Marshall TSL100 - Great or Garbage?

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[@overdrivenbrain]

Never imagined this amp could be different sounding from the DSL! Love your videos of traditional tube amps, specially the Marshall ones man!

[@KeganVanSickle]

Yep, sounds like a Marshall.

[@shredding51]

I always loved the clean channel of this amp

[@hotelhustlers]

I’ve gigged mine since 2008 and I love it. I do need a noise suppression pedal, but it adds some compression so I don’t mind. Very versatile, has never let me down...not sure why these get a bad rap but it’s my go-to head.

[@Orange6921]

The lead channel is killer for cutting through the mix with a solo. Great sustain.

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

Seems versatile and usable to me. KZbin is a tough way to analyze sound. Does seem a bit brittle up top and I like a nice round sound. I use my Marshall with the clean channel maxed and a bit of boost added. Somewhat clean when played lightly and really honks when you hit it.

[@bluepapillon7059]

This was a much better demo. I've played through DSL's and they are really good for plug in and play. But TSL's have much more, just gotta play with it. Vintage 30's also help, but all subjective. Love the channel!

[@steviesedge]

Loved it as soon as you engaged the SD 1. Still doesn't match up the the DSL crunch mode with a boost.

[@gkol69]

When you engaged the SD-1 and the Deep switch with the Lead channel, THAT was the sound!!! I also liked the crunch channel when you played "Fool For Your Loving" but the clean channel is a little flat. Did you had the guitar on the neck pickup all the time?

[@zoeyf3471]

This amp does everything. Try the clean channel with mid boost in, bass 4-5, treble around 8, and your favorite distortion pedal. It really takes distortion pedals to a rich mid focused lead sound.

[@danilor.pavonchavez5192]

Dude you are one of the best out there doing reviews , you actually are listen the feedback from us and thats bad ass. way better review and more accurate, with better tube that amp kicks ass keep going man and maybe one of this days you do a review on the Horizon devices pre amp there is a lot of mix feeling about that pedal.

[@guitaradrian07]

Thanks for the demo, this really helped me decide to go for this Head. I've picked one up fairly cheap that's in great condition and I'm now confident I'll get some nice sound out of it. I've been looking for a 100w vintage modern for a while now to pair with the VM cabinet I've got. But as yet no success, hopefully the JCM 2000 TSL will pair up well.

[@stevecarey8671]

Fantastic video demo!! Everything was just so clear, explanatory and easy to gauge. Nothing like a les paul or a strat straight into a Marshalll to hear the amp breath and roar. It really showcases what the amp can do and really puts you as close as possible to actually being in the room with the amp.

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks mate!

[@felinekaiju4517]

Great review mate!. How do you think she'll hold up in the lower register for a 7 or 8?. I saw a review of the 2000 DSL with low tuned 7's, one wasn't boosted and I was impressed. I know what Marshalls are known for, but if she can handle those lower tunings, I'd go down this road.

[@donaldmoser212]

Another great video. Thanks. I love it when you use / discuss conventional tube amps. One thing you didn’t mention was what cabinet and speakers you are playing through. While at one point I had both the JCM2000 DSL100 and TSL100 heads, the TSL many times needed Vintage 30s or Greenbacks, whereas the DSL100 (which I still have) seems to work with many cab and speaker configurations.

[@alankotler9971]

He's not using a speaker cabinet. He's uses some sort of IR Speaker emulator. That's why it sounds so good.

[@Stefan-Van-der-Pulst]

@@alankotler9971 It does make a difference which cab you use. Even if the specs are the same. It sounds great through my favorite eighties 1960 cab but much more treble and fizz through my 2015 cab (also 1960 model with the same Celestion G12T-75 speakers in it).

[@alankotler9971]

@@Stefan-Van-der-Pulst All I'm saying is that miking a cabinet sounds into the computer sounds different than using an IR.

[@SirTolik]

Thank you for the review! Now it sounds much closer to the one I have at home. I also have the JCN800 2205. And for some reasom it much more exciting to play the 2205...

