Marshall JCM-2000 DSL 401

Made in 1999. In good shape

I would prefer the option of making the effects loop series rather than parallel. It is a little limiting, but the fact that you can crank the effects send volume up loud enough makes up for it. I would prefer a single footswitch for channel-switching & reverb.

I use a Les Paul Standard SL. I play Claptonish blues and rock.

It took some doing, but this amp now sounds fantastic. I replaced the tubes and biased them. One thing I learned is that you cannot try this amp out in the store out of the box and know how it sounds. You can get the Marshall sound out of this amp. but you have to let the tubes burn in at least 3 hours, and it has to be set up correctly.

I just got through the entire process of re-tubing my Marshall DSL 401. Here is what I found after a lot of research and trial & error.

First of all, the amp takes EL84s for the power section, but many brands of that tube will not fit. One brand that does fit is JJs. They slide in very easily.

To get them in you must take the whole electronics section out of the amplifier - don't try to push them in without seeing the sockets, you can really mess up the pins.

Once you get the tubes in - you MUST re-set the bias. You can do this yourself but be SURE to read up on how to do it, and get the correct tools. You need a DVM and SMALL alligator clips.

Here is the recommended procedure from Marshall:

Here's the Marshall Service Bulletin on biasing the JCM2000 series amps:

Procedure:
1. Make sure the amp is connected to a load with the proper impedance selected.
2. Power up amp on Standby, and let the circuit stabilize for a couple of minutes.
3. Locate the male three pin molex connector (CON2) with the two mini pots (PR1 and PR2) (located on each side of the molex connector) on both ends found at the bottom of tube bay.
4. Connect DMM (set to read mV) with alligator leads, reference common lead to center pin (pin2) on molex connector CON2 and positive lead to pin1 on CON2.
5. Take amp off Standby with no signal, adjust mini-pot (PR1) closest to pin that the positive lead from your DMM is connected to and set it to mV voltage that is listed below.
6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 for pin3 mV and until pin1 & pin3 mV readings are the same.

Bias Settings:
DSL50 45 mV TSL 601&602 80 mV
DSL100 90 mV DSL 401 1.375V
TSL100/122 90mV DSL201 .675V

Note that it says the correct setting for the 401 is 1.375 v.

I strongly recommend going lower. I got this from another message board, an experienced tech had done many of these amps and he noted that first of all that setting is above the tubes suggested range (will burn up the tube faster) but more important, the amp simply sounds better when it is biased lower. He suggested about .7 v.

I did a listening test, first at the recommended voltage and then at the lower voltage. With the JJs I installed all around, I found I could only bias as low as .84 v.

Without a doubt, on my amp the overall sound was better at this lower voltage. At the highwe voltage I got a cleaner, truer guitar sound, especially on the cle3an channel. But that isn't why we buy Marshalls, am I right? I wanted that biting lead, sustain for years sound. The lower bias setting got that.

I did notice a little more not-pleasant saturation at that setting, (THD?) so I tried to raise it a little to see if I could get rid of it but keep the tone. No, I went up to .9v but I lost the tone and still had the saturation, so I went back down on the bias.

While I was in there, I also replaced the black 16-ohm Celestion with a vintage 30 (8-ohm). If you do this, be sure to change the switch on the back of the amp to 8 ohm.

My 401 now sounds great. I was definitely worth the trouble.

Here is another tip. If your reverb sounds weak open up the amp and make sure it is plugged in correctly (red plug to red socket). Mine was backwards and it did not sound good, but by fixing that I now have plenty of reverb even on the dirty setting.

The amp now rocks.

Well, it started acting strange so I decided to re-tube it. It is not easy to work on. Be sure to buy replacement tubes that fit. Other than that - yes it gets hot, but I have no problems with solder parts. I have just installed a fan and will probably use it. If you buy a fan, get the large one.

All I have to say is under "sounds" - this amp can really rock, but you have to baby it a little. If you are afraid to work on it take it to a tech. Ask him if he can bias it as you listen to what he is doing. Get the sound you want.

For what I do, which is playing a combination of light rock, funk, pop and reggae, this amp is perfect. There are no built in effects apart from the reverb, but that suits me just fine as I don't use 'em. The footswitchable channels work a treat and the amp is LOUD on the overdriven channels!

