Marshall JCM 800 2203x VS Marshall DSL 100HR |High Gain Shootout

[@tgunmusicchannel1973]

I think they would blend really well. 800 has a rich upper mid and high, DSL is thick with a really forward middle bite and tight low end. Got in as many buzz words as I could to try and sound like I know what I'm talking about 😉

[@Qaisjaan]

Cheers Ryan, this is my exact rig explorer into a dsl 100. Now you’ve confirmed it’s better and more modern for my style.

[@SHouseRecords]

Damn, they both sound amazing. I feel like you could get either one closer to the other with a few EQ tweaks and turning some dials on the TS9.

[@MichaelDespairs]

The DSL is very bright and has a " flimsiness " to it but in a good way and the 800 has muscular mids like no other amp I've heard. It might be interesting to apply matching EQ like Ozone and see what that does.

[@ibrajimenez2098]

​@@MichaelDespairsjust put some EQ and save some cash

[@tbird1138]

Both amps are awesome. Seems to me it's gonna depend on whatever flavor you like. DSL all day for price tho. Gotta be a lawyer or a Dr. to get a JCM 800 these days.... or have a successful KZbin channel.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I’m neither a Dr nor a successful KZbin Channel. Got a good job and got no vices. Cheers -Ryan

[@elimartin5105]

3500 isn't that expensive

[@auntjenifer7774]

​@elimartin5105 😂 yeah it is ! I remember it that long ago you found jcm800 heads for $1200 all day. What like 4 or 5 years ago !?

[@X9Eric]

Thank you for making this video Ryan. Great playing, riffs, and tones! IMHO the DSL100HR sounded more pissed off, ragged, and modern where the JCM800 sounded classic and or vintage sounding with a smoother bite. The DSL100HR would be my pic, ha ha

[@michaelcline7458]

The 800 just always sits so well in a mix. The DSL has more low end but that gets eaten up in a full band setting and it just ends up sounding thin. The 800 just has that mid range punch that cuts through a band setting exactly how you want it to while also having a more brutal growl

[@MichaelDespairs]

The DSL crushes here. I absolutely love it. I play blackened death metal and I own the Vietnam DSL40C but have been dreaming about getting a UK made JCM 2000 DSL 100.

[@scaremoth334]

dont get the jcm 2000 ones they are not as good as the dsl100hr - the newest and better one

[@tjwrangler326]

Great vid. I like your the Marshall vs Marshall vids. A JCM 800 2203KK shootout with all the other Marshalls would be something to see. Hopefully, you get a chance to do it sometime.

[@markn4526]

More killer playing! Both amps sound great. The DSL's get a bad rap just like the JCM900's. Personally I'd take a DSL over a 900 unless it was an SLX. In your comparison, the DSL sounded like it had more stuff going on. It's almost like the DSL has the combined tone of a JCM800 and a JCM900 sort of filling in the gaps both amps have on their own. Whether or not you like that is up to the player and what tone you're going for. For a band with 2 guitar players, I think one using an 800 and one the 900 would be cool. For a single guitar player in a band, probably the DSL would be better. I still think the JCM800 sounds the most organic and raw of the 3.

[@davespin9034]

I’m shopping for a head and always loved Marshall tone. The DSL 100 has a ton of gain, and lots of adjustment so leaning that way. The review of the JCM 900 was helpful. The JCM 800 sounds very warm to me, but far less adjustment it seems. Thank you

[@metalinsights9664]

Is there a way to dial in the DSL100HR so that it sounds fuller like the JCM800 with its full mids and lower mids and more pleasing high end, but without losing clarity?

[@monstercrx]

great demonstration the JCM is more mid forward but both great amps just different colours for your palette. exactly why I have both a JCM 2000 DSL 50 and a JCM 900 SLX 50

[@metalinsights9664]

The DSL100HR sounds much better than the JCM800 at very low tunings, but the opposite is true for E standard and also Eb.

[@johnperciballi4649]

I'm an 80's metal guy, but I don't get the 800 infatuation. The DSL sounds so much better. Thicker, smoother tone. The JCM is too thin, it actually sounds like a low end amp to me.

[@taylolz]

JCM all the way. Those mids just make everything hit harder. The DSL clashes with the bass drum and cymbals.

[@ericbrown4496]

It is settled! I will record one side with the 800, the other with the DSL. Both sound great and explain why I was organically drawn to them both. Both sound killer! I have both and love them both.

[@caca_spaniel_1239]

Dude thank you so much for killing my 2203 GAS, I heard Dave Friedman say that in his opinion the 800 is the last classic/real Marshall and I've been gassing for one ever since. Your video basically just proved that DSLs are kinda better for metal. Least for me it is.

[@kaoskult666]

they are pretty damn close, except on the first riff you played where it seemed like the DSL was lacking presence, but that was corrected in the rest of the riff examples.