[@jim4633]

Whole video on the rhythm pickup?

[@stumblingpilgrim]

This is a superb review. Thank you.

[@brianbeaven698]

I have both the TSL and DSL plus other Marshall’s I just love them all , they go from mild too Wild , Cheers 🎸

[@timothymartin2137]

Needed to comment that you have great tone in this video, any chance you can fill us in on what tubes you are using?

[@markg9254]

I gigged in a modern metal band with one of these regularly and it always sounded solid! I tried the dsl and it sounded buzzy and muffled in comparison

[@gordontubbs]

I put the TSL and JVM in the same camp: if you have time to dial it in you can get a great tone, but they're not nearly as plug-and-play as the DSL.

[@bbck15]

i found my jvm easier to dial in than my ex -TSL100. i never really gelled with the TSL

[@gordontubbs]

@@bbck15 Between the JVM's 4 channels, if you can't find 1 you like, you're doing it wrong. lol. It's a flagship amp.

[@guitaradrian07]

Ahh just read this..^^

[@MegaWumba]

Gotta disagree with the JVM, it’s got a shit Ton of sweet tones with little tweaking. But the TSL does take more time. These settings Leon had going on are spot on though

[@RSimusic]

bang on correct

[@christophermarshall1441]

I’m wanting to know more about that killer Les Paul you got there!🤘🏼

[@SaintFredrocks]

You should have tried the dirt channels with the Deep switch on. Very nice!

[@strayzilla]

I used to own one of these. I found the problem is (like a ton of Marshalls) you really need to hit a certain volume to have it sparkle. And until it hits that volume it sounds really dull. Or at least my combo did. And those VPR switches might as well be a "make this sound dark" switch. By the time I had enough volume to make it sound good it was just too crazy loud for most uses.

[@AB-80X]

Well, it's a tube amp. Crank it! People seem to think that preamp gain is what it is about, but few have experienced proper power tube distortion.

[@tonedriverss8629]

JCM 2000TSL100 .... best Marshall I've ever had ! It does it all with class . Had 2 DSL 100's ... very good also , but I prefer my TSL . Great demo . Great Marshall amp .

[@Hrledood911]

Leon, were you going through a cabinet? If so, which one?

[@binface9]

Digging those crunch tones.

[@binface9]

Would be interesting to hear you test the speculation about it being a decent pedal platform on the clean channel.

[@jszot1985]

I've owned and gigged with one since around 2003 or 4 I can't remember. It's a fantastic amp and really can be like having 6 channels in one . I like how subdued the channels are they really lend for pedals to have room for boost etc. The clean I use a treble boost and a chorus and it sounds phenomenal with coil splits especially so and you can add a mild OD for semi dirty tones. The crunch channel channel is just a step above the clean without an OD but with can do rock and classic metal spot on. The lead channel can handle everything leads and heavier metal tones. Really versatile amp and they've become super cheap since the DSL is so popular this gem is overlooked

[@DR440]

I'm guessing it has been pretty reliable for you then? I found one for really cheap and am thinking about getting it...

[@johnsimms3957]

They're nice sounding amps. I have two TSL60s myself. I didn't buy a TSL100 because it was too loud to play at home.

[@gregg4164]

I really like the DSL , that and the JCM 800 2210 are my favorite Marshall amps.

[@bigmike9527]

were you playing all of that on the neck pickup? because that where you had the position of the switch on the guitar?

[@lopezlou4742]

foreal. must mean the highs are unbearable

[@CrowemagModelWorks]

Nah. He has the switch in reverse. Common for a lot of Les Paul players. I do the same.

[@timbuk1126]

What pickups have you got in your Les Paul. I'm getting Ace Frehley vibes.

[@mattdixon7647]

What is the writing on the amp next to the standby switch? Todorovich? Is the amp modded?

[@ralphpezda6523]

If you want to clean up a distorted sound add some delay with the shortest amount of delay time you can dial in. You don't want to hear the same tone twice. You want to hear one tone slightly overlapped / stretched out.