I play two Epiphone Les Pauls (not at the same time - still working on that trick!) and it's damned near impossible to get a totally clean sound at high volumes - I've experimented with rolling the guitar volumes right down, and this can produce some quite fat cleanish tones. I play rhythm with the gain on 5 on the clean channel (just starting to crunch up when you strum hard) and then switch to the overdrive with gain on 10 and vol about 7 to get the perfect soloing sound. I have the EQ pretty flat on the clean channel, but lift the top a bit on the od. If I were playing a Strat or other single coil guitar I'd probably roll the top off a little, the other way, and maybe the bottom up. This amp suits me well as I never go for totally clean sounds, and when everythings turned up the sound is penetrating, dynamic and fat, in equal proportions.

I bought the amp new in November 2004 and have gigged it regularly ever since. One of the El84s has just started to develop a bit of a rattle, but they're inexpensive and easily replaced (the back cover simply unscrews, and the valves drop out once you remove a little metal cage under them). I use the amp all the time with no back up.
Note - this is a valve amp - you need to let it warm up a bit before you crank it!

Never had to deal with em, but you get a 3 year warranty, and a nice letter from Jim Marshall!

Fantastic little combo for the money, looks good, sounds good, fairly portable and reliable. If you want a bright, clean sound buy a VOX or Hot Rod, but if you want authentic Marshall tone at a good price with a beatifully driven valve tone at sensible volumes levels, this gonna be ya baby!

40W, 2 Channels with lead boost, fx loop, reverb, footswitchable channel, boost and reverb with seperate pedal.

4xEL84 4X12AX7 ALL TUBE except rectifier - printed circuit board

I wish it had footswitchable Tremolo - then it would be a 10

Amp will do Country/Jazz thru Thrash Metal - Great Amp for the Money - Very versatile. Don't be afraid of Marshall clean. Just use your guitar volume and get great clean sounds with any guitar!

I play all types of music with it on all types of guitars...American LP's, Strats, Teles, PRS's, Carvin's - even Taylor acoustic!

This Amp does any sound you want! - just dial it in for a type of music or a certain guitar and you're there. - Marshall distortion Rocks!

All Marshalls I have ever used are very reliable.
I would never gig with only one amp without spare fuses and tubes.

Amp got very hot - I installed a small $8 fan in back and tied it to the power switch to pull heat away - works great - now stays warm without overheating. Has never broke down in 3 years except one blown fuse.

not contacted them

Great Amp for Live or Practice! - 40W perfect for cranking up and pushing the power tubes - Great overall machine for the money.
Tremolo circuit would be nice.

Best overall amp I have used for many types of music.
it's a 9!

I would give this a 10 but for the lack of a footswitch jack for the effects loop and the fact that the channel 2 boost is not loud enough to really lift your solos. I use the amp on channel 2 boost all the time and lift the volume with a Morley volume pedal. Many amps have loads of built in effects. I prefer the sound of the amp with just a bit of echo and reverb. That's all you really need isn't it?

I just had to replace the crap speaker that Marshall put in this otherwise superb combo. The stock speaker does not have enough bottom end and also somehow stops the amp from sustaining properly on solos. I have now installed a 16 OHM Celestion G12T-75. The sound is now simply awesome for a small combo. This amp (with the right speaker)can give you any sound you want from REM/Audioslave clean to really overdriven 70s metal.

I do not understand why Marshall install these cheap speakers in their combos. The G12T-75s are what they put in their extension cabs so why not in their combos for Christ's sake. They only cost #43 retail. Marshall - you really should do something about this because your amplifiers are just soooo good!

Only had it for 3 months. Reliable so far. I gig with this regularly with no back up.

NA

Once I had replaced the speaker the sound was superb. You can really get that Marshall stack sound without breaking your back or your wallet.

I have now built a cab the same size as the 401 and fitted it with another G12T-75. I use this and the internal speaker together and they sound fantastic. The fact that you can connect a second speaker is a real plus and gives so much more flexibility. I can use the second cab to spread the sound either side of the stage or as a monitor. (Warning - do not use an 8 OHM speaker plugged in at the same time as the internal 16 OHM speaker. You will damage your amp).

If this amp were stolen I would definately replace it with another one. This amp rocks. Accept nothing other than Marshall - they know what they are doing (apart from their choice of stock speaker - moan, moan). I REALLY LOVE THIS AMP. BUT ONE. NOW!

I am writing this after having this amp for about 8 years, so Ive got a pretty good idea of it.
Loud enough for small gigs, clean channel can't keep up with OD1/2 though in terms of volume if you want to keep it dead clean. This is what youd expect though from a valve amp. I use this amp for practising with my band and gigging, no problem in terms of volume.
Has all the features you need, though would be nice to have a 3rd eq'd channel for solos.

