Marshall DSL20HR Amplifier Head Review into a 2x12 Box

[@patricklong9227]

I'm still at beginner stages with learning guitar. I've had this amp for over a year, with the 2x12 cab. Dont want to piss the neighbors off so I keep mine relatively low. So its pretty exciting to see what others can do with this amp. Awsome vid!

[@yoshuaposhua25]

This is a beast set up for a beginner. That’s awesome

[@stanislavmigra]

This amp really shines with old school treble booster ...

[@alexandert696]

Exactly what I was looking for. That's my next amp when my bugera kicks the bucket! Thanks for the demo!

[@samfosdick9874]

I've been saying that about my bugera for about 12 years. I have the v55hd...I've pushed it to the limit about 3 nights a week for about 4 hours per night. Only have replaced the 6L6 tubes once. I'm so happy with the durability of this I'm thinking about the bugera 1960 infinium .

[@calebd4669]

Sam Fosdick don’t buy another bugera

[@lukepaich1886]

I was really excited to get me one. Really nice looking little head with a effects loop. After switching from standby to 20w or 10w I heard a substantial hiss with all the pots on zero and some strange fizz like an overtone. So I returned it and get another one from another shop (both online). Same problem. Made a video of the hiss and send it to the Customer Service. The answer was that hiss was normal for this kind of amp. Returned it, and this time decided to try my luck with the DSL40CR seen in Shane's videos. Kaboom! Absolutely no hiss with double the power. Really like the crunch and OD1 channels the DSL20HR lacks. If I got lucky to get a good DSL20HR ,would stay with it. By no means a bedroom amp.

[@sveinunghamre324]

I looked at getting the classic Marshall sound and ended up bying this with the Marshall sc212 cab. Plays great, used it for gigs, home recording and general practice. Sounds good with the classic vintage 30 that this cab offers. Could use a bit more wattage for practice with a band. Would buy again 🤘

[@billgross176]

I definitely prefer reviews that show both humbuckers and single coils... also think reviews should clean, low gain, and high gain.

[@squierjoshyt]

What single coils?

[@StratsRUs]

With plenty of variation of EQ settings too

[@southpawsNfriends]

About to run this through my hesu 2x12 cabinet! Remember my friends this demo was through bottom of the barrel speakers, and still sounds pretty good!

[@pontuslundberg8367]

How did it sound through the hesu? 😎

[@Joe_whatuknow]

I just bought the 40cr 2 weeks ago. Loving it so far.

[@jamalabdul2009]

Nothing sounds better than a Marshall paired with a Gibson Flying V!!🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾The tones from this DSL 20 head is classic Marshall! 🎸🎸🎸🎸🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@Jonathan-L]

Yes, at 5:30 it really stirs my blood :) ... such a great tone!

[@jessetate9701]

Jamal Kareem the new studio 1959 plexi vintage sounds amazing

[@samfosdick9874]

Where do you find all these left handed amps? I haven't seen a left handed Marshall since I was in Jr high!

[@andrewmccloud8581]

It's like that anyway.

[@andrewsmith9923]

This one goes to -11 🤘 How much extra for the left handed version?

[@Javier-qk7ms]

Check out "The Leftorium"

[@73prd]

Love love love this amp the low end rocks and the sound is so smooth not brittle and ear piercing highs and mids like other marshalls

[@NoStringsAttached777]

I have a DSL20HR which hooks up to a quad loaded with Celestion V30s. 99% of the time I use the 10 watt option and the sound is loud and great sounding. I use the Classic Gain channel mostly with a number of boost and low gain overdrive pedals but have found you don;t need anything with the Ultra Gain channel as it is really full on as you have shown. Cheers

[@schreds8882]

I really like the DSL range of amps. It's a great modern take on the Marshall sound. I can't bring myself to buy one though because I have a sweet vintage Harmony amp I use daily. D-Lab just finished giving it a tune up.

[@markolivares6943]

This actually sounds pretty good. When the gain is turned up to much it almost sounds like a fuzz box or some type of effects pedal. I like it 👍🏼

[@zandig666]

One thing that woke this amp up for me was an eq in the loop so I'm shaping the tone post preamp works great !!!!

