Marshall JCM-2000 TSL 100

I bouth this amp brand new after deciding it was time to get a half- stack. Im damn glad i did.
The versatility of the thing is possibly its strongest point; every feature it has worthwhile and useful. It can play any style i need it for, and alot more. I play in a melodi-punk band and a covers band and the amp can nail anytone i would need.
The FX loops are really really useful, opening up an absolute ton of possibilites that can make life alot easier; like having a permanant chorus on your clean sound if you wanted it.
Im running an epiphone slash LP with a Jeff beck seymour duncan at the bridge (kinda middly but real chunky) and it really sings with this amp. You need good pickups though, it sounds like sh*t with cheapo ones.
i run the head into a 4/12 jcm800 straight front cab at 16 ohms and the power is utterly awesome! the louder it gets the better it sounds, and you'll always be heard in the mix!
i guess the only feature i wish it had is a master volume, but thats a piddling little problem with this much versatiliy on offer.

the cab i use has i lovely warm sound, so pretty much anything i play around with at home sounds great. You'll need to tweak it quite abit once you start using it with a band, but that's half the fun. This amp rewards patience.
I did find that the clean channel seems to have a huge amount of bass, but this potential probem was partially eleminated by messing with the gain controls; doing this kinda left the tone a bit flat, but im not too bothered about that; on to the distortion!
it'll really take your face off in 100 watt mode, on either channel. the crunch is a little chunkier and less molten than the lead; they both sound great and you can get them to sound as similar or as different as you want. They do sound a bit skanky at low vol, but what do you expect. The amp is happiest when it's cranked. In my rehersals i dont need to go above 3 on the vol in 100 watt mode, i wish i could but its too loud for the band! driving the 25 watt mode real hard yields some great marshall tone, so you are spoilt for choice as to how you use it.
You really can accomplish anything with this amp and a 4/12; look, just buy it! your band will love you for it.

i only really got it recently. one of the valves was wonky but that was soon sorted

n/a

i have owned a jcm 900slx and a 2000 dsl. The TSL is miles better than the dsl in both sound and especially versatility. The distortion is marginally better than the 900 ( i really liked that amp)and streets ahead of any valvestate or digital amp i've tried.
the amp looks incredible and is a joy to use. Sitting down with a fourtrack and fiddling around with the amp can eat up half a day witout you noticing! There is always something to try. Highly recommended.

See other reviews.

Finally, after the diode-clipping piece of junk JCM 900 Dual-Reverb crap amps, a DSL with not enough gain, dynamics (Lead ch.), shared tone-control etc., Marshall has done it right with this amp.

First class clean, crunch and lead sound. Sounds good with both Strat or LesPaul type guitars. Finally I can stop schlepping around two heads and cabs (Plexi for clean and SLX for lead) to the gigs.

- Clean sounds really like my Plexi reissue, very hard to find a difference, and stays clean all the way up. Very good for funk, chicken picking etc.

- Crunch sounds very similar to a JCM 800, but with more gain if needed. This channel has more gain than the Lead channel of the DSL and sounds way better.

- Lead sounds more modern, similar to my SLX, mabye a bit more midrange, but rawer and wilder. Very cool. Plenty of gain, also with a single-coil guitar, but no mush, you still can hear the difference between a neck pu and neck-middle pu.

Both crunch and lead channels are very dynamic and you can work with your guitar's volume pot to get different sounds. I also do often use crunch for lead and lead for crunch.

Have it since two months, don't expect major probs.

No need, know a good tech, but the amp is under guarantee anyway.

Marhall did this one right. The sound is there, the rest is up to you.
Would definitely buy it again.

I bought the amp new from MF. The Features are more than enought even though i use all three channels for the style of music i play. I play heavy music, static X, Deadlights, Meshuggah, the list goes on. People who say that the channels sound the same are pain slow learners. Each channel has its own sep. EQ. I use all 3 Clean, Crunch, Lead as heavy rhythm channels. The clean i use a Smash box Stopbox. This gives me the "modern" heavy sounds. I sue all the features and it blends well with my other set ups live. It has more than enough power and sounds good live, Compressor? yup a must have with marshall if you ask me but nothing beats there tone. I dont use the Reverb. There are more than enough features for me.

