Marshall DSL 1HR Review (Turns out, 1 Watt is Enough)

I previously reviewed a Marshall DSL20 that I wasn't the biggest fan of, but turns out all it needed was less power. This is a great little amp.
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[@joerobertson795]

I love my DSL1. It's the only Marshall that you can crank the power amp into saturation at home. I have it paired with a 1x12 Greenback and am more than able to piss off the neighbors. Don't let the 1 watt thing discourage you. This is far more than loud enough for home use. On low power mode you can crank it in a dormroom or apartment and still get all that Marshall-y Goodness without being evicted. Highly recommended! Bonus: It's a Tube amp that you can play with headphones if the baby is sleeping. Great vid!

[@LordBransty]

Great tones at bedroom levels are what many guitarists are after. I certainly am. Thanks for this review. I think I heard Philip McKnight saying he loved this amp too.

[@cliffhanger8170]

I have a DSL 5CR for bedroom playing, it’s loud enough and you can knock the power down 0.5w. Cleans sound great.

[@Alfonzo862]

I had the head which was sent back because it had a problem, and because they didn't have another head, I got the combo instead. Best decisions I made because it's more portable than head and cab even just moving between rooms in my house, it sounds great on its own once the speaker is broken in and most importantly I can still plug it into a bigger cab if I want louder😊

[@uscfroadie]

Just picked up a mint head used for $200. I run it using headphones or using the effect’s loop send into one of my other amp’s effect return loop. That gives me the pre-amp sound of the mighty 1-watter and the power section of my SV20C or Katana 100 Gen 3.

[@bluesdude1194]

My biggest issue is it only has a 16Ohm out jack, a switchable 16/8ohm would have been better.

[@Michel-r6m]

Fo home use and practice it is enough, got the combo myself thinking of adding a cabinet of some sorts (16 ohms).

[@aficat1031]

Great video. I love 1 watt tube amps. I currently have a Blackstar HT1RH MKII which I like but at a tone chaser I definitely want to try the DSL1R. Yes, you definitely need at least a 1x12 for the bedroom. It just sounds better than an 8 or 10 inch.

[@mooseymoose]

Really depends on the speaker, I have an 8" Tone Tubby alnico that's freakin' awesome.

[@aficat1031]

@@mooseymoose I respectfully disagree and it depends on the sound you are going for. For me it has more to do with the size of the cabinet. Which I didn’t make clear im my previous post. The minimum size cabinet I go for is a 1x12 b/c the bigger cabinet, the more air will circulate thus resulting in a better sound.

[@mooseymoose]

@@aficat1031 How can you disagree with an opinion? Besides; infinite baffles are the best frequency response, but terrible efficiency leads to absolutely zero infinite baffle guitar amps on the market. The excursion of the 8 inch Tone Tubby I referenced makes it sound much larger in a very small cabinet. You do you though. Ignorance is bliss, and guitarists seem to have it in spades. We're doomed anyhow so wtf does it matter?

[@aficat1031]

@@mooseymoose Cheers

[@SisGuitarGAS]

The volume of the dsl20 to get a good sound was my reason to give it the boot too. Sounded amazing when cranked, but underwhelming when quiet. I’ve just bought a DSL1 head to hopefully address that

[@derekmalunow8962]

Nice review, thanks dude

[@wolftruong2413]

I love this amp; it does need to be properly cranked to sound good (like all Marshalls) but it can do so at a relatively apartment-friendly volume, at least on the 0.1 mode. Works really well as a practice amp, which is all it was ever really meant to be imo. I also own the DSL20 and it works great for practicing and gigging with my band, but I never play it in the apartment for the reasons you discussed in that video. In fact, I just leave it locked up at my friend's place where we practice! 😂

[@WithCarePlz]

