Marshall JCM-2000 DSL 401

2002 Model. Two channel Clean, Overdrive 1 & 2. Seperate tone stack for each channel. Seperate Gain control each channel. Reverb, Effects Loop, Master Volume, DI Out, Speaker Out, 1 X 12. This amp has all the features I need. Great for practice at home, and small and light enough to easily haul to the Open Mic or gig.

This amp is overpriced. I picked mine up on EBay for $450. As much as I love this amp, $1300 is outrageous. But well worth what I paid for it.

I primarily use this with a Gibson Les Paul Studio. I also have used a Fender American Strat, Fender American Tele, Danelectro 56, and Squier Standard Tele with it. But I like the LP through it best. LP's and Marshall amps are the tone.

I am a simple guy. I like a good Clean channel and a good Overdrive. The DSL401 gives me what I need. I would say it is a Rock/Blues amp. The Clean channel is warm and not too bright. When you dial up Gain on the Clean channel to around 6 you can get a nice Blues overdrive. Smooth, round and rubbery, not bad at all. I really love the Overdrive channels. I get that classic Marshall tone which is what I wanted. Not too distorted like many amps, and not harsh at all. You can get the classic AC/DC tone which is what I truly love. The Overdrive channels are what make this amp a winner in my book.

I do not care for the Reverb at all. It is weak and lame. If you want great Reverb, go Fender. Also, I found that when switching from either Overdrive back to Clean the amp makes a feedback type noise that lasts for maybe two seconds. Totally unacceptable for live use. After investigation I found this was a common problem on the early amps and has since been corrected. This is a bad problem. I ended up disconnecting the Reverb tank. This has not been a problem for me, I got this amp for a Rock tone and do not care so much for Reverb anyway. But check out Reverb first if this is important to you.

I also did not care for the Effects Loop. I don't really use any effects with this amp, but if I did, I think they sound better before the amp. Can't describe it, but something is missing.

I do like the DI Out. I have used it several times at an Open Mic run into the PA. Very quiet.

I like the seperate tone stacks for each channel. I think this is a great feature allowing you to get both a great Clean and Overdrive tone.

I am not real sure this amp could handle loud gigs, especially the Clean channel. It starts to break up around 5 which is not that loud. So, I think you would have to mic this amp to get a clean tone without breakup at gig volume levels. I use my Hot Rod Deluxe to gig, as it has the volume to handle anything. The Overdrive channels on the DSL401 are plenty loud though. The DSL401 can handle small gigs or an Open Mic easily.

These amps are known to get hot, and mine is no exception. The front plate does get really hot. But I have not had any problems. I used my DSL401 to play an outdoor gig on a very hot summer day. The amp was in the sun at all times. The amp performed flawlessly for over 6 hours straight.

As I mentioned earlier, there was a problem with the Reverb, so I gotta take some points away there.

I have owned other Marshalls and had problems, but so far this amp has held up well for a year with heavy use.

I have never had to deal with Marshall, so I can't comment on this.

It might not sound like it from my review, but I love this amp. I get a great Clean tone I like, and the Overdrive tone is awesome in my opinion. And this is what I care about, great tone. I don't care about effects and all that other junk people use to cover up lack of ability. I have been playing over 30 years, have played in many bands, currently in a 4-piece Classic Rock band. So, I think I know great tone when I hear it. If this amp were stolen, I would definitely get another. Heck, I'm gonna pick up a few more on EBay. That is the way to go on this amp. If you want a great Rock tone, pick up this amp and plug a Les Paul into it. Oh yeah.

it has all the great features -but i am amazed non ementions this: the effects loop stinks, my delay pedal would not work through it,, the reverb is lacking on the clean channel-even when pinned -loike non existent--and the overdrive channels-the reverb is too much

also, ther is a drop off in volume when switching for clean to overdrive channel--this makes vchannel changing a bitch

ius anyone else here gigging eith it-too have missed these major flaws

sounds great--i thought that the AVT have a nicer sounding clean channel

with the channels tweaked indidually or with effects it sounds great

but nothing sounds better than plugging straight into the amp--and u cannot utilize all channels by doing his. This causes a problem when giigging. the amp simply does not love effects--make sure they are true bypass.
i play a slew of guitars-but i find every guitar with diff pickups necssitate a diffent setting palette on all channels-this is opbvious

but i find that my tele (mexican crap with broadcaster bridge pickup, and brass saddles--sounds great clean, or THROUGH OD2--OD1 SIMPLY DOES NOT SUIT THAT GUITAR
WITH OD2, AND THE GAIN AT A LESS THAN MODEST SETTING, MIDS DOWN,-I GET A GREAT '60'S EARLY SYD BARRET PINK FLOYD SOUND, ALSO GREAT EARLY WHO SOUND--ALL THE SLIGHTLY DIRTY FULL CHORDS SOUND GOOD IN OD2

