I actually bought a used dsl 15h last week despite trying the newer version as it reminded me of the 1959 Plexi Super Lead head i used to own. i originally sold that head to buy my Gibson N225, i really miss that amp and the cab that accompanied it but the Gibson became my main guitar which i have a unbreakable connection with from my first sighting of it despite having acquired a genuine cream 1956 fender strat with a rebuilt neck but thats another subject. I have tried many amps, Marshall jvm, MG 100, Class 5, fender blues deluxe, bassman and champion 100 twin combo. Orange Micro terror (far too much crunch) and tiny terror, mesa boogie express plus 5 and the legendary vox AC30 (loved it but not the right sound for me). Ive owned a marshall 1959 plexi super lead head with a 1972 2x12 "2045" cabinet, orange crush 20 and yamaha tr5 before now returning to proper amps (Valves) with my DSL 15H with a 1991 1x12 "1912" cabinet. Yes most people rave about the heavy lead sound of the 20 but people forget that the Marshall sound is not just overdriven screaming but also beautiful crunchy blues as well (eric clapton and gary moore springs to mind). The dsl 15h is far superior in my own experience compared to the fender bassman and blues deluxe soundwise with a Gibson p90 setup and the "56" fender strat for a crunchy but smooth blues sound Also If anyone reading this knows of a Rare 1972 2045 marshall 2x12 cab for sale (In UK) please message me as im desperately after one to go with my DSL 15H
So I posted my comments 6 months ago on ownership of both the 20H and 15H. The 20H has now been sold as the clean was continually disappointing and could not compete with the 15H which has a clean so rich and full. I also picked up a DSL100H for $400 with a set of new tubes fitted and biased and love it. It has some real girth at low or high volume and really nice cleans and red channels.
I bought a DSL15C a few years ago and was VERY impressed with the clean channel. Its sooo clear and full up there with something from Fender. The gain channel however was an unmitigated disaster as it sounded like a little black box full of bees. As has been said in the below comments the gain channel is unusable for the most part. I did change my tubes and speaker but the transformation came from the mods that have been featured of a few vids if you search them out under DSL15C mods. It invloved changing some board components and as the poster mentioned in his video about being on OD1 instead of OD2. Changing the tubes alone has resulted in taking away the attributes that make the clean channel sound so nice in order to tame the ultra gain channel. There is also a kit sold online that adds an effects loop to the DSL15C or H depending on what you have. My 15 sounds great now, up there with the JVM.
IDK if you still have it, but replacing the V1 tube with a JJ ECC823 keeps the characteristics of the clean channel, while drastically reducing the gain of the drive channel. The ECC823 is a 12AX7 on the half the green channel uses, and a 12AU7 on the red channel, it made my red channel far more usable, now just sounding like the green channel with a volume boost in front of it.
15’s Clean channel is the definite winner, and has amazing tonal range. 15’s gain channel is also a lot richer, and has nice singing/driving edge to it. 20 shows definite less range here. The 15 “sings” compared to the rawer 20. Could be due to the extra preamp-tube in the 15.? (4vs 3).
Got an used Marshall DSL15c. The gain was pretty unusable. I ended up changing the first two preamp tubes, with a 5751 in the V1 and a ECC82 in the V2. Tried it with a Celestion Greenback I instaled in a Laney...wow!! What a difference. The speaker never went out of the Marshall
I grabbed the DSL15h for $200 I like the loop, reverb and standby switch on the 20 but I prefer the sound of the 15 w the 6v6s. I also yanked the TADs out of mine... tested a pair of Tung Sol, Sovetek and EHX tubes. Stuck w the EHX for the time being. The EHX tubes brought the clean tone into the realm of my Mesa Fillmore head so its great as a pedal platform.( lack of loop sucks). Mainly use the 15 as a throw and go practice rig w a 1x10 Rivers Custom cab and Eminence Cannabis Rex.
Thanks for the review. I own both models as well and was going to sell the 15H but discovered that they coexist. My 15H with any guitar has a clean channel that is right up there as very good compared to lots of other brands. Certainly one of the better best I have heard on a Marshall...in fact I love it..it's that good in my opinion. The gain was never a disappointment for me with the 15H...but damn there was a lot of it..but I fixed that with a half gain JJ in P1 and it is so much more usable and leans more now as a OD1 than its previous red out over the top OD2. The new 20H certainly has a thinner clean which lacks a depth and fullness compared to the 15H and its distorts much more easily once past 9am unlike the 15H which you can run hard before break up. For my ears the gain channel on the 20H is warmer,less compressed and a bit more up front and whilst not better than the 15H is now my preferred between the 2 models. Lastly my initial impression is that the 15h is a louder amp on both the clean and gain channel..but I could/will be proven totally wrong when I get the chance to really crank the 20H. So for me the next amp that Marshall should make is to have all of the 20H features but with the 15H clean channel...then it would be perfect. You could not go wrong with either..but that clean channel on the 15H is a hard habit to break. BTW..Just subscribed as I have been a silent watcher..but digging your uploads.
So i have lived with the DSL20h for a few weeks now and I wanted to say the gain on this for me is so so good. The other great thing about the gain channel is that the louder you go the more it bites in and gets real depth and chunk without going harsh. A 10 out of 10 for me. The clean I have grown to like but it is not in the same fullness or class of the 15H ..BUT IF I HAD TO HAVE ONE AMP NOW i WOULD TAKE THE 20H as the gain for me is everything a Marshall should be. I run both amps through a Orange 4 x12 Vintage 30 Cab.