Have you tried the combo version? I want to be able to get the marshall natural tube breakup sound at home at volumes that don’t deafen me… but I’m really picky with amps. Rn I mainly use my FSR 1x12 Princeton Reverb reissue, it has a Jensen P12Q, and is made with solid wood unlike the regular PRRIs. It sounds stupidly good both clean and dirty, and if you drop the treble way down to like 3 and put the bass at like 4 it sounds like 90% of a Marshall. But I would like that extra 10% Marshall thing occasionally at home. But the problem I worry about is that FSR PRRI sounds like a million bucks, and I’m worried that the 1 watt combo is gonna sound like a turd in comparison. Bcuz I’m not getting it for cleans, as it could never touch a fender amp for sparkly tube tremolo tube reverb cleans, and honestly when it breaks up it sounds exactly like the solo from “mary janes last dance”, so it’s no slouch dirty. If anybody has experience with the combo version of this I’d appreciate some thoughts on how the 1w combo sounds in person

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Zed’s dead, baby. Zed’s dead.

[@pvater]

looks nice. I checked the link. It has an effects loop [I'm a pedal junkie] and the speaker out is 16 ohm which is a consideration. as always, thumbs up

[@bradmanharris7350]

Anyone counted how many times ‘like’ was used?

[@redcomn]

I like the classic gain with pedal. Heck it made everything my sound and good.

[@davegilmerDaveTheButcher]

As far as playing/rehearsing with a band, if you mic it it certainly can be loud enough..but I probably wouldn’t buy it for that. I’m wondering what my Freidman IR-X would sound like thru the effects, over kill? 😁 might be bad azz tho.

[@Randolphguitars]

Queue up Overkill by Motorhead

[@glenh2752]

I’m also debating whether to fry an IR-X or IR-J through my DSL1. Did you try this in the end?

[@Parkerx2]

Rad Pulp Fiction art!

[@chae_shoko]

hello iam enjoy to hear your opinion of guitar things :) iam newly begin to play show here and i find from your discussions value. Keep going good work my friend !! :)

[@Randolphguitars]

@@chae_shoko thanks man!

[@joseairtonjunior7040]

Is This cab a Valvestate 8412? It´s seems like a 3/4 size....white binding....If it is, the speakers are Celestion G12L

[@edwardjohnson7996]

This dudes hand gestures are exactly like Donald Trump.

[@chriscartledge-fn4qt]

Make Amarshall Great Again.

[@dukenukembubblegum7311]

You know I have a similar studio, but it’s that HP model. I swapped all the plastics to cream, pickguard, toggle, and pickup rings, and man it looks clean, just a though, it does have the amber speed knobs on it as well. Google what it’d look like, I used to think black pickguard was the way to go, until I swapped it. Now I love it’s look

[@ryansnydercg]

Ha! 1 watt is definitely enough! Really cool Randolph

[@madazz01]

Hey mate i've been using one for a while with a 1x12 celestion V-type. If you want killer tone out of it here's a few settings. 1. change V2 tube to a 12dw7 which tames the gain channel. 2. set the ultra gain, gain knob to about 1.5 3. Bass = 6, Mid = 3.5 - 4, Treble = 5.5 4. Reverb about 7 That'll put you in sweet territory, then to put the icing on the cake, hit the front of it with a good Klon clone, I use the NUX Horseman. Thats the sweet vintage tone right there and gives you the perfect roll-off cleanup with that nice note bloom. That true vintage marshall sound. I know other speakers will slightly change the EQ, but thats a close starting point. If you like the more gain setup, just leave the stock tubes, although the 12dw7 smooths it out and still has plenty of gain on tap, especially when you push the front with a little boost, but doesn't get muddy. I usually play slightly cranked on the low power setting, but it keeps the tone on full power too, just louder. I love this little amp, it's truly the home players best friend. Enjoy

[@JerMz-c7b]

12dw7 in place of the ECC82? Is biasing necessary on this little amp?

[@madazz01]

@@JerMz-c7b You are actually replacing a ecc83 / 12ax7 with the 12dw7, and no it doesn't need biasing, just plug and play.

[@JerMz-c7b]

@@madazz01 Thanks, I'm new to this stuff. V2 meaning center valve?

