play at a volume of 4 or 5 so its pretty loud.

The classic channel does sound warmer then the 800 channel but the gain is less. My ts-9 helps push it though.

I wish i could tell you a secret formula for JB's tone on this amp but I just cant get it. I think using dual amps is the key here. Personally i think I will just sell and get a Fender Super into the cab. Theres so many pedals that can get me the marshall crunch when needed. sad I just cant afford 2 amps.

sweeps's Website

11 Reply by gsj

  • gsj
  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Mine went ppphhhhhtttttt!!!! last nigh at the sound check. The send/return loop is the problem....and it needs a revalve too. I can feel a Dr Z coming on big_smile

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • sweeps
  • sweeps
  • Bronze Member
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  • From: South elgin
  • Registered: 2006-08-30
  • Posts: 36

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

oh crap! Was it just a tube that blew?

sweeps's Website

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

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

I've taken heads that have 4 EL34 tubes and removed two of the tubes. EIther the two outside ones or the two inside ones. I was trying to get it down from 100watt to 50watt - but it seemed still just as loud. I kept it as is and had the other tubes for backups. If you were going with 4 and one of them got faulty you could always go down to two for a gig.

- 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
  • sweeps
  • sweeps
  • Bronze Member
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  • From: South elgin
  • Registered: 2006-08-30
  • Posts: 36

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I've taken heads that have 4 EL34 tubes and removed two of the tubes. EIther the two outside ones or the two inside ones. I was trying to get it down from 100watt to 50watt - but it seemed still just as loud. I kept it as is and had the other tubes for backups. If you were going with 4 and one of them got faulty you could always go down to two for a gig.

The difference between 100 and 50 watt amps is just the headroom before tube saturation. My other gtr player has 100 watt jcm900 and we both play at 4 or 5 volume. There is really no difference in our "loudness". But popping out the tubes is a good idea for those with 100 watters trying to get more power tube overdrive.

sweeps's Website

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

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

sweeps wrote:
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I've taken heads that have 4 EL34 tubes and removed two of the tubes. EIther the two outside ones or the two inside ones. I was trying to get it down from 100watt to 50watt - but it seemed still just as loud. I kept it as is and had the other tubes for backups. If you were going with 4 and one of them got faulty you could always go down to two for a gig.

The difference between 100 and 50 watt amps is just the headroom before tube saturation. My other gtr player has 100 watt jcm900 and we both play at 4 or 5 volume. There is really no difference in our "loudness". But popping out the tubes is a good idea for those with 100 watters trying to get more power tube overdrive.

Thanks for the clarification. I was told to try that. I ended up downsizing my rig. It was too big for bars.

- 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
  • sweeps
  • sweeps
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  • From: South elgin
  • Registered: 2006-08-30
  • Posts: 36

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

What did you end up with?
I am considering down sizing too but really more for a rounder fender tone. Personally i think its not so much a volume thing that bars hate. I think its just the harsh bad tone most players have that give instant headaches.

sweeps's Website

17 Reply by gsj

  • gsj
  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Nope, I think the send/return jacks have oxidised which is strange because they get used and switch cleaner wouldn't cure the problem. Still, seems like a good excuse to buy something new. The Marshall has earned it's money so no complaints really.

sweeps wrote:

oh crap! Was it just a tube that blew?

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

sweeps wrote:

What did you end up with?
I am considering down sizing too but really more for a rounder fender tone. Personally i think its not so much a volume thing that bars hate. I think its just the harsh bad tone most players have that give instant headaches.

I went from a Rivera 100 watt knucklehead w/Marshall 1960A 4x12. I downsized to a 55 watt Rivera combo (1-12"). Kept the 4x12 cabinet for bigger gigs and better tone...and I just unplug the 12" combo speaker...

- 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