[@craigjonlyon]

I have had mine since they 1st came out & have loved it,although for the last few years I have been using my jcm slash 2555SL as I thought it sounded better but used the tsl today for shits & giggles at practice today & I could not believe the amount off balls this has & bottom end - blew me away & have a new appreciation for this amp especially with the VPR (power reduction) that drops it to 25watt with all 4 EL34’S Still cranking & singing away almost had a nice fuzz face sound to it as I pushed it to the max & didn’t kill myself or band mates due to the lower volume output either,definitely had more thump than the slash amp & all have same valves (mullards) in both - I will be using it more than ever now - can’t rate this amp enough fo all out rock sound

[@bandit7498]

I’ve had one since 2002. On my pedalboard I use an MXR Zakk Wylde Berzerker OD pedal. On my crunch and lead channels I tend to set them about the same EQ wise with the gain on the crunch channel at about 2 or 3 o’clock. About the same for the lead channel. More than that and it tends to get a little fizzy. But I have to say, I can leave the OD on, use the channel selector like normal to punch in between crunch and lead and it really sounds like the same channel, with the exception of a little more sustain on the lead channel of course. I boost the volume on the lead of course to cut through in a live setting. But I love mine. I have JJ tubes in mine. Burnt the main board up on it before. Broke out the soldering iron and patched it up. Been rocking out ever since.

[@darryllesko2505]

Leon ……. It doesn’t matter what amp you’re demoing ….. You always have good tone …..!!!! 🎸🔊🔊👍

[@nimasaremie]

what cab or IR did you use in this video?

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

are you on the rhythm pickup the entire time?

[@low_e_music]

Great review Leon! I almost bought a TSL60 combo a few years ago but went with the DSL40 instead. Tried both and the TSL sounded fine but the DSL was just more "Marshally" to my ears. The TSL definitely had it on versatility though and would have certainly gotten the job done.

[@LeonTodd]

I'm a DSL guy too.

[@luisalextorres]

hey man! love the video review of this amp here. i own one too and it sounds/ works great for my needs now. im curious if you have any issues with a noisy fx loop for yours? Not sure if its all TSLs across the board that have cheaper components that cause this noise or if its just my amp. I dont really have an issue when the loop 1 button is not engaged but when i push on it it boosts the line level which in theory is great... but im getting noise for sure now that its been boosted. im considering trying out higher quality cables since for now im using instrument george l cables and not the thin solderless pedalboard ones.

[@LeonTodd]

I haven't tried the loop for a while, I'll investigate the next time I pull it out.

[@luisalextorres]

@@LeonTodd ive also tried screwing around with the fx mix knobs. dialing them back to reduce the noise (less obvious with cleaner channels) with the loop engaged while trying not to lose too much of the signal running through it (my chorus, delay, verbs.) im assuming that the fx mix knob was a result of rack gear line mixers becoming popular and somewhat handy for certain players. right? i do prefer the amp tone with the fx loop mix knob off since it gives me full range of low end but find it gets sucked up significantly after 12 oclock. love your youtube shit dude keep rockin bro!

[@professorprog4170]

I own the TSL60 and with a good and fat OD run into the front with the volume and tone around middle and the highs rolled off I stopped really wanting any other amp despite being a gear nerd. I’ve played through DSLs and own the 40 watt combo and never liked them as much as my TSL

[@JonpMathewsdxt]

And also put a Wampler Tumnus Deluxe in front of the tsl or dsl and you’ll be in love

[@henrikjensen3524]

agree Leon.Mine (1x12) combo I use for jam nights down our local club , three channels and nothing else.... and no one to step on your effects !Les Paul with burst buckers and strat with texas specials.Thanks Man!

[@msaintpc]

If you know how to adjust this amp you can have one sweet sounding mfr that can handle its own against anything out there.

[@nicholastotoro7721]

I had one back in 2001 or so, but bought it used and had it sent straight to be modded before it got to my house. Amazing how totally ok they are stock, but completely flat.

