The Ultimate Gigging Amp - Marshall DSL100HR

[@michaelinglis567]

Had mine since the month it lauched. I added a hammond choke on a switch and modded the ultra channel to have a switch that selects the dsl100hr stock ultra gain tone, the dsl100h ultra gain tone or a split the difference tone (by adding back in the bright cap and changing its value). Its a truly wonderful and versatile amp. I build guitars, amps, pedals and restore vintage tube radio receivers. And with that experience i can say that overall the build quality is good for the price. The one thing thats going to cause a lot of issues down the line for people is the glue they used to hold the filter caps to the board. It becomes burnt and conductive over time which will cause arching (did on mine but i was already half expecting it oncd i saw the glue darkening so I knew exactly what it was so i was able to avoid any amp or component damage by immediately shutting it off and completely removing the glue and cleaning up the area where the arching occured). At the very least if it arcs it will likely cause a resistor failure and at the worst it could take out the board or a transformer. If you own DSL HR amp i highly recommend taking your amp to a tech and asking them to remove any glue that is obviously effected by the heat of the components near it in order to avoid furture failures. Like j said my amp is a VERY early model with a very early serial number so i hope the later HR amps arent using the same glue as the early HR series amps but as far as i know they are.

[@msaintpc]

The new 2023 and '24 models don't have that problem.

[@michaelinglis567]

@@msaintpc Are you a tech, do you work on amps or did Marshall release a statement saying they changed the glue? I'm honestly curious what happened that convinced you it's fixed. And I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm honestly interested since Im out of the loop on the more recent runs.

[@msaintpc]

I was very skeptical about buying non - UK manufactured Marshall amps. Today, I have both the DSL 100 and the DSL 40CR Combo. Glad I bought them, both are simply amazing.👍

[@raygen578]

great review, love the Sabotage shirt too, my favourite Sabbath album

[@prosperity-gospel]

I have the same complaint about the ch1 clean vs ch1 crunch volume discrepancy, so I use one MV set higher for the clean, and the other MV set lower for the other channels. It works well for me but it means you can't use MV switching as a volume boost on the clean channel anymore. Still it makes all four channels usable within the same song, which is nice. Great video!

[@TGMGuitars_]

Thanks for the comment! I did have the amp setup like this for a while but ended up finding that I needed the volume boost for solos more than keeping the channel volume level. If you don’t require the volume boost then this is a totally viable solution!

[@dananthony6258]

The shot of you planning with the band sounded huge. That things got some balls. Nothing like a mar hall and a les paul imo. That’s strat sounds sick just the same.

[@larsmarthinussen1666]

Great amp...used it live on many show and through a large pa it sounds like a million dollars..but...remember to crank the mastervolume

[@FreighedNought]

I recently aquired a DSL 100 Marshall. Probably the best amp I've ever had. That thing will part your hair!

[@metalinsights9664]

The Ultra Gain channel, with all EQ set around noon, results a quite a fizzy sound. I recommend turning Treble complete off or dialing it down somewhere between 0 and 2, and then using Presence, somewhere around 6, to bring the brightness back, with mids anywhere from 8 to 10. If you set all EQ roughly around noon, you get a very mid-scooped modern metal tone, with pronounced bass and treble, and pulled back mids, which may work for modern metal, but not for anything from classic rock to hard rock.

[@kennygardner5041]

I have a country gig and am using the DSL100 and a 1960A cabinet turned backwards since we use in-ears. Clean volume is 5, gain 7 MV 6. Dirty, boost off on both channels, vol, 5, gain 8 MV 7. It is LOUD! Clean stays clean unless I use an OCD or a FULLDRIVE 2 sometimes cascaded together to boost the clean to overdrive it. I use the dirty channel too; depends on the song and guitar in use. Versatile but it is LOUD!

[@petg12340]

Great review. I just got this amp a couple of weeks ago, I love it.