[@jasong546]

I don’t know why I have avoided Marshall amps, especially since so many favorite players used them , like in the allman brothers and many more. I only have a Princeton Reverb and both a dirty little secret and morning glory. I should have just bought a Marshall in the first place, but I also thought I wouldn’t like the cleans. Your videos have really shown me how you don’t have to buy a Marshall stack to get the great tones. The smaller ones are really great too. I appreciate your work making them!

[@PainterDans]

I have a dsl 5cr with a 12” greenback in it and it’s unbelievable, really sounds great cranked up

[@andrewgarcia3136]

I haven't bought anything other than Marshall in years tbh

[@Ale2065Tate]

Nice amp, nice tone. Really like the low end and the 'vintage' sound of that Marshall.

[@SplinteredCompany]

Can't believe you had the ultra gain vol at 2 oclock!! I won't go past about 11, or 12. But I am sitting about 5 feet away from it, with the speaker at head height. So loud!

[@augustineconnor1784]

a trick: watch movies on Flixzone. Been using them for watching lots of of movies recently.

[@kyngelian6335]

@Augustine Connor definitely, been using Flixzone for since november myself :D

[@emeryryan2415]

@Augustine Connor Definitely, I have been watching on Flixzone for since december myself :)

[@sammyrothrock6981]

Flying V ain't for me but tone sounds Albert King 👑 Nice amp Shane! Harmonic city pure Marshall

[@FURDOG1961]

1:30 Clean channel for pedals. 20W two channel amp. 2:30 Options/hook ups on back.

[@richard66754]

Had a DSL 100 back in the day. I was completely thrilled with the green channel and a tube screamer. Never used the ultra gain channel. Tone shift sucked even back then.

[@glenmurschel5939]

Love the one note sustain! Hi from Monroe, NC USA!

[@martinadams7979]

I have this amp and use with a UK Zilla Fatbaby custom 1 x 12 cab I have put a JJ 5751 tube in V1 nearest to guitar input. Found it improved ultra gain as less compressed and less fizzy and made classic gain channel cleaner. Loud enough to gig with and great at home too. I’ve also had and gigged the DSL100HR head and it’s similar in sound to the DSL40CR .. shame they don’t make a DSL40 head yet !.... I run an EHX Soul Food into the front of my DSL20 and I have gotten very close to the DSL40CR sound you describe and like. I’ve had so many amps over the last five years but I admit this is one of the better ones for home and small gigs. Love your channel Shane you’re a great player too 🤘🎸

[@jeffrocx8599]

I paired mine with a Peavey 212c. 1 Vintage 30 + 1 G12T 75 and it sounds great!

[@grantdonley4014]

I love my DSL20HR driving my 2x12 Carvin closed back cab with GT12 (Eminence) 75w speakers. For extra punch I boost it with a MXR 5150 Overdrive. Play my Wolfgang Standard and Ibanez S Series through this set up. Incredible tone!

[@m.thousands1848]

Every amp should have an attenuator

[@richardtimetorock9340]

I own this amp and run a 412 with it, I’m a big fan as well. Good review

[@avbsvideo]

What speakers?

[@richardtimetorock9340]

Marshall 412AVT 200w Celestions

[@icenic_wolf]

Man! I wish I could trade that ultra-gain channel for the crunch channel. Oh well. Great demo/review!

[@davidarmstrong6153]

Great test mate 👍 huge tones you looked and sounded like you were having some serious fun there! I own a jcm 2000 dsl100 and that "little beast" as you called it is most definitely its direct sonic relation. It's also a solid option for all us older kids who don't wanna trigger the neighbours any more than necessary. Top job Scott 🤘

[@urbanesoul8400]

I've had one since they came out. Great lil amps!

[@dirkdiggler7727]

Ive read on one site only that it has a headphone jack but not on all the other sites. Does it have a headphone jack? Also can you get a crystal clean sound?

[@urbanesoul8400]

@@dirkdiggler7727 it's an emulated output jack, supposed to be for mixer or headphones, but I've never bothered using it. You can get a very clean sound on the clean channel, more buttery than fender amp's bell tone, due to the bigger mids.

[@NickintheStates]

Love the video! I've owned one of these for a bit and loving it. It's a really flexible amp and can hit classic rock to pretty modern high gain tones as well. Nice, portable, loud! Your new style 40 is definitely a better gigging amp but for living room duffers like myself I just love this amp. One note to internet archeologists reading this later, a reminder that those Celestion 70/80 speakers are limp out of the box but do get better once they've broken in with 40 or 5 hours of playing.