THIS IS ALL TESTAMENT TO THE LACK OF CONTINUITY WHEN CHANNEL CHANGING

THIS AMP WAS SIMPLY DESIGNED WRONG. bUT YOU CAN HARNESS SOME BEAUTIFUL TONES WITH THIS AMP-i bought mine in 2002

I WANT TO BUY A CRATE PALLOMINO 32-IT IS ONLY $600--u have to try this amp out-i know it is crate-but it is simply a fluke it is soo good (30 watt IT HAS EL34'S AND SOUNDS IN BEWEEN A MATCHLESS AND A FENDER-WITH AWESOME REVERB-ALTHOUGH IT HAS ONLY ONE EQ--AND JUST GET A GOOD MARSHALLY PEDAL

ANOTHER GREAT AMP COMBO AMP IS THE DUO JET BY AMPEG WITH TREMELO .

had to repalce the tubes after 1 year

Bought new about 2 months ago, 40W 2 channel amp with an extra gain boost on channel 2. Each channel has its own EQ. Channels and lead boost are footswitchable. Reverb, extra speaker out for an extension cab. Ohm load is switchable between 16 and 8. EL84 power tubes. Celestion V30 loudspeaker.

I mainly use a Strat w/ Texas special P'ups and a Pearly Gates Humbucker in the bridge position. Also have a PRS CE22 I use for high gain lead stuff. The amp is perfect for what I bought it for, a grab and go jam/practice amp. I started out with a blues junior, which was fine, just not enough power. Took it back and swapped it out for the Marshall. I have 3203 Artist head/cab setup I use for gigs and a TSL122 combo I don't use much right now, so I was partial to the Marshall sound to begin with. The DSL401 is my favorite of the 3. I play a wide range of cover band stuff, blues, classic rock, hard rock, etc., and the Strat/Marshall match up is great for hitting a wide range of sounds. I get the most out of the amp with the clean channel gain on 7 and the overdrive gain on 4, and the overdrive volume on 8 or 9. That way when I hit the gain boost I get a volume kick too. What I end up with is a a clean sound and med overdrive sound that are about the same volume, and then a lead sound that jumps out volume wise. One key to this amp is to turn the master volume all the way up. At 40 watts this is damn near perfect for playing with a drummer, and the "clean" channel comes alive, making it just as useful as the overdrive channel for rock rhythm playing. If you want the fully saturated lead sound, just dime the overdrive gain, hit the gain boost and you're there.

Only had the amp a couple a months. My Artsit head is almost 20 years old and it still kicks *ss. The TSL had some problems out of the gate, but were fixed under warrenty. After about 2 years the footswitch crapped out. It was a pisser, but I was already aware of that patticular defect. If the DSL proves to have similar quality problems, it will be the last "new" Marshall I buy.

Customer support from KorgUSA was great when I bought the TSL.

Like I said, its my favirite of my 3 Marshalls, it's light(40 lbs) you can turn it all the way up without getting things thrown at you, and the sound is Marshall all the way.

Not sure of year, but i bought it new about 5yrs ago. The features etc have been covered in other reviews. For a small amp features are fine.
This amp has been gigged alot - prob. 100x now......however in a loud gig (ie normal gig!) it just doesnt have enough power, especially when its time for a solo. The other guitarist, with a 100w valvestate, constantly overpowers this amp.
Sounds great miked up through the Pa though!

A mixture of styles, though not much clean.
At first I thought that this amp was brilliant, but that didnt last...overall this amp is quite limited. The clean channel was just ok and the extra distortion is almost unusable for what I play. Crunch is what a marshall is good at and this is its best sound. After a while though you realise that this amp can only really sound like a half decent overdriven amp-if you took away that sound then there would be nothing left!
A decent clean amp (like an AC30) with a tubescreamer is sooooooo much better than this. Really this is just a beginners first valve amp.

Its never broken down, and as I say Ive gigged and practiced loads. Still sounds like it did when new.

Not dealt with them- but im guessing that customer service is a bit better than line 6!!!

Ive been playing 16ys and played in a few well gigged bands. Ive played mostly strats-currently a 1984 jap with fat 50's which sounds great. Been through all that effects rubbish and now only play through a wah pedal.
I like the fact its not as heavy as my old AC30 and that it sounds ok in small venues. I dont like it being just a one sound amp and for me its not really loud enough to gig with.
I had my choice of a few amps in a similar price range, and in hindsight I wish that i had got a peavy classic instead.
This amp is ok for a starter valve amp. Unfortunately when I first started gigging i played through a friends old AC30 and then later a fender twin- this now means that everything I now play through sounds a bit shit in comparison.
If you want a really pro sound then save a bit more money and buy something decent.
I wouldnt buy this amp again. I feel that it was overpriced and I should have waited until i had a bit more cash. Still saving for that fender twin!!

Bought it new in early 2002 or so. I love having a gain on the clean channel, and two OD options on the dirty channel. Mine will get downright sparkly on the clean channel.

A great clean side and good OD controls on the dirty side. My biggest complaint is the NOISE on the dirty side, even with no input for crying out loud. There's far too much white noise to use for close miking or recording. It will certainly do a nice creamy distortion at a low volume, but like I said, don't get a mic too close.