[@TGMGuitars_]

Thanks! 😊

[@ace-rob71]

Hi, I enjoyed this video. I got the previous DSL100H, less features but still quite good in my opinion. My best combination is green Channel Crunch with a pedal boost/distortion in front. I use a Marshall Guv'Nor. it's very cranked Marshally JCM800 style pusher, great! - the amp is big and heavy.... this is the only cons I think

[@TheAtheistworld]

How dsl differs from 800 or others internally?? What is uniquely different between them ?? Thnxx brother ❤

[@colinjwilliams6149]

Thanks for the video. Such a sensational step forward. Clean on a Marshall is about backing your volume back. But I love the idea of a muff in front btw 😊

[@mariannwatt2678]

I used this amp for 8 years on the road and it was the best metal amp had but it went to the best marshall amp tech in la robert dixon every 6 months it can do any metal sound you need but must be maintained properly and handeled

[@squidwardshouse5431]

Agreed. I unfortunately got conned by a music shop staff member to buy the shop model of this amp, it wasn't what I went in for, but when I tested it it sounded amazing. First time I wanted to play a gig with it, the tubes blew on the first song. Luckily we had them replaced and I now have an attenuator to make sure it has a good hot run every now and then.

[@Caprison242]

Great vid 👍🏾

[@TGMGuitars_]

Thanks! 😊

[@edercastro4125]

I played that amp through V30's G12 and 70-80's and the best combination is running the amp through a 4x12 V30's G12 cab

[@adamwatson6916]

Celestion Creamback M 65s and Vintage 30s are the 2 best speakers with the DSl R series but even better is Mixing the Creamback Ms with the V30s . One of each in a 2 by 12 or 2 of each in a 4 by 12 That speaker combo is the perfect blend of vintage and modern very fat and clear tone .

[@acerob7173]

great review!

[@mikeisreal5085]

thanks alot for the review good luck for exams

[@rickhoward1516]

Mine will be on my doorstep later today.

[@brentmydland5176]

Just bought one last week!

[@TGMGuitars_]

Nice! I’m sure you won’t be disappointed 😊

[@DC7ify]

Same can't wait! First tube amp too. May not be a 800 JCM but I love the versatility settings everyone says it has

[@formedoutofchaosambientgui5382]

I liked your review but I'm still not sold on these Marshalls I felt the cleans were a bit TIN sibilance w my viper w EMG the gain was decent but overall I felt my PRS MT15 was a better amp so I returned it clean and dirty nice riffs

[@TGMGuitars_]

Thanks for the comment! 😊 Yeah I agree on the clean, I have managed to get some nice tones out of it in the past by adjusting the eq, however that then messes with the crunch sound which to me at least, is much more important.

[@Lukethenuke695]

Really good jobb! Would be nice to see the settings on the amp. Keep it up

[@TGMGuitars_]

Thanks! I did a quick sweep over but not too easy to see, will start showing them more! 😊

[@Lukethenuke695]

@@TGMGuitars_ okay great 😊👍, did subscribe aswell 😁

[@Lukethenuke695]

@@TGMGuitars_ if you have the toneshift button "pushed in" is that when the mids are scooped? Havent quiet got an understanding of that. Thanks for answering

[@TGMGuitars_]

@@Lukethenuke695 yeah, the button pushed in is the tone shift engaged, I’m not sure if it’s a full on mid scoop but it definitely seems like that’s the effect it’s having 😊

[@Lukethenuke695]

@@TGMGuitars_ okay thanks 👍👍

[@GoldSeals]

Im wondering if it has diode clipping in it?Thanks for the Demo.

[@jszot1985]

The dsl and tsl amps have a bad rep but man do they sound awesome pushed. The metal and blues players don't like them but for hard rock, classic rock, grunge, alternative they are spot on. I used a nosepedal mean green clean to boost the clean channel and add a little sparkle and volume it worked beautifully.

[@PatrickGorey712]

gary holt from slayer and exodus uses dsl's

[@Blaze_1221]

I’ve demoed DSLs and I’m ordering mine soon and they do early Megadeth and Metallica right out of the box lol

[@scaremoth334]

@@Blaze_1221FR and slayer dont forget the demon kings

[@craigsowerby442]

I’m considering this amp. I got the 2555x when it came out and I’m pretty disappointed.

