Marshall DSL 50 vs DSL 20 (demo/comparison)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Marshall Amps at Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQ76JR
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[@jcwm01]

Came for the comparison, stayed for the playing. Awesome!

[@tonedriverss8629]

Best demos , best riffage ! DSL's my favorite all time amp . Had DSL50 , and a couple 100's .... after this vid , I am going to hunt for a DSL20 or 40 ! Love your channel , bro .

[@LuxTheSlav]

The 50 has that tiny bit more sparkle on the top that gives notes much better definition under heavy gain (which is the only part I'm personally interested in). It's not a mahoosive difference, but the 20 definitely sounds more muffled in the A/B test. I'm usually reluctant to call it as straight-forward as this, as I know biases and preconceptions play such a large role, but this was crystal clear, to me anyway.
Fantastic channel, by the way. True gold mine for us tone freaks.

[@brucetungsten5714]

The bigger one seems also to sound a bit "fatter".

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

I think the JCM 2000 DSL is one of the most underrated amps of all times. The cleans and crunches are great and put a boost infront of it on lead 1 and it just wants to murder things. I love that amp so much. I think the DSL 20 HR holds its own pretty well. Tubes play a role here too.
I picked up a DSL 100H for cheap a while back, just to see if it could hold a candle to my JCM 2000 DSL 100. With its stock tubes it got crushed but with the same tubes as in the JCM they are really damn close.
Great bang for the buck amps. Killer playing as usual. Thanks!

[@tannerboil6765]

I agree 100%. The JCM 2000 DSL is an outstanding amp. It probably gets over looked because it doesn't cost $2k. And Lead 1 with an OD...its doesn't get any better then that. Ill put it up against Boogie, Bogner or Friedman any day.

[@joehahn8817]

@@tannerboil6765 I had a Mesa Rectoverb-25 head that I sold after I got my DSL-20HR...lol.

[@Outdoorshuntingshooting]

I agree, so I am buying everyone i see come up for sale in the UK.

[@cmurduh1]

How is it underrated when everyone says how good it is?

[@Ibanezguy2007]

doesn't Nuno also use this?

[@coreyyoung5280]

I really love the comparison videos you do. They're so incredibly useful, especially with the A/B and switching between stuff with the timecodes quickly. I have been waiting for a comparison like this a while, thank you. I would love to hear the DSL20 against some of the Orange lunchbox heads and the 6505MH at some point.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

All of that will happen in some shape or form! :) Stay tuned!

[@ianlarson1744]

So. Here's the thing? I just bought and tested the SV20H! An incredible amp for sure! All plexi all the the time!!!!!! 20 watts and more! I!!! I really couldn't ask for more considering I had a 1959 100 watt not hand wired plexi! Turning it up meant blowing the widows out of my house!! I loved this amp and always was astonished buy its tone! Way too loud! However? Here's the crux? I also have a JCM 2000 50 watt in a head to head comparison with the 20 watt 1299.99 before tax English made SV20H? Sounds the same as the the DSL 50 watt! The 50 watt version is less than 700.00? English made. If you just run it dry it sounds exactly like a plexi!

[@BrokenCompassRecords]

You did it!!! Thanks man you're awesome. I'll go with the dsl 20 for now

[@21stcenturymetal31]

Love my DSL 20 added a OD-200 get all the tones I could ever need. Awesome video and playing.

[@ianlarson1744]

I remember buying a British made Dsl 2000 50 watt not to long ago for about 500.00. On a whim, and still own and still enjoy! Everybody was downplaying this amp for a long time! I was as well. However not anymore. Remember, all new Marshall amps get a lot of crap until they don't! and then there unobtainable. The hundred watt version is everywhere currently. Not the fifty watt!! I think the twenty watt will far as well.

[@martinb8313]

God damn, that tone at 2:17 wow!!

[@ann1hel]

for crunch and the hair metal i preferred the 50, for everything else i feel like the 20 sounded way better.

[@jasonsapp792]

Just picked up a DSL 20 HR and am VERY HaPpY with it! Have owned a Runt 20 now for about 8months and the whole time have been running it with an Eq pedal in the loop....just not aggressive enough....this DSL 20 does it and more , plus the reverb ...wish I had bought the DSL 20 first

[@jprosentreter]

Hey!! I'm actually between the DSL20hr (with orange 2x12), DSL40CR, or runt 20 for a punk rock cover band...thoughts? Is the DSL20hr still holding strong?!

[@jasonsapp792]

@@jprosentreter yes it is....only thing I can say about the DSL40 is that much more grunt....the Friedman Runt is a great little amp but missing that extra gain it needs without using a pedal

[@jprosentreter]

@@jasonsapp792 yeah, my biggest concern with the Runt is that it almost sounds too refined. Maybe it's just my preference for el34s...now I need to decide 2x12 or 1x12 combo other guitar player is using a 2x12 but with a Marshall MG100hdfx. Uses his clean and gets his tone largely from Friedman BE OD pedal.