The OD1 channel started acting up within a year of buying it. I'd get the OD set like I want it, and then intermittantly the distortion level would fall off. Other channels were not affected. The retailer suggested retubing, which I did, but after a little time I found it wasn't fixed. The retailer said it would be really expensive to debug it, so I opted for a stompbox instead. Other channels have been flawless. I've also had to rewire one foot pedal and buy a second for backup because the wiring just didn't hold up for me. Also, the reverb did not work when I got it home. I took it back to the store and they found a broken wire in the spring chamber. The Quality Control stinketh.

I have exchanged emails with a Marshall rep on it. They've been helpful with advise.

I loved this amp for the first year, but now that I've had it for about 3 years I can only use it at home. It's let me down on stage.

Just a footnote to the gent below who says the distortion is 10x's better than an F-50. Well that is subjective, and for an extra $200 you could have had an F-50. I beleive you must tell yourself that it is better because you paid, WAAY too much for the amp. I have had a 401, and it sounds nice but sold it. I saw one in a local music store in great shape for $595 ...Canadian dollars!!!

I now own a Mesa F-50 and think its the dogs balls, and distortion, ??dont even talk to me about it. I paid $1440 brand new CANADIAN.. and its the best amp i have owned so far. The DSL 401 is a great little amp, but ,,,please, dont say its 10 x's better than an F-50, because we are talking DIFFERENT TUBES, THAT HAVE DIFFERENT TONE. HELLO..MCFLY?? You paid a bit too much for it, and again, if you had the extra bucks you would have picked up the F-50, simply because the F-50 will be around much longer than the marshall. Its build quality, and tone, and simple to use, but great tone. nuff said.

This amp is perfect for classic rock. It also gives you better distortion than a mesa/boogie f5o which is around the same price (10$ more to be exact)and the f50 also sounds like its just a good solid state amp. Go listen for yourself im sure you will know what i mean.

I play through an american deluxe stratocaster and it works like magic with this amp.The amp is not to noisy just right. This amp can get you alot of sounds if you use it right.

Not sure but ive heard people on this site say marshalls are not reliable anymore? I find that hard to believe considering how many artists still use marshall today.

Overall I would have to say this is worth the money compared to other amps in the price range at guitar center. It would be nice if it was $700 like most people say they payed for it on this site. I dont see how I could have payed $500 more than almost every single person on this site. Ive looked around and found it impossible to find one that price. o well. Once again if classic rock is your thing pick one up you will not be dissapointed.

This all-valve amp has three channels (clean, overdrive 1 and overdrive 2), but there's not a ton of difference between the two overdrives. The second adds a little more gain, but don't expect to get any ultra metal sounds from this amp without some help from a pedal. There's an effects loop and reverb, neither of which I use. You can also plug the amp into a speaker cabinet. There's switch to choose 8 or 16 Ohm speakers.

I'm a basic straight-forward heavy rock, blues punk who just wants to plug a guitar into an amp, turn it up and go. No effects, no pedals, no racks. So, while this amp doesn't have a lot of features, it has more than I'll use. There's something to be said for simplicity.

I use mostly a Les Paul and this amp suits my musical taste just fine. It has 'THAT' Marshall sound you hear on so many classic rock tracks. Sounds great if you're looking for an Aerosmith tone or AC-DC, and even punk music like the Ramones or Sex Pistols. The amp sounds great at bedroom volume but gets better as you turn up the dial. With everything cranked and the Master Volume at about 1 o'clock, I was easily able to get some wonderful harmonic sustain while bending notes or holding out open chords. It's pretty by-God loud, too. I haven't played with it with a band, so I can't say how it keeps up with a drummer, but I would bet it would do OK.

Keep in mind that this amp is somewhat limited. It doesn' stay real clean (a Roland Jazz Chorus it ain't) and it can't get ultra heavy (no Nu Metal for you, kids). But it has a fantastic classic Marshall overdrive that so many of us crave. I think most of the negative reviews are coming from people who expect this amp to be something it's not. I've been playing for 20 years and used to work at a music store that carried a lot of vintage gear, and I say if you want a classic hard rock Marshall sound, then this is an amp you should consider.

I mostly play on Overdrive 1, because despite adding some nice extra gain, Overdrive 2 is a little noisy.

I haven't had it very long, so it wouldn't be fair to comment here. I would never play a show without a backup amp, though.

Same as above.

I love this amp. It sounds great for what I need it to do, but I can see its limitations and how others may be disappointed, especially players into really heavy metal.

good enough to play all areas of guitar work in songs........rythm
clean or crunchy.......lead guitar duties channel 2,great fer fill
graceing thru songs and nice overdrive for heavier rythm......channel
3.......nice guitar solos........to.....heavy all around stuff.

srat or gibson or ibanez semi.......all sound better than ever before.
all have been fitted with "earvana.com " NUTTS.nice sounding amp in
all channells...........it did get real dam hot.....2004 model too,...
so i took it to Ho s electronics in vancouver b.c.,......added a quiet
fan ,wired right in........JJ TESLA POWER TUBES and one JJ TESLA 12ax7
in the phase converter behind the power tubes. Mr ho also adjusted the
...too high......bias , by adding a resister across the bias circuit.
it now runs nicely at a warm temp.....not hot hot anymore.
also ..you can use a POWER ATTENUATOR built by mr ho to increase your output wattage to 80watts from the 40 original. his little box costs 300 canada bucks.....cool dude

i believe i can depend on it now that it runs 25 degrees cooler,very
quiet fan ,i will gig with it without a back up cause i hate lugging my TWIN AMP fender tank around.