I was shocked with the difference in clean tones with the 15 sounding much warmer. I normally like a brighter tone but the 15 there sounded beautiful, totally different from the 20. I have been thinking about grabbing the 20 since before they were available as I had/have no interest in the origin but was waiting a bit before I purchased. I just sold my dsl40c because it was too much for my house. I may pick up the head tomorrow but I am iffy as I have two 12" cabs with V30s that are not totally broken in and afraid it will be too harsh. Thank you for the video was very informative. Take care. I forgot to ask if a tube swap in the 20 would shape the tone more?
Yes, like any Marshall, a tube swap can make a difference. The 15 here sounds sooo much different with JJs than the stock TADs. I have tried several different power tubes in the 20. I think I prefer the Mullard right now but that could change :)
I had Marshall DSL15C and now i have DSL20CR... in my opinion 15 is better for warmer clean and crunch, 20 for overdrive... 20's 1st channel is too bright and sharp, 15's 2nd channel is overgained, very harsh and fizzy. I like 20 more, more options, standby, much better sounding at low output setting... But 15 is very good amp too.
Well I bought the dsl20h and I returned it after a couple of weeks. I was not crazy about it and the clean channel could be really bright without tweaking so for me as a two channel amp it would not cut it. The drive just seemed dull to me as well. I owned the dsl40 in the past and loved it but it was just too loud for my home and that had to be loud to get it's full tone. If they could put last generations dsl40 in a 20w head that would be nice. The construction especially the channel buttons seems weak. Ah well. For now since I cannot find a low watt head for about 1k I like I bought a katana head for a great price on ebay. Saving for possibly a rectoverb, mark v, or might grab a supersonic.
Sorry it didn't work out for you. Have you tried just using a reactive load box? I am a big Marshall fan but have never really found an amp that I was totally satisfied with. That is why I use a JMP-1 preamp into a DSL as a power amp. Nothing better than having 100 channels of Marshall tone. I really wish Marshall would either do a reissue of the JMP-1 or maybe a modern update to it. Using a 20 year old preamp is kinda scary.
The dsl15 has one more tube in the signal path. So it has more gain out of the box. The signal path of the dsl 15 is really all tube, the dsl 20 doesn't ( 1IC and 2 transistors in the path). Hey dude, why are you so obsessed about a fx way ? All early Marshalls dont't have one.
You shouldn't feel the need to apologize for talking too much. I've done it in the past on one of my videos, maybe two! But the dickheads who complain NEVER have any videos on their channels. Lame. If they want less talking, more detailed descriptions, whatever..then let them make their own videos. Create your content, and be content with your content! Thank you for posting this video!! I found your video because I'm thinking of buying a Marshall MX212AR and a DSL15H used, asking price is $500 and they look very clean.
I bought a NOS DSL15H for dirt cheap price... run it on a Mesa Boogie slant cab... who complains about gain has no idea how to use two things 1. The distortion dial on the amp and 2. The volume control on the guitar.... GUYS... Guitars are not designed to just run on full volume.
I like the 15 watt more. But how can you boost volume for soloing? Is possible set the red channel higher for soloing without too much difference in tone between the 2 channels?
definitely different in the clean department (I liked the 15 as well but maybe a tube change in the 20 would help) you can always turn "shimmer" down but if you don't start with it, you'll hate it. Definitely the 20 for everything else, just "more there" plus reverb and the effects loop, which is always a must for me.
Based on youtube audio quality, these two sound amazingly similar... I just bought a 15H because they are on clearance. Hope it amazes me. Never had a 6V6 amp before, so... Here's to trying new things. CHEERS!
Just played it for a couple hours... Not too much gain for me. VERY articulate. Let me put it this way... My Fender BJ sounds pretty Marshall and this 15H sounds like a high gain Fender. lol. They should have used EL84's instead of 6V6 IMHO. I use stock puckups as well, so that may be why I'm not complaining about too much gain? It has about the same amount of gain as my 88 Marshall 3203, but more articulate. Not sure if I'll keep it or not yet...
Before you give up on the 15 I highly suggest trying some JJ power tubes in it. Also check the bias and set it cooler if it is too hot. Mine turned into a different animal after doing the tube swap and bias.
thank you for the comparison. it appears that you don't really get much of a difference between the two amps. I have the 15c. It is not an amp that is usable for gigs. The ultra gain channel is not usable for much of anything other than hiss and noise. I am very disappointed with the 15c but the 20hr doesn't seem to do anything better. at least not enough of a difference to replace one with the other. On the other hand, I have a 15 watt Egnater Tweaker that rocks the world. (6L6 tubes). I suppose that the transformers might be the difference between an amp that can be used at a show and one that is for the bedroom. in the end, I wish that I had gone with a different amp other than the Marshall DSL 15c.
Jake Smith this video doesn’t do it justice. No offense to 2550marshall. The difference is night and day between the two. The 15h/15c is basically a marshall with a clean channel and fuzz channel. The 20hr is actually usable through the gain range and can get every Marshall sound from JTM,plexi,800 and current dsl high gain. You’ve got to actually play one to hear and feel the difference. Your best bet if you don’t want to buy a 20h, is mod your 15. It’s a simple swap of three components and gives you the lead 1 channel of the dsl40c. You’ll have a decent gigging amp after that.
The 20 reverb also not that useful enough its a digital reverb but not a good 1. Might as well just buy any pedal u like but agree on the effects loop part.
I had a problem with mine when using my looper through the fx loop. If looping a clean track and switching to Ultra for a lead the volume dropped way down. When looping a dirty phrase and switching to the classic channel the loop got way loud! Anyone else? I was playing the dsl 20hr.
