Marshall DSL-1 Combo Amp Review - Mini and Mighty or Tiny and Terrible?

Marshall back at what they do best - Valve amps!
I play the amp with some humbuckers courtesy of my SG and throw a bit of single-coil stratocaster in there as well.
Get the DSL-1 at Thomann - thmn.to/thopro...
Get the DSL-1 at Andertons - bit.ly/3H0PEw2
Get the DSL-1 at Sweetwater - imp.i114863.ne...
This amp genuinely impressed me and it may be all the amp you need for some people. Great Crunch at low volumes and even giggable in small venues
T-shirt link - teespring.com/...
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[@TheGuitarGeek]

Get the DSL-1 at Thomann - thmn.to/thoprod/422010?offid=1&affid=288 Get the DSL-1 at Andertons - bit.ly/3H0PEw2 Get the DSL-1 at Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/kjBOJ3

[@chrisbailey556]

just got one of these and honestly you wouldn't believe how loud it can be for its size love it

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Today bought one of these puppies. I live in an appartment, so my neighbours are a very happy!

[@Sam-w9des]

I bought this amp a couple weeks ago, cause of your review. yes a lot complain, but I love it its a Marshall and has that tone iv longed for, no regrets! Thanks.

[@JoshBreault]

Very nice. I had my doubts, but it’s a feisty little practice amp. I love my DSL 40C and this just proves that the DSL range is great performance for the money.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

It really is. Classic Marshall tone in a small package

[@Nightingale1887]

Well I get your point about the reverb. They could easily improve it but then again Marshall isn't particularly well known for their lush reverbs. I'm just glad it has one at this price point and one could easily just hookup a different reverb in the FX loop.

[@fuckgoogle8661]

Marshall is complete shit for effects. They always figure mediocre is like winning a cup.

[@genelaskowski3679]

I just wanted to let you know that I enjoy your channel very much. I love the honesty, frankness and of course your playing ability is exceptional! Thanks, and keep it going. Gene

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I appreciate that Gene!

[@MsEcko95]

Just got one a couple days ago. It's really a great amp, for the first time in years I'm waiting when I can come home after work and play guitar through it. Literally gave me back the taste of life, lol. Especially after all these digital amps and multieffect processors. But it's a bit too loud even with the "low-power" mode, definitely missing a master volume or separate gain knob for the green channel. Anyway, love it. Blues tones are great. Healed my depression.

[@ceaukerman]

I have one and play/record in a small upstairs apartment...it can scorch even on low mode, like you said. I keep a passive master volume attenuator on my pedal board running into the fx loop to fix the issue. Works like a gem. Crank the classic gain channel to wherever you want it and then use the master vol knob on the attenuator pedal to dial in a safe volume :-)

[@patrickkowalski8256]

I’m sold! Sounds great for AC/DC and Maiden tones

[@githane]

I'm looking at selling my Katana 100 because I just cannot get close to a good Maiden sound out of it. And honestly... it's more complicated than I want. Love the DSL I can more or less just plug n play and they sound amazing. No need to mess with an absolute garbage heap of an excuse for software to run my amp.

[@suminshizzles6951]

I have a VOX model from a few years ago. It has 3 settings. Half a watt, 1.5 watts and 5 watts. The 0.5 watt is loud enough in a house setting. It is the DA5 model and can be powered by battery. 6 C batteries that wlll go for 3 or 4 hours. Great for busking if you are into that sort of thing. LOUD.

[@erikschaffer2038]

Just got myself one and I satisfied. They could have saved this cheap digital reverb, it really spoils the good tube sound. Instead I'd preferred the line in input and the headphone output on the front panel. But anything else? Sounds like a marshall but you play without waking up the baby or annoying the neighbours. As long you don't play it loud (use the 0,1W button on the rear) the 8" speaker is sufficient also for lower frequencies. Using the 1W option, this thing already is too loud for the living room. The box looks really decorative, although the corner protectors look a little bit cheap. OK, the amp is really not expensive. I only worry about the lifespan of the two black buttons, they don't feel very durable. I'm glad someone finally made a tube amp for home use. There should be more products like this.