[@mattocastermedia]

The DSL is more saturated and is on par with the Peavey style amps. The JCM800 is a classic tried and true amp out of the box.

[@erikwagonblott3334]

I would love to own a real deal 800 but for a fraction of the cost I'm pretty happy with my DSL head. The clean tones are pretty good too! My 5150 rips for high gain stuff but good lord the clean channel is crusty on that thing haha.

[@mikecorey8370]

Bothsound gret but the 800 wins. The DSL sounds a bit fizzy. I have the same problem with my DSL40CR.

[@carvin7lust]

JCM800 is cool and vintage metal sounding. The reality is the DSL is tons cheaper, has 2 master volumes and is essentially a 4 channel amp. Ill stick with my DSL at this point

[@PhillipCalvin627]

The JCM 800 sounded great, but the DSL100HR definitely sounds fuller and is voiced in a much more modern way than the JCM 800. You can get in that territory for sure, but it's like you said, got that bigger low end, less mid heavy, and certainly more gain on tap. The DSL100HR definitely saturates at higher gain settings in that fuzz-like way that you mentioned. I've got mine boosted with an MXR Micro Amp, and more or less balance the two gain knobs for a little more kick without getting into that nasty break up range. ATM, I've got mine ABY'd playing in stereo with my JCM2000 DSL100 (Deep switch engaged) and it just sounds incredible. Love that Explorer. A '58 Korina reissue is one of those guitars I've always wanted but haven't had the opportunity to buy within reason or stumble across at the right time.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I used to think I was a Boogie guy for Metal, too. I have 7 Mesa Heads… but I keep changing my preferences all over the place haha! Cheers -Ryan

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

For sure. I love my Mark IV! I haven’t been able to track down a Mark IIc+ yet… but I love the IIb that I have! The Mark series is THE series for Mesa! 3 of my Mesa heads are marks! Cheers -Ryan

[@PhillipCalvin627]

@@Crypticmaskguitar One of the reasons I just bought a Line 6 Vetta II was for the IIc+ setting. Sure it's not the real deal, but it's pretty solid. Michael Romeo from Symphony X apparently used the original Vetta for the Odyssey Tour rather than haul around his Engl Powerball, Fireball and JCM800.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Mark IIb, Mark IVb, abs Mark V 90w. IIc+ and III are hard to come by where I live. Cheers -Ryan

[@aayushkhare656]

Gonna go with DSL for this one

[@jaredriley4071]

The DSL100HR is the best Marshall ever made.

[@michaelpeacestewart]

add a 10 band eq in the effects loop of the dsl you can get these really close sounding owning both i have it dialed in good the mxr eq sounds best

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

MXR 10 Band EQ in the effects loop… the poor man’s amp hack. I have been hearing this since the late 90s I swear! Haha! Cheers -Ryan

[@chadmorral1326]

my dude, the dsl part during the drop c with the explorer right before you go into the leads, I think that's the best I've heard the dsl sound in one of your vids and I always think you do a good job with these comparisons. one question, would you ever do cab comparisons? maybe with a 4x12 of g12m25 loaded cab?

[@HiFiWright]

I really dig the newer Creamback G12M-65 for metal quite a bit. They take the heart of the classic 80s metal OG G12-65 and modernize it a bit with a more open high end and a bit more clarity, to my ears. I'm not sure the ones you mentioned would have the headroom he likes, but I have seen where other folks have had success with them. Both of them would help out a V30 if combined to tame its over-ripe presence in the high midrange, especially around 4-6k

[@gustabartok]

JCM 8000 more rocker, DSL100HR more "modern" and metal. Leads, JCM800 better. What a great video, straigth to the point, all about the music!!

[@nick5205]

What speakers / drivers are in the mesa cab? Kick ass shoot out. Thanks

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Blackshadow C90. Cheers -Ryan

[@alexyoung2813]

800 with less Paul, explorer with DSL sounds best to me,,,great playing

[@daniloberserk]

DSL seems to have more responsive eq controls, which is great imo!

[@thatdichead]

DSL all day long. Will be my next purchase

[@IndyRockStar]

do you happen to remember your settings on the DSL100HR?

[@thomasshredster4627]

The dsl is much more saturated and dark. both are insanely great

[@DEADITEDAN]

What are you using for drums?

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Superior Drummer 3. Cheers -Ryan

[@DEADITEDAN]

@@Crypticmaskguitar 🍻

[@phantasmagora6542]

The difference is in the circuits: the DSL relies on diode clipping for higher gain while the 2203 is all tube. That's why the 2203 has a clarity and bite in the high mids that the DSL doesn't have. Both great amps though; the DSL sounds kind of Mesa-like. I think it sounds more sinister and better suited for modern metal, whereas the 2203 is closer to a sound that I would generally want. Notice I said 2203 - the later channel-switching JCM800s (2205, 2210) also rely on diode clipping like the DSL.

