Marshall JCM-2000 DSL 401

2 overdrives and reverb. Its a Marshall tube amp, what else do you want?

I play a Gibson SG with exposed pick-ups so the clean channel is still pretty dirty. OD1 is fat, but there is that lag in the button depression to OD explosion that I still am not used to. Boss pedal distortions are instantaneous, so I have to learn the pedal click, amp click lag. The clean to OD2 seems to have less of the lag. The OD2 is an oh so yummy cherry, but I can't seem to find a sharp edge to the tone.
For a 40 Watt amp, this thing is bloody loud and powers an additional Nemesis 2x12 bass bin just fine.
The amp does make this strange metallic rattling sound when it powers up, which I assume its the tubes warming or being faulty. Not noticeable when cranked.
Since I play jangly pop through to experimental noise, I guess I could be using any amp, but it's Marshall and I'm a poser.

It seems to be reliable.
Well I haven't had problems with it.
It's never been gigged by me, but jammed numerous times at about 8-9 on the volume and I just gave it some. Real wall of noise kinda stuff.

Second-hand, but the guys at the Swop Shop in Carlton said to bring it back when I mentioned it was cutting out. I replaced my guitar lead and surprise surprise, it wasn't the amp.

I've been playing for 10 years.
I use the SG plus a back up Washburn my bro gave me, am currently trying to sell a Fender Jaguar(looks nice, but a guitar should not be this much of a nuisance), which sounded alright through the amp.
Pedals: BOSS ME-50 + side board of Boss DD-3 delay, OC-3 Super Octaver and HM-3 Hyper Metal. Also have a Jimi Hendrix Cry-Baby Wah for when I feel inspired. Trying to learn an E-bow presently.

This amp is good, but will probably get the 60 Watt version of this amp with the twin Celestrials in future.

this amp is a 2004 model. Offers 3 channels, 1 clean, 2 ODs.
the OD channel has a gain and volume. the clean channel has a gain.
there's a master volume and master reverb. The amp runs the EL-84 power tubes. Has an effects loop, foot switch for both ODs and Clean.
also has a foot jack for reverb on the back of the amp.

i was really suprised by this amp. Its actually the kind of amp i like, but never had. I had a DSL 50 head into a 2x12, but I think the 2x12 cab ruined the tone, crappy cab, too muddy. anyway, i actually can't stop playing this amp. It produces great raw bite tone. Yeah, i agree its not a warm tone compared to other amp. But, I think for playing vintage rock such as led zepplin and ac/dc its great. I think the clean is a great warm tone. But, i usually play the OD 1 channel, which is a smooth OD with some bite. I have a lot of fun with this amp. The OD 2 can sound close to OD 1 when backed off, but when cranked, its heavily distorted and sound great with the bridge humbucker. I like this.

i bought this use, which is the way to go. Beat inflation and Tax, always BUY USED !

never dealt with marshall

I've had a lot of amps. I currently have three. I have a MESA Roaster, which is the best amp ever built. I have the Vox VTX 60, which is an effects amp and is fun. I have this marshall DSL. I play the marshall the most because it offers that BOXY MID RANGY RAW BITE i like. The mesa is a much warmer tone and build quailty is as good as it gets; sure is HEAVY though. Anyway, never was a marshall fan, but I like this amp. I think the 1x12 cab has a lot to do with the unique bite. I'm becoming anti 2x12 and 4x12 and 4x10 and liking the 1x12 amps because of the tightness they offer.

made in y2000 and bought last year

lack of bass in Drive CH when received.
I have swapped the tubes and some by-pass caps and now I do like its sound. Then why "9"? I have not tried the replacement speakers though I do not need it at the moment.

anyone needs more low end, swap the by-pass cap C83(Clean CH) and C84(Drive CH) with larger ones such as 25uF. But 25uF in Drive CH might be too large in case of high gain usage(causes boomy sound).

anyone needs less gain, replace V2 with 12DW7/ECC832.

I was in luck, I found NOS Mullard EL84(Quad), 2 x GE 5751 Black plate and 2 x RCA 12AX7 by US$150.
Now they are set as,
V1:RCA 12AX7
V2:JJ ECC832(12DW7)
V3:JJ ECC83S(12AX7)
V4:GE 5751 Black Plate
V5-V8:Mullard EL84
provides great sound

The Master for the reverb control has gone(always on).
removed tank and cable as I'm not a big fan of delay/reverb.

never used

When I was young, I could not buy Marshall. At that time, there was no valve state amps. Now I have it with the great sound after the minor/small modification.

2 channels + overdrive 2. Good to have a switchable clean channel. It's a shame there's no separate volume control for OD2, as there's too big a jump in volume from OD1 to OD2. Spring reverbs are always a little tacky. FX loop and footswitch are useful.

Over the years I've variously owned (among many others) a Vox AC30, a Marshall master volume 100 stack, a Fender Twin, and a Marshall JMP Mk2 50 watt combo. The AC30 had one very nice tone; the 100 watt stack was too loud (!), the Fender Twin kept blowing valves, but the Marshall JMP Mk2 50 watt is gorgeous, and the only vintage amp I've kept.