[@antmax]

Love mine. The early ones had some problems with the line out and some people complain about hiss. Mine is an early one and has the line out problem but otherwise is fine.and I love it. I wanted a head and seperate cab otherwise I would have got the 40 for the extra versatility. But like you demonstrated, it does get a great tone. I use a old Hardwire CS-2 tube overdrive pedal to get a more crunchy sound out of the clean channel at lower volumes. It takes pedals really well. If your curious about the line out thing. It's that the volume seems to be fixed and the only way you can modulate it is by using the gain knob. Not great if your using headphones. I just don't use the line out and all is good. To get low volume like bedroom or normal TV volume you might want to put a volume knob or EQ with a db level cut in the FX loop so you can cut the preamp level and push the power amp harder. the amp does sound more full and lively with the volume above 9'oclock which is quite loud at home.

[@jeffreyradick6486]

I have a DSL15H which was replaced by the model you demonstrate in this video. I like my DSL15H but the DSL20HR definitely seems like an improvement. I've been wondering about it. Thanks for your demo.

[@fredn2735]

Awesome rig Shane ! you need to buy the 20 watt head and add it to the collection sounds great with that flying v and 2x12

[@hughsnyder891]

Just a quick statement about the ad for the Blues Learning method. It’s a scam don’t buy it . I did and fortunately my bank blocked it as apparently it’s a known scam.

[@peterschmidt9942]

Yeah, I don't know why Marshall left out the crunch channel as it's easily the most usable channel from a DSL. Basically you're going from one extreme to the other. I think I'd rather spend the extra dollars for the 100W head. Shame they don't make them in a 50/60W head any more, but you've got the 100/50W cut on the 100W head any way.

[@seamanjive]

Got an old Marshall DSL201 here...this is from the JCM2000 series and has EL84s. At 20 watts you can really wind it up. I upgraded speaker to a Celestion Neodyium driver to get a bit more efficiency and save some weight. I might chop it to a head.....

[@dennissutton3767]

Thanks for your help and excellent playing!!i I did own a Marshall 1/2 stack amp....the JCM800 25 years ago. Nice tone on that Flying V

[@landonbailey]

I've heard this amp is good! :p good stuff as always!

[@askethom04]

You sound amazing through that Flying V!

[@clint4004]

Any chance you'll give the DSL100HR a review?

[@JohnIainMcFarlanewaspfactor]

I paired mine with Marshall Code 2x12.Perfect match,not too big,just right.

[@rdavid3848]

The DSL20HR is a Class A EL34 power tube cathode biased circuit different than the Class AB push-pull circuit.

[@johnnorth9355]

Tone shift enabled makes it sound constipated ! Definitely works better with humbuckers especially on the high gain channel. Pity I am trying to stick to combos these days (marriage needs protecting !). Nice.

[@mabbatic]

IMO It is the least useful feature on the DSL's It should be called the disappear in the mix button

[@peterschmidt9942]

I don't think Marshall's ever got that tone shift button right! I've never used it on my TSL and even the DSL when I tried it. I think heads are a much cheaper option in the long term as you buy one box and plug any number of heads into. Unless of course you're into buying matching boxes ;)

[@DamianS1893]

Greatly appreciate your channel Shane. I've been thinking about purchasing a Marshall MX212 or MX412 Cabinet to go with my Marshall DSL 100HR. You have helped narrow my search. Great Video Content. 👍👍

[@tcdropouts1429]

FYI, sweetwater has a bundled pack with the DSL20 with the MX212AR for 799. That’s a pretty good deal.

[@zandig666]

Sweet tones on the playing bud !! I've been getting some good tones on mine lately

[@toddflowers8052]

Yep, Flying V + Marshall = Rock N Roll !!! Great stuff mate ! :-)

[@acerob7173]

I got the DSL40CR and most of the time use it at 20w. I also got the Origin 20H which I like more. lot of people says that a 20W tube head with a good cabinet would be loud anough for pubs, rehearshalls and small and medium venues....

[@duncanearley]

I think thats the big question with this head. I would worry that it wouldnt be loud enough particularly for clean sounds.

[@masterofthetelecaster]

With 2x12 cab and mic-ed ip it shouldt be an issue!

[@PelicanIslandLabs]

I have this very head connected to a custom 2x12 (WGS drivers) vertical cab. Sounds glorious. I mostly use it on the clean channel.