[@Mariliadainsonia-np6is]

The New DSL (15, 20, 40c, 40cr, 100h and 100hr) Series haven't diode clipping

[@Frett3000]

The DSL has a constant fizz that drives my ears nuts. I really want to like it, but I just can't.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

It’s sort of Marshall’s response to the Rectifier. Cheers -Ryan

[@jackslayers]

if anyone knows what the construction meterial for the enclosure of the DSL is it Plywood or MDF?

[@vijaythurner7516]

Hey Ryan! Which channel Was the dsl? And tone shift on or of? Cheers

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I believe this was answered after the sound samples. But not using the Tone Shift and on OD1. Cheers -Ryan

[@vijaythurner7516]

Sorry! silly me!

[@ahmadshani6682]

💓

[@FloridaHammer]

The blues/rock guys never take these amps balls out in their shootout vids.

[@danvan8789]

cant kid you the dsl kicks ass

[@BillLingad]

DSL100HR for me it just sounded fuller and complete

[@stiffupperlip4]

Hey I just wanted to say I really appreciate your shootouts. Everytime I look up an amp comparison it seems you have a video on it. Awesome!

[@asherplatts6253]

The 800 is where its at.

[@gep2771]

Definitely harmonic overtones on the DSL especially on everything except the low E and A strings, for the price its a good amp, 800 is classic but you pay for it.

[@grumpyoldrockers1048]

I’ll take the DSL 100 all day long! Much more versatile

[@andrewwest7875]

JCM 800 sounds better. Noticeably more natural and organic sounding. DSL not bad though!

[@EricBertrand777]

Smooth as raven's claws (Jim Morrison) creamy metal served Dont hate. These amps would pair well

[@cliffords2315]

DSL100HR $1,000 new JCM 800 $3,500.............If i paid $3,500 for a head, i wouldnt like it if the DSL100HR sounded better

[@tracylavinia8232]

Both sound great but prefer the tone of the 800, it just has THAT classic tone

[@davespin9034]

What did you use to boost?

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Signal chain is in the description. Cheers -Ryan

[@davespin9034]

@@Crypticmaskguitarthanks! I was wondering why my DSL100H didn’t sound that awesome. 😎 Can you suggest a good volume where the tubes will be fully saturated? I’ve gone up to 6 on the ultra gain channel.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I tend to turn it up until my walls start shaking. I have my cabinets in a separate treated room… so I tend to get things quite loud. I have 37 amps so I can’t really recall off the top of my head what level I use the DSL. But I tend to go until the walls are shaking. At that point the EQ starts to come alive. Cheers -Ryan

[@davespin9034]

@@Crypticmaskguitar thx. Haha.. your sound is perfect.

[@GuvnaOnSpotify]

All these DSL owners jumping in "dude, the DSL kills it!!" Glad you feel that way. The 800 is a classic and standard for a reason. The100HR is not also for a reason. Fizzy, lacks the Marshall growl in the mids and doesn't sound as aggressive. There are many amps that do that 100HR sound better than it does.

[@yoyorella799]

What you leave out, naturally, is a strong player can make both of those commmpletely different animals roar. Thanks for playing though you amuscular brimming w information king you. Shhh.

[@EarCandy-kg6di]

they sound like they were tracked in stereo.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Your ears do not deceive you. I use my amps in a studio environment… double tracking along to a drum track allows me to hear how the amps move. It also stops me from getting bored making videos. Cheers -Ryan

[@JamesMurphyProducer]

800 for me, all day long

[@theartfuldodger935]

The DSL is polite. The 800 is mean. 800 all the way.

[@vaclavslovak3104]

great riffs! DSL wins

[@EM-km8em]

Bro where can i listen to your music?

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

KZbin… I’m lucky I even have enough time to make videos. Cheers -Ryan

[@EM-km8em]

@@Crypticmaskguitar whats your artist name on here ? We are lucky to have you making these bad ass videos, your riffs and writing is out of this world man!

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

It’s just this channel. Most of the year I work between 70-90 hours a week… so when I write things for videos I make it count haha! Cheers -Ryan

[@EM-km8em]

@@Crypticmaskguitar oh right on! You gotta release some singles or an album Bro! Keep it up!

[@gitarspan]

I prefer DSL100HR to 800.

[@jeremyfickas5137]

Dsl is a little more thrashy for my taste

[@bassproable]

I think the Marshall wins.

[@erics9207]

I have both and the 800 is not as good.

[@thephoenixcycle8854]

The dsl definitely sounds like a much heavier amp. No contest. For rock or lite metal the 800 might be ok but for heavy ass metal definitely the dsl

[@johnklaich9201]

DSL…

[@EricBertrand777]

Your new intro sucks lol 😂just wanted to bust on the haters.