I Disliked my own video... Because: A. It's not a JCM 800 (Just Kidding), and B. The Non-Boosted Setting sounds "Solid-State-y" to me. I could be completely crazy... Cheers -Ryan
The trick with the 900 is you have to make sure it has el34’s. The 5881 model can sound thin and tinny. If it has 5881’s simply have your tech change to el34’s and you won’t go back
I have owned 3 and the only one I liked was also the only one that had 5881 valves. It has more low end and more clarity the 2 el34 ones were thin mushy muddy and harsh. And im a big el34 lover so going against what I believe but being honest over all things
I have a 4100 and I love the slight sponginess of the distortion, feels much different than other Marshalls. Patching the effects loop and cooking the master volume helps it SLAY! I say this also owning a 2203 and TSL100. One of the best things about the 900 Dual Reverb is that it never gets muddy even if the gain is maxed out with the master on 5 or so. Cool comparison man!
Aparently you have to run the dsl master volumes on max otherwise its thin and fizzy. From the videos ive seen online i kinda agree with that. Also the moaning about diode clipping is bullshit. How many of u run solid state pedals into your amps? The jcm 900 (from an engineering pov) is a vastly superior amp to the jcm 800.
Hey Ryan! Just another stupid question from me ;) why dont you crank the mids in the DSL? It is pretty scooped for a Marshall and you also engage the Tone Shift ( even more scooped) .. dont geht ne wrong Dude i dont want you to Tell how to dial an AMP .. your Tones are Always crushing and i Love your Channel man! But whenever i Play my DSL HR it Sound best with cranked Bass and cranked Resonance and cranked mids without the Tone Shift so the thick Body of the Tone comes from Bass and mids...( i Play through Greenbacks by the way) is this Just because rehearsal and recording are 2 different Things ? Because it Sounds kick ass in your Tracks but If i would Play These settings at rehearsal it would Sound very harsh and thin... Just asking
My Mids are always sitting between 3:00 and 4:30 (7 and 9). Unless I state that both amps are being scooped... then they are sitting around Noon (5). The Tone Shift gives it a much tighter sound. Deepness and Scooped are often misunderstood, though. It also really depends on what sound you are going for and what frequencies you are fighting for and what your ears will allow you to process during a rehearsal. I have tried everyone’s “Magic Settings” for the DSL and unfortunately FOR ME they don’t really work out and sound very flat. But our hands and ears are all different. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar yeah man! Thanx again for answering Always fast as fuck and you absolutely Right... The "Magic settings" also dont Work for me.... Maybe it so much to do with String gauge Pickups , playing technice etc.... And i totally agree that deep scooped misunderstood Thing!! And btw. Best Metal comparison Channel on RUclips!!!! Keep on man... I Love every Second of your vids 🤟🤟
Thanks for the kind words! I’ve been a little busy so I haven’t been able to get many Amp Shootouts going... but I did buy a Marshall Origin 50 and a Randall RD100H Diavlo, so I’m hoping that I can get some more shootouts going soon! I’m also grabbing an Orange Rockerverb 100 and probably a Randall KH103 as well. So some things to look forward to! Cheers -Ryan
@@mazklassa9338 Yep, every DSL (20, 40, 100) I've heard in a comparison/shoot-out tend to sound compressed. I've seen the schematics, and even on Classic Gain it's 4 gain stages; on Ultra Gain it's 5. Compared to say a Marshall 2203/2204 there's two more gain stages (one 12AX7/ECC83 preamp tube) and I think that causes the compression.
Amazing sound and playing. Thanks for the vid, about to buy a dsl100hr. Stacking 5150 and the hr for that marshall high mid sparkle voicing on our next ep recording.
