I played the DSL20HR for about three hours since receiving it yesterday. I played it through two Marshall 4x12 cabs, a '78 with the original blackbacks and a '86 JCM 800 with two of the original UK GT75's on the bottom and two newer greenbacks on top. Both are slant cabs. Other than more low end with the 800 cab thanks to the GT75's everything was close enough to at least be where I like to hear and feel things. I used two different LP's, a '10 Traditional Plus and a '91 pre-historic '59 RI. The T has PAF A5 clones I have wound for me by a micro builder and the RI has WCR Fillmores which are also using A5 mags. Both have 50's wiring/NOS Russian PIO caps. But for a more universal approach I kept the vols and tones on the guitars full up which also added extra brightness I'm sure.

Amp settings on the 20 watt setting through the red channel were: Reverb 0 Resonance 0 Presence 3 Bass 2 Middle 3 Treble 2.5 Volume 3 Gain 3

I also went back and forth between the DSL and my '91 JCM 900 MkIII 2100 (100 watt) head. The MkIII has that JCM 800 thing where it sounds somewhat thin until you turn it up. With both amps at the same volume I was able to get the little DSL to push more low end. Not surprising though as the DSL line inherently has more lows than JCM 800's and 900's. The later were never intended for use in the bedroom. Btw, I dialed in the DSL first and then compared it to the MkIII with the settings I had it set at prior. The 900 MkIII was actually slightly "shrill" so I ended up dialing the 900 back to the DSL. Yeah it sounded that good!

Bottom line:

This DSL20HR is not only a bargain for the money but a very nice sounding Marshall too. I was able to get it do whatever I wanted it to do. I do think if you push the controls up too much it can start to sound cheap and brittle. The GB, BB speakers and the pickups I'm using in those LP's have a healthy dose of presence so that could of been one of the factors on why I was keeping the controls down so low. I was listening not looking at the numbers on the dial. Probably in a live setting with a band this would all change. IMO nice to have that "cut" on tap. As far as the amp's reverb, I'm not really a fan. I have a Fuchs reverb pedal that has basically spoiled me so take my opinion on the factory reverb with a grain of salt. Honestly I don't think the amp needs reverb. Down the road I might run a delay through the loop for some echo. Other than that I think the amp stands on it's own. It's very inspiring to play.

I did not spend too much time in the clean channel. For my taste I would need to run an OD pedal in that channel and I'm just not interested in doing that right now. I bought this amp as a plug and play and it does not disappoint there. I'm very happy with this amp and the service from Sweetwater where I ordered it from.

Can't get the top one to load correctly?

Last edited: Feb 12, 2018

Joined Mar 14, 2015 Messages 19,726 Reaction score 41,093

• 2

Congrats. And a nice review. Your experience with Marshall is pretty darn impressive.

Ha Ha, and I dig how you protect your Lesters from finish damage; I employ a similar technique.

Joined Aug 12, 2007 Messages 10,804 Reaction score 11,513

• 3

We need pics! Sounds like a really nice amp!

Imho... Marshall and reverb don't belong together. That's just me though.

Joined Nov 25, 2014 Messages 1,152 Reaction score 905

• 4

  We need pics! Sounds like a really nice amp!

Imho... Marshall and reverb don't belong together. That's just me though.

Thanks Fred. It is a nice amp and a crazy deal. I will get some pics up tonight or tomorrow. And I agree about the reverb too. With clean tones yeah. But with distortion I'll choose echo every time.

Joined Mar 7, 2013 Messages 2,761 Reaction score 2,400

• 5

Congrats!

I can’t decide between the Origin 50 or the new DSL 40.

Joined Nov 25, 2014 Messages 1,152 Reaction score 905

• 6

  Congrats!

I can’t decide between the Origin 50 or the new DSL 40.

I was looking at the Origin line too. I think it comes down to what your needs are. For me it came down to volume pure and simple. I'm hearing the origins are loud and that the Marshall demos from NAMM the guy was playing like on 5 watts. I really don't need anymore loud amps that I need to push.

The DSL on the other hand has more gain on tap than I need. The thing is it gets into the zone quickly without excessive volume. I usually run the gain some where between 9 and 10 O'clock. I have no regrets.

Btw, the new DSL40C sounds killer in the demos I heard. I think that one is going to be very popular...again! If Marshall ever releases it in a head format, watch out!

Joined Mar 7, 2013 Messages 2,761 Reaction score 2,400

• 7

  I was looking at the Origin line too. I think it comes down to what your needs are. For me it came down to volume pure and simple. I'm hearing the origins are loud and that the Marshall demos from NAMM the guy was playing like on 5 watts. I really don't need anymore loud amps that I need to push.

The DSL on the other hand has more gain on tap than I need. The thing is it gets into the zone quickly without excessive volume. I usually run the gain some where between 9 and 10 O'clock. I have no regrets.

Btw, the new DSL40C sounds killer in the demos I heard. I think that one is going to be very popular...again! If Marshall ever releases it in a head format, watch out!

I’m thinking Plexi. I can color it more from there. I hope to be able to demo them side to side when the time comes.

Joined Nov 25, 2014 Messages 1,152 Reaction score 905

• 8

  I’m thinking Plexi. I can color it more from there. I hope to be able to demo them side to side when the time comes.

Oh yeah def Origin if going the pedal route. DSL plug and play. But I do think the Classic Gain channel on the DSL could be a good pedal platform. It's very light crunch IMO with the gain up all the way. I played some Funk on it. I have yet to try it with a pedal.