[@dirkdiggler7727]

Does it have a headphone jack? And can you get it crystal clean for non rock type clean sounds?

[@The_forgotton_one]

I've had 2 of them and an origin the DSL20 is a ripper if you can afford 1 with 2x12 do it you won't be disappointed, the origin20 takes peddles better its the perfect Amp if you a peddle guy I had both at the same time I seem to play the DSL a lot more

[@forbiddenyoungones]

I remember when you did the DSL 20 combo review as I was looking for an amp for bedroom/small gig. After spending a day in my friendly music store trying out various amps , I finally settled on the DSL 20 combo. This video just confirms my choice. May need to get a single speaker to add to my combo, think it would work but I know you have to be careful when adding speakers. Thanks again for another great video.

[@damasterkarej]

Hi mate, how does 20W runs on gig situation? Is it enough?

[@reezalguy]

usually things i like are out of my price range but for this particular amp that i can afford, I didnt buy the DSL20CR just because you said it might not be loud enough to gig with(not gigging at the moment tho). Now you come and say things like this. I need to save money for a wedding mate. Why are you doing this to me ?!

[@pyropedals5553]

Sounds great doesn't it! I have the combo version with a V30 in it, I really like it.

[@aneurysm1991]

9:05 tone sounds even better than when frusciante played it

[@tonyseals3253]

I have the 20 watt combo I run through a 4×12 and I have a boss katana 100 y'all gonna think it's nutts but my drummer and bass player think the boss katana sounds better... it does sound good for a solid state and the clean is cleaner but for distortion or a dirty clean Marshall is best in my opinion

[@midiguitar]

Lets see how it sounds and lets hear how it looks!

[@JS-te4gz]

9:00 tone sounds Hendrixy

[@neophyterobin]

8:30 raining blood intro

[@cosmoschtroumpf]

The smile at the end ! :-D

[@matthewblack7206]

I have it and I love it. I need a better extension cabinet, though.

[@sicaurzica]

Wow, great review and quality! I want this amp so bad right now, seems like I'm going to save some money this year :))

[@LarryMar]

I subscribed to you because I like your reviews specifically with Marshall. I am a big Marshall fan but I am torn between a DSL40 or H&K TM 40 for a 40 watt amp. Which one does chorus, delay, and verb better on the high gain channels? I'd go Mesa Mark 5 but so expensive.

[@martyhuff242]

I got mine today from SWEETWATER

[@kevinstuart5694]

I want to pick one up again. Bought one a year ago and returned it within a week then bought dsl 15 head didn't like that at all so I went with the Origin 20h. I love it and enjoy using my overdrive/distortion collection on it. My favorite DSL is prior model 40c so far but I want to give this another chance to keep at a rehearsal spot. Maybe it will kick the 50 watt valvestate combo out of my lineup and I like the VS a lot. $150 at a pawn shop.

[@StratsRUs]

It is miles better than the DSL15

[@metalinsights9664]

This amp sounds very fizzy and thin, especially at low volumes. You can counter that by using more extreme Treble and Presence settings, as in this video, which darkens the tone a lot, or by pushing the volume close to 8, but at that point, there is also a lot of compression and sag and the amp loses its responsiveness for more technical playing (e.g., rock and metal).

[@southernpanda33]

That gain, though 🤌🏻🤑🤤

[@cooltunesmadeeasy]

Sounds very nice!

[@Andi9N]

Love this lefty Flying V

[@danielmartin4066]

Good review from WWE Cesaro

[@mikew9788]

Nice playing

[@TheDaveGH]

Would you recommend the 40 combo over the 20 head? Comparisons? Thanks... lefties rule!

[@davidmerlin3344]

40 watts is very loud. 20 is plenty.

[@andrewgarcia3136]

you gotta use that presence knob brother, don't let him sit at 0

[@rjpoole1979]

6:23.... yep. thats what i reckon too

[@masterofthetelecaster]

What cabinet is it through? Is it a MX212 ? Or another?

[@brianfromoregon2244]

Sounds great

[@tjnugent62]

Do you miss the extra headroom?

[@user-vm6nm3yx3k]

Hi! I wanted to know how things are with the dsl 20hr with low frequencies in comparison with the dsl40c. I choose between them, which one is more suitable for playing in heavy styles ? Does it make sense to overpay for 40c ? Thanks!