900 all day long. Just wondering if you have ever dimed the eq on dsl . Low, mid, high, pres, res, I run a dsl50c with a cream back. Gain around noon and gain channel volume around 6 and then throw a Maxon 808 in front. I run a rockcrusher so I’m not deaf afterwards. It really comes to life. I do the same with a tsl but deep switch in, and it sounds good to my ears. Love the videos and sounds and riffs are always awesome. It gives us the chance to hear so many different sounds that my bank account would not normally allow . Thanks. Ps I gave you a thumbs up even though we all know the 800 are the only real Marshall amps. 🎶👍
I can understood the idea with the jcm900 at the time, everyone used distortion pedals so they just built one in it and the same people didn't like it. I think the 900 is already dirty enough without that. Both these amps sound good, I grew up in the 90s so the 900 sounds more familiar to me. Someone a few years younger might prefer the thinner sound.
I wasn't surprised how the 900 tone popped in the mix against the dsl50, but I'm very surprised how much it does against the dsl100hr with its supposed reconfigured eq. 900 still tops it for me, and easily. Great vid 👌
The 100HR i use on the Green OD channel...the Red OD channel idk...kinda Marshall trying for the scoooed mids tone , not exactly a "Mesa" tone but a Marshall scooped tone...and the volume settings ....i guess everyone has their thing...i run the Master between 9-11 and run the channel volume up to taste ..... haven't found a pedal that brings the 4100 to a place i like yet... typically just plug straight in and enjoy that....yeah i know , weak...whateve
The 4100 HHDR was my first tube amp. I still remember how it smelled as those four big bottle 5881s baked the wood. I always thought it sounded better than an 800. No one can convince me of something so subjective and personal as amp choice. Though I am still pining for a 20w version. But I do not have nor have I ever had a hardline bias against solid state circuits. Such a tasty amp. I miss her.
I have 7 Marshall heads. Sold the DSL 100 H because it did not have street cred but damn that amp could do it all. Made in Viet Nam so it was not super valuable. It was good enough for Gary Holt when he toured with Slayer...
The Mesa cab just might be the best thing to pair with both these amps. I’m really wanting to pair a JCM900 with a 4x12 loaded with Eminence CV-75 speakers to see how it shapes the midrange character of the amp itself.
Ooo, they both sound really good especially unboosted to hear their natural sound. Equally good just different. The 900 didn't sound as full but had some chainsaw going. The DSL definitely bigger sounding. I can hear some fizz but didn't bother me. Sounds a lot more NuMetal
JCM 900 isn't trying to be a mesa dual rec, it's trying to be a jcm 800. It doesn't come close. But if you have an issue with diode clipping....WTF do you think happens when you kick your TS9 bro? Just Saying. Yes I'd like a DSL, I have a 900 but at least it's got mids. Just stick some V30s in your cab and you're good to go.
Great vid , but I always have to remind myself............what I,m usually admiring from a studio recording is an attractive (to the ears) , EQ curve, and awesome chops. \m/ \m/
Not much EQ'ing going on here. Basically just taking out some of the Hiss from the highs and curving some of the boom from the low end. I basically make sure it sounds like it does "In the Room". But mostly... I'm pretty lazy so there's not a ton going on here hahaha! Cheers -Ryan
First let me say I own and LOVE a DSL100HR, great amp no question. But I think it's ironic how the ALL TUBE driven DSL100HR sounded more solid state-ish than the JCM900 which as we all know at this point uses diode clipping lol. I gotta be honest I thought that JCM900 sounded fucking killer. I still will play my DSL100HR daily and song its praises though. It's the most versatile amp I've ever played that doesn't feel like your losing tone for versatility. Now could it be improved upon? Sure, every amp could. Some more than others....not naming names.... But the DSL100HR is perfect if like me you dont have a lotta space for any more gear and you're not particularly financially sound despite working your ass off lol. My limit it $1000, I never buy an instrument, amp etc over a grand. Now I may upgrade them well over a grand by the time I've got them how I want them but I find it just works better for me that way. But a grand is still much more than enough to get quality tone especially if like me you build your own guitars and pedals (sometimes from complete scratch and other times as projects on existing gear) and keep an eye on Reverb and the forums for good deals in used stuff. Anyways I'm off topic lol.
the 900 definitely has more midrange than the dsl. i had a 900 dual reverb and i don't remember it being a bad amp but i hated the sound of the crunch channel while i was playing alone. it sounds a lot more impressive in a mix. now i have a 2203 and it sounds a lot more punchy and in your face and i have an easier time getting a good sound. the dual reverb isn't a bad amp, i think a lot of people don't know how to dial it in and i was probably one of them at the time.