Joined Dec 30, 2009 Messages 554 Reaction score 376

• 9

I am also loving my DSL20HR. As you said, easily the best $499 I have ever spent on an amp. Love both channels. Effects loop is awesome! Power reduction feature is impressive. I think I might be getting the DSL1HR for home use. Might leave the 20 watter at our practice space. Marshall killed it with these new DSL’s.

Joined Sep 6, 2007 Messages 3,105 Reaction score 2,204

• 10

  The DSL on the other hand has more gain on tap than I need. The thing is it gets into the zone quickly without excessive volume. I usually run the gain some where between 9 and 10 O'clock. I have no regrets.

I like this aspect of your new DSL findings. I don't need a new amp due to my fairly recent purchase of an Orange Dark Terror. Being a 15-watt tube amp with 4 gain stages, it seems this DT can achieve something similar; namely: get into the "tone zone" quickly and without the need to push the volume up. Do you think it's due to the fact that the DSL is 20 watts? If so, it could explain why amp designers are coming out with lower wattage heads these days.

Excellent review (above), by the way.

Classicplayer

Joined Nov 25, 2014 Messages 1,152 Reaction score 905

• 11

  I like this aspect of your new DSL findings. I don't need a new amp due to my fairly recent purchase of an Orange Dark Terror. Being a 15-watt tube amp with 4 gain stages, it seems this DT can achieve something similar; namely: get into the "tone zone" quickly and without the need to push the volume up. Do you think it's due to the fact that the DSL is 20 watts? If so, it could explain why amp designers are coming out with lower wattage heads these days.

Excellent review (above), by the way.

Classicplayer

I think it's combination of the lower output, gain structure and the amount of compression it has. It's a forgiving amp without being mushy sounding. Another positive is it also sounds great on the 10 watt side (power reduction)

Joined Nov 11, 2017 Messages 25 Reaction score 56

• 12

I am looking into one of these myself in time. Thank you for the info. I had soldsmy dsl 40c was too much plus i have a classic 20 mini with two v30 cabs.

I pulled the trigger on the dsl20hr this morning and surprisingly will be here today and that's what tempted me. That and the small problem of not being able to control myself. I also assumed this will be an amp I will never see in stores like some other brands around here.

Last edited: May 16, 2018

cybermgk

“No such thing as fun for the whole family"

Joined Jul 7, 2011 Messages 17,241 Reaction score 26,853

• 13

This is exactly the kind of Amp I would have been all over and adding to my collection before I got my Axe and Kemper. Real impressed it runs 2 EL34s, and not 6V6s or EL84s. Shame it didn't add a power scaling feature. Then again a DSL gets most of it's tone from preamp dirt, so that likely doesn't matter. But a built-in load, for silent recording, to go with the emulated out would have been good.

Joined Dec 30, 2009 Messages 554 Reaction score 376

• 14

  This is exactly the kind of Amp I would have been all over and adding to my collection before I got my Axe and Kemper. Real impressed it runs 2 EL34s, and not 6V6s or EL84s. Shame it didn't add a power scaling feature. Then again a DSL gets most of it's tone from preamp dirt, so that likely doesn't matter. But a built-in load, for silent recording, to go with the emulated out would have been good.

It has a half power switch taking it from 20 watts down to 10.

cybermgk

“No such thing as fun for the whole family"

Joined Jul 7, 2011 Messages 17,241 Reaction score 26,853

• 15

  It has a half power switch taking it from 20 watts down to 10.

Is that power scaling or pentode/triode?

Joined Nov 25, 2014 Messages 1,152 Reaction score 905

• 16

  Is that power scaling or pentode/triode?

I believe it's pentode/triode as it does not have a gradual sweep with various levels of volume. But it does significantly cut the volume while still retaining the tone.

Joined Aug 31, 2013 Messages 1,649 Reaction score 1,600

• 17

  I’m thinking Plexi. I can color it more from there. I hope to be able to demo them side to side when the time comes.

April is taking too love to arrive soon... Origin is perfect for pedals. Marshall finally woken up and decided to make an affordable “vintage” sounding amp... A lot of players simply cant afford expensive reissues...

Joined Sep 25, 2011 Messages 616 Reaction score 496

• 18

  Is that power scaling or pentode/triode?

It’s actually power scaling with two set levels. Retains the tone much better than pentode/triode.

Joined Aug 21, 2013 Messages 918 Reaction score 985

• 19

I got one of these. Good amp, but that gain channel is a bit over the top...still fun though. Its base EQ is different than the Haze 15 it is replacing.

The Resonance knob helps for lower-volume practice stuff. At higher volumes, it's not really good to push it too much. Just my opinion.

I do like it. I like it a lot, actually. I've only played it in a small room, and it works there. I don't know about other settings for it. The root channel is good.

Is the Marshall DSL20HR loud enough?

The DSL20 can be plenty loud - if you aren't going for a heavily distorted sound. The more gain you start adding the more your volume is going to be perceivably lower.

Can you gig with a Marshall DSL 20?

Vary the output. The DSL20 combo has three speaker outlets allowing for a combination of two speakers, the ability to record and a standby function for silent recording meaning it can be taken from the bedroom, to the studio and onto a gig.

What does DSL mean on Marshall amp?

Adding some versatility to the iconic Marshall tone. Originally launched as a 100W and 50W head, as the name suggests the Dual Super Lead (DSL) contains two foot-switchable channels; called Classic Gain and Ultra Gain.

Are Marshall amplifiers any good?

Marshall are the most recognised amplifier brand in the music industry. Building a huge range of legendary amps since 1962, their designs have revolutionised the way that we hear guitars today. Playing a big part in establishing the 'rock' sound, Marshall Amplification has inspired generations of players.