I play ESP 7string guitars with EMG 707's Sound is great, I play very heavy guitar style. There no solos in my band all rhythm, the synth parts are mels. This amps tone follows me chop for chop. it has some noise but my gates put a stop to all that. i have never played a quiet amp at 7 on vol and 10 on gain. I play every day for aleats 3 hrs in my band and sound stays clear. The Clean channel is where i get my modern gain, i run my stomp boxes here and i get a great combo of warm and solid state tones i have never found a better sound anywhere. my combo beats Mesa, VHT, ect you name it out of the box no mods nothing is heaiver this single set up. I use the lead channel for my longer chords, they are warm but tight. the clean channel i use for faster rhythms. I use a lot of outside stuff with this amp. I think the amp by it self dosent fit the music i am playing, but if you can think for your self, this amp is the perf. backbone to the style of music i play. You have to start with a good, warm base tone in order to get something truely heavy. Solid state is heavy but thin. with the warmth of the tubes and the crispness of the solid state you get thick tight tone.

well.. yes my foot switch broke too i just had it beefed up a bit bigger cable. thats all but the head it self is holding up great i am hard as hell on my equip and it is doign fine but the footswitch is sad.

For what i do, build my own tone i did not find a better backbone. i get any tones, from ULTRA heavy tones, thru stomp boxes clean tone combos, to warm classic marshall roar my lead channel and some compression. as for great as a stand alone, depends on the style of music but for me nothing was better

The amp is from 1999. It's extremely versatile, especially the tone-eq is very good! I play metal and it gives me just the perfect sound. I like the 3 channels, which I use for clean, rhythm and lead. The fx-loop I run through a Rocktron Intellifex-LTD, which is a very nice combination. The amp has more than enough power, I'd rather buy the 60-watts-version if it also would have the same capabilities when it comes to equalizing, since this is too loud and with the VPR it cuts the power and sustain.

I use a Gibson Les Paul 20th anniversary with T-500 and R-496 ceramic humbuckers. This baby really sings on this amp, especially the lead-channel. The crunch-channel has the tendency to be a little bit muddy, but that also depends on how loud you play it (at low volumes it's not that good). CLEAN - very clean sound, almost like a Fender CRUNCH - perfect for Iron Maiden and Ozzy sounds, nice drive, but controllable. LEAD - rock the heavens! This channel makes your guitar sing like an angel, it cranks up the amp and also compresses the sound, so it's FAT!

The amp itself is very reliable, but the footswitch that comes with it SUCKS BIGTIME! So far, I had to replace the cable within 1 week. The cable is WAY TOO THIN and too short. It's about 6 meters, where I need 10 (big stages). Recently also the switches got damaged (plactic junk!!!) and I replaced them with highly reliable metal footswitches. I'm satisfied now, but I expected more quality from the flagship of Marshall tops. The amp is worth 10 points, the footswitch is worth 1 point, so an average of 5

I fixed everything myself, since in Holland we don't have customer support from Marshall.

I play about 10 years now and this is the best amp I had so far. before I used a London City 50W and 100W head, after that a JCM 900 100W with EL-34-tubes. Where the London City's were okay with pedals the JCM 900 sounded already better. I didn't use distortion pedals after that, only a small pre-amp to boost the input. With the 2000 all of that is unnecessary. It's value for money and all distortion pedals etc. become obsolete when you buy this. Too bad about the pathetic footswitch, this is really NOT what I expected from Marshall.

This amp was made in 2000. This amp is very adequate for me. I play rock, and the distortion is great. It's my first tube amp, so I can't compare it to much else. It has three channels: Clean, which puts out the best clean sound I've ever heard, Cruch which is a lighter distortion, although it could be used for another clean channel, and Lead which is rock, metal distortion. Heavy and distorted. It has so many features, I don;t use all of them. It has a couple fx loops, a VPR (great), a deep switch, 3 band eq, reverb, and gain control for each channel, lots else, too. It's also got a nice foot switch which I havn't had a problem with. This amp has more than enough power for me, it sounds nice when you crank it.

