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

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

the best distorted sound I get with my DSL100 and a single coil Strat is to use the classic channel at about 7-8 for clean, with button OUT and I'm using an old Sansamp Tech 21 pedal on top of the clean channel for my distortion.  Otherwise I can get an ok distortion sound on the lead channel, button out, verb 3ish, roll back the presence a bit...treble at 5, mids 6-7, bass 5, boost button in.  I put the lead distortion on 5 or lower and crank the volume.  Clean it up with a chorus and DD3 delay.  But still not that great distortion and lead sound I want.  I'd like a lea d tone similar to Mike McCready's screaming leads on TEN.  I CAN get that with the Sansamp beautifully, but I really just want to use the amps natural distortion...ah, hell...tone is a constant battle.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
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Re: JCM 2000 DSL

mantegna wrote:

the best distorted sound I get with my DSL100 and a single coil Strat is to use the classic channel at about 7-8 for clean, with button OUT and I'm using an old Sansamp Tech 21 pedal on top of the clean channel for my distortion.  Otherwise I can get an ok distortion sound on the lead channel, button out, verb 3ish, roll back the presence a bit...treble at 5, mids 6-7, bass 5, boost button in.  I put the lead distortion on 5 or lower and crank the volume.  Clean it up with a chorus and DD3 delay.  But still not that great distortion and lead sound I want.  I'd like a lea d tone similar to Mike McCready's screaming leads on TEN.  I CAN get that with the Sansamp beautifully, but I really just want to use the amps natural distortion...ah, hell...tone is a constant battle.

How IS the Sansamp???

- 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: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

The sansamp is a good distortion pedal in my opinion.  Has a bunch of settings for dialing in a nice distortion for whatever the situation.  I use it in front of my DSL100 in the clean/classic mode.  Does a PERFECT early Pearl Jam type of distortion.  Also lets my play at home at very quiet levels for practicing which is GREAT.  Although I use the pedal and I like it...for more Bonamassaesque tones go to the lead channel with less gain and more volume...clean it up with a DD3, some chorus, use your volume and tone controls and I'm getting better and better sounds the more I tinker with it.  This amp does pretty decent clean/slightly distortion...well, overdriven blues sounds as well, imo.  Overall for the $, I like the amp. 



But to answer your question...the Sansamp for a ballsy distortion pedal is a pretty good one imo...gets nice reviews on Harmony Central.  Actually, I first got this pedal a few years ago when I was playing a 100w B52 tube amp...not a bad amp...but I preferred the sansamp with the clean channel and I got good feedback from people telling me they didn't think a B52 could sound so good...but they didn't see that I was using a Sansamp and not the B52s dist.

I'm sure there are better dist out there...well maybe...but this one is prob one of the better ones.

22 Reply by gsj (edited by gsj 2007-12-20 18:00:43)

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Re: JCM 2000 DSL

The band I was with a few years ago recorded an album and I used a Marshall on some tracks and some Sansamp stuff on others. I can't hear the difference now.....maybe I'm just getting old smile

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Nah, it would be tough to tell the difference in some situations I guess...but it is noticeable when you play guitar using both...feel and response I suppose...

24 Reply by gsj

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Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Yep, you don't get the same response from the Sansamp. Tubes do it every time ;-)

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Yeah I agree tubes are the sh#t and make the sound difference live...but with the DSL100 it's hard to get a great distorted/solo sound sometimes without a little pedal to cut the annoying twangy highs the DSL puts out when you are in bridge position and trying to bust out a delayed/verbed wahed out solo, dig?

26 Reply by gsj

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Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Yeah know what you mean....I tend to roll all the top off the amp, even with HB's.

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

yeah I roll back the treble and presence OR I keep the treble 5-6 but roll back the neck tone on my strat.  With a Gibson the amp sound decent with everything around 5 really.  I just changed tubes and put in some GT's EL 34M's in...sounds good.

28 Reply by gsj

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Re: JCM 2000 DSL

I'm due for a new amp ;-).....not sure what just yet.

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

check out these retro Marshall clones
Metropoulous amos

I don't own one, but they get great reviews...like 10's across the board.  They also sell amp kits so you can build your own!  ranging from $2400-3500 amps.
www.metroamp.com



JOE...ever heard of these???



I would love to have Joe's setup if I could afford it.