I use this amp for what it was built for - ROCK baby! DO NOT judge this amp at low volumes, distortion can sound a bit $%^&, but when you crank it up it sounds sweeeeeeeet! Very noiseless (unless tubes are wearing out). As i mentioned, with clean channel gain past about 4 on decent volumes, it will distort. So you cant go rockin out with disortion on gain 10 vol 10 then expect to jump back to a nice clean sound at similar ear-splitting volumes. Ain't gonna happen. Though this can be a good thing as you can use the clean channel as an extra distortion channel, specially with a stompbox. Overall though has a freaking great sound!

No problems, had to replace preamp tubes after about 6 years of use, which is pretty good usage. Apart from that, nada de nada.

ooookay, but i emailed them once re replacing tubes, and they told me not to be messing around and take it to a qualified techician, which is a bit of a piss take, as all you have to do to replace tubes is literally unplug one set and plug in another (I found out afterwards). On the other hand, i guess they have to cover their backs as there are some decent voltages lurking around in amps!

Been playing 10 years, this amp is the mutt's nuts. Not the loudest beast in the jungle, i mean if you want an amp for massive gigs go look for the dsl100 or tsl100 and get a stack. If you want an amp that produces wicked tones at reasonable volumes, and doesn't bust your suspension when loading into a car, this bad boy is just the ticket. Only problem is it's smaller (than stacks etc) size can make the ignorant bystander believe that you posess a cheap and crap amp. Remedy this by angling it into his unsuspecting ear, cranking it to 11 and busting out a few of the evilest licks in your reportoire. That'll shut the twat up.

This is a follow up after having this amp for over a year. I have previously had amps from Mesa Boogie, Line 6, Peavey XXX, and several effects processors that I used through a power amp. I was always quickly dissatisfied with all my amp set ups. After over a year I still love the sound of my DSL 401. I honestly don't think I could find something I would like better. I gig with it 1-2 times a week and have never had a problem. I did install a cooling fan from radio shack (blows air out from cab) when I bought the amp based on things I had read. With the fan, the amp is barely even warm to the touch after 4 hours of use.

This has a pretty standard Marshall set-up; Clean channel w/ gain and independent equalizing options, Dirty channel has gain and volume and goes from crinch to OD. There is a master volume, reverb and effects mix. This is an all tube amp (40 watts- loud!) and as such will not offer some of the options of a solid state amp. It does have a line out for mixing and can easily drive a cabinet if the situation requires. I give the options a 9 only because I would have liked an independent volume for the clean channel.

I play through an American Deluxe Strat (1999) and a Schecter C-1 Classic. This is my first Marshall although I have owned and played through many other great quality amps (Fender Deville 212, Peavey classic 30, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Fender Twin, etc.). I have never really wanted to own a Marshall. I thought it didn't match my sound. After trying this amp out, I have decided that I was wrong. I love the clean on this amp!! Outstanding. Unlike other reviewers, I could not get the clean channel to distort at any volume.

The OD is very impressive. I have read some of the other reviews and my advice is "Don;t buy this map if you are looking for a rectifier, or modeling type amp!". This is a Marshall and as such SOUNDS like a Marshall. It sounds great! However it sounds like a great Marshall. I feel like it may be getting a bad rap from some of the reviewers who have complained that they can't get a differnt sound from it. If I had read the reviews, I probably wouldn't have bought it. Man, am I glad I didn't research this amp and tried it out on a fluke.

NA - It looks like it is built like a tank! However, I will get a road case for transport as I do with any amp of considerable investment.

NA - Met Jim Marshall at a NAMM show in 2001. Seemed like a great guy and I would think if Marshall didn't stand behind their gear, I would have heard about it by now.