[@AB-80X]

If you roll the tubes right and find the proper cab, a TSL is a badass and great amp. Most people just don't know what the hell they are doing. People seem to think that you only need to learn how to play guitar, and then amps and sound is just "free". Ask about any of the big names how much time they spend finding a tone and refining it. Most spend as much time as the have spent learning to play. That's the harsh reality of music. Find me a singer who knows to adjust the eq of his or her mic. Too many are too dumb or too lazy to care.

[@waldog2000]

Hey Todd, thanks for another great review. A little bit off topic but I’m looking to buy a Les Paul. Have owned/played some newer ones which were okay (one was garbage) but looking to buy a classic. If you could own one Les Paul how old would you go to get a classic hard rock machine?

[@LeonTodd]

I recently did a vid comparing and contrasting my LP and PRS. Worth a look to see what I did to this guitar to get it going. I'd personally look for an early 2000s standard

[@waldog2000]

Leon Todd thanks for your reply. I’ll sus that video out.

[@user-cs1jo4gp2e]

Neck pickup ...?

[@richardbaldwin3604]

Love the tsl. Also that lp is amazing

[@chuckrieger782]

Excellent tone=GREAT!!!🎸👍🤘

[@thecrowsnest2872]

I love my tsl100. I’ve always played in heavier bands the play with clean parts and Distorted parts, and this amp has a killer distortion tone with a tube screamer and Gorgeous clean sound. I will always love an amp with the capability to make beautiful cleans and disgusting dirty tones

[@donprater6944]

I wasn't crazy about mine. Traded it for a mesa mark v....... Happy

[@crunch_amp9282]

The JCM TSL amp has some of the same circuits that Marshall Plexi has in it that's why they sound similar to a jCM 800 also.

[@rembo9685]

Good review! I had mine modified. It has a choke and some things are done to get rid of some of the high annoying frequency's it sometimes has. Also the tone knobs work much better now. At the beginning, when I just bought it, I didn't liked it at all and I was thinking of selling it. But after a while I started to understand the amp. It is an incredible versatile amp, with great sounds. Especially when you use a tubescreamer with it. You can also use the gain knob on the clean channel to get a really cool old-school sound. One of my favorite amps!

[@rembo9685]

@Tim Vesper Yes exactly! I tried it with a TS 808, Maxon OD, a MXR EQ, a vintage EH big muff and much more. With the scooped mids it sounds really brutal. I have a 4x12 straight cabinet with 4 matched Greenbacks from '71. Sounds amazing!

[@rembo9685]

@Tim Vesper sounds good. I am very curious about the results. Maybe I am gonna upload a demo about mine one day. The cabinet is an original Marshall 1960b. From 1992 made in the UK. I swapped the G12T-75's for the Greenbacks.

[@rembo9685]

@Tim Vesper unfortunately I never played creambacks. And I also like V30's, but only for a modern metal sound. Good combination with a 5150 for example. I recorded my guitar once in a studio with that combination. Really brutal, but to modern for my taste. Are the 30W Greenbacks in the Marshall 1960 BX basket wave cabinets? If that is the case, I did play my TSL thrue it. It was really good. Very nice low end, but not annoying if you know what I mean :)

[@rembo9685]

@Tim Vesper Yes, the Friedman 4x12 has Greenbacks and V30's. I'll bet it sounds really great. And it looks nice too. Yes, I had some components upgraded. But to be honest I have no idea which ones. It was done by an amp technician from the Netherlands. We took a Marshall TSL/DSL mod schedule from some website like 9 years ago. If I remember correctly FJA mods. And I guess the guy knew what he was doing. He installed the choke, replaced some resistors, did something with the bias and put EL 34 tubes in it. I can not really tell you exactly what he replaced. I know more about playing than electronics. I also saw the voodoo mod that I really liked. What mod did you do to your amp?

[@outzie6182]

sounds like it would fit really well in the mix when the bass isn't as pushed

[@JoeCSIS]

Thank you for your honest review.

[@Orange6921]

This was my gig amp back in the 2000's and wow did it cut through the mix easy. People often raved about my tone back then, it was mostly strait amp with a wah and delay. I think it was the lead tone on that lead channel people really liked. But the whole amp really sliced through the mix live. I still love that lead channel.