I've got a Mexi Fender Strat w/ a JB humbucker. Very good for rock, or whatever else you play. It is adequate enough for me. It has a very low hum, which is hardly noticable. It also has a very good clean channel. It stays clean at higher volumes. Very versatile. The distortion is great, there are a million possibilities that you could do with the channels. I spent three hours tweaking this thing and it sounds great. Some features that I don't really like include the Deep switch. It might as well be painted on. It would be nice if the EQ was more versatile, but I can get what I need out of it. The tone shift I don't really use, I think the amp sounds better wothout it on.

It looks like it's got solid construction, I havn't had a problem with it yet. I would only take a backup if the tubes were getting old or whatever. I trust it. I havn't had any trouble with the foot switch so far, but I've heard they could break down often.

Never had to use it. I hope that I don't have to for a long time.

I've been playing a little over three years with my Fender Strat, and this is the best amp I've ever owned, and will probably be my primary amp for the rest of my life. If this thing were stollen, I would buy another one, assuming I could collect insurance or something. If not I would wait a while before I could afford it again. It's really got all the features I could ask for. It's a very good value, I recommend it.

Lots! umm... lets see. seperate 3 band eq for all 3 channels, fx mixes, reverbs, buttons galore. its really got everything you'd ever want covered

I use the TSL w/ either my Jackson Kelly which I put decent pickups in, or an 80's fernandes dragonfly w/ the sustainer. With both guitars, the amp sounds phenominal. I play a lot of straight forward hard and heavy stuff. Its thick, its crunchy, its saturated, its responsive, its all you want, and all you need. Perfect TOOL amp.

After a lot of long gigs and hot practices it stays on. Marshall is a great company.

? never had to talk to em

Best amp I've ever owned.

You know the drill by now

I would like to update from my previous post on 2/2?/2000. I've played close to 75 gigs with this amp, practiced, and jammed with friends. It has held up well (even the footswitch). I would like to add that not everyone wants to sound like korn. The key to a marshall's tone is in the midrange and presence. I never use the tone shift switch, I sometimes use the deep switch depending on the room i'm in or which cabinet I'm using.

See above, I still have in the factory tubes. I have been using it without a backup ('cause I'm too lazy to carry any more stuff).

I've played most other amps out there. This amp, even in high gain mode still lets the nuances of your playing come through. It sounds different with each guitar, and responds to how you play. Not everyone can get a good sound with a marshall, because you have to sound good first with your guitar and your hands. If this one got stolen, I would get a limit increase on the old visa and get another one right away (and the theif better pray the cops get him before I do)

you know, this is a review of all the reviews here. please, if you like marshall products, buy this. if you need to be loud and kill people with your amp, but this. it also has a clean channel for you lady killers out there. clean? for what?

Sounds like marshall, looks like marshall, hurts like marshall, heavier than a mother! like marshall. CLEAN: very clean, nice, smooth as jazz, and creamy like butter. CRUNCH: bloody dismembered limbs. no pedals required. LEAD: good for leads. NOISY? not at all not if you have some humbuckers. try a cheap fender squire with some single coils through this thing at 6 and you'll sound like jimi feedin' way back to the 60's!! but sometimes thats good.

you know ive heard the footswitch is the most edgy thing. true. i've had problems with it. also, when switching from CRUNCH/LEAD to CLEAN, there is a little volume cut. but its just the way the thing is wired. im giving 9 cause of that stupid footswitch.

im getting that footswitch repaired. but that has nothing to do with marshall. i've heard they suck.

going on 7 years, i play a......who cares. OVERALL. God Dam Marshall! greats amps. (if you get the right ones) this is one of the right ones.