[@aidenmohrmann1850]

If it’s not perfect for everyone it is certainly perfect for me. My AC10 is actually too loud for my family (several of us work from home). I really wanted that valve tone and to be able to “silent practice” with headphones, and after a few digital amps, two sets of headphones, and some amp plugs I was still unsatisfied until I found this amp. Paired with my strat it sounds amazing to my non-gigging ears and is still decent with good headphones.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I have to agree, it’s a great amp for that

[@robertthompson6302]

Is there a headphone jack? Thanks

[@aidenmohrmann1850]

@@robertthompson6302 Yes! There is a 3.5mm audio out.

[@lespauldisciple3349]

This little amp is a beast when juiced with an MXR Distortion +, but... The 8" speaker is insanely bright with no bottom end and very little mid-range. I took a Crate BX-25 bass amp, sealed the rear port, yanked the stock 10" speaker and installed a Celestion VT Jr. and hooked it up as an extension cab. (I prefer the tight response of a 10" versus a 12"). Now that amp wails like a monster. I pondered buying the head version but opted for the combo for the sake of "grab and go"

[@Ndlanding]

Since this amlificator is quieter than normal, I tried using it in the bath. The speaker went all soggy, but my manhood took those 230V like there was no tomorrow. And there wasn't.

[@lookatdisdude3181]

sometimes I C U M blood and I don't tell nobody

[@reaper3509]

@@lookatdisdude3181 lies

[@GuitarsnCars]

😂

[@lookatdisdude3181]

Ur right I do tell people all the time

[@reaper3509]

@@lookatdisdude3181 lol

[@mhw6160]

The Marshall DSL5 combo with reverb upgrades to a 10” speaker and sounds so much better for it.

[@MrRsw1138]

Picked up a mint used DSL1CR for $190 on Reverb, put in a NOS mid 60's RCA 12AU7 tube in the power section to clean up some of the background noise and added a little more headroom. it's a great little amp.

[@rwrws2000]

I’ve messed with a lot of low watt tube combo amps including a Blackstar HT1, Bugera Infinium 5w(which I replaced the same eight fifteen speak in). I also have a Vox Lil Night Train. And obviously this amp combo. After playing enough and hooking it up the Marshall MX112 cab I’m returning the cabinet. I love the Celestion eight fifteen speaker it sounds great and it’s loud and bassy. Now in all honesty it seems to me nothing’s special about an Orange PPC112 and I just can’t believe that something about that cabinet sounds so good but it really adds life. Other than that this little speaker is loud, has a lot of bass for its size and if you’re listening for clean with a bit of reverb it’ll have you closing your eyes and melting into the sustain. It’s good stuff. It’s an 8” what do you expect? Get a bigger cab if you need it. But I run both my remaining low watt tube cabs through the 8/15 and the only 12” cabinet I wish I never sold was a PPC112 so if I see a deal one day that might be coming home. Until then my wife and daughter shutting every door in the house due to volume would not go well with a bigger cab. More than happy for an intermediate bedroom player. I’m not doing any live gigs and am satisfied playing around with my hi/fi but smaller amps. And keeping an eye out for great deals on guitars.

[@ritchtaylor3831]

The 11 o'clock setting on the clean channel would be my home.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

It's a good sound

[@Airel17]

Picked up the same combo at a local shop for $199.99 and I agree that the speaker sounds better as it gets broken in doesn’t sound as brittle on the clean channel either. I’m happy with the purchase.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I think it's a great amp for 199! You scored well there

[@jighead81]

Well done man, you didn't show up on my searches for this. It popped up with other stuff, but well done.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thats interesting.. What were you searching for? I need to update my keywords

[@robblair3703]

I have one. It's really nice now it's broken in a little bit. When I first got it, it was a little fuzzy and thin, but after a few hours of mild abuse, it's lost the fizz and the brittleness and it actually sounds really nice now.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

That's great. I broke this one in for a few hours but I imagine it gets even better

[@robblair3703]

Yes absolutely. I've had it for about a month now and it's been Les Paul-ed every day for a couple of hours. Nicely broken in lol.

[@jeffleecust]

I’ve started just playing a pretty heavy riff and letting it loop on a looper at pretty high volume for an hour then rest 15 mins, then another hour. Do that 3-4 times and I’m sure any speaker would be good to go.