after 38 years of playing i know there is no one brand that is always
perfect for all styles ,or always building reliable tone gems.but
fer 899 used plus 80 fer tubes and 60 fer fan and bias.........it
cost me 1050 for a very nice sounding liquidy smooth warm and cutting
amplifier.......light too at 45 lbs.....now add 300 more bucks and
ive doubled the wattage to 80 tube watts..variable from the attenuator
from 1 to 80 watts..........cool.............SO AFTER THE SIMPLE FEW
MODES........I RATE THIS AMP TOPS...........inspires ya to play and
play and create and play and play

See the Marshall website.

I am using this amp with a bone stock OLP MMI (axis) with the bridge pickup pretty close to the strings but not so close as to be muddy. Let me first state that the sound I was looking for was the early Van Halen and George Lynch Marshally sound (think Back for the Attack) which I think are the best tones ever recorded. I've searched high and low for 10 years now and have been through a slew of gear-- Early Marshall JMP's, JCM 800's, Soldano Astroverb and HR50, Mesa Boogie Subway, Peavey Triple X, Etc. Why I never considered picking up a new Marshall until recently I don't know. After all, those sounds were recorded with Marshalls and the new ones are the closest to capturing the raw tone as well as the gain present on those recordings. I've had the amp now for 6 months as to give a more accurate review because I've bought gear that sounded great only to get tired of it after a few months. In short, this amp is awesome. I don't have the space or the inclination to buy a big rig and was looking for the above sounds in a smaller package. This amp does it all. It has "that sound" that I wasn't able to get with the other brands (although I got very close with some of it). It goes from JCM800 on OD1 to hot rodded JCM800. OD2 is where I get that Lynchy high end crunch. I only have the gain on 2 1/4 or so and the rest at about 3 O'Clock. It's all here. For early VH I go to 3 on the gain. For reverb and delay I use a Digitech DSP-16 and that's it. I was reading an article about the designers of the JCM2000 line and they stated that the purpose of the line was to retain that trademark Marshall sound and provide a tone like a good overdrive pedal into a good older plexi. I don't even need any pedals for this thing. The sound is already in the amp itself.
I did hear the high end buzzing that some posters have complained about and decided to try some tube swapping. I found that the problem was solved completely by installing a JJ 12AX7 in the "phase inverter" slot. This is the 12AX7 tucked behind the power tubes. One more thing, as an earlier poster stated, the heat problems ended after Marshall went to a different recifier so serial number M-200318XXXXXX and forward should be trouble free. By the way I love the stock speaker after making the 12AX7 switch- no more buzzy high end and it sounds fat, round and organic.
Finally, this amp will do much more than what I wanted it for. The clean channel will do a nice Chris Isaak or country type of clean with a lot of reverb added. OD1 will do the 70's classic rock type of stuff and you can do the Nu-metal detuned thing by dumping the mids and boosting the gain on OD2. In all, this is the best and most versatile amp I have ever owned.

Has been very relaible so far.

Have not tried customer support.

I would definately buy this again.

I think this amp was made in 04/05 but I'm just going on the fact I bought it new in 05. This amp has a clean channel and a overdrive with an option for a more boosted overdrive. Its clean channel is fine but i'm not too bothered about that so I can't really say how good it is and the overdrive 1 is not really my style more for libertines or franz ferdinand type of music but the overdrive 2 is more my style as I play punk/emo/hardcore. The clean has .gain.treble.middle.bass knobs. the overdrive has .gain.volume.treble.middle.bass and for the master there's .fx loop.reverb.volume. It comes with a channel footswitch but doesn't have a headphone jack. I wish it sounded like all the guitarists amps that have this in a head version. I use this amp in my room and for band practise but haven't gigged it yet. At band prac. it just about has enough sound. oh and it's a tube.

I have a fender fat strat(mex) but I'm hoping to get a seymour duncan invader soon.It doesn't really suit the punk and emo thing I've heard it's good for blues and I can see why but just lacks something(like the ds-1 I added) It's not too noisy as it's only 40 watts but that is the problem. The amp was designed to sound good at low volume levels aswell as high but it seems they've forgotten about quality when you crank it up as the distortion sounds weak and as if it's being strained which it shouldn't so I'm going to add a marshall 1936 to help with that problem. Also another problem is that when you turn the volume up on the overdrive channel you also have to turn the gain up on the clean however when you turn the gain past 4 it starts to become distorted which is great for blues but not for my small pristine clean parts however the extension cabinet should solve that aswell. the second overdrive has potential but just misses the mark it's like a footballer that could be really good and just as he gets all the hype he starts smoking and loses it. However instead of the lacking overdrive that could sound good being palm muted to save its life I added my boss ds-1 to it and now it sounds v.good (the ds-1 was like the cure to stopping the footballer smoking...)

seems reliable I've bumped a few times nothing serious but it's still fine the only problem is it heating up and im hoping something inside isnt going to melt as its like a radiator.hoever I think I'm going to strap a fan to the back. I think I'd have to use this without back up as I could afford back up but if i could afford it I probably wouldn't have this amp.