GET THIS AMP IF:
1) you are looking for a head.
2) you kinda like Marshall.
3) you have the funds. (sell that dam car!)
4) you want the people in the audience to have their fleash melt. or 5) (for you lady killers) you want them to melt in your hand and not in your mouth.
6) (most important) if you have a wide variety of muscial sounds (ie cover bands) cause this one will do em all, forget Line666. you may have to do some adjusting, but this is what you need. however, for you metal heads, like me, who just like to have like 5 distortion channels, this is kinda not for you. go buy a power amp and a processor. this head is very versitile. and to just switch between CRUCH and LEAD all the time isnt worth you money. make sure you buy this and use all the bells and whistles! i hate when people buy something and only use it for one option. like me. i hate me.



ok for the people who think i know nothing...

this review was from the heart. i came here a while back, reading and reading through all the reviews to make sure i knew what i was getting into, and its true. its a good amp. but i just had to return the favor for those youngsters out there who want this baby. this is the review you are gonna like and probably make you want to beg mommy for it.

"anything you wish it had" it says in this area.

tits.

See the Marshall home page or other reviews for specifics. Things I LIKED: 1/4 power switch, seperate FX mix/reverb/presence controls for the clean and crunch/lead channels. Things I DIDN'T like: no master volume (DOH!), flakey footswitch. Other: I found the tone shift and deep buttons were not very usable.

I don't know how to put this, but if you're not a Marshall "fan" you may be disappointed with this amp, depending on what your expectations are -- I know I was. The clean channel was just that, CLEAN. Not much else to it, it never gets dirty even on the highest gain setting, which is too bad as a lot of music I play requires a little breakup. The clean channel also has way too much bass. I have to keep the bass all the way down, just for it to be acceptable and not step all over our bassist!
The crunch channel is classic Marshall and has a nice smooth distortion until you get to about 3 o'clock on the gain, then the distortion gets very coarse. The lead channel does not offer much more in terms of gain and is voiced almost identical to the crunch channel (which is good or bad depending on what you want I guess). Again, once the gain gets past 3 o'clock the distortion becomes very unpleasant and looses all its tonal detail -- complex chords just sound like mess. You will never get a thick, modern, high-gain distortion out of this amp.
The sound from the Direct Out is thin and brittle, I would not use it in a circumstances where the guitar is prominently heard.

I only had this amp in my posession for 30 days, but if the cheesy footswitch is any indication, I'd say it's reliability is suspect. I had problems with it (the footswitch) after only a few days of use. Pretty sad for a $1200+ amp. My impression of Marshall is of a company that is more interested in quantity, not quality (like Firestone?). I have no facts to back up that statement, it's just the gut feeling I get.

Never dealt with them.

Overall I was very disappointed in this amp's sound, but that is probably because I had the wrong expectations--I expected the Lead channel to have a more modern sound. Really, none of the channels had sufficent gain for what I play. It is a Marshall and it gives Marshall tones and that's it! So if you like that you will probably like this amp, if not, look elsewhere. I was also very disturbed by the lack of a master volume -- an inexcusable deficency on any 2 or 3 channel amp. I really liked the 1/4 power switch so that was one thing it had going for it. I've used Ampegs, other Marshalls, Mesas, and H&K. This amp has a decent tone, but is just not for me. I'd have been upset if it was stolen or damaged because I wouldn't have gotten my money back for returning it!

I found the TSL-100 watt head to be extremely versatile. The clean channel is perhaps the best ever made by Marshall. I was extremely impressed. The Cunch channel provides that same incredible Marshall sound but with the added Tone Shift, it goes beyond. The Lead channel, like the Crunch channel has gobs of distortion, but with added sustain for some kick-ass lead. I am greatly impressed with this amp. You can go from Blues to Country to Limp Bizkit with this thing.

The louder the better. While this amp has the option of quarter power, I find that the louder it gets the better it feels. I prefer it around 4 or 5. Just about where you start to displace some air. It's an incredible amp. If given the choice between a Mesa and Marshall. For pure sound, I'd choose Marshall.

So far, I've had no problems with this amp....however the foot switch is bad. I've replaced it once and this one is also shorting out. I am very disappointed in that aspect...but otherwise...very nice.