[@cliffords2315]

you can always try differnt tubes in it, tubes are the secret to these Marshalls,

[@BellsCuriosityShop]

I sold a MkI HT-1 to buy a MkII DSL1, and luckily for me i think its the better amp. I didnt much take to the ISF knob as it just had too many sounds and not enough time to spend finding them! I generally just use the cleaner of the two channels and don't engage that funky EQ thing. I get all the sounds i want.

[@cheenu711]

How to get tone: 1) Find the all tube marshall that fits your price range. Save if you have to. 2) Buy the Marshall and enjoy

[@MidtownMeezus]

All speakers have a break in period so it’s not strange that it sounds better over time

[@JACMUSTANGCAT]

I want the head version to play through a 12" Celestion. Nice demo! This is the best demo for this I've seen so far.

[@ToddtheExploder]

JACMUSTANGCAT Do it! DSL1 + G12T-75 = sonic bliss!

[@landonbailey]

great video and walkthrough. I love my DSL20HR, but can't say I really like this one. But I'm not entirety surprised. 😁👍 take care

[@TheGuitarGeek]

It is a little fizzy but it's very nice to turn to maximum and and play a power chord. chug city!

[@Maxhuertas]

I have this amp and I love it, It’s the perfect bedroom amps

[@troycollins1265]

Hi Andy... Moving to America isn't as depressing as it seems. Waiting for You is Appreciation. Troy from Atlantic City

[@user-lv7ph7hs7l]

That reverb sounds a lot better than my spring reverb in the old DSL401. Now that's an aweful reverb. This is perfectly fine.

[@crifo6525]

"When 1 watt is simply too loud" Very nice subtle comedy there, gave me a good chuckle

[@MarkRigler]

1 watt is surprisingly loud

[@mike1967sam]

I have the DSL 5 CR and it is an unbelievable amp for home and studio.

[@Jaceymg42]

Badass amp dude. I'm never getting rid of mine-it's too good! I remember I tried out a number of amps at my local music store, and I was like "meh," then that one caught my eye. As soon as we got it plugged in and let it warm up, I started playing it and... that was it: the deal was sealed.

[@moimeme7839]

That amp sounds awesome in an Orange 1x12 cab even at 0.1 watt

[@TheGuitarGeek]

hells yes!

[@Broccoli_Highkicks]

I like the ultra gain channel. The reverb might be a waste, but it's got an FX-loop, so reverb pedal. Would love a head-to-head (well, combo-to-combo) with, I guess, it's direct 1W competitor, the Blackstar HT-1.

[@ceaukerman]

When I got my DSL1 (it was a Christmas present from my brother several years back) he had actually ordered the blackstar but kept being told it was back ordered because it was when they were selling off the mk1 stock and about to release the mkII version of the HT stuff. By the time March-April rolled around he just had them swap it for the Marshall, and years later I've never once regretted him doing that

[@psour33]

Thank's for sharing. I own this little amp. I like it, even if Marshall can throw away the "tone shift" and the reverb. Even at very low power this amp is very loud. You can use it at home if you have a house, but not in an apartment when you crank it up. I'm seriously thinking of building an extra 12" cab. (sorry for my english)

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Hey your English is great! I agree. I loved the sound of this too!

[@lafemmeparallel]

psour33 does it sound boxy? Is it too loud for an apartment even when you use the “low power” button?

[@stratixx7]

@@lafemmeparallel actually yes and no, because it sounds pretty silent at minimal volume, but anyway i doubt it would be possible to play at night, when your kids sleeping in the nextdoor room, because at minimal volume it still sounds little louder then strings claping

[@psour33]

I use this one a lot at home for a long time now. I plugged in a 12" cab and it's very good. A guy went at home try a guitar I was selling and he told me "this amp sound great".

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I still love the little beast too

[@cheenu711]

Putting this through an old 1X12 with broken in speakers would make it sound much better than the base combo form. That said it doesn't sound as bad as other small amps with 8 inch speakers. You just took a few hours to break it in but I imagine after a month of heavy use it will sound much better. We are lucky to be in an age where we can buy an all tube marshall under 300 dollars.

[@84kjk]

I have a dsl5cr and replacing the stock speaker did wonders.