[@Padreblue11]

Sorry if you’ve been asked this before, but what Les Paul is that? It’s gorgeous!

[@LeonTodd]

2002 Standard Premium Plus, absolute ripper!

[@dougquaid4745]

Todd, you would make a coat hanger sound awesome! Thanks for the review, you are now responsible for my neighbours enjoying my TSL100 head.

[@tjborekvideo]

Wow, the Deep switch makes a big difference on the Lead channel. I'd leave it in the whole time to thicken up the tone. I enjoyed the demo.

[@only5186]

I never take mine off

[@niklasoswald7937]

i always leave it out, to me it sits better in a mix without it enganged

[@Orange6921]

I never use the lead channel for anything but solo's. I seem to be in the minority though. Its my favorite lead solo tone.

[@rengamz]

Can you recommend a pedal flat form marshall head Or combo pls? Or any head but not too expensive. I do like classic rock tones. Tnx

[@LeonTodd]

Get a used DSL50 head.

[@nigel900]

Very nice. 👍🏻

[@vox1966]

I am a old man this is a great amp I own one my vintage modern is my favorite but this amp when the mother board is replaced with version 20 is Awesome I have a large collection of amps

[@Cerusicus26]

I have bought it after seen your video. This amp rocks

[@mustardproductions3531]

great.. not even a question.. Plus a good amp tuner can get the slo-100 performance out of one fairly easy.

[@hammer5475]

Is there a gap in the channel switching?

[@dillardfilth8933]

When you say DSL, do you mean a jcm2000 dual super lead or the newer Asian made ones?

[@AB-80X]

My guess is the original.

[@Rpaterson33]

I had one and could not get a good dirty sound, suprisingly the clean was pretty good on it.

[@AB-80X]

What levels did you play at? Anything below 6 on the master is pointless.

[@JuneEBug-gy6nt]

Not disappointed at all with the AC/DC sound!

[@LaszloVarga-msc]

At the emd, it became quite cool

[@ianblanton1624]

Awesome amp

[@zbaby82]

I have two TSL60s. They're my favorite amps.

[@zombiemosher1139]

For me the crunch channel is where its at, I'd probably run the gain full with a boost but then I play Thrash. I do find the lead channel not as full sounding & the clean seems like an after thought.

[@gtpipes]

Sounds amazing to me. Never understood the hate... In a mix, 90% couldn't tell the diference to a 800 or earlier Marshall...

[@AB-80X]

Fact is that too many may know how to play, but they never took the time to learn about amps and sound.

[@lockstar169]

I like your appraisal of this amp. I know it sounds crazy but I bought a Les Paul without ever plugging it in because, well...it's a Les Paul, hahaha...I ended up with a used TSL 100 and I couldn't have been more pleased with marriage of amp and guitar. I've always been a 3 sound player. I max out my guitar volume in each channel and back each off as needed. You're correct when you say, I want my amp to do most of the work. Why have a tube amp otherwise? I've got limited effects. Delay, Chorus. I also use an EQ for solos but it's largely doing what you're doing with the mid shift. I find the inline active circuit (Les Paul Classic) accomplishes the same thing but I'm a passive pickup player.

[@LS67NOVA]

I'm ready to buy a used amp this week......down to a 2004 jcm 2000 DSL 50, a 2000 JCM 2000 TSL 100, and a 2007 TSL 60. Decisions, decisions. I think the TSL60 is the least desireable on my list though. Any thoughts?

[@LeonTodd]

Personally the DSL50 is my favourite of those

[@LS67NOVA]

@@LeonTodd thanks!! Tone-wise I agree. But I think I'd like the 3 channels on the TSL's....but 100w is way too much for me...and the 60w is apparently a completely different animal and the tone is nowhere near the TSL100. If the DSL50 had separate eq's, that would help. The perfect amp would be the channel 50w with the controls of the TSLs but the tone circuitry of the DSL.