30 Reply by gsj (edited by gsj 2007-12-23 14:01:51)

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Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Thanks for the link. They look really interesting but if I'm going to continue down the Marshall route I'll think I'll get Dennis Cornell to build me a 'Plexi' head with some upgrades from his current range. Check out www.dc-developments.com He's a really nice guy, open to suggestions as to what the customer wants.....within reason smile

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • LukeM
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Re: JCM 2000 DSL

I think it depends all on what kind of lead tones you're looking for - screaming metal or laid-back bluesy sustaining wailing?

I think really this amp isn't a good partner to a Strat. It seems to like Les Pauls better. I've played the DSL 40W combo before... it's ok, I don't think I would have one myself. Probably would have a TSL instead.

I use Marshall MG at the moment and I tend to stick all the EQ at an equal level so whatever I set the Treble to, I set the Bass and Contour to. And the gain is really something I lay off quite a bit in favour of sheer volume to push the sound.

32 Reply by gsj (edited by gsj 2007-12-26 18:20:52)

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Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Hi Luke

True, the DSL40 combo isn't great and the whole DSL range is kind of 'ok'....I've got a DSL50 head (just had it fixed again)...it'll do for now. TSL's aren't in production due to the new JVM series. MG's???...well, they're ok to a point. A great amp to get your foot on the ladder but methinks you should've asked Santa for something with tubes in for Christmas. All the best.

Geoff

LukeM wrote:

I think it depends all on what kind of lead tones you're looking for - screaming metal or laid-back bluesy sustaining wailing?

I think really this amp isn't a good partner to a Strat. It seems to like Les Pauls better. I've played the DSL 40W combo before... it's ok, I don't think I would have one myself. Probably would have a TSL instead.

I use Marshall MG at the moment and I tend to stick all the EQ at an equal level so whatever I set the Treble to, I set the Bass and Contour to. And the gain is really something I lay off quite a bit in favour of sheer volume to push the sound.

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Ok guys...I was talknig earlier about the harsh brittle shrill sound the ultra channel on this amp has.  I have tried biasing, tubes, rolling back the treble and presence on the guitar and amp.  Well I was still not satisfied.  Well, I have finally found the single best mod to these amps that makes A WORLD of difference.  There are different capacitors on the circuit board that effect certain aspects of the guitars response, tone, etc.  Well this is called the C12 mod.  C12 is a bright cap on the ultra channel that is like 470pfd.  Well that is what is causing all the crazy highs.  The mod calls for removal or replacing this cap with a 100-200pfd cap.  I took out my amps chassis...took 5 minutes.  Located the C12 cap on the circuit board...and unsoldered it.  Reconnected everything.  Channel Ultra now takes on the characteristics, tone, and response of the clean/crunch channel...just with much higher gain capabilities!!!!  The clean/crunch channel is awesome and now my ultra channel is incredible...it now has bottom end to it, it feels and sounds like an old JCM 800.  I am really pleased with this mod. 

For more in depth discussion on this, and where I found all of this information...check out this link. 


http://marshallampforum.com/forum/viewt … mp;start=0




it's an easy mod...you really need little to no experience with electronics to do this mod.  To think I was going to sell this amp...pahhh



hope this helps anyone really struggling with their DSLs


Mike Mantegna

  • Registered: 2008-01-19
  • Posts: 1

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

I had the same problem with both my Marshall amps... until I purchased an MXR 10 band EQ and threw it in the effects loop.  I couldn't stand the sound of my MG's dirty channel prior to that.

Have you accepted Joe Bonamassa as your personal savior?
  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: JCM 2000 DSL

since I've made that mod...this amp sounds incredible.  I was really worried about clipping a cap in my head, but since I have...I am def. not selling this amp anymore.

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Re: JCM 2000 DSL

Hey guys
Concerning the plexi amps mentioned above check out the Blankenship Variplex.  Its a 68' Plexi copy with a Variac included that controls the voltage the amp sees (ala EVH).  But its tweaked so that it acts almost like a master output putting out from 100 watts down to 1 watt.  www.blankenshipamps.com is their website, there is also a couple clips on youtube to check out.  It probably wont do the super high gain stuff but from Hendrix to Halen is well covered.  I'm in the process of saving for one, and I believe Roy (the owner) said they were going to be reviewed in Tonequest soon so keep an eye open for that.  Anyway their are tons of makers doing the plexi clone thing, I just thought this was an interesting twist on that.
Mike