The new Studio series mini Superlead, Silver Jube, and JCM 800 also run a pair of EL34 at just 20 watts max. Two EL34 do output 45-50 watts like you say. But that is their clean headroom. Overdriven they can output way more. My JMP 50 1987 replica can overload a Two Notes reactive load box rated for 100 watts max. I am guessing it's so powerful because of the nice transformers in it (Marstran). I am going to tame it somehow, so a reactive load can cope. I have no choice, because I can not run a speaker cab here. Either a master volume, or a voltage drop, kind of like how Marshall get these down to 20 watts.
Just bought the DSL 15. But relizing no effects loop thinking returning for the 20 HR. I love the clean on the DSL 15. Is the 20HR clean good enough? Seems like the 20HR with reverb , effects loop make a difference.
Hello again. I would really like your opinion please. I have the 15h. Love the clean and the overdrive once MV at 5 sounds great. However no effects loop. I get put one in though. But G.C has some used DSL20HR's and i wouldn't have to modify them. I played a 20CR. (combo) Sounded like crap. I tried it with a vintage 30 speaker didn't like it.
Since doing this vid, I have put an FX loop in the 15H. I also got a Bogner 212c with M65 Creambacks. This made a huge difference in how I perceive each of these amps. I now prefer the DSL 20HR way more than the 15H. The 15H with JJ power tubes does still have a better (cleaner) clean channel with more headroom. But, I mostly live on the ultra ch and the 20HR is just way better with creamback speakers. The best way to describe the tone is "thick & tasty". BTW, I think the 15H sounds it's best with greenback speakers. The 1960BV cab in this vid with the vintage speakers is my least favorite cab with any of my amps.
@@2550marshall Thank you for the reply. I really appreciate it. I was going to put the FX Loop in the 15H too. It's a shame there is no way to test these amps side by side without buying both.
@@2550marshall G.C had one. I tested it against my DSL 15. (This is just my opinion.) The DSL 20 sounded very compressed on Ultra gain, there was no Marshall siz that pierces your ears. that's what cuts through a band mix. The DSL 15 is thin sounding until get MV to 4. But it had the deep switch to play very low which I like. The clean channel on DSL 20 is just unusable. Sounds so tinny. I was truly disapointed. I need a clean tone and the DSL 15's is fantastic! Once i get the DSL 15 to about 5 MV it screams Marshall tone. Plus I paid less than $300. Putting in an FX Loop. Oh well, like you said, each Marshall has one great feature but lacking another. But it's a cheaper amp. So it's good enough. The next closest sound to a Marshall at low wattage is a Friedman Runt 20. But used they go for a grand! So i'm happy. Like i said it's just my opinion. You are certainly entitled to yours!. Thx.
@@alankotler9971 That is what I like about Marshall amps. They can cover a lot of different styles and tastes. I see some guys who may use a same model I have and EQ way different and I think to myself, that would sound horrible. But Marshall amps I think are the best at letting "you" be "you". Other amps do like one thing only and keeps the music very narrow minded. I never really would decide on what I like until I play it. You did very good by A/B ing your amp to another. I don't dislike the 15H. I can certainly get "my tone" with it. I absolutely agree with you on the clean ch being better on the 15H. No questions there. When I got the FX loop mod done my local guy only charged about $100. What brand power tubes are you using? I noticed quite a big difference when I replaced the original TAD with JJ. The JJs gave it a lot more clean headroom and took out some of that fizziness on the ultra ch.
I totally agree. I just ordered the 20 and glad I did. But I think the clean on the 15 was too warm for the bridge pickup position. Makes me wonder if neck PU would be too muddy. Fender for the best cleans (if you can afford it)
A quick tip for DSL20HR owners. This amp definitely needs a boost, preferably one with a mid focus, such as the TS9. Or, if you do not need the loop and the separate Resonance control, just get the DSL15H, which already sounds like a mid-boosted Marshall. I have both and have done the comparison, using the same guitar, settings, cab, speaker, mic placement, etc., and found that when the DSL20HR is boosted, it sounds almost identical to the DSL15. Without the boost, the DSL20HR sounds a bit too scooped and tubby to be useful for home recording.
@@2550marshall Sweet. I have a DSL15C Combo, I love it but it does not have the hard growl sound, I have ordered the DSL20C Combo based on your demo. I will let you know how I get on ... 🙂
@@2550marshall Hi there, my DSL20 combo landed but the tone is not good. There is a very boxy honk from it and a very fizzy thin sound. No body or bass. Did you have any hiss or hum from the DSl20 when all the pots are down?
6v6 is always gonna have a better clean than an el34. You don't buy el34 amps for the cleans if you're looking to get fender sparkle. The DSLs always come biased wayyyyy too hot from the factory. I've never understood that.
@@mad4669 I bought a Marshall for clean tones and distortion. That's the purpose of a dual channel amp... to be a clean channel and a dirt channel in one amp. That's why the DSL15H is a special amp. It can give you both Fender clean on the green channel and Marshall drive on the red channel. The best of both worlds.
ever listened to a hiwatt? each tube will definitely sound a bit different (even the same tube designation but from different brands, or different times), but i think most of the tone comes from the preamp, the tone controls, and the overall circuit of the amp; rather than the tubes, per se. o and the speaker. people sleep on it, but different speakers can make the same amp sound COMPLETELY different.