[@LeonTodd]

@@LS67NOVA that's what I thought as well but I used to just roll with a single channel on the DSL with an SD-1 in front for leads and my volume control backed off for cleans.

[@JimmyJinxBlau]

I play with a 1980 JCM800 head,modified by a couple guys and an old MXR 6 band EQ.It is pretty close to the plexi sound.All my guitars have active EMG's and those pickups are insane.That being said,your guitars rule and you're a great player, love the Soldano the most.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

emgs with anything =shit

[@darrendowler]

I like it. Pretty versatile for a Marshall.

[@stevedewdney6978]

I guess it’s horses for courses to a certain extent but putting my strat on the clean channel through a vintage Marshall 4x12 just knocks the whiskers off my chin. Really love that punchy deep crisp bite… a bit of an overkill as a bedroom amp but hey, it’s where I do my gigs! LOL! Would never part with my TSL… ever. Great video, inspiring thanks!

[@smurphree]

My current TSL100 rocks. Although I did have one previously that had the bias drift and it took out the tubes, main board, and the output transformer. But I liked the amp. Fast forward more than a decade and I wanted to get another one. This time, there is a ton of information out there on how to make these TSLs bullet proof. So I bought one for cheap and decided to put a little bit of money into it. I had a JCM800 2204 post 85 back in the day and I can get those tones out of this TSL easily. I pushed the front end of the 2204 with a TS9 and I push the front end of this with a TS9 or SD-1 depending on the tone I want. If you can , get a model year 2005 or up and they come with the latest "Issue 20" main board. Early amps had incorrect resistor types and values in them. Anything below an "Issue 5" board was suspect. My amp came with an Issue 7 board and it had all of the correct resistor types and values but it was still susceptible to the bias drift problem. That is easily corrected with a Dr. Tube bias board modification. Since I got the amp cheap, I did the Dr. Tube bias board mod (if you are handy, it is pretty straight forward). The bias board mod was cheaper than getting an Issue 20 main board. Then I put a Classic Tone output transformer and replaced the R31 resistor with a Classic Tone choke. JJ ECC803s gold pins in all 4 sockets and 4 JJ EL32II tubes in the output biased at 85mv. Basically, it is setup like it should have been in the first place. Marshall was cutting corners with ho hum transformers and the grand lack of a choke. This amp has some serious balls now! Not a bit of flub or mud anywhere. I have it driving a 1960A with T1221 1973 greenbacks and it is oh so sweet! I do use a reactive attenuator instead of the VPR switch to tame the beast. It also keeps me from exceeding the 100w capacity of the greenbacks. The amp really comes alive at about the #4 position on the volume knob. Without an attenuator, we are already talking ear bleed SPLs. It is not a bedroom volume amplifier without an attenuator, even if you use the VPR switch. The VPR switch does takes some tone away but you can compensate on the EQ for it if you just have to. Add a QUALITY reactive attenuator and yes, it can do bedroom volumes and still sound good! I don't gig anymore, so this amp is ONLY used at home for my own enjoyment. I wouldn't have it if it sounded like crap at what I consider "studio" volume levels. I can turn it down to bedroom volume levels and still get good tones from it. But you gotta have the attenuator! I believe the differences in the main board components between when the amp was first released until say the Issue 5 main board and up is what is responsible for the inconsistent reviews of this amp, tone/sound wise. I have played on some of the earlier ones and they sounded flat and just didn't have any punch even if you pushed the front end. But if you get a fixer-upper and do your research, you can have one awesome amp. I was looking for another JCM800 2204 when I got this TSL. Let's just say I'm no longer looking for the 2004. The TSL is far more versatile. And a crap load cheaper than the JCM800 too! Oh, BTW, the early JCM2000 DSL100s suffered the same component and bias drift problem as the TSL100s and TSL122s. Do your research on what ever used amp you are contemplating.

[@Braapcity]

I bought an Issue 20 board but didn't do the choke. I should do one

[@edvank5150]

I have a tsl plugged into a 1960AV cab. Make no mistake about it, it is finicky as all hell so be careful. I’ve literally had it stop working on me for absolutely no reason and by the time i got it to the repair shop itd be working just fine again. But tone-wise it absolutely roars.