Overall, the DSL has come as a bit of a disappointment. Although only 2 years old, it came initially with a loud residual mains hum. Once it was serviced some of the hum went away (but not all). However played next to my old 50 watt JMP the DSL just lacks... something indefinable. I've since changed the gold-back speaker for a vintage G12-65 heritage... which has given it a little more bass. But it still sounds brash next to the JMP.

I was planning to gig with the DSL and to keep the JMP as back-up ... but to be honest I think I'll do it the other way around. The flexibility of the extra channels is in the DSL's favour... plus it's smaller and lighter ... but as I say, the JMP oozes tone, and the DSL sounds harsh and tinny in comparison. It's a shame, but there it is. Perhaps it's down to the DSL having different valves, I don't know?

Apart from mains hum, no problems yet ... but I have read about overheating problems with this model so I've installed a switchable fan just in case...

No contact with Marshall, but the amp technician I use says Marshall parts are usually easy to get hold of.

2004. update. got it july 06 and love it. very easy to use. great tone!

loud amp once broke in. very marshally sound! sounds awsome clean and od 1,2! had no problem with volume difference in channel switching. adjust the clean volume and od volume and master to get equal volume. the reviewer that couldnt do that is retarded. pedals in front end sound great. i always use a box fan with all amps. hard rock with a LP is great! i use a reverb pedal too for variety. the stock speaker is fine.

no trouble yet. 2004 model. i bring back up anyway in case.

who knows? who cares? i know where the repair shop is.

30 years, yes again and love it! very expensive but worth it. its small and light. can be used as a 40 watt head so its like having two amps!

I bought this amp in 2003. I have to say I love how this amp sounds. I've always been able to get really good clean sounds (used to play in a reggae band), and the overdrive will take your head off. I run it through a 4x12 1960A marshall cab, and that makes a huge difference as you can expect. It adds all the bottom end that is missing, huge sound. It is also very loud. I've used it to play many shows, and it has always been loud enough, even when there wasn't an appropiate PA.

I got really good clean sounds from it. It doesn't sound like a vintage Fender by any means, but if you want a Marshall amp you're probably not too concerned with the clean channel anyway. The over drrve channels are AWESOME, everything I expect from a Marshall. OD2 is great for metal, or other types of music that require very heavy distortion, specially if you run it through a cabinet. OD1 is great for blues and lighter rock. The louder you turn it up, the better it responds. I play blues, reggae, jazz, and punk rock through it, it handles all those styles to perfection for my taste. I use a Les Paul junior with two humbuckers, and epiphone dot, and a fender stratocaster.

I know there are lot of complaints from people on the reliability, and a lot of complaints about it getting too hot???? I've NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS AMP, and I've used it EXTENSIVELY for touring, and many, many shows, in not very good playing conditions. I've played many hot and humid basements and bars with no proper ventilation, and never had an issue. I don't think it gets too hot, even after hours of being on and turned up way loud. It's never broken down on me, and it's never done anything weird. In fart, it's been the most reliable amp I've ever had. Will continue using it to gig with no backup..... this "little" guy has proven himself worthy of handling any playing condition over and over.

Don't know about Marshall, but Dietze music in Lincoln, NE, where I bought it, provides the best customer service and has the best techs. I'll have to give it a 10 since Dietze is representing Marshall.

I've been playing guitar for about 17-18 years. If it were stolen I'd like to get the DSL50 head, just so it can match the cabinet I have, but I really have to say I love this little guy. It is very loud, plus it has an advantage over the head: you can actually carry it around! you can play with your friends on a Saturday afternoon without having to carry a cabinet with you. If you want the "true" Marshall sound, but don't want to get a bulky cabinet, check this guy out! you need tubes if you want the real Marshall sound, and this amp delivers. I absolutely LOVE the overdrive on this amp, it kicks you in the face.

Real valve sound, clean, blues middle variable distortion and Marshall overdrive.

This amp makes a lovely warm and variable tone, letting you play and vary the sound without digital effects. The reverb is a real spring and is really noce, I have tried a new fender digital reverb but i prefer this Marshall.

It has been fixed, may sometimes whistle. It has a smooth on button that doesn't click. The volume controls might be a bit scatchy now, but the sound and makes up for it.

Repaired under warranty (through guitar shop).

This is the best amp I've had.

- 4 ECC83 Pre-amp Tubes
- 4 EL84 Power-amp Tubes
- 16ohm speaker
- Separate Clean/Overdrive EQ controls
- Master volume/reverb/Parallel effects Control

Fairly simple amp to operate, lacking in excessive controls you will never use. I occassionally use the clean channel as a bass amp also. Only a 9 because I just wish there was a separate master-volume control for Clean/Overdrive and possibly a built-in power-attenuator.

I love the amp's clean channel but am warming up to its overdrive. I think the whole +20db Overdrive2 channel is a little pointless if you have high putout pickups but I suppose it would be pretty awesome for people playing vintage strats to stomp on the footswitch for a solo.

The OD channel seems to have less bass but I believe this is because my tubes are dying.