2550marshall Good to know. I'm on the fence about this one. I need a Marshall tone, definitely need el34s, and 20 watts is probably ideal. I'm just concerned about not getting a good clean live. I have a deluxe reverb I use now, but sucks when hit with distortion. Wish someone would combine a fender clean and a Marshall OD channel. Mesa boogie comes close but I'm not looking to spend 2k for a good mesa. Overall, are you happy with this amp? I wonder if there's a speaker out there that can make the clean sound warmer... Are those v30s in that cab? Sorry for all the questions. I really appreciate the response! And I would kill for a working jmp1
Felix Blacksher IMHO, the 20HR does not have a good clean. I like the 15H better for the clean tones. The higher wattage 40CR and 100HR have the better clean CH ( they have the 2nd voicing per CH ). The JMP-1 is probably what you want :) I have a lot of Marshalls but use them primarily for power amps. The JMP-1 has the best clean ch and is so versatile. The only other Marshall I have owned that was as good was a 6100LE. Those are hard to find and can be very expensive when worked on. Marshall just can not get it right on the 20 watt head??? The 15H would have been perfect if it had EL34s and an FX loop. But, there are guys who don't like the EQ change from clean to dirty. So, I guess they pleased some guys on this version. So, off I am like I have been for a very long time......JMP-1 into a Marshall head as a power amp! BTW, the 20HR is a nice low wattage power amp. It is better than the mini Jubilee and the Origin 20....lots better! The speakers were Marshall G12 Vintage.
2550marshall Thanks for the reply! Very informative. I agree completely with Marshall always leaving one deal breaker in every low wattage amp. I also have to say that about fender amps too. It's like they have some secret agreement not to create the perfect amp so as not to monopolize the market. Lol. The fender bassbreaker45 is a KILLER amp but lacks an fx loop when every other el84 model in that line has one. I mean...wtf. I'm really starting to reconsider the JMP. I just may do that. The 40 is something I'm gonna also get a second look at, even if I can't crank it at home. Thanks again for responding!
@@LeviBulger the DSL15H is what you're looking for. It uses 6V6s so it has the Fender sound on the clean channel and the Marshall tone in the gain channel. You'll need to do some mods to the gain channel to tame it but the clean channel is very Fendery. I own both the DSL15H and a vintage blackface 1965 Princeton Reverb and the clean channel of the DSL15H sounds exactly like my vintage hand wired Princeton. I was shocked. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference blind folded. The DSL15H is the best of both worlds as it gives you both Fender tones and Marshall tones in one amp. I don't even play my Princeton Reverb anymore no kidding.
at 10:45 - the comparison of 6v6 vs el34. Tone of these amps has ZERO effect of the power valves. Its how they implemented them. Low volt/cathode bias el34 vs normal Marshall fixed bias normal voltage 6v6. Also, the circuits are a bit different.
I'm not sure if they modded the amp, or put lower gain tubes in it, but... It's fine. LIke... Not a nu-metal amp at all. The green channel barely distorts. Red is classic Marshall... I'm just say'in...
So open her up and see what tubes are in the preamp section. Stock, they'd all be 12AX7's. I put an ECC823 in the first slot to cool the red channel without affecting the green.
The third demo of this amp and the third time i have to write the exact same words: tune your guitar before shooting a demo! Or clarify that you didn't tune it in the beginning of the video, so the audience has a chance to stop watching..... and you also didn't it with those amps: there is no clean channel. It is called Dual Super Lead with reference to an older Marshall Amp with the same words in the name.. and the channel is called "Classic gain", not "Bread and Butter Blackface Clean"...
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I actually bought a used dsl 15h last week despite trying the newer version as it reminded me of the 1959 Plexi Super Lead head i used to own. i originally sold that head to buy my Gibson N225, i really miss that amp and the cab that accompanied it but the Gibson became my main guitar which i have a unbreakable connection with from my first sighting of it despite having acquired a genuine cream 1956 fender strat with a rebuilt neck but thats another subject. I have tried many amps, Marshall jvm, MG 100, Class 5, fender blues deluxe, bassman and champion 100 twin combo. Orange Micro terror (far too much crunch) and tiny terror, mesa boogie express plus 5 and the legendary vox AC30 (loved it but not the right sound for me). Ive owned a marshall 1959 plexi super lead head with a 1972 2x12 "2045" cabinet, orange crush 20 and yamaha tr5 before now returning to proper amps (Valves) with my DSL 15H with a 1991 1x12 "1912" cabinet.
Yes most people rave about the heavy lead sound of the 20 but people forget that the Marshall sound is not just overdriven screaming but also beautiful crunchy blues as well (eric clapton and gary moore springs to mind). The dsl 15h is far superior in my own experience compared to the fender bassman and blues deluxe soundwise with a Gibson p90 setup and the "56" fender strat for a crunchy but smooth blues sound
Also If anyone reading this knows of a Rare 1972 2045 marshall 2x12 cab for sale (In UK) please message me as im desperately after one to go with my DSL 15H
So I posted my comments 6 months ago on ownership of both the 20H and 15H.
The 20H has now been sold as the clean was continually disappointing and could not compete with the 15H which has a clean so rich and full.
I also picked up a DSL100H for $400 with a set of new tubes fitted and biased and love it.
It has some real girth at low or high volume and really nice cleans and red channels.
i like the darker sounds of the 15,,
I bought a DSL15C a few years ago and was VERY impressed with the clean channel. Its sooo clear and full up there with something from Fender. The gain channel however was an unmitigated disaster as it sounded like a little black box full of bees. As has been said in the below comments the gain channel is unusable for the most part. I did change my tubes and speaker but the transformation came from the mods that have been featured of a few vids if you search them out under DSL15C mods. It invloved changing some board components and as the poster mentioned in his video about being on OD1 instead of OD2. Changing the tubes alone has resulted in taking away the attributes that make the clean channel sound so nice in order to tame the ultra gain channel. There is also a kit sold online that adds an effects loop to the DSL15C or H depending on what you have. My 15 sounds great now, up there with the JVM.