[@adedrums1408]

You always get such great recorded tones. Great demo!

[@chrismonaut]

I love that you used the Greenback IRs! I tried a DSL100 through a Standard 1960 with T75s when it was brand new and was quite underwhelmed... two years later I tried the DSL50 with an 1960AX loaded with greenbacks and I loved it. Was a big lesson for me as a kid how much the combination of head and cab matters. (and as far as marshalls go I tend to prefer the 50 watts over their 100 watt counterparts for whatever reason)
Thanks for all the great videos Jon, really enjoy them a lot!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Those IR's sound so damn good with Marshall amps! Not surprisingly of course though haha

[@tannerboil6765]

I agree on Marshall 50s over the 100s. Even back in the JCM 800 days I preferred the 50s. The JVM 50 series sound much better to me then the 100s. I am a fan of the T75s myself, never tried the Greenbacks, maybe I should.

[@mikehumphrey5]

I think you just sold the rest of the Marshall DSL 20s they ever had in stock ever.
Thanks a lot buddy you're the reason why I can't find one lol.

[@patrickflannery7263]

Exactly I'm finally going to pull the trigger and I should have done it last night before I watch this huh

[@acerob7173]

Great comparison on some if my favorite amps ever. I got an Origin 20H and a DSL40CR in my garage. Since I prefer the head with cabinet I was thinking to sell the 40cr and get one of theese two. I would go with the 20 since I gig only in small clubs and very rarely I have to bring my amp because the club already has all the equipmenst... but I don't know.. the DSL50 is more iconic to me, but maybe is too loud for my needs

[@333lefty]

If any ones over on the Brit side of the pond , there a cat selling two 2008 JCM 2000 DSL 50,s reportedly in excellent condition , for 350 pounds sterling each , but wait theres more each comes with it,s own custom made flight case included in the selling price , a footswitch , and a manual..He,s in Glasgow Scotland , and I believe his names Roddy Chrichton? Well worth the price and a look if any one over theres in the market. They are posted on Facebook Market place (thats where I saw them anyways). Nice vs. session SDS.

[@SimonMedia666]

On my cheap headphones it sounds the same :) I have DSL20 :) and I love the sound :) very aggresive yet pleasant to listen - It could be dialed in even or some oldschool death metal :)

[@joehahn8817]

I have a DSL-20H that I run into an Egnater Vengeance 4-12" slant cab.
Absolutely giggable under any circumstances!!!

[@melexdy]

Exceptional video

[@heut4384]

Very good comparison. Thanks alot.

[@adamwatson6916]

Channel A crunch mode on the DSl 50 is absolutely pristine low Gain classic Marshall.

[@juliansedor7101]

I liked the 2000 for all of them. JCM800 and JCM2000 fight each other in my brain and neither have won.

[@-Mardos]

What did you end up getting? Just curious

[@Bcwilderness]

perf balance in the mix with the 20, put a single recto over that and boom, best tone vids on the tube as usual, a pleasure to hear, cheers bud

[@Bcwilderness]

the great thing is the 20 sounds like its been passed through an api512 preamp after tracking, more mixed, which is good, by the time you notch out a few db here and there around 1k it will sit superb ready for quad tracking right there, knowhow in the mix will make this a gem :)

[@luizalbertokoehler4904]

For my use I would say that the DSL50 sounds the same 0:20 (clean) and 0:55 (crunch) as the DSL20HR 3:02 (clean) and 3:36 (crunch)

[@LoreAccurateHusky]

I just want to say that this video is the reason I've owned a DSL 50 for the past year and a half.
Honestly it's now my favorite ever Marshall amp and I couldn't be happier owning one.
I was originally looking at the DSL 15 since they went for super cheap but then I saw the DSL 20 had proper el34's and ecc83's. I was going to go with the 20 until I saw how compressed that 20 sounds against the 50. I heard that higher headroom openess on the 50 and I was immediately dead set on buying one. It was hard to find but when I got it, I loved it. It's got that Marshall sound but with so much gain on the red channel and that green channel is so glassy and thick, the best clean I've ever heard.

[@EricTViking]

The 50 has slightly more biscuit at mid ranges but I also like the latex of the 20. Be interesting to hear how both sound balanced on the edge of a formica coffee table in a room with no carpet.

[@daiganzen7794]

So I found the DSL20 a tad darker than the DSL50 but that was about it i think the 50 has little bit more sparkle at the top end but both sound killer. i would love to hear a DSL 401 Vs a DSL40CR

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yeah. I tried dialing the DSL20HR in a little brighter with some of the tones but would get more different than the DSL 50 if I went in that direction. A different kind of bright.