[@StratsRUs]

You are not overpaying because the DSL40c has the full set of channels

[@markdakel9253]

Powerhouses amp. Great review

[@markvernon1218]

Great review thanks Shane, I'm after a head that will give good classic rock tones but also Bonamassa blues type fat tones at bedroom volumes, do you think this would fit the bill I have various cabinets I can use ? Thanks again, Mark.

[@johncecilia4517]

How close can you get it to crunch on clean channel vs the 40 crunch channel? On the 40 does it sound good to play at bedroom levels?

[@jamesmcmonagle6299]

How do you thnk this would sound through an old Marshall 8x10" cab? I had heard they were originally paired with small box 30 watt heads and thought the DSL20 might be a good match.

[@Micah_s]

Could you do a review on the joyo maximum overdrive Shane? Great vid by the way

[@jayjkayhouseofharleys3151]

AWESOME AMP !! I LOVE IT !! THANKS FOR POSTING SHANE ! I LEFT LIKE NUMBER ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN !!

[@simonsmith2579]

Not got every speaker option, really disappointed to see you can't run 2x8ohm for 4ohm total like on the Studio series which really do have every speaker out option.

[@geoffreydias4960]

Dsl20h or origin20h ? Any preference ?

[@Jack-sk3we]

The origin is more like a plexi, and this is more like a jcm800. this has more gain, other has less gain but does great clean and crunch

[@Prajnana]

Guess I'm not a Marshall fan. Briefly had the DSL20 combo and it was all shrill highs (weak lows with humbuckers), and reverb was weak. Needs to be cranked really loud to sound OK. Tough to get any truly clean cleans - just like in this demo! Just my opinion.

[@lawrencesimon]

Is the clean channel really quiet? My Dsl40cr has a really low volume clean channel so a massive jump in volume to crunch

[@ronplichta1598]

I would really interested in hearing this head with a 1936 cabinet

[@BigTyronie]

For? Its 10db quieter than a 100w head cranked. Its not quiet

[@peyotepete4903]

Missing the Union Jack on the back?

[@andrewsmith9923]

Not made in UK it’s made in Vietnam 🇻🇳 not United Kingdom 🇬🇧

[@vmat1000]

sounds good.

[@jk-76]

I have been looking for one in the barter sections. I want one BAD...

[@jacobbockover1628]

I am so torn i want the marshall but im also looking at a hand wired tmb clone with the same settup but no reverb or cabinet but the kit has chassy mounted sockets and pots so it seems sturdier

[@tannerboil6765]

Great amp!

[@maurotakeda1725]

Does it plexi like the Origin? as for Hendrix stuff? thanks

[@bradleyjpaolucci]

Is it normal for the ultra grain channel to be significantly quieter than the classic gain?

[@szymonhoubowski4448]

I am thinking of changing the loudspeaker for home noise with this amplifier. I currently have a cheap 4x12 Marshall, but I'm thinking of a 2x12 on a V30. What do you think about it? What kind of speakers do you use in the recording? Thanks

[@qualitybuilders5028]

I run one v30 and love the tone.

[@AntonioRamos_To]

I want to buy an amplifier and I'm undecided between the Marshall DSL20CR or DSL20HR head Since you've tested both, I'd like to know which one you recommend and why. Speaking of Marshall's DSL series is it good for many styles of music? From Blues, through Rock to Metal? I became interested in the Fender Bassbreaker, I played it and liked it, but I gave up because its construction is bad, accessing the components is very difficult, the block was designed and made thinking about the space it occupies and not thinking about repair / maintenance. And if it gives problems, it's a headache. Thanks for your videos

[@DR440]

Shane could plug into a potato and make it sound great! I also love the flying V!

[@antonio.cappelli]

Hi Shane, could be used at home? Neighbors friendly at 10 Watt ? If I will use a JHS Pedals Little Amp Box could be a good idea to use at home ? Thanks

[@blackie75]

They sound awful at low volumes. Get a DSL1H, much better for home.

[@TheStereoField]

I have this head hooked up to a 4x12 w/ G12T-75s...and I don't like it all. Anytime I turn up any kind of gain it gets this really buzzy/drone-y fuzz in the background that sounds really bad and muddy. I'm going to try out something different

[@SertanYaman]

Volume needs to be turned on together with gain, low volume does that on DSL