I've just viewed/listened to all 3 vids featuring the JCM800, JCM900 and DSL. I guess I should have viewed this one first since it was the first one you made of the 3. OK, I'm a huge fan of Les Paul Customs. I think for heavier styles the Custom is far superior to the Standard. They cut more and there's more clarity for high gain tones. I believe it's due to having an ebony fretboard. Anyway, the DSL and JCM900 are more similar to each other than either are to the JCM800...which makes sense since they are closer to each other in Marshall's evolutionary amp chain.
With the amount of Shoot-outs that I’ve done in the last month... I don’t remember my settings. HOWEVER, I only scoop the Mids when I say I scoop the mids. I’m not a big fan of scooping. It has its’ place for sure but it’s certainly not my preference. Cheers -Ryan
I mean, the DSL sounds like you overdubbed 3 rhythm tracks with it - phat. The 900 is cool, but once again that DSL is something else. Is that what you you mean by "sounds solid state?" I just think it sounds not like a Marshall, but still just awesome with what you're playing.
Interesting on settings...I set bass at about 1-2 o-clk, mids 9-10, treble 1-2, resonance 10-11, no tone shift, master volume 9-10, channel volume to room or taste...yes I play in same room as amp so likely my shitty settings ,lol But that is my "go to" on many amps with bass and treble about 3/4 and mids down....but that is so 90's pullings mids out ..lol I enjoyed your video even if you didn't as much Love the Les Paul Custom!!
I don’t mind the 900 but IMO the DSL kicks it in the teeth..especially on the SG section, ‘Twas not a fan of the 900 sound. I’d really like to see your opinion on if there is a difference between the sl-x and non though. BTW..I’m not sure if you’ve heard but the 800 is way better, it slays them all..I think it has something to do with the no diode clipping🤭. The silver Jubilee also has that trash and no one likes that amp
I Disliked my own video... Because: A. It's not a JCM 800 (Just Kidding), and B. The Non-Boosted Setting sounds "Solid-State-y" to me. I could be completely crazy... Cheers -Ryan
Its hard to get older marshalls to metal area. You did good. Been a fan for a while
The JCM 900 4100 is a sleeping giant. One day they will get their respect.
The trick with the 900 is you have to make sure it has el34’s. The 5881 model can sound thin and tinny. If it has 5881’s simply have your tech change to el34’s and you won’t go back
I have owned 3 and the only one I liked was also the only one that had 5881 valves. It has more low end and more clarity the 2 el34 ones were thin mushy muddy and harsh. And im a big el34 lover so going against what I believe but being honest over all things
Everytime you pull out the JCM 900 I always enjoy the sounds you get out of it! I think that high-end aggression is a great use of that amp. 😀
I don’t always use my JCM 900... but when I do I’m always quite pleased with it! Cheers -Ryan
I have a 4100 and I love the slight sponginess of the distortion, feels much different than other Marshalls.
Patching the effects loop and cooking the master volume helps it SLAY! I say this also owning a 2203 and TSL100.
One of the best things about the 900 Dual Reverb is that it never gets muddy even if the gain is maxed out with the master on 5 or so.
Cool comparison man!
The jcm 900 sounds great, even without a boost
Aparently you have to run the dsl master volumes on max otherwise its thin and fizzy.
From the videos ive seen online i kinda agree with that.
Also the moaning about diode clipping is bullshit. How many of u run solid state pedals into your amps? The jcm 900 (from an engineering pov) is a vastly superior amp to the jcm 800.