...

I've been playing for 3 years and this is the first amp I've bough as I used to borrow my dads...I have a fender (mex) fat strat a Ds-1 which saves this amps od and I'm hoping to get a marshall 1936 cab and a sd invader in the near future.If it were stolen or lost I wouldn't buy it again I 'd take the insurance money and probably get a marshall head or just a tsl combo. I love bits of it but I also hate bits and you can probably guess from my ranting which bits. I wasn't sure whether to get this amp as it was only 40watts but i wanted a dsl cause Bands I liked had them(in a half stack though) But i'm not sure if the heads are way better or just people use rack mounts or pedals to make them sound good but this doesn't get too close to other bands dsl's.

my marshall JCM duel super lead was manufactured in 04 I think. it is the 40 watt combo, all tube with three way chanel switching. (clean overdrive and OD2) in my opinion it is pretty versitile. it also has the master volume with efects loop reverb and. I play metal but I also play blues, classic rock, hard rock, and minimal punk. so this amp has proved to be good for all that.(granted I have not had the amp for long but I play alot.) it dose not have a headphone jack so thats kinda a bummer. I use it as a primary source of my sound at home, to practice with my band so it dose have enough power for me.

as of now I am playing an old old epiphone ET-278 with oldschool humbuckers. I play metal (not metalica metal, real metal like from iron maiden to children of bodom metal) and the JCM has been the backbone of metal ever since Judas Prist or farther. so thats why I got it.
the clean chanal has the treb, mid, bass and,gain. it sustains it's tone with the volume. it can play a real soft traditional clean or if you turn up the gain it crunches up for a good blues tone, punk and clasice rock at a strech. the overdrive chanel is good for classic rock. the OD1 shares an EQ with the OD2 wich consists of: volume, gain, treb, mid and bass. every chourd shines and is great for what I play. although the OD1 can lack in gain. The OD2 is my favorit. what it lacks in the OD1 it makes up for in the OD2. the sound is great meaty and thick though, playing through humbuckers creats a real thick low end sound. this is good for me becaus I play rythm guitar, but is hard to play lead with. It has powerful distortion!!!!!!!
minimal feedback, I haven't had much problemess with it.( but I am used to feedback) on the overdrive chanels it dose buzz a bit but it's good then to turn it on standby.

I have not had my amp for long, but for what I have done with it, it has shined through in. I would use it on a gig without a backup because I can't aford another one. marshalls like this one were biult to last. It hasn't broken down but anual tube service is requiered

I have not delt with marshall before and I can't remember the warranty length of hand.

I have been playing only over a year and got a real lucky break to get this amp. the only other thing I have at this point is my epiphone and thats all I need. If it got stolen I would go acustic becaus I can't aford a new one. but If I could aford one I would buy a new one. I love the tone and the sheer volume of it, the tubes are that important. and I love the three chanel switching. I can't think of a thing that I hate about it exept I can't figure what guitar woould be best with it. I allos wish that it had a headphone jack, but thats not that important. I compared it to other marshall modles like the MG the AVT (solidstate) and the solidstate dose not compare to the tubes. and a few other amps but nothing compared to the JCM DSL (duel super lead) 40 watt combo.
note that I got it just befor they jacked up the price

Mine was made in 1999 I believe, the sound is just brilliant, the amp is not really intuitive at all when it comes to switching from cleaner to dirtier sounds due to the three separate channels: clean, Over-Drive 1 (normal) and 0D2 (like OD1 but with much more gain). I bought it used, and the idiots at the store provided me with a used 2-way footswitch which only lets me switch between clean and OD1; the amp actually should go with a 3-way footswitch. This amp has more than enough power for anything short of professional/celebrity-magnitude performances, the 40 watts are created by FOUR pre-amp and FOUR power amp tubes, more than on the most famous and beloved Marshall heads. The power tubes are EL-84s instead of the most popular 34's, these sound a lot warmer. Playing with the balance of the two volumes (OD vol and master vol) and the OD gain is quite an intuitive experience in perfecting your AC-DC'esque or Zeppelin-esque tone.

I'm playing a Gibson SG through this, with a Dunlop Classic Crybaby in the loop also. It sounds just great with and without the wah, warm, extremely responsive sound that just bursts with tone as long as it is not on too quietly. I have never turned this on close to the max volume settings, even when practising with my band in my drummer's basement at with him playing as loud as he can, i have not had to utilize more than 2/3 of the amp's volume potential.

I have had to replace the power-amp tubes twice and have owned it for only a year and a half. The EL-84's it is made to work with are NOT the most-common Groove Tube brand but rather the Yugoslavian EI or Marshall's own brand. This is a major inconvenience and expense in repairs (see below).

Marshall apparently charged my repairman $106 CAD (Canadian) for 4 power tubes. Not exactly cheap as far as i can see.

This amp has caused me a lot of grief, but I love it dearly and it has rewarded me with what I consider an incredibly good and warm tone. I would not part with it over a considerable amount of further aggravation or expenses of the type mentioned above, and for the budding guitarist or the pro who needs something great-sounding for practise, this seems to be the only all-tube Marshall option around.

