Marshall DSL 100 demo

hi, ive had my dsl100 top for over 3 years ive had other marshall amps b4 this , wish i never sold my jcm 800, that said i do really like this amp as its so easy to get a good sound from as its so simple. i dont really use the lead 2 channel at all, too over the top for my liking, but the classic gain is great just typical marshall sound. Its quite 1 dimentional in that if you like vintage type sounds then they are all here, i dont really agree with it sounds like a fender amp on the clean side, dosnt have the sparkle, but its own sound is good, reverb is ok if used sparingly,not very smooth and does not have much depth to it.
i have had reliability issues it has died on me twice and has done a few funny things volume etc, down to valve failure. there is a double sided circut board which marshall fitted to these amps which is a real weak point, obviously a cost cutting exercise, this has something to do with the valve biasing and it breaks down and the biasing moves this affects sound and blows valve early. i had mine modified and i am pretty sure that marshall have a replacment re manufactured part for this.
so in summing up even though i have had trouble this is a keeper it just has organic sound that some other amps lack. its simple and prob is a modern classic . they seem to be getting more expensive so get 1 while you can, get new if poss so you will at least have some warrenty backup, check out a guy on youtube doing a back to back with a jcm 800 its worth a watch.
hope this is of some use .JAY

the DSL100 is a great amp.the clean channel is wonderful,similar to a fender clean and sounds great with overdrive/distortion pedals in front of it.i do have some complaints the high gain channel,its abit outta control for my tastes and i like lots of distortion!some say it sounds fizzy or harsh, i think this channel sounds like the speakers are blown and the amp is on fire!that being said,it can modded and dialed in to a very workable and versatile high gain channel,theres plenty of examples on line/youtube.i recommend the low pass filter mod.theres lots of others,but i dont feel there all necessary(and alot of them are real pricey)the low pass filter mod tightens up and smoothes out the gain and removes the fizzy treble harshness.after the mod and a tube change,ive got an amp im totally satisfied with.

Thanks for the comments guys. I hear some question the reliability of these amps. I'd love to hear from someone who has had theirs for a few years without hickups.

John, thanks for the tips!

Hi Robert..I really enjoy your site.Thought I might share with you what I do for just over the top fun. I collect budget vintage amps such as valco. Two amps I own that may interest you since you like the marshall sound are the supro thunderbolt and the Red Bear 60 watt made in russia for the gibson guitar co. Both are built like A tank and both have tons of thick juicy tone.although not real versital,very low teck just like I like em.They respond very well with or without pedals.Please dont misunderstand me..Im not trying to sell my amps.Thought you might be interested in some great amps that are also good investments that ,so far, are still reasonably priced.

My friend has a DSL 100 head from the 90s and i didn't like the dirty channel. it was way to harsh and gritty for me. But surprisingly i liked the clean channel and i liked using an overdrive pedal in front of it to get the power tubes working. Check out the Genz Benz Black Pearl Combo or the Fender Super Sonic.

I think there may have been issues at one time but it's pretty rare and reviews tend to be either gloriously embellished or harshly critical, there's very little objective critique available out there.

If in doubt, get a new one, or one that's relatively new (actually a better idea because you'll save a few bucks) from a reliable seller because the warranty is transferable and it is a 5 year warranty! I really dig my DSL100 but I've heard nothing but great things about the DSL50 as well.