[@jfinkle456]

7:13 GRETA VAN FLEET!!! great video btw

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thank you :)

[@binface9]

I like the Celestial Eight 15 speaker. I have one in my Yerasov Gavrosh 8. Through that circuit I tend to have to bass set around 3 because there's plenty of bass, at least if your within 1 metre of the speaker. With a baritone guitar you get those corpulent bass tones with the bass setting turned up higher. YMMV depending on the genre you play.

[@Ndlanding]

Thank you for that.

[@RByrne]

I just got a 50th anniversary JCM1 custom shop Mini stack. It's the white one with 2-10" speaker cabs. It sounds amazing, and makes .e want to try the other 1watt Marshall's. The DSL is the next one I'd like to get, and run it through the same set of 10" cabs.

[@JuddLofthouse]

I got one 2 weeks ago and am impressed. But HOME USE ONLY .

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I love it. It is not perfect but it's so nice to get a marshall tone at such low volume

[@rogeriosartori555]

Hard to get a loud clean sound out of it. But its crunch is awesome!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

It's a fun, little amp

[@weenbeanproductonswbp8401]

I've actually mic'd mine to sound big, my sm 57 didn't sound good with it, it was tinny and small sounding, i used an sm58 clone and it sounds quite passable. Yes the amp is quiet, you can barely annoy people with it.

[@sixslinger9951]

I've got one on order, going to run it through one of my 4 x 12 marshall cabs...it should sound sweet then. it makes sense to buy the combo just for the added portable use without the big cab. it's the same price as the head.

[@steviesteve750]

Much better sound to be had with the 1W head into a 2x12 cab. Obviously costs more and less portable but sonically it's right there for home use.

[@meditationmuse4204]

1 watt of tube amp can be louder than you would think

[@TheGuitarGeek]

agreed!

[@sleekitwan]

So this is a great review, although my use interest was to either do what’s called ‘re-amping’ (ahem, ‘one is given to understand this is the term’), or directly recording into Apple’s baby DAW in my iPad M1. There are those little tube tubs you can get (should patent that for a product), with bare valves sticking out, which reminded me of that Korg recording unit accessory you used to be able to get, it fitted in the recording desk. However, it sounds like it would encourage me to play more, being a tad quieter. My experience being nearly 3 score years is that I grew up with the big lurch to transistors, largely driven by it being new tech and more reliable. Now we’ve all been transistorised down to the nanometre, and the gargantuan effort to replicate that saturated, rectified, or whatever ‘tube sound’ has been underway for some time of course. This is as we stand now, a great value piece of kit bringing proper Marshall sound, but it is into a 2022 World now as I type, of IRs and full Overloud TH-U software emulation of tube saturation being cheaper and fitting inside my iPad M1 device. Of course, the two only have a tiny overlap, it’s just I started out looking for an outboard unit to REALLY be involving tube valves in the FX chain of my little DAW, and ended up deciding of course, I need BOTH the software emulation AND the dinky Marshall tube combo unit! So, that’s a fail regards household expenditure and flies in the face of electricity consumption too! Anyway, I think when I retire, this would be such an easy purchase decision. Thanks a lot, take care all.

[@Taylor___]

Hmm, I think the 8 inch speaker is a let down. You're better with the head and a cab.

[@TraneFrancks]

The DSL1H head atop a 20W 1974CX cab could very well be the business for the bedroom player. Micing that at a studio would be dead easy, too.

[@mike1967sam]

Just to say the following. This new DSL line is so good that I own an older Fender Hot Rod Factory Special Run with JJ tubes and a Jensen speaker and the clean on my DSL 5 watt easily rivals the clean on my Hot Rod.

[@TheFairway8]

It’s obviously a direct competitor against the Blackstar HT1 r.

[@kaufenalles6679]

Oh yeah !! A price tag like that for a Marshall Made in Vietnam ??!! Pure British - Sure !

[@longi625]

Just like Zildjian cymbals "Genuine Turkish cymbals made in the USA!" Err?..... I always loved that on their T shirts. Bloody good cymbals though. Ahh drummers, you've got to love them!

[@TroyNaumu808]

Marshall could make a a bigger amp with a bigger speaker at more watts. Make it with a 1/8 input in and a 8ohm cabinet speaker output. Mains and battery powered. Maybe make it a two channel amplifier. Then Marshall would really have something.

[@redmed10]

Just an observation but I didn't notice anything different with tone shift on or off.