[@davidcollins5533]

I think they are great 👍 . I have 2 overdrives I use on my TSL 60 combo . A Texas Harmonics Hot Mod 800 sound's awesome on it . Also for a boogie tone I use a Wampler triple wreck . It is brutal killer through my 602 and it is just a combo . I think people that do not like this amp simply do not try enough experimenting with pedals and adjustments I love mine !

[@MrWillicat1]

I giggled with a TSL for years. I always thought the cleans were really nice and the Orange channel really shined with a TS9 boosting it. The red channel was always a muddy mess imo.

[@MrWillicat1]

Tim Vesper so many year ago now. Believe it or not I’m happy with a DSL 100 for a while now.

[@michaelmarquis1824]

Ive been gigging with mine for a few years now ..ever since i got it , friends will come up and tell me its muddy sounding out front.

[@Orange6921]

IMO the lead channel is made for solo's. It has much more compression and a ton of sustain and gain and really slices through the mix in a live setting. I used it for years and always got complimented on my tone, particularity the lead tone. Everyone always said my leads were clean, crisp and sparkly with a load of sustain.

[@PhilDuggs]

What is that white single cut in the background?

[@LeonTodd]

A 2002 LP custom. Fun guitar but it is insanely heavy.

[@JonpMathewsdxt]

I have the tsl 100 on top of the 1960 a with two gt75 and two v30 x pattern. Sounds pretty awesome and never had a problem but I know I’m a lucky one. Not many have been that lucky. Had it over 10 years. But also have a dsl 40c with a Creamback and it absolutely kills. Great two channel combo. Sound fantastic. Also a great pedal platform if that’s your style. Both are great but I almost always fire up the dsl.

[@leftygtrplr6184]

I use this same pattern for my JCM 2000 DSL 50. It sounds so good with those speakers. I've been curious about the TSL since my DSL sounds so good. I just wish I could access all modes via the footswitch.

[@caseyrossiter4029]

I’ll say it, great review man.

[@guitaradrian07]

Is it possible that this amp does what everyone wants but you just need to put time in on the dials?

[@Stefan-Van-der-Pulst]

That and play it loud and I mean LOUD.

[@peterkoolsmit]

I just bought a modded 1999 Marshall TSL 100. The mods, Mercury choke, bias and high gain mod were done by RJ Amps. This thing slays... No need for a boost, eq or whatsoever

[@jamesjames77777]

I have this amp and I barely used it once I started buying high end vintage amps. The other day, I just thought I’d try it, so I ran it through a 59 Bassman Cab - HOLY EXPLETIVE - this amps rocks, it’s just the Marshall cab that goes with it is a pile of crap!! Tried numerous other heads with the Marshall cab and it made them all sound thin and horrible. Hope that helps anyone looking 👍

[@joeladams8506]

The only person I’ve known who consistently used this amp ran it through an orange cab. That wouldn’t surprise me at all what you’re saying about the cabs that came with these amps.

[@JohnPaulHare]

Seemed more than serviceable to me, except right at the very end where it went super fizzy. Also got some Metallica vibes with the lead channel plus the SD-1, which was interesting considering they aren't really Marshall guys.

[@chadpeace5852]

John Paul Hare they were during the Kill Em All and Ride the Lightning years and maybe even Master of Puppets. I think they switched to Mesa during the And Justice for All Album to most recent. Also the original lead guitarist Dave Mustaine has always been a Marshall guy I recently just picked up the TSL 100 for a sweet deal and I’ll be playing 2 Vintage 30 4x12 cabs through it. I love the tone. Has plenty of growl.

[@stephaneaudet]

I Leon , i don't know again if i gonna buy a JCM 2000 DSL or JVM 210H .The sound of DSL is this more a real Marshall sound?

[@LeonTodd]

The DSL is my favourite modern marshall

[@stephaneaudet]

@@LeonTodd If you can one day i would like to you try the both amp one after the other.