EL84 vs EL34. EL84 is not good idea for Marshall amps. I have two DSL (head and combo) and I love them.
IDK if you still have it, but replacing the V1 tube with a JJ ECC823 keeps the characteristics of the clean channel, while drastically reducing the gain of the drive channel. The ECC823 is a 12AX7 on the half the green channel uses, and a 12AU7 on the red channel, it made my red channel far more usable, now just sounding like the green channel with a volume boost in front of it.
i really like the distortion of the 20. a lot.
good demo.
15’s Clean channel is the definite winner, and has amazing tonal range.
15’s gain channel is also a lot richer, and has nice singing/driving edge to it. 20 shows definite less range here.
The 15 “sings” compared to the rawer 20.
Could be due to the extra preamp-tube in the 15.? (4vs 3).
I had them both…. 2 full different amps… I sold them both and bought one jcm800 studio classic….. Neverending happiness!)))
The DSL 15 with pedals is great
DSL15H all the way
Both great little amps. I have a 15 H and I like it better than my rectifier, xxx, and 5150. Maxon ST9 pro plus boost.
Bob, check out this mod. ruclips.net/video/ewx4U5Hiv5I/видео.html
Like the 15H better, 20 to ice picky for me. On distoration 15H can turn down distoration, I have no problems with it. Cleans are great.
Got an used Marshall DSL15c. The gain was pretty unusable. I ended up changing the first two preamp tubes, with a 5751 in the V1 and a ECC82 in the V2. Tried it with a Celestion Greenback I instaled in a Laney...wow!! What a difference. The speaker never went out of the Marshall
I grabbed the DSL15h for $200 I like the loop, reverb and standby switch on the 20 but I prefer the sound of the 15 w the 6v6s. I also yanked the TADs out of mine... tested a pair of Tung Sol, Sovetek and EHX tubes. Stuck w the EHX for the time being. The EHX tubes brought the clean tone into the realm of my Mesa Fillmore head so its great as a pedal platform.( lack of loop sucks). Mainly use the 15 as a throw and go practice rig w a 1x10 Rivers Custom cab and Eminence Cannabis Rex.
15 for clean with the JJ's and the 20 for drive IMO
Thanks for the review. I own both models as well and was going to sell the 15H but discovered that they coexist.
My 15H with any guitar has a clean channel that is right up there as very good compared to lots of other brands.
Certainly one of the better best I have heard on a Marshall...in fact I love it..it's that good in my opinion.
The gain was never a disappointment for me with the 15H...but damn there was a lot of it..but I fixed that with a half gain JJ in P1 and it is so much more usable and leans more now as a OD1 than its previous red out over the top OD2.
The new 20H certainly has a thinner clean which lacks a depth and fullness compared to the 15H and its distorts much more easily once past 9am unlike the 15H which you can run hard before break up.
For my ears the gain channel on the 20H is warmer,less compressed and a bit more up front and whilst not better than the 15H is now my preferred between the 2 models.
Lastly my initial impression is that the 15h is a louder amp on both the clean and gain channel..but I could/will be proven totally wrong when I get the chance to really crank the 20H.
So for me the next amp that Marshall should make is to have all of the 20H features but with the 15H clean channel...then it would be perfect.
You could not go wrong with either..but that clean channel on the 15H is a hard habit to break.
BTW..Just subscribed as I have been a silent watcher..but digging your uploads.
I couldn't agree more with your comment. Exactly as I hear them as well!
So i have lived with the DSL20h for a few weeks now and I wanted to say the gain on this for me is so so good.
The other great thing about the gain channel is that the louder you go the more it bites in and gets real depth and chunk without going harsh. A 10 out of 10 for me. The clean I have grown to like but it is not in the same fullness or class of the 15H ..BUT IF I HAD TO HAVE ONE AMP NOW i WOULD TAKE THE 20H as the gain for me is everything a Marshall should be.
I run both amps through a Orange 4 x12 Vintage 30 Cab.
I like my 15 best with the 1960AX cab. I have an Orange cab as well and I like it but I prefer the Greenbacks.
Cleans without a doubt to the 15, dirty without a doubt to the 20.
I was shocked with the difference in clean tones with the 15 sounding much warmer. I normally like a brighter tone but the 15 there sounded beautiful, totally different from the 20. I have been thinking about grabbing the 20 since before they were available as I had/have no interest in the origin but was waiting a bit before I purchased. I just sold my dsl40c because it was too much for my house. I may pick up the head tomorrow but I am iffy as I have two 12" cabs with V30s that are not totally broken in and afraid it will be too harsh. Thank you for the video was very informative. Take care. I forgot to ask if a tube swap in the 20 would shape the tone more?
Yes, like any Marshall, a tube swap can make a difference. The 15 here sounds sooo much different with JJs than the stock TADs. I have tried several different power tubes in the 20. I think I prefer the Mullard right now but that could change :)
I had Marshall DSL15C and now i have DSL20CR... in my opinion 15 is better for warmer clean and crunch, 20 for overdrive... 20's 1st channel is too bright and sharp, 15's 2nd channel is overgained, very harsh and fizzy. I like 20 more, more options, standby, much better sounding at low output setting... But 15 is very good amp too.
Well I bought the dsl20h and I returned it after a couple of weeks. I was not crazy about it and the clean channel could be really bright without tweaking so for me as a two channel amp it would not cut it. The drive just seemed dull to me as well. I owned the dsl40 in the past and loved it but it was just too loud for my home and that had to be loud to get it's full tone.