Hey Ryan! Just another stupid question from me ;) why dont you crank the mids in the DSL? It is pretty scooped for a Marshall and you also engage the Tone Shift ( even more scooped) .. dont geht ne wrong Dude i dont want you to Tell how to dial an AMP .. your Tones are Always crushing and i Love your Channel man! But whenever i Play my DSL HR it Sound best with cranked Bass and cranked Resonance and cranked mids without the Tone Shift so the thick Body of the Tone comes from Bass and mids...( i Play through Greenbacks by the way) is this Just because rehearsal and recording are 2 different Things ? Because it Sounds kick ass in your Tracks but If i would Play These settings at rehearsal it would Sound very harsh and thin... Just asking
My Mids are always sitting between 3:00 and 4:30 (7 and 9). Unless I state that both amps are being scooped... then they are sitting around Noon (5). The Tone Shift gives it a much tighter sound. Deepness and Scooped are often misunderstood, though. It also really depends on what sound you are going for and what frequencies you are fighting for and what your ears will allow you to process during a rehearsal. I have tried everyone’s “Magic Settings” for the DSL and unfortunately FOR ME they don’t really work out and sound very flat. But our hands and ears are all different. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar yeah man! Thanx again for answering Always fast as fuck and you absolutely Right... The "Magic settings" also dont Work for me.... Maybe it so much to do with String gauge Pickups , playing technice etc.... And i totally agree that deep scooped misunderstood Thing!! And btw. Best Metal comparison Channel on RUclips!!!! Keep on man... I Love every Second of your vids 🤟🤟
Thanks for the kind words! I’ve been a little busy so I haven’t been able to get many Amp Shootouts going... but I did buy a Marshall Origin 50 and a Randall RD100H Diavlo, so I’m hoping that I can get some more shootouts going soon! I’m also grabbing an Orange Rockerverb 100 and probably a Randall KH103 as well. So some things to look forward to! Cheers -Ryan
I use to have a JCM 900 Dual Reverb 50 watt with 5881 and that amp was a beast! Just a straight up Rock and Metal amp!
DUDE YOU DO NOT DISAPPOINT AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHY I SUBSCRIBED TO YOUR CHANNEL 🤘🤘🤘❤️
Thanks Man! Cheers -Ryan
I own both. If you use a boost, there is diodes in that pedal. Don’t get the tone snobs who either can’t play, or listen with their eyes…
I've always gone with: Do I like how it sounds? Do I like how it feels when I play it? Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar 100%
The 900 sounds awesome,
On videos the dsl always sounds way too “scooped”, to me.
Agreed. The JCM has way more mid punch. Whereas the DSL does noticeably sound compressed and scooped.
@@mazklassa9338 Yep, every DSL (20, 40, 100) I've heard in a comparison/shoot-out tend to sound compressed. I've seen the schematics, and even on Classic Gain it's 4 gain stages; on Ultra Gain it's 5. Compared to say a Marshall 2203/2204 there's two more gain stages (one 12AX7/ECC83 preamp tube) and I think that causes the compression.
prefer the DSL 100HR. It's more fizzy and misses the honk of the 900, but it's more sludgy and I kinda dig that
I'm usually a fan of the 100HR but damn the JCM 900 sounded amazing with the Gibson SG Standard
Amazing sound and playing. Thanks for the vid, about to buy a dsl100hr. Stacking 5150 and the hr for that marshall high mid sparkle voicing on our next ep recording.
900 all day long. Just wondering if you have ever dimed the eq on dsl . Low, mid, high, pres, res, I run a dsl50c with a cream back. Gain around noon and gain channel volume around 6 and then throw a Maxon 808 in front. I run a rockcrusher so I’m not deaf afterwards. It really comes to life. I do the same with a tsl but deep switch in, and it sounds good to my ears. Love the videos and sounds and riffs are always awesome. It gives us the chance to hear so many different sounds that my bank account would not normally allow . Thanks. Ps I gave you a thumbs up even though we all know the 800 are the only real Marshall amps. 🎶👍
I can understood the idea with the jcm900 at the time, everyone used distortion pedals so they just built one in it and the same people didn't like it. I think the 900 is already dirty enough without that. Both these amps sound good, I grew up in the 90s so the 900 sounds more familiar to me. Someone a few years younger might prefer the thinner sound.