[@stephaneaudet]

With EMG 85 or Seymour Duncan Blackout metal.

[@nickm.9474]

I mean the JCM 2000. Which this is a lot alike. No?

[@LeonTodd]

The original JCM2000 line had the TSL and DSL series. The DSL works a little differently but they share a few features.

[@danedgar1539]

How would it compare to the jvms?

[@LeonTodd]

Sounds more like the DSL's to me. The JVM's are more modern and aggressive

[@vypyrr]

biggest regret selling my tsl combo , every bit as good as a jvm. loves pedals. strat, jackson with blackouts and godin humbucker.

[@andrewspade7969]

A Maxon od808 on the lead channel playing rhythm sounds better than a Boss SD1, more full sounding less harsh. Also why do people say Oclock when talking about amp settings, there numbered 0 to 10 ?.

[@1thess523]

I had the TSL 60W and it was a little too flubby for my taste, my son had an extra Walrus Audio Voyager transparent overdrive that I had to use to tighten it up and get the sound i was looking for which is that 90's skatepunk sound . I ended up trading it for a fender which didn't work out so i sold that and scored a Blackstar HT 60 which i am totally happy with (no pedal needed) especially running through a 4x12 vintage 30's cab and my Korean Epiphone Les Paul Standard with Gibson pick ups 👌, also my Blackstar is super versatile for when or if i ever learn how to actually play anything more than 3 chord skate punk 😂.

[@googleuser6164]

The Marshall TSL had more of a midrange bloom to it which was good for 80's Rock/Rhoads/GNR type tone. The DSL 100 has less midrange than the TSL and more of a mushier gain tone which is great for harder metal like Slayer.

[@Orange6921]

This was my experience as well. The TSL fit my style and sound much better, and it has a killer lead tone when you play those solo's. From 70's to 90's classic rock it was killer. Its not made for those mushy gains or a mesa sound.

[@IsaacLausell]

Is this much different from the TSL 60?

[@LeonTodd]

TSL60 front panel has some shared EQ while this is one knob per function.

[@AnarchyAudio]

From personal gigging experience with this amp...cost cutting construction, leading to failures/PITA to bias. Crunch and modern High gain Tones are just ok, but benefits from eq in fx loop...the 6100LM anniversary series is MUCH better!

[@belligerentamateur]

I've owned quite a few DSL's, and got my first TSL yesterday. I don't understand the hate, and you definitely do this amp justice. Nope, it's not an 800. But it's not meant to be.

[@dougquaid4745]

Hi, are they still made in the UK? was your TSL made in Bletchley? Many thanks

[@dillardfilth8933]

@@dougquaid4745 I have a Tsl60 that was 🤠

[@AB-80X]

@@dougquaid4745 My TSL 100 is UK made. There was a reissue of sorts I believe.

[@dougquaid4745]

@@AB-80X thanks for the info, they do sound just awesome!

[@dougquaid4745]

@@dillardfilth8933 thank you, I did see that your model was, I was very tempted but now have a the TSL 100 head, its just killer

[@dropswitch4121]

Three points on this. This particular amp out of the box needs to be rebiased. The tubes are biased cold so the tubes last longer according to the Marshall company road rep. 2 if you switch to 12ax7s and EL34 tubes this amp comes to life. 3 this amps 12 o'clock setting is more like the 3 o'clock setting. Adjust your tone nobs to this and dial in.

[@timothymartin2137]

Just a quick follow up for those that care, what I stated earlier is in fact correct with one caveat, it should be done with the amp NOT on standby. It is called repolarizing the filter caps and should be done with amps that sit idle for a year or so at a time(for those who like me have a ludicrous problem like more amps than I can actually play). It can happen, though it took YEARS for me to get there(I wanted a tube amp for decades before being able to afford one....actually had to learn to fix them and trade repaired amps to upgrade. Turn the amp on as you would if playing and let it sit running for about 4 hours is the method that was described(not on stanby). This is obviously for tube amps...unsure if SS would benefit. Doubt it as no filter caps.