Essentially a 3 channel amp which is nice.

I've been through several high quality amps: tube, solid state, & modeling. This is my favorite by far. Sounds great at reasonable volumes. We only play venues where the guitars are mic'ed through the PA, so this is perfect. But, it can also get plenty loud enough for band practice where we don't use a PA for the guitars. A lot of people (including me previously)just don't get the fact that a small 1x12 combo pushing fairly hard through a PA sounds way way better than a 100 watt half stack when the sound guy will only let you turn it up to 2. This won't have enough gain for some gain freaks. But if you want to sound like VanHalen, Slash, or just about any classic hard rock guy, this is the ticket.

Mine is a 2004 model with the modification discussed below, but I installed a cooling fan (from radio shack) just to make sure I don't have the problems that many people mention. The fan blows the air out from the cabinet. I can play for 4 hours and it hardly even gets warm (no where close to hot).

If you want classic Marshall sound used on countless rock and hard rock recordings this is the ticket. If you want the super modern Mesa sound then you should get a Mesa.

some of you read informative post about the revisions on the DSL 401, Here's more info I thought you'd like to know:

just spoke to marshall again.

The revised PCB with a beefier rectifier (same As but different brand, more sturdy) is in effect from week 17 of 2003

So M-200318XXXXXX onwards are revised and should be trouble free...

2003 yr of production and 18 week of production


Hope this helps!
__________________

I guess everybody knows the specs...
I'm playing since 23 years now. I have had only one Marshall 5150 (solid state) before. I own an old Fender tremolux (1964) ans a Peavey Classic 30. I'm playing mostly blues-rock and "classic rock" of the 70'.

I played this amp with my Fender deluxe powerhouse Strat, which is my main guitar. But I sometimes played it with a Gibson Les Paul Studio. Very good sound. The clear channel is not as clear and punchy as my Peavey Classic 30, but I use to play with the 2 amps and I only use the clear channel of the 401 to get a good bluesy crunch. OD channels are interresting. OD2 channel is very "singing", with a lot of compression and sustain. But I think my Peavey as more volume and more low ends... DSL401 is more noisy too, but I don't care about this !

There's the problem !!! I bought it in october 2004, And it was still repaired 3 times since. When the amp is too hot (after 1 hour of playing), volume vanishes mysteriouly every 3 minutes !!! like a slow tremolo ! This is not serious with such a fame in the world. Marshall amps should be reliable - and THEY ARE NOT ! It's unbelievable, it's a real lack of serious.
Mine is returned at the shop again. I don't want to get it again. How can you put a confidence in this king of amp for a gig ? Never had this with my old and reliable Classic 30...
Marshall has been the best... a long time ago. But now they are nothing at all !

My customer is really one of the best there is (Rockamusic - Namur - Belgium). He asked Marshall to get it replaced if something occured again when I came for my second repair. 1 mounth after... It is my third repair. But I don't want any DSL401. I'm going to pay the difference and try a TSL601... Maybe this time (other valves)! But how can I trust Marshall now ? I cross the fingers... and keep my Peavey in backing for every gig or reherseal.

When working, it's honestly a good amp, but I personnaly prefer the Peavey Classic 30. Better sound, more volume, reliable, reliable, reliable !!!

simple little tube amp od1, 2, reverb clean

this thing...i dont know....disappointed as hell... this just doesnt have the classic marshall sound. It doesnt distort well AT ALL ...WAYYYYY TOO MUCH TONE. warm is good in tube amps but this thing sounds waaaay to warm, the only player i could see using this amp is a blues player. My valvestate 100 kicks the crap out of this junk. this amp is an all around rip off, its all i have to say about it. If your looking for a good crunch or a good versatile overdrive get youself a tsl or a jcm 900, this thing just sucks.

As many have listed here already... but the best feature for me is 40W of tube power is all i ever need.

features compared to other Marhshall amps then it's lacking in some.

Took awhile before i figured it out, but the tone is incredible delivering that Marshall sound. The trick is get the master vol past 12oclock and that's when it sings. I jam with this 50+ pure classic rock guy and he's jealous of the tone i get from this amp. Bottomline, i can get all sound I need for the music we play from classic rock, grunge, new wave, U2, etc.

The clean sound can use a bit of headroom. It does still sound great though, good thing we don't generally play that loud on the clean portions. Probably not good for squeaky clean jazz :).

Distortion is classic Marshall and that's all i need. They added this OD2 quasi-channel which i seem to never use. Instead, i have a Keely DS-1 which i use as a clean boost (0-3 gain, max level). With the OD1 gain at 5, the tubes start to harmonize those electrons and sing. Cool harmonics and musical feedbacks.

It can do classic Metallica but no scooped metals for the NuMetal types.

Since it's a combo, the overall sound is limited though but for what it is, it clearly rocks.

not sure if mine is the improved model, but i bought it last year (or late last-last year), back when prices were still good. Couple of gigs but mostly extended weekend jammings and so far the PCB hasn't fried itself yet based on the reviews below.