[@madazz01]

@@JerMz-c7b yeah the middle one, the 12dw7 is a dual valve, it has half 12ax7 & half 12au7, and the way the gain stages work in the marshall, it allows you to keep full gain on the clean channel, but lowers the second stage of gain on the high gain channel, so it slightly tames the ultra gain, and keeps the classic gain stock. you could also try a 5751 in the slot closest to the input jack and lower the whole gain on the amp if you want a bit cleaner across the board. Have a play, you can't really hurt this amp.

[@Savaios]

@@madazz01 Is there any way to make the ultra gain brighter?

[@chocolatecookie8571]

6:30 - 6:40 what are those weird extra sounds? As if someone is cleaning a window.

[@SO-bp2uc]

How’s the tone with the line out?

[@iancurrie8844]

What makes you think that’s a cheap cab? I don’t think it is.

[@irishRocker1]

Cos its cheaper than the standard marshall cabs. Its an MX cab. not a 1960B for example. Similar to the MG cabs that came before it. Those MG cabs came with MG solid state marshalls. Normally they are a little smaller, have cheaper material (MDF vs Plywood) and cheaper speakers (seventy-80 vs V30 etc.), plastic corner guards, handles, jack plate instead of metal. Single mono input instead of switchable stereo. the list goes on.

[@iancurrie8844]

@@irishRocker1 MX cabs are made in Vietnam. He said his cab is made in England. I don't believe it's an MX cab.

[@STORMBREAKER_250]

Having owned a DSl-5 for a few months, I think the lower end versions of these amps are just better. DSL 20s and 40s are really just overpriced for what they are. You could get a Blackstar for less or a JVM or Studio for more. I think these are perfect for having the Marshall sound for practicing and basic recording.

[@JerMz-c7b]

Have mine piped into an Orange ppc112 with a V30 in it. It's ok.

[@Csal43]

Take back your fender amp?

[@ericoreilly8368]

Sounds great though

[@pocketman5510]

Can it do metal?

[@JerMz-c7b]

Nothing crazy. Takes pedals well, tho.

[@jaceydurland9098]

Yes.

[@AudaciousAce1989]

Im not talking about it except to say that it sounds super fizzy and muffled. Not my kind of tone. It sounds nothing like a "real" Marshall. A real tube amp that's barely making noise has better tone if you want that "marshally" sound

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

They fear it.

[@smcha4]

Zed's dead, baby!

[@joerobertson795]

Didn't the chopper tank have "Zeb" airbrushed on it in the movie? I bet it smelled like Gimp Juice...

[@music-writinglife1813]

Thats your clean?

[@JamesJones-v7x]

Nothing negative about that amp. You want louder you buy a bigger amp.

[@bobdillon1138]

Small tube amps are still to loud for most home situations even 1watt is to loud in the sweet spot something like Tonex is a better option for home practice.

[@aaronking9332]

This can actually drop to tenth of a watt lol ..has a switch on the back

[@SecretAgents-i4t]

Small tube amps are perfect for most home situations and are far better than a pedal-amp like Tonex. I fixed your comment for you 🙂

[@dreamscuba]

@@SecretAgents-i4t I have the 1w combo and even on 0.1w it is too loud for the condo I live in unless in the day time. I fixed your comment for you too.

[@ran6009]

Wth a mrn

[@Trashslayer76]

KZbin keeps unsubscribing me. I keep having to re sub....?

[@Randolphguitars]

Hmmmmm no clue but I appreciate the effort lol

[@DanielDavis730]

Put some dedication into your playing dood.

[@DanielDavis730]

Dsl sounds like junk. Good vid

[@valjatriogina228]

11 out of 13 Minutes blurbing! Why not demonstrate by playing? Passing your channel! Bye!

[@Randolphguitars]

Lol okay

[@aficat1031]

@@Randolphguitars It didn’t bother me at all and you played enough to hear what the amp sounds like. I mean how long are you supposed to play anyway 😂

[@Randolphguitars]

Thank you trash cat​@@aficat1031

[@ericoreilly8368]

No..... 1 watr is most certainly not enough. Lol.