If they could put last generations dsl40 in a 20w head that would be nice. The construction especially the channel buttons seems weak. Ah well. For now since I cannot find a low watt head for about 1k I like I bought a katana head for a great price on ebay. Saving for possibly a rectoverb, mark v, or might grab a supersonic.
Sorry it didn't work out for you. Have you tried just using a reactive load box? I am a big Marshall fan but have never really found an amp that I was totally satisfied with. That is why I use a JMP-1 preamp into a DSL as a power amp. Nothing better than having 100 channels of Marshall tone. I really wish Marshall would either do a reissue of the JMP-1 or maybe a modern update to it. Using a 20 year old preamp is kinda scary.
Im using pro headphones... and amazingly can hear superb large vehicles moving behind my head ! you live near a highway it seems
I think I’m sold on the 20! El34 for the win!
the 15 sounds dark because it has tons of negative feedback (22k at 16ohms) more than a fender, it's a great amp to mod
The dsl15 has one more tube in the signal path. So it has more gain out of the box. The signal path of the dsl 15 is really all tube, the dsl 20 doesn't ( 1IC and 2 transistors in the path). Hey dude, why are you so obsessed about a fx way ? All early Marshalls dont't have one.
You shouldn't feel the need to apologize for talking too much. I've done it in the past on one of my videos, maybe two! But the dickheads who complain NEVER have any videos on their channels. Lame. If they want less talking, more detailed descriptions, whatever..then let them make their own videos. Create your content, and be content with your content! Thank you for posting this video!! I found your video because I'm thinking of buying a Marshall MX212AR and a DSL15H used, asking price is $500 and they look very clean.
I bought a NOS DSL15H for dirt cheap price... run it on a Mesa Boogie slant cab... who complains about gain has no idea how to use two things 1. The distortion dial on the amp and 2. The volume control on the guitar.... GUYS... Guitars are not designed to just run on full volume.
I like the 15 watt more. But how can you boost volume for soloing? Is possible set the red channel higher for soloing without too much difference in tone between the 2 channels?
definitely different in the clean department (I liked the 15 as well but maybe a tube change in the 20 would help) you can always turn "shimmer" down but if you don't start with it, you'll hate it. Definitely the 20 for everything else, just "more there" plus reverb and the effects loop, which is always a must for me.
Reverb is not necessary. You can put a reverb pedal in the effects loop. Not having an effects loop is annoying.
Based on youtube audio quality, these two sound amazingly similar... I just bought a 15H because they are on clearance. Hope it amazes me. Never had a 6V6 amp before, so... Here's to trying new things. CHEERS!
Tone Junky not with the ultra gain channel... it will be way too much for your liking. Ive had one, and ended up selling it,
Dammit.... I should have it this week. I'll know in about 30 seconds if it's getting returned or not.
Just played it for a couple hours... Not too much gain for me. VERY articulate. Let me put it this way... My Fender BJ sounds pretty Marshall and this 15H sounds like a high gain Fender. lol. They should have used EL84's instead of 6V6 IMHO. I use stock puckups as well, so that may be why I'm not complaining about too much gain? It has about the same amount of gain as my 88 Marshall 3203, but more articulate. Not sure if I'll keep it or not yet...
Before you give up on the 15 I highly suggest trying some JJ power tubes in it. Also check the bias and set it cooler if it is too hot. Mine turned into a different animal after doing the tube swap and bias.
Another disadvantage of 15H is the lack of FX loop. Basically you can't use modulation pedals correctly.
thank you for the comparison. it appears that you don't really get much of a difference between the two amps. I have the 15c. It is not an amp that is usable for gigs. The ultra gain channel is
not usable for much of anything other than hiss and noise. I am very disappointed with the 15c but the 20hr doesn't seem to do anything better. at least not enough of a difference to replace one with the other. On the other hand, I have a 15 watt Egnater Tweaker that rocks the world. (6L6 tubes). I suppose that the transformers might be the difference between an amp that can be used at a show and one that is for the bedroom. in the end, I wish that I had gone with a different amp other than the Marshall DSL 15c.
Jake Smith this video doesn’t do it justice. No offense to 2550marshall. The difference is night and day between the two. The 15h/15c is basically a marshall with a clean channel and fuzz channel. The 20hr is actually usable through the gain range and can get every Marshall sound from JTM,plexi,800 and current dsl high gain. You’ve got to actually play one to hear and feel the difference. Your best bet if you don’t want to buy a 20h, is mod your 15. It’s a simple swap of three components and gives you the lead 1 channel of the dsl40c. You’ll have a decent gigging amp after that.
I think the 15 sounds better. The 20 has better features. I wish the 15 had reverb or an fx loop.
The 20 reverb also not that useful enough its a digital reverb but not a good 1. Might as well just buy any pedal u like but agree on the effects loop part.
They have different volumes on drive channel. Because of that it seems that 20 sounds better and warmer. It's not true. They sound the same.
I had a problem with mine when using my looper through the fx loop. If looping a clean track and switching to Ultra for a lead the volume dropped way down. When looping a dirty phrase and switching to the classic channel the loop got way loud! Anyone else? I was playing the dsl 20hr.
you have to re-engage then shut off the footswitch. for some reason it engages the loop on every time you shut down with it on.
Same sound. The other amp just needed to be turned up.
I thought that the EL-34 was a misprint at only 20w.
Two EL-34s usually= 40-50w.
The new Studio series mini Superlead, Silver Jube, and JCM 800 also run a pair of EL34 at just 20 watts max.