[@daiganzen7794]

@@SonicDriveStudio That will be how the the EQ is set up in its bell and Q possibly changing the sound really quickly. Interesting though. Still Want A DSL401 vs New DSL shoot out lol

[@tjborekvideo]

DSL50 has a smoother (cleaner) clean tone. I'm surprised by how similar they are overall. Sometimes I miss my DSL20HR. The Ultra Gain channel at moderate crunch was a good all-around rock tone that was great for soloing with a TubeScreamer in front of the amp.

[@gabrielmartintrujillo8431]

Its normal, because the box of the amp is bigger, so that there is more oxigen inside, its very important for the sound

[@adamwatson6916]

@gabrielmartintrujillo8431 I think you might by confusing the size of an amps enclosure having an effect on tone with size of an extension cabinet or the size of a combo amp . It's speaker related . A smaller extension cab will sound more boxy compared to larger one . Same goes for combo amps but for heads the size of the box makes no difference.

[@DenBoogieden]

Thank you, super awewsome review!

[@jasonladd6400]

i got a made in england 50 from 2006. does everything

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Lovely amps!

[@maxstatic]

Damn, some tasty tones out of both of them.

[@KM-302]

I've had both and gigged both. This great comparison video highlights my experiences exactly. The 50 has balls, the 20 hasn't.

[@voodoochilezee]

I have a 1999 DSL 100 JCM2000 it is my favorite amp I have even owned, and I have owned a lot of amps. Although I did replace the pcb, and output transformer, and added a choke, still I loved when I found it on CL for the $500. I am considering a DSL 20 for practice and small gigs, it is overkill to take my DSL100(and heavy)

[@tuberocker69]

The missing crunch mode on the dsl 20's classic gain channel is a real bummer.
I much prefer it, coupled with an overdrive, to the ultra gain channel.

[@guitagious9464]

Another great demo with WAY cool tunes!!!

[@celestialode]

Love your videos man and you make anything sound good! Can you do a review between Carvin Legacy 1, 2 and 3? There's isn't a decent one to be found on RUclips

[@azzazelo]

50 sounds more clear and present. But I bet if you send the preamp of the 20 into the 50 then you get basically identical tone. Meaning only the power amp is responsible for the differences heard imo

[@kmw5100]

I may get burned at the stake by the UK made marshall purists for this... but I think I like the new DSL sound better than the old JCM2000 DSL sound for high gain. It's something in the mids and treble that I like more. Maybe it's more to do with the wattage and the circuitry of the smaller amp than it being an old vs new thing, but yeah, I'm impressed with the DSL20H.

[@joehahn8817]

It's always possible that the lower wattage transfers to higher cooking temps on the power tubes. That could be the sweetness you're hearing.

[@Marshall_EL34]

I think your hearing the cathode bias. Richer in harmonics, sweeter, more sustain, a lil bit of a vlass a vibe to it.

[@KG-wp6gh]

I think the DSL50 sounds better overall.

[@danc3746]

I agree on the 50 sounding better. Better off picking up a used 50 for the extra 100 bucks. I have one already but looking to pick up the 20 for grab and go rehearsals and small gigs.

[@KG-wp6gh]

@@danc3746 I still have that fear of buying a Marshall made outside of England. :-)

[@danc3746]

@@KG-wp6gh I hear ya...that's why it's only 500 bucks. If it were made in England its 900.

[@robk7091]

@@KG-wp6gh as reviewed here the JCM2000 dual super lead models were made in the UK. The reissued DSL was made in Vietnam.

[@robk7091]

@@danc3746 as reviewed here the JCM2000 dual super leads were made in the UK. The reissued DSL's were made in Vietnam.
Buy a JCM2000 50w, 100w, 401 or 201 combo.

[@HiMyNameIsJonathan]

Channel b lead mode 1 at the beginning gave me Motley Crue vibes

[@acerob7173]

I got the DSL40CR (combo) and I really regret that ther is no head. It would have perfect size for everything. The 20HR I'm afraid would not fit evrey situation for the limited power, and the 100HR is definitely too big! However.... I'm thinking to build myself a custom box in order to convert the 40CR in a 40HR 😆.... I'm going to design it. Very looking forward to see my project completed!!

[@joehahn8817]

It is kind of fucked up that they didn't give a more mid-powered head option isn't it???

[@Rochester92G]

The 20HR has limited power??..what are you, trying to rock a huge stadium?

[@acerob7173]

@@Rochester92G no, I was referring to clean headroom. I used the dsl20 once at rearshall and the clean became dirty at very low volumes. For rock and hard rock the dsl