[@santiagomoreno696]

What disappointed you about the Silver Jubilee? That amp is like a dream for me (hopefully one day I can afford something in that price range), but for now I have a Jet City JCA100H and I'm considering getting the Marshall DSL100H as well

[@craigsowerby442]

@@santiagomoreno696 I’ve used the JCM900 for so long I’m used to the sound and the way it responds to my playing. Although I’m a huge slash fan I find the jubilee too dark and don’t get the feedback I want on tap. The shared gain control is not good for me either I like high gain on the lead channel but then you don’t get a super clean channel I clean to be very clean. The JCM900DR was definitely a better amp for my personal taste. Big price tags don’t always mean it’s the right buy. I have an AVT50 that I gigged regular the drunks I play to don’t bat an eye lid.

[@raymondlugo9960]

@@craigsowerby442 I recently got the JCM 900 SL-X. I love it. I've had a 900 DR since about 1994. I really like it. I bought a 2000 DSL and it's great. I have a TSL and it's great. The pedal had a bad design originally but Marshall fixed that.

[@wayne9934]

I had a DSL 100 h now i have a DSL40C AND I LOVE IT marshall dsl is the best

[@PeterDad60]

Nice amp! Maybe I should have gotten the DSL100HR instead of the JTM45!

[@barano9729]

If someone steals it you can always buy another one. Budget amp as you can get.

[@ahmetayaz41]

Thanks.. Can this amp be played at bedroom levels ??

[@TGMGuitars_]

The amp does have a half power mode which allows you to run it at 50w, the volume still needs to be low and in my experience the quality of sound is nowhere near as good when you do this. However it is possible to dial In a decent sound at bedroom levels if you’re just using it for practicing.

[@joesmith8398]

Use a boost pedal in front and lower the volume on your amp.

[@gsupersport6383]

Get the DSL20HR

[@rexmasters1541]

Only a complete clown would thin that amp is great for gigging!!! Thats the last amp I would ever gig with. I have 8 Vintage Marshall plexi's from 1968 to 1971 and they are amazing giging amps.

[@TheClicheGaming]

would you prefer this over a line 6 spider?

[@TGMGuitars_]

Personally I would, I’ve never really been much of a fan of modelling amps in the fact they just don’t feel the same. I used a spider many years ago during my school years and it did the job as far as sound goes, however through years of playing valve amps I don’t think I could go back in that direction. Ultimately it’s a case of what feels the best and gets the most out of your own playing 😊

[@owlytimbre9103]

Vox have always been close to indestructible but the build on the Marshall is its main downside. Just don't drop it. Don't knock it! Cheers, mate!

[@newrockorder]

nope Sir I guess the Kraken MK2 ist the perfect giging amp

[@profile_01]

The best part about it is it's so cheap noone will bother stealing it

[@powerfunk6588]

I've just got a Marshall DSL100 HR and I am really disappointed. The midi switching system is near useless. The Softube emulated output is terrible and not at all usable. The clean channel distorts when the gain is set about 9 o'clock. Not good at all. A real waist of money.

[@extramile734]

If it only has one input it is not two channel. It's an over priced toy. Build a JTM 45. : ))

[@stevementzer]

Too heavy unless you have a roadie. No club in the US is going to let you dime it.

[@TGMGuitars_]

Thanks for the comment! I think it’s down to personal preference on the weight, I personally don’t mind lugging it about (although I’m sure in 10 years or so I’ll have a different view 😂). With regards to the volume, the half power mode is handy if you want to get the power section working a bit more, over here in the UK I’ve not had too many volume issues and have been able to turn it up enough to get the power section working.

[@timm_246]

Is it real spring reverb or?

[@timm_246]

Btw your channel is really underrated and i hope you will blow up soon, you have tons of cool/helpful videos

[@TGMGuitars_]

@@timm_246 thanks! I really appreciate the feedback 😊 I believe it is digital reverb which would explain the reason why it’s rather tame.

[@lastrites.njthrash]

DSL100H earlier model is better

[@Mariliadainsonia-np6is]

Agree

[@markjovanelli2607]

Sorry but it sounds like a raspy ugly mess ' your recording Does not do these amps justice

[@TGMGuitars_]

Thanks for the feedback, can I ask what you’re using to listen to the audio on? always looking for ways to improve the audio for everyone 😊