Two EL34 do output 45-50 watts like you say. But that is their clean headroom. Overdriven they can output way more. My JMP 50 1987 replica can overload a Two Notes reactive load box rated for 100 watts max. I am guessing it's so powerful because of the nice transformers in it (Marstran). I am going to tame it somehow, so a reactive load can cope. I have no choice, because I can not run a speaker cab here. Either a master volume, or a voltage drop, kind of like how Marshall get these down to 20 watts.
@@aquilarossa5191 That's good information. I didn't know the JMP 50 could pass that much power.
Just bought the DSL 15. But relizing no effects loop thinking returning for the 20 HR. I love the clean on the DSL 15. Is the 20HR clean good enough? Seems like the 20HR with reverb , effects loop make a difference.
Hello again. I would really like your opinion please. I have the 15h. Love the clean and the overdrive once MV at 5 sounds great. However no effects loop. I get put one in though. But G.C has some used DSL20HR's and i wouldn't have to modify them. I played a 20CR. (combo) Sounded like crap. I tried it with a vintage 30 speaker didn't like it.
Since doing this vid, I have put an FX loop in the 15H. I also got a Bogner 212c with M65 Creambacks. This made a huge difference in how I perceive each of these amps. I now prefer the DSL 20HR way more than the 15H. The 15H with JJ power tubes does still have a better (cleaner) clean channel with more headroom. But, I mostly live on the ultra ch and the 20HR is just way better with creamback speakers. The best way to describe the tone is "thick & tasty". BTW, I think the 15H sounds it's best with greenback speakers. The 1960BV cab in this vid with the vintage speakers is my least favorite cab with any of my amps.
@@2550marshall Thank you for the reply. I really appreciate it. I was going to put the FX Loop in the 15H too. It's a shame there is no way to test these amps side by side without buying both.
@@2550marshall G.C had one. I tested it against my DSL 15. (This is just my opinion.) The DSL 20 sounded very compressed on Ultra gain, there was no Marshall siz that pierces your ears. that's what cuts through a band mix. The DSL 15 is thin sounding until get MV to 4. But it had the deep switch to play very low which I like. The clean channel on DSL 20 is just unusable. Sounds so tinny. I was truly disapointed. I need a clean tone and the DSL 15's is fantastic! Once i get the DSL 15 to about 5 MV it screams Marshall tone. Plus I paid less than $300. Putting in an FX Loop. Oh well, like you said, each Marshall has one great feature but lacking another. But it's a cheaper amp. So it's good enough. The next closest sound to a Marshall at low wattage is a Friedman Runt 20. But used they go for a grand! So i'm happy. Like i said it's just my opinion. You are certainly entitled to yours!. Thx.
@@alankotler9971 That is what I like about Marshall amps. They can cover a lot of different styles and tastes. I see some guys who may use a same model I have and EQ way different and I think to myself, that would sound horrible. But Marshall amps I think are the best at letting "you" be "you". Other amps do like one thing only and keeps the music very narrow minded. I never really would decide on what I like until I play it. You did very good by A/B ing your amp to another. I don't dislike the 15H. I can certainly get "my tone" with it. I absolutely agree with you on the clean ch being better on the 15H. No questions there. When I got the FX loop mod done my local guy only charged about $100. What brand power tubes are you using? I noticed quite a big difference when I replaced the original TAD with JJ. The JJs gave it a lot more clean headroom and took out some of that fizziness on the ultra ch.
Man that 20 watt eats the 15 watt for breakfast..who buys Marshall's for clean tones ??
I totally agree. I just ordered the 20 and glad I did. But I think the clean on the 15 was too warm for the bridge pickup position. Makes me wonder if neck PU would be too muddy. Fender for the best cleans (if you can afford it)
100%!!! How did he think the distortion was on par with the 15 😂 that’s next level
Ur right man no one buy amp for clean tone
BTW. ... thanks for NOT playing even ONE NOTE of LEAD on these superb amps made for LEAD tones !!!
A quick tip for DSL20HR owners. This amp definitely needs a boost, preferably one with a mid focus, such as the TS9. Or, if you do not need the loop and the separate Resonance control, just get the DSL15H, which already sounds like a mid-boosted Marshall. I have both and have done the comparison, using the same guitar, settings, cab, speaker, mic placement, etc., and found that when the DSL20HR is boosted, it sounds almost identical to the DSL15. Without the boost, the DSL20HR sounds a bit too scooped and tubby to be useful for home recording.
I have a Blackstar Ht40 Mkii. Great amp but the mrs screams at me if I put any such volume on it. Would the DSL 20 be a better option for me?
You just need to buy a good attenuator then you could even play a 100W amp at bedroom volume
How are you running two heads through the same cab? Is it a stereo cab with 2 speakers per amp? Thank you.
Yes, stereo cab.
@@2550marshall Sweet. I have a DSL15C Combo, I love it but it does not have the hard growl sound, I have ordered the DSL20C Combo based on your demo. I will let you know how I get on ... 🙂
@@2550marshall Hi there, my DSL20 combo landed but the tone is not good. There is a very boxy honk from it and a very fizzy thin sound. No body or bass. Did you have any hiss or hum from the DSl20 when all the pots are down?
I prefer the tone of the 20 watt version by a long shot!
Well that took forever before i heard the amps
6v6 is always gonna have a better clean than an el34. You don't buy el34 amps for the cleans if you're looking to get fender sparkle.
The DSLs always come biased wayyyyy too hot from the factory. I've never understood that.
Felix Blacksher who the hell buys a Marshall for clean tones?
