Opinions on Marshall DSL 50?

[bognermatchless]

Those who have played them at high volumes and low volumes....is this a good peice of equipment for rock n roll? Are there better alternatives in the prices range?

:aok

[Brett's Les Paul]

I have a DSL 100, sound great at any volume although it sounds best cranked. I haven't found a better overall amp for gigging out. Kinda overkill for small venues. I don't think a 50 watter would be noticeably less loud.

[bognermatchless]

thanks

[ronmail65]

I have owned the DSL 100, DSL 50 and the DSL 401 combo. I wouldn't touch the combo again -- it doesn't sound nearly as good as the heads. The heads were very reliable and sounded great. I played lots of gigs with the heads. IMO, the 100 sounds a little better than the 50.

Staying within the Marshall camp, if you don't need both channels and can get by with a little less gain, then I'd also recommend the old JMP MV heads or a JCM800 (these are my favorite Marshalls). IMO, better sound quality but they will likely cost you a little more.

All of these amps are going to be a challenge in terms of getting the same sound at low volume (bedroom) playing. But that's true for just about every tube amp out there. Get yourself a Blackstar HT-5 as a good Marshall-ish sounding low volume tube amp practice and reserve the heads for full band practice and gigging.

[SgtThump]

In the $600 dollars-or-so range (used prices), I'm not sure a DSL50/100 or a Peavey 6505 can be beat.

I've done plenty of gigs with both a DSL50 and DSL100 and they both lived up to my expectations. Great rock tones with a full band!

Slightly less great at bedroom levels at home, where I tend to like darker amps.

[Ultron]

I owned a DSL50 for a while.....a good head for cheap, needs to be cranked, but sits really nice in a mix. The treble bleed cap (c12) needs to be lowered on the red channel (or clipped) to even out the girth between red and green. Good cleans too.

I ended up putting a MM OT and choke in it.....the OT made a nice subtle difference, but the choke made it too tight IMHO....I missed the sag. Sold it about 6 months ago.

PCB board was changed by Marshall after 2004 IIRC...removed bias drift....so those are preferred.

[Braciola]

If I had a $700.00 budget, the DSL50 would be a no brainer.

[Marcus71]

For the price they can be had, I don't think there's any competition for this type of amp. I think they are undervalued.

[matt5150]

Definitely undervalued amp.

Had a DSL50 for a rented backline gig and liked it so much that I bought a DSL100 1/2 stack when it came along at a good price. Very good clean channel and good, solid gain channel. Probably more gain that I will ever need.

Great inexpensive backup or main rig. It holds it own amongst the Bogner/Diezel/CAA and others in my amp collection. While perhaps not as refined or smooth I have no hesitatons using it on the gig and it takes pedals well.

I hope this helps.

Matt

[bognermatchless]

DSL seems to take a killing on the used market.