This is a BIG Marshall sound in a very portable package. I bought this to use on smaller gigs as an option from my Genz Benz El Diablo 60. The Genz weighs in at 75lbs. with a speaker upgrade. The Marshall weighs in at 42lbs. I thought I would "compromise" my sound and trade the portability. However, I am finding myself playing the Marshall almost exclusively. This was a great purchase!! If lost or stolen, I would have to try another all tube Marshall, but would probably come back to the 401 DSL just because of the size and weight. It packs a great punch and would hold its own pound for pound with any amp on the market

good for rock light metal- like led zep, black sabbath and the who type of music. i use all the features - reverb, cleab, distortion , od1 and od2. i wudnt want anything else put in2 it. using loads of effects covers up the quality of sound you get from it.

so dam good - the louder you play the nicer it sounds because it makes the valves sing more. distortion good for rock and light metal. not good 4 death metal- not that any1 would want to insult the quality of marshall by playing death metal through such a class amp

because of the nature of the valves you have to treat the amp with respect. it isnt like a transister were u can throw it downstairs and it wont break. u have to respect it but dont worship it too much if u understand what im saying. i would gig with it. it blasts out a mammoth sound and can easily cope with a live drum kit, in fact u might want to keep the volume down, it mite be a low powered amp but it can drown out a drum kit easy!

the shop i bought it from gave me a years shop warranty then marshall gave me 3 years warranty and also i year warranty for the valves.

i have been pkayin 7 years. i own a gould les paul shape. lovely guitar and it plays better than a fender strat in myy opinion. if it was stoen i would get the same amp maybe a 60w version though. i love everything about it i hate nothing. i was gonna get a transister but it didnt have the clarity of sound that the jcm does. the extra #250 was worth it a mile.

Excellent amp for all typs of playing .Dont let the size fool you , I run a 4/12 cab and the sound is so sweet. You can get almost anything from classical to blues to metal, I play all of those , so this amp is my dream come true . I have the 100 watt heads , and this amp can keep up very well. The quality and workman ship is there and shows. The EL84's are great I love the tight fat sound you get , I use GT 4's , the sound is incredible! If you have not pluged into a 4/12 with this amp you just dont know what this amp can do. I've used mesa's like the rocket 44 is very close to this amp.I would trade the mesa for the marshall any day.Mine is like new mint ! I payed 490.00 shipped off ebay and it was well worth it !I got a screaming deal! I would pay the 1000.00 If i had to, its worth every penny. The reverb does not suck ,Its warm and brings a great sound to your ears. You have to have a 4/12 hooked up to hear the true sound of this amp. The 1/12 is great,but the 4/12 brings out the true sound. Clanell 1 gives you the best clean marshall sound I have ever heard(I've had tons of marshall mesa amps). You get this fender vibe from it . The od1 is nice and bluesy, then kick in the od2 and start playing arpegieos roll off your tone cut back on the volume and you get a a sweet solo to die for. This amp is a 10 all the way in my book for $490.00 what I payed .If your looking for the high quality go with this amp its affordable and made to play.

I play 2 USA Jacksons a USA kelly ke-2 black flametop 2 hum and USA Jackson SL1 with EMG's , 100 watt JCM900 4100 6l6 dual reverb. Boss efx.
All my stuff makes this amp sing like a bird.

I have never had any problems 100 % reliable !

Manuals are not to good in my opinion , but the quality of the amp is !

100 % well worth the price , I would buy it for 1000.00+

Amp's made in 2001 A.D
What a coincidence, its has 4 12AX7s and 4 EL84s. All small tubes, needless to say, it won't sound like one with EL34s or 6L6s.
It has all an amp should have, the older JCM comes with "Presense" knob which enhances the sound. I think there is a need for that. The reverb sucks, as many would agree.

It gives a warm tone/sound/resonance whatever for the clean.
Its best suitable for ROCK and Blues, if you like Gary Moore kindda blues, this amp is for you. Otherwise go get a JCM 800. Apart from that, the Clean distorts at 4 onwards, too early to distort I should say. Prolly 6 onwards would be better.

I use an Xtreme pedal for this amp, the stock distortion doesn't sound good to me, you gotta crank up at high vol even so, it still gives a crunchy sound which I don't fancy in my playing. So as what some people would do, just mod a DS-1 and plug it in. Forget about the stock distortion

I bought this amp used, in 2005. The previous owner took really good care of it and had the tubes replaced to its own original tubes. He also added a heat sinker to absorb the heat. So far the longest I played on the amp is about 3 hrs and it get hots but not too hot until the transistors fall out. Its alright.

Never needed them.
Its outta warranty since its more than a year old

As i mentioned, i bought it used.
The original price was twice the amount I paid for this baby. Its overpriced as many would say in the previous reviews, I agree 100%.
My only regret is that I never sourced out for vintage amps like the JCM 800 or 900, which they still are available somewhere out there, more reliable and better sounding.

If I had this amp stolen or spoilt beyond repair, I'll beg, borrow or steal to replace it. I never gig with this amp before and am going to do so this Christmas. Whatever the case is, its still a Marshall and made in the UK.