purpleplexi
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Sometimes the obvious answer is the obvious answer for a good reason.
JCM 2000 DSL 401 vs DSL 40C
- Thread starter NINFNM
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konrad gibson
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Hi, I have two dsl 401 (one limited from 2000 Frankfurt music fair and one of the first from 1999) and a 2019 dsL 40 CR. 40 CR is more versatile, got because of bigger size more bass and fatter tone, more headroom, good clean tone, four channels, two master volumes for soloing!!!!, cleans up very well. Six way foot controller is a must have. On the old ones the clean channel is great for blues when enlarging the gain knob. THe orange channel is not as good as the 40CR classic gain red channel. DSL 401 red channel is good, but I like DSL 40CR OD1 of the ultra channel way better. Gary Moore used the DSL (401) green channel only and boosted the signal by pedals. So you have to try both amps. https://conny-martin.de/
NINFNM
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Arrived
After many years using Fender and ENGL almost exclusively, I feel I've finally found my perfect amp.
Years ago I was dissapointed with a 4210 JCM 800 but now Marshall has done what I needed just right:
Marshall driven sound and good cleans, portable, louder than you will need while sounding perfect at whisper volumes.
Only thing is that there's a noticeable volume drop when changing from crunch to clean, so what I though was a useless feature, 2 masters, becomes a must. I have to set one master louder for clean tones, and the other one for the rest of settings, and problem solved.
Just in a minute I had the amp perfectly set. I never was so happy with my previous amps, always fighting against that dryness that cranking the mids didnt solve.
I neither think about swaping the speaker, it sounds warm but bitting from the beggining, and only can change for the better as it breaks in.
Thanks guys for the advice!
After many years using Fender and ENGL almost exclusively, I feel I've finally found my perfect amp.
Years ago I was dissapointed with a 4210 JCM 800 but now Marshall has done what I needed just right:
Marshall driven sound and good cleans, portable, louder than you will need while sounding perfect at whisper volumes.
Only thing is that there's a noticeable volume drop when changing from crunch to clean, so what I though was a useless feature, 2 masters, becomes a must. I have to set one master louder for clean tones, and the other one for the rest of settings, and problem solved.
Just in a minute I had the amp perfectly set. I never was so happy with my previous amps, always fighting against that dryness that cranking the mids didnt solve.
I neither think about swaping the speaker, it sounds warm but bitting from the beggining, and only can change for the better as it breaks in.
Thanks guys for the advice!
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konrad gibson
Well-Known Member
Full agreement. The two master volumes are great for using the green classic channel for more headroom and for really great solo volume. And finally I like the built in V-Type speaker.
Right choice.
The JCM2000 DSL 401 is a great amp (I own one), but the parallel loop is crap and lets an otherwise great amp down
Hi all,
I guess in the end it is a matter of taste. I almost bought a DSL20 head, but after hours of listening, I got nowhere. Clean was acceptable, but drive channel was complete shit! (again, IMO)
So I tried with a JCM2000 DSL401 and I don't regret it. I managed to "pair" it with a Gibson LP and it sounds amazing. I must mention that I did change the speaker, as this is normally the first thing I do with combos. I put a Celestion Classic Lead and the sound changed to what I want/need. Reverb is OK, I like it, but this is the whole idea of having an old type of amp. Same with some old pedals, they have their own thing. The drive channel is great, I bought the footswitch and I can't be happier. It is a 2003 model, which obviously has the heating issue, hence me mounting 2 PC fans and it keeps it in the right temperature range. If I get to a point where I will have enough time, I'll make some recordings, both mic'd and DL out.
I guess in the end it is a matter of taste. I almost bought a DSL20 head, but after hours of listening, I got nowhere. Clean was acceptable, but drive channel was complete shit! (again, IMO)
So I tried with a JCM2000 DSL401 and I don't regret it. I managed to "pair" it with a Gibson LP and it sounds amazing. I must mention that I did change the speaker, as this is normally the first thing I do with combos. I put a Celestion Classic Lead and the sound changed to what I want/need. Reverb is OK, I like it, but this is the whole idea of having an old type of amp. Same with some old pedals, they have their own thing. The drive channel is great, I bought the footswitch and I can't be happier. It is a 2003 model, which obviously has the heating issue, hence me mounting 2 PC fans and it keeps it in the right temperature range. If I get to a point where I will have enough time, I'll make some recordings, both mic'd and DL out.