@@mad4669 I bought a Marshall for clean tones and distortion. That's the purpose of a dual channel amp... to be a clean channel and a dirt channel in one amp. That's why the DSL15H is a special amp. It can give you both Fender clean on the green channel and Marshall drive on the red channel. The best of both worlds.
ever listened to a hiwatt? each tube will definitely sound a bit different (even the same tube designation but from different brands, or different times), but i think most of the tone comes from the preamp, the tone controls, and the overall circuit of the amp; rather than the tubes, per se. o and the speaker. people sleep on it, but different speakers can make the same amp sound COMPLETELY different.
I have 4 marshalls and love them all But lets here the budda siting there ha ha
What good is a comparison if you've modified the tubes??
It's a common practice to roll some tubes in an amp. Stock tubes are usually not very good.
Is there a foot switch on the haze for channel switching?
Neither of these amps are a "Haze", sorry I don't know.
As said, these are not Haze amps, but yes there is a single foot switch for channel switching
Marshall utlra gain is amazing. Id love to hear how it sounds with just a little push from an overdrive pedal.
It sounds awsome 👍
Did the ht20 have stock tubes? I'm sorry if I missed that in the video.
No, Svetlana EL34s. The stock were JJ and I usually like JJ, but, not in this amp. They were to bassy sounding.
2550marshall
Good to know. I'm on the fence about this one. I need a Marshall tone, definitely need el34s, and 20 watts is probably ideal. I'm just concerned about not getting a good clean live. I have a deluxe reverb I use now, but sucks when hit with distortion. Wish someone would combine a fender clean and a Marshall OD channel. Mesa boogie comes close but I'm not looking to spend 2k for a good mesa.
Overall, are you happy with this amp? I wonder if there's a speaker out there that can make the clean sound warmer...
Are those v30s in that cab? Sorry for all the questions. I really appreciate the response!
And I would kill for a working jmp1
Felix Blacksher
IMHO, the 20HR does not have a good clean. I like the 15H better for the clean tones. The higher wattage 40CR and 100HR have the better clean CH ( they have the 2nd voicing per CH ). The JMP-1 is probably what you want :) I have a lot of Marshalls but use them primarily for power amps. The JMP-1 has the best clean ch and is so versatile. The only other Marshall I have owned that was as good was a 6100LE. Those are hard to find and can be very expensive when worked on.
Marshall just can not get it right on the 20 watt head??? The 15H would have been perfect if it had EL34s and an FX loop. But, there are guys who don't like the EQ change from clean to dirty. So, I guess they pleased some guys on this version. So, off I am like I have been for a very long time......JMP-1 into a Marshall head as a power amp! BTW, the 20HR is a nice low wattage power amp. It is better than the mini Jubilee and the Origin 20....lots better!
The speakers were Marshall G12 Vintage.
2550marshall
Thanks for the reply! Very informative. I agree completely with Marshall always leaving one deal breaker in every low wattage amp. I also have to say that about fender amps too. It's like they have some secret agreement not to create the perfect amp so as not to monopolize the market. Lol.
The fender bassbreaker45 is a KILLER amp but lacks an fx loop when every other el84 model in that line has one. I mean...wtf.
I'm really starting to reconsider the JMP. I just may do that. The 40 is something I'm gonna also get a second look at, even if I can't crank it at home.
Thanks again for responding!
@@LeviBulger the DSL15H is what you're looking for. It uses 6V6s so it has the Fender sound on the clean channel and the Marshall tone in the gain channel. You'll need to do some mods to the gain channel to tame it but the clean channel is very Fendery. I own both the DSL15H and a vintage blackface 1965 Princeton Reverb and the clean channel of the DSL15H sounds exactly like my vintage hand wired Princeton. I was shocked. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference blind folded. The DSL15H is the best of both worlds as it gives you both Fender tones and Marshall tones in one amp. I don't even play my Princeton Reverb anymore no kidding.
15 a bit thinner it seems....but that should be adjusted through eq.....
at 10:45 - the comparison of 6v6 vs el34.
Tone of these amps has ZERO effect of the power valves. Its how they implemented them. Low volt/cathode bias el34 vs normal Marshall fixed bias normal voltage 6v6.
Also, the circuits are a bit different.
I'm not sure if they modded the amp, or put lower gain tubes in it, but... It's fine. LIke... Not a nu-metal amp at all. The green channel barely distorts. Red is classic Marshall... I'm just say'in...
Tone Junky nobody knows which amp you're talking about.
My bad... The 15H.
So open her up and see what tubes are in the preamp section. Stock, they'd all be 12AX7's. I put an ECC823 in the first slot to cool the red channel without affecting the green.
The third demo of this amp and the third time i have to write the exact same words: tune your guitar before shooting a demo! Or clarify that you didn't tune it in the beginning of the video, so the audience has a chance to stop watching..... and you also didn't it with those amps: there is no clean channel. It is called Dual Super Lead with reference to an older Marshall Amp with the same words in the name.. and the channel is called "Classic gain", not "Bread and Butter Blackface Clean"...
...Some people´ve got problems...
@@mathiasgrun630 I'm glad you've got other problems...
Who cares about an effect loop
A lots, which people prefer to end the delay n pedal at the end of the loop, n some prefer to round a noise gate in between the loop. Which need 1
pleeeeeeeaaaaase !! stop speaking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol ;-)
The 20 sounds better in every regard, even the cleans - the 15 was/is a bucket of shit
The 15 sounded way better for cleans. The 20 sounds thin and ice picky.
The 15 crushed the 20 in cleans. Not even close sorry