BUT recently my footpedal is acting up and it seems like all recent Marshalls have this problem. I'll try not to stomp on it heavily.

Stolen or lost, i would step up to a head/cab. It would still be a Marshall though, prolly a DSL50.

I love it, my bandmates love me for getting it.

A late 2003 model. All tube. Straight forward controls, clean, OD1 and OD2 channels with tone controls. Master reverb, volume and effects controls. If I had a say, I would have liked having the reverb control on each channel, otherwise I like the simplicity of the amp controls.

Excellent clean tones and OD1 distortion, great for blues, jazz and classic rock. OD2 is basically a boosted OD1.....I never use it, but I'm sure others will.

I know that there have been overheating problems with other DSL401s, but I haven't experienced any of those problems with my amp. The previous post explains the redesign Marshall has done on this amp. I don't expect any problems thanks to the Marshall updates.

Based on my experience, I give this amp a 10.

I've had good dealings with Marshall and their products for over 20 years.

I've been playing for almost 40 years. I bought this amp because the store owner has known me for a long time, he liked this amp and thought I would too, so he called me up and gave me a great deal. I love the DSL401 and the el84 tube sound for the music I play. This amp compliments the other gear I own. I wouldn't say that it's anywhere close to being the ultimate Marshall amp, but if you let it be what it's designed to be, it's a very good amp. At the price I paid for mine new, it's the best value of any amp I've owned.

Hi all,

I ve just spoken with a Marshall engineer/designer directly on the phone and she gave me the COMPLETE lowdown on DSL401 amp as well as the DSL/TSL series.

So,

The DSL 401 has been REDESIGNED on the pcb, all the solder joints have been beefed up, the overheating bridge rectifier has been replaced with a different one that runs at lower temperatures, and the amp is now biased differently after the redesign in order to run cooler than it used to be.

On the Master volume issue, the DSL401 has post PIMV as well as the TSL601/602 so they will perform better at lower volume (home practice) but according to them, the DSL401 is more suited to the task. The DSL heads dont have that master volume circuitry hence they need more cranking to perform.

The PCBs are IDENTICAL in quality throughout all the JCM2000 range.

Finally this is the FIRST company that has satisfied me COMPLETELY on the customer/technical support, in ANY commercial product i have associated with. Props to them... they deserve to be a market leader.

Yannis...

PS. DSL401 here i come!!!

Awesome!!!!!

I bought mine in '99 so it was probably made around that time. This amp does sound good with some help meaning if you change tubes and speaker. Stock it sounds too brittle compared to the marshall sound.

It does squeak out that "marshall tone" if that's what you're after. It can be noisy though a lot of noise is usually contributed to exterior sources.

As many have previously posted this amp gets too hot for it's own good. I've already had the PCB resoldered. Use a fan.

5 year warranty is good.

I've been playing >16 years. If you're after that "marshall tone" and need a combo for practice/gigging purposes this will work though I wouldn't buy new. I only purchased new 'cause of a deal from a friend that "worked the system" for me at the store.

Purchase used, get PCB looked over/resoldered, change tubes/bias, replace gold back speaker with a vintage 30, and use a fan to cool the tubes.

We all know the score... Clean/OD1/OD2. 40 watts of pure valve tone. Effects loop with level control on front panel. DI output from 1/4" output on rear panel.

The thing I found odd is that there is a seperate reverb on/off input socket... seperate from the channel foot switch socket. That means you need a second single button footswitch.

Packed full of the Marshall features you'd hope for/expect in a combo of this size.

I wouldn't ask for anything else feature-wise from this amp, so it gets a 10.

I mainly use a 2004 Les Paul Classic, sometimes using a 1996 Fender Strat. The Les Paul matches the amp perfectly, while the strat tends to sound a bit thin. By setting the clean channel's gain to just below half way, and adjusting the Les Paul's volume controls, I can get sounds ranging from warm and deep(but not thick and muddy) glassy tones to a light crunch sound.

The OD channel starts from light barely crunchy tones quite chunky distortion. The channel's not designed for extreme gain nu-metal sounds, but delivers great late 1970s classic rock tones.

OD2 shares the gain and eq with OD1. Basically it gives you a 20db boost over OD1, and therefore is great for being heard over the rest of the band while playing lead.

I play a variety of styles, from christian rock/soul/funk/heavy metal, and the amp delivers on most. For some of the heavier higher gain sounds, I got a ProCo Rat, which delivers more than enough versatility... but that's another review!

Sounds.... it gets a 10!

Haven't had any issues with the amp, and I don't expect anything to go wrong with it! This amp replaced a Marshall MG 50, which I still cart around with me... but only so I can hook its speaker up to my new amp for extra kick!

I did wonder what the hell was rattling around when I was driving it home after buying it, but i think it's the spring in the reverb tank.

Only had it a couple of weeks, but it's been fine so far, so it gets a 10!

Never had to deal with them, so I assume it's all good... but no score from me on this one!

I've been playing for about 8 years, but only spent about two years gigging on a regular basis. I'm playing at least 5 times a week (at gigs and rehersals) with my different musical endeavours, plus all the hours jamming late into the night in my room.