I wasn't surprised how the 900 tone popped in the mix against the dsl50, but I'm very surprised how much it does against the dsl100hr with its supposed reconfigured eq. 900 still tops it for me, and easily. Great vid 👌
The 100HR i use on the Green OD channel...the Red OD channel idk...kinda Marshall trying for the scoooed mids tone , not exactly a "Mesa" tone but a Marshall scooped tone...and the volume settings ....i guess everyone has their thing...i run the Master between 9-11 and run the channel volume up to taste ..... haven't found a pedal that brings the 4100 to a place i like yet... typically just plug straight in and enjoy that....yeah i know , weak...whateve
The 4100 HHDR was my first tube amp. I still remember how it smelled as those four big bottle 5881s baked the wood. I always thought it sounded better than an 800. No one can convince me of something so subjective and personal as amp choice. Though I am still pining for a 20w version. But I do not have nor have I ever had a hardline bias
against solid state circuits. Such a tasty amp. I miss her.
Thumbs up from me and i subscribed. The JCM 900 4100 is so underrated.
I have 7 Marshall heads. Sold the DSL 100 H because it did not have street cred but damn that amp could do it all.
Made in Viet Nam so it was not super valuable. It was good enough for Gary Holt when he toured with Slayer...
That No Boost SG DSL was BA AF!
Much better style than anything I've seen. Hes got excellent form too
My friend I love your riffin’ is absolutely awesome 🤘🏻also I love jcm 900
Both can be EQ'd to sound closer to each other, but yeah super great highlight of each amp's own character and sweet spot
The Mesa cab just might be the best thing to pair with both these amps. I’m really wanting to pair a JCM900 with a 4x12 loaded with Eminence CV-75 speakers to see how it shapes the midrange character of the amp itself.
I have the 900 "4500" and it sounds really nice with with my Friedman Buxom Boost
Great video
Didn't Korn use the JCM 900 on Life is Peachy?
Ooo, they both sound really good especially unboosted to hear their natural sound. Equally good just different. The 900 didn't sound as full but had some chainsaw going. The DSL definitely bigger sounding. I can hear some fizz but didn't bother me. Sounds a lot more NuMetal
JCM 900 isn't trying to be a mesa dual rec, it's trying to be a jcm 800. It doesn't come close. But if you have an issue with diode clipping....WTF do you think happens when you kick your TS9 bro? Just Saying. Yes I'd like a DSL, I have a 900 but at least it's got mids. Just stick some V30s in your cab and you're good to go.
+1 for the 900, great amp! And good demo!
Hmmm. The DSL is all valve but digital reverb. The JCM had spring reverb but solid state preamp circuitry. I have to pass on both.
have a 40cr I love but looking to get a stack at some point
Really liked the 900 actually
Great vid , but I always have to remind myself............what I,m usually admiring from a studio recording is an attractive (to the ears) , EQ curve, and awesome chops. \m/ \m/
Not much EQ'ing going on here. Basically just taking out some of the Hiss from the highs and curving some of the boom from the low end. I basically make sure it sounds like it does "In the Room". But mostly... I'm pretty lazy so there's not a ton going on here hahaha! Cheers -Ryan
Excelente sonido, me agrada el DSL100HR, ojala algun dia pueda comprar uno.....Saludos..