[@lukaszpiasecki]

Jup. The speaker sounds better the more you Play it. its Perfect for practice.

[@Earthskills]

Was that a little riff nod to Greta Van Fleet I heard? 😀

[@TheGuitarGeek]

More than a nod, sir. An absolute homage!

[@stacy6839]

TheGuitarGeek rock on dude 🤘

[@Supperconductor]

I’d love to build a one watt head as a kit and run it through my existing cabs.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Me too! How hard can it be?.....

[@VintageSG]

Do it. There are some really good kits from Tube Town, Musikding and Ampmaker to consider. They're all over 1 Watt, but don't let that put you off. The Musikding Madamp G3 is around 2~3 Watts ( ish ), has a TMB tonestack and sounds ruddy marvellous. I took around 4 hours to build mine. Really comprehensive kit with simple to follow instructions. Great sound on its own and really brings pedal sounds to the fore. Ampmaker produces a few low powered kits. Their WF-55 is a Champ clone, and a fine sounding one at that. Champs aren't for metallers though!. Blooze daddy amps :-) Great for crunchy tones, dirty blues and classic rock. Nice cleans too. Again, a simple, satisfying build. Check them out. I think my next amp will be a Tube Town tiddler. KZbin videos of them sound great and they won't break the bank. An amp with glowing glass for less than the price of a top tier overdrive pedal is not to be sniffed at. I just like mackling things together. If they make nice sounds too, bonus.

[@guitarocd9984]

I'm hoping Friedman builds one but I doubt it.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

That would be great!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I'll see what I can blag

[@beerwolf8518]

I have this amp. It's mostly good. The two things that I think could have made it better is having an 8 ohm speaker output and also, the clean channel seems kind of 'tinny' and lacks overall body and bass frequencies.

[@user-lv7ph7hs7l]

What is the impedance of the speaker?

[@beerwolf8518]

@@user-lv7ph7hs7l 16 ohm

[@ThunderFalcon333]

I scored mine for $315. Brand new. it is what it is. I like it. Think the speaker is the weak link.

[@bradleyclosson5042]

That tiny speakers sounds horrible!

[@PNWdude777]

Not upclose it doesn't.

[@nevigo5519]

This amp is great if you live in an apartment. I have used one around a month ,and I love it. F... Solid State.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Great amp

[@jtguitartv]

Sounds so much better at the end with the Cab! Anything less than a 12" speaker just doesn't sound right to me. Great video! JT

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Cheers. I agree

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

That is why i bought the Head version with the Marshall 1x12" cab. Cost me $519 and sounds awesome.

[@Chrosa]

I owned this for a few days. I think the reverb was nice and the ultra gain channel sounded good. The classic or clean channel sounded thin and brittle and I did not enjoy it. Great review Andrew

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Cheers Chris! Why did you only have it a few days?

[@Chrosa]

TheGuitarGeek while I liked it I was on the fence because I was trying out a few amps at the time. I was kinda hoping to hold out for the Origin but that’s taking forever to come out. I like Marshall gain but I don’t need super heavy gain so I thought maybe the origin is a better fit. Not to mention that if I were to get the DSL1 I might just get the head into a cab. Seems to sound better.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I think you made the right choice

[@zenwarfare70]

great video. I really enjoyed it !

[@Jaceymg42]

Over the years I’ve owned a lot of different amps: Peavey Special 212. Peavey Valveking VK100. Randall RH100. Marshall JCM-800 2203KK. Randall Warhead. Krank REV SST. Randall RG80. Marshall Code 25. Marshall MG15GR. And I have to say, the DSL5C-which I know isn't the exact model that's in this video-kicks ass and I am totally blown away by it. So this DSL1C should be the same, just a little smaller. I just ordered one, so... we'll see. I do know the DSL1C is a self-biasing amp, which is a rare thing for a Marshall to have that feature.

[@atvau]

how is it?

[@marcoprins4880]

I wish Fender made something like this

[@Suzumebachigr]

so, essentialy, you cant have a loud clean channel.... they should have put a master volume....

[@SuperEdge67]

I had a Blackstar HTR1......a 1 watt valve amp. Nice crunchy tones but very hard to get a pristine loud clean sound out of it.