Overall I couldn't ask for more except for a power attenuator.

... no comment

N/A

If it was stolen, I would think about buying it over or possibly getting the Mesa F-50. The F-50 has a harsher tone in my opinion but has the reliability advantage.

Amp is a 2005
This amp is very versatile.Great for rock,blues,funk,jazz,punk,metal.
3 channels clean,OD1 and OD2,all footswitchable.FX loop is OK.reverb sucks period!I wish it had a 3 spring fenderish type of verb.I use midiverb in my rack so the stock verb is turned off anyway.I use this amp anywere i want. It has loads of volume if needed.Keep in mind this amp is all tube and is 40 watts with 4 EL84 power tubes in it.I love these tubes. saturation out the ying yang!!!!!!

OK Let me give you some great advice.CHANGE THE STOCK SPEAKER!!
I went with a HELLATONE 30watt or try a vintage 30.The 100watt stock speaker is good for clean but still lacks bottem end and low mids.
The hellatone 30 made this amp sound like early van halen,with a big warm bottem end,low mid crunch with nice glassy highs blended in.Think van halen 1 or early 80s Gary Moore (Victems of the future).
I,ve had lots of marshalls,100watt 50watt old 4 input MK2 models,70S,80S AND 90S and this amp with the 30watt celestion in it hold its own next to its bigger brothers.You also can run a 4x12 or a pair of 4x12s off this amp and get great results from it.If you go that route make sure the cabs are loaded with vintage 30s or 25watt greenbacks.YOU WILL THANK ME FOR THAT ADVICE!!!!OK With all that been said, let's get to my favorite settings.OD2= GAIN-5 VOL-5 TREB-5 MID-3 BASS-10 REVERB-0 MASTER-sounds great 3 on up!!!!I use a Digitech bad monkey tube driver to push the front end a little.This is very comparable to a tube screamer.set for clean boost only (no distortion) at all...LEVEL-10 LOW-5 HIGH-5 GAIN-0.If I want to go clean,I simply turn off tube driver and roll back the guitar volume.If I want to go cleaner then switch to OD1. And if I need total cleanliness I go to the clean channel in the amp which is set as follows, GAIN-4 TREB-7 MID-4 BASS-7.This amp has great saturation with loads of harmonic overtones.I use a TELE with DIMARZIO tone zone stacked humbuckers and a 1982 JACKSON randy rhoads with stock pickups.Both sound great for various styles.Anything from big and bluesy,oversaturated sustain to super fat SCORPIONS type of crunch.Another cool trick is to slave your preamp via FX SEND into a rack then into another amp (set clean).This gives you a wet / dry effect. (very cool).

Buy a fan 4 inch at radio shack and mount it on the grill on back of amp so it pulls air out.
My amp has never let me down!!!!!!!!!

What can i say?

Marshalls are the best amp in the world. period. and
they stand behind warranties.

Trust me, you will love this amp and will have a hard time putting your guitar away at night......
10 all the way.
My hat is off to MARSHALL on this one.
My hat is off to DAVE AT AVATAR SPEAKERS FOR THE HELLATONE 30WATT.
If you own this amp go to avatarspeakers.com and you will thank yourself for investing about 80 more dollers in your amp.
Watch your amp come to life!!!!!!!!

Features, 40 watts all tube EL84 and 12ax7 (ECC83) tubes Two channel amp with "boost" on the overdrive channel, 1x12" speaker effect loop and reverb. comes with footswitch. I play mostly classic/hard rock and blues, using a fernandes ravelle, fender tele, and customised yamah rgx420s. jim dunlop db01 wah jekyll and hyde od, boss ge7.

Its a marshall so you know whats its for ...... rock and roll. If your after an amp to try and make your own tones look somewhere else as all marshalls share the same charateristics, if you like angus young, slash, gary moore or any other marshall user its as close as youll get for this price. for the clean channel i set the gains to 5 trebble to 7 mids to 4 and bass to 6. i find these settings respond well to my picking dynamics even more so if i increase the gain. The od channel gives really good but not exact angus and slash rhythm sounds, perfect for what i do, i just use the boss ge7 as a solo boost, i dont like the amps boost. i use the jekyll and hyde for heavier stuff and it sound great. i really like this amp, its a great first time tube amp but it will undoubtly be compared to a jcm800 ro some other classic for this reason alone i give it an 8 but this is a very good amp

the first one i had packed in after a week and a half, but a new one was sent straight away and has been solid since.

havent dealt with marshall but gak were great

ive been playing 3 years now and its my first tube amp so i dont have anything else to compare it to. When i first got the amp i was a little deflated i was expecting a massive bone crushing tone like heard on appetite for destruction or back in black, but i didnt.Ive come to realise that like myself most peole hear music on cds and try to emulate that tone by buying similar equipment, but you wont get it because albums are edited and polished in massive recording studios. you can however get a good tone from this amp though it did take me a few months but ive put this down to the tubes as the tone improved the more i played it. you can get good bedroom levels out of it and it will easily fill most pubs/clubs. For the price its a good gigging amp, if lost or stolen i would push the wallet for something more boutique to try and establish my own tone.