Great stuff my friend 👍🏻
First let me say I own and LOVE a DSL100HR, great amp no question. But I think it's ironic how the ALL TUBE driven DSL100HR sounded more solid state-ish than the JCM900 which as we all know at this point uses diode clipping lol. I gotta be honest I thought that JCM900 sounded fucking killer. I still will play my DSL100HR daily and song its praises though. It's the most versatile amp I've ever played that doesn't feel like your losing tone for versatility. Now could it be improved upon? Sure, every amp could. Some more than others....not naming names.... But the DSL100HR is perfect if like me you dont have a lotta space for any more gear and you're not particularly financially sound despite working your ass off lol. My limit it $1000, I never buy an instrument, amp etc over a grand. Now I may upgrade them well over a grand by the time I've got them how I want them but I find it just works better for me that way. But a grand is still much more than enough to get quality tone especially if like me you build your own guitars and pedals (sometimes from complete scratch and other times as projects on existing gear) and keep an eye on Reverb and the forums for good deals in used stuff. Anyways I'm off topic lol.
the 900 definitely has more midrange than the dsl. i had a 900 dual reverb and i don't remember it being a bad amp but i hated the sound of the crunch channel while i was playing alone. it sounds a lot more impressive in a mix. now i have a 2203 and it sounds a lot more punchy and in your face and i have an easier time getting a good sound. the dual reverb isn't a bad amp, i think a lot of people don't know how to dial it in and i was probably one of them at the time.
I've just viewed/listened to all 3 vids featuring the JCM800, JCM900 and DSL. I guess I should have viewed this one first since it was the first one you made of the 3. OK, I'm a huge fan of Les Paul Customs. I think for heavier styles the Custom is far superior to the Standard. They cut more and there's more clarity for high gain tones. I believe it's due to having an ebony fretboard. Anyway, the DSL and JCM900 are more similar to each other than either are to the JCM800...which makes sense since they are closer to each other in Marshall's evolutionary amp chain.
Why dsl 100 is too scooped?
It’s just the way that the gain structuring is... especially in comparison to the JCM 900. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar Do you remember where you had the mids set up on dsl?
With the amount of Shoot-outs that I’ve done in the last month... I don’t remember my settings. HOWEVER, I only scoop the Mids when I say I scoop the mids. I’m not a big fan of scooping. It has its’ place for sure but it’s certainly not my preference. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar all clear, thanks for the info :)
Its not too scooped actually, its all about more chuggy to the DSL. The 900 is not chuggy as DSL has.
I mean, the DSL sounds like you overdubbed 3 rhythm tracks with it - phat. The 900 is cool, but once again that DSL is something else. Is that what you you mean by "sounds solid state?" I just think it sounds not like a Marshall, but still just awesome with what you're playing.
I definitely like the 900 more. But I have the DSL.
I own both heads...have it paused while I type...will be interesting to hear your settings
Interesting on settings...I set bass at about 1-2 o-clk, mids 9-10, treble 1-2, resonance 10-11, no tone shift, master volume 9-10, channel volume to room or taste...yes I play in same room as amp so likely my shitty settings ,lol
But that is my "go to" on many amps with bass and treble about 3/4 and mids down....but that is so 90's pullings mids out ..lol
I enjoyed your video even if you didn't as much
Love the Les Paul Custom!!
The DSL sounds better, I’m actually shocked
900 sounds good for rhythm, DSL sounds better for leads
First one sounded better with the DSL and the SG sounded better with the 900.
only JCM 900 !!!!! :-)
I don’t mind the 900 but IMO the DSL kicks it in the teeth..especially on the SG section, ‘Twas not a fan of the 900 sound. I’d really like to see your opinion on if there is a difference between the sl-x and non though.
BTW..I’m not sure if you’ve heard but the 800 is way better, it slays them all..I think it has something to do with the no diode clipping🤭. The silver Jubilee also has that trash and no one likes that amp
John 5 uses 900s nuff said
IMO:
Jcm for heavy/punk/rock.
Dsl for thrash/death/pornogrind
Jcm 900!!
Your DSL100HR have sold many amps.. lol
HAHAHA! I have heard that a few times! Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar I have watch them back to back and keep telling myself.. hell I gotta get one. Lol. Good job brother.
DSL plastic