I own a fair collection of stompboxes: a marshall ed-1 compressor, proco rat, dod icebox chorus, dunlop cry baby

plus i also use a korg ax1500g in the studio and occasionally live.

if this amp was stolen i'd definatley get a new one, cause it rocks! it'll cover all the classic marshall rock sounds, and has a great clean channel too. stick a distortion pedal ala tubescreamer/rat/big muff etc, and you're into nu-metal as well!

I don't have a clue what year this amp was made in, but it must have been made quite recently judging by the launch dates.

I like playing Hard Rock, Blues, Rock etc. This amp fulfills all these criterias, as it is after all an all-valve Marshall.

This amp has all the basic features, reverb, master volume, clean, od1, od2. It also hasn't got a headphone jack, but it would be pointless if it did. Who buys a 40 watt amp and plays it quietly? I believe it doesn't need all the effects stuff on it as well. If you want a digital effects amp, buy an MG50.

Since this an all valve Marshall, the power of OD1 is very high. OD2 is even more powerful!

I use a Les Paul with Duncan Alnico 2's installed. This set up is perfect for my playing styles. You can also get an accurate ACDC type crunch too!

The distortion is not brutal at all, it's very round and warm. Still powerfull, but it has a very nice edge.

Haven't owned it for long, but 3 years warranty sound great!

Marshall have one of the leading customer support teams. They are always willing to help, and always have (for me anyway).

I have been playing for many years, and i have to say for this price the DSL401 is great.

If it were stolen, I'd find the git and ram a Jackson up his a@s!

The sound is that of a classic Marshall. No hybrid rubbish here.

Compared to other amps of the same price, this amp is a serious contender. No doubts.

The only fault that i can find is that it does overheat, but what the hell, it's a valve amp after all!

If you do have the #410, consider this amp. Plese don't go and buy an MG100DFX!

For the "ALL NEW PRICE" of *****$$$1079.00*****, the amp should wipe my ass!! Can you believe it?? A 40 watt amp with reverb....I'm waiting for the New Peavey JSX 120 watt combo with reverb and custom speakers designed by Satriani himself!

Hey Marshall!!! F--K YOU!! Choke on your name and price. Sell your amps to some body in a 3rd world country.

For $1079.00...I really CAN'T stand the sounds. What a RIP OFF!

My DSL-201 was an anchor...I got rid of that piece of shit...My TSL-122 had footswitch problems from Hell. I couldn't get a marshall tech within two weeks. I praised a customer service tech at Peavey and Mr. Peavey himself contacted me. Yeah! The CEO. Marshall can go pound sand.

What support?? Support?? What the hell is that. Marshall only exists to take your money. After that...they don't know you.

Marshall finally did it. They drove a loyal customer out. I used marshall equipment since 1969. They will NEVER see another dime of mine. They think they can live on their name...Yeah...Right! Avatar speaker cabinets are far superior to marshall's. Avatar uses the same, or better speakers for less than 1/2 the price! I'm not kidding here. Check them out. The cabs are literal tanks and built more solid and with way more choices than marshall cabs. Jim Marshall, I'm sorry man. You just drove your company in the ground. You have to be pretty arrogant to charge boutique prices for production mediocre quality amps. I thought you would fix your customer service, amp quality, and price them fairly before the end of your life. Marshall used to be decent. I wouldn't give you the sweat off my balls for anything marshall manufactures, period. $1749.00 for a TSL-100; $2049.00 for a TSL-122; $1079.00 for a DSL-401...sounds like Bull Shit to me. Great fertilizer and anchors though!!!

I bought mine Jan 2005 but the first few characters of the serial number are M-2004-??. so maybe it was made 2004. 2001 JCM2000 DSL401. 40 watt combo, 1x12 celestion speaker. If you need more detail just go to Marshall web site. The features is pretty much standard with the other brand name amps I have tested so I will give this a 7.

I like the clean channel although I did not buy this amp for the clean channel. But of course my Fender clean channel is better. I like the distortion of DSL 401 and this is one of the reasons why I bought this amp. The reverb does not sound impressive. Marshall manual used the word ?cavernous depth ? to describe the reverb for me this is over stated. The sound of the reverb of my other amps (Vox AD60VTX, Fender HR, & Fender Deluxe 90) are a lot better considering the D90 is a solid state

The first amp I bought the reverb does not work at all. So, I went back to the store and exchange it with a new one right out of the box. If I am spending this much money for this amp, they better work the first time or you, Marshall, will flunk my review in Reliability. I expect this amp to be reliable especially when they are made in England. I heard about over heating problem but I do not play very loud so it does not draw too much current. When the room temperature is hot, I?ll use my big electric fan to blow the air at the back of the amp to cool it off.

I have no problem with this amp so far.

I think the amp is expensive for $693 + tax. I think the value of this amp should be around $500. I wish they used plywood not particle board. It comes with a pedal for clean/gain/more gain but I wish it comes with the pedal for the on/off reverb (free of charge). There is no delay, tremolo, phase or anything like that. You need to get your own and plug them in. That is Okay because that is what I would expect with a tube amp. It this were stolen or lost, I'll get a Fender made in USA or something else.