[@2dazetake]

All speakers big and small need at least 50hrs to break in, that's probably why it is sounding better the more you play though it. 😊👍🔉🎶

[@Owen_plays_music1049]

What should i buy: the DSL1 or the Origin 5C ?

[@alexpanait]

Good question, also interested. Used to own the Marshall SL5 but sold it (bad call...)

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Like this if you now have GAS

[@landonbailey]

TheGuitarGeek I have gas, but I ate McDonald's last night. 🤤

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Yup... That'll do it!

[@garycasey7986]

Just looked at the price of the 1 watt head. Next week will be new guitar week but if I choose a cheaper guitar I could buy the head as well.....

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Always cheap guitar, great amp

[@stepvanjoe3469]

TheGuitarGeek + just ordered mine yesterday looking forward to rockin' this little amp out! Now question for you...could you use this combo as a cabinet for low wattage heads since the speaker is connected to the amp via 1/4" mono jack?

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Robin Trower now uses 350 of these on Stage , the building Shakes !!!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Sounds like a lot of work

[@royreta2366]

On the fence between this one and the DSL 5 watt. Want something practical for bedroom use but I think I may go with the 5 watt instead. Thanks for the review!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Roy Reta you’re welcome! If you go for the 5 watt, make sure you get a boost or drive pedal to get saturated tones. DSL 5 watts is LOUD!

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

This is the best amp clean to crunch. Marshall well done!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Lovely Crunchy tone

[@waynehall3719]

Is the reason it's sounding better the more you play it because you are starting to break the speaker in?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

No, I broke the speaker in before testing the amp

[@bradleyyounger8499]

I really think the bugera v5 sounds better for the sounds I'm going for

[@ze-ce.cra_]

Would this be loud enough for band practice with acoustic drums?

[@timetraveler8777]

I think that low watt is better the laney cube 12r input 1/15 watt for play in home

[@keepscent]

Does that 'Volume' knob on Classic Gain channel actually act like a 'Gain' knob? And there is no real volume controller on clean channel which could raise or lower just the loudness while not affecting distortion level?

[@Nirsterkur]

I have the same question...

[@imcttunome]

Your review was very fair and helped me decide not to buy a used one I saw on Craigs listings. Thank you.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

You're welcome!

[@eliasvlogsanything9606]

Ive got the dsl20cr and it rocks. Definitely a good buy for the price

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I love the dls series

[@eliasvlogsanything9606]

@@TheGuitarGeek yes its friggin mad for the money

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

I have a jvm1c 50th anniversary amp. It's amazing. One watt driven hard is fun as hell

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I couldn't agree more. So much fun

[@imredeak6694]

Is a 1-watt valve amp for 300 pounds really worth it though? I understand that it's tube and that it's a Marshall but I think amps like the Boss Katana, blackstar amps, Fender champion 100 and the Yamaha THR10X are probably more worth it for general use. It does have some good tones though but I'm sure there are better counterparts to it in today's market.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I agree but it nails that marshall tone. If that's what you're after i think it's worth it

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I'd love to try that setup!

[@tdunster2011]

I+Imre Deak - You can pay over five times the price of this Marshall for a boutique amp of similar power - so the Marshals price is very reasonable. If you want to find out what tone is all about in a low powered amp check out a Carr Raleigh - but don't freak out when you see the price.

[@tdunster2011]

I tried a Katana 100 a few days ago and it was one of the worst sounding amps I have played on the clean channel regardless of price. The Katana Head must be a completely different design is it ?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

nope

[@ZulHarry-05]

You should have cranked the Classic Gain channel. Hell of a plexi-kinda punch. Thats where the punchy tone of this amp lies.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I certainly did in the recording. We had some issues with the second camera so I could only use what we got. A real shame as that Cranked Classic gain channel is amazing!

[@ZulHarry-05]

TheGuitarGeek Damn. Its okay, at least we both know it sounds amazing. ✌🏻

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Yes we do

[@MrCleanPhoto]

This might be the best review I've watched and it might be too late since I already order it. But this review makes me think I've made a mistake. So many of the other reviews didn't show the clean breaking up so early. G*dd*mnit. I want good clean, and then some killer gain, then some ULTRA gain.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Ahh... I think you’ll be disappointed with the clean. I will be making another video soon. Maybe that will help

[@MrCleanPhoto]

@@TheGuitarGeek Man, that really sucks. I've been on the hunt for a while. I'm enamored with my JHS AT+ pedal and really want a clean platform amp head to continue building from. Now I'm looking at the Blackstar HT5R... All of this because a Peavey Classic 30 wasn't available....

[@vincenzocosenza84]

I am undecided between dsl1h + cab 1x12 or yamaha thr10. I only play in the bedroom and my reference sound is slash / gnr. What do you advise? Thank you!

[@yinongli9430]

Same here. Don't really know what to choose...

[@lifelover5810]

@@yinongli9430 so what did you choose in the end and are you happy?

[@lifelover5810]

so what did you choose in the end and are you happy?

[@Rwtheking]

Might be a bit late but have you tried a boost pedal with the classic gain? Maybe you could get more of a classic super lead type lead tone since the one watt will breakup super fast instead of gaining volume

[@robmontier639]

"...one watt is simply too loud"!

[@canadianrushfan12]

I would like to hear how it sounds with a Gretsch DuoJet

[@henrysmith187]

Sounds awesome! Rude licks, too.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Cheers!!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

A dB meter in screen would have been interesting. Nice Review though, DSL 5CR for me.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Good point. Maybe in the future

[@kaybhee6]

what he wontell u.... rightmost back plug,,, can be unplugged if u stick in 16 ohm speaker,,,,use thick gauge spkr wire,,, never turn on any tube amp if no spkr connected...

[@Magik1369]

Little thing sound killer

[@paulkielt9301]

I never understood the purpose of an Audio Input into a mono amplifier. To me the Tone Shift and the Reverb are simply not necessary. Moreover, the only 16 Ohms speaker output is a little bit annoying!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

For practice maybe

[@averint]

Should I buy Vox Vt20x or Marshall DSL 1 for home use? I really like the sound of Marshall, but I don't know how this Vox sounds, cause it's unavailable in local shops... If Vox vt20x is really good in modulating tube sound and sounds like tube amp, I would go for it. Your opinion?

[@allanjcarpenter]

@theguitargeek Great video, although I’ve come to a different conclusion than you. I watched a lot of reviews (including yours, of course) as I vacillated between this amp and the Katana 50 for home playing. I wound up liking the Marshall a lot more, in no small part because of the clean tone you get at 2:50 or so. That sounds great to me, and more “alive” than the Katana. But to each his own.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Hey its great that we are all different. As long as we are making music it's ok

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Can I plug an MG10 into a cabinet? MG10s are much cheaper.

[@markstanford594]

I just think the DSL-5 at $500 (US) is a much better buy. Plus you get the 10 inch speaker. Nice video though.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Hey Mark. I think it depends on what you're looking for. I love the 1 watt because I can crank it right up and still be at a family friendly volume level. Putting the 1 watt through a "real" speaker is kickass. If I was thinking about gigging it I would definitely go for the 5 watt though.

[@markstanford594]

Yeah....I get your logic, but for $150 bucks you get an "extra" 4 watts (which you can back down to 1 watt) and the larger speaker. I know that $150 dollars is a lot to some, but it may save you from having to upgrade in the future and you get what the sales folks call "headroom". Good job!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I also see your logic but I have a very nice 5 watt amp and what draws me to the 1 watt is the fact that you can max it out without getting the police called. You can't do that with a five watt and the attenuator doesn't sound the same

[@davidletterboyz]

No. IMHO the 5 watt combo has inferior speaker. Seventy 80

[@chrischadwick5395]

Im new to guitar but wanting to upgrade from my very basic amp now. I think I'm settled on a DSL.. BUT for home use only im not sure wether to go for this 1w or the 5w. My music room is on the large side and I live in a detached house so neighbors are not a huge. I guess what I want to know if, will the 5w have to be super loud to get the good tones whereas this could do the same thing but quieter?

[@wvparrothead31]

Does the Classic Gain channel break up that much with a larger speaker? I have the 50th Anniversary model but it doesn't really break up much on the classic gain channel.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I thought it broke up nicely. If it's not there in the video I can't be 100% sure as I shot it a long time ago.

[@gevurgeldi5423]

classic gain does not distort the speaker it just distorts the preamp tubes

[@bld9696]

If it doesn't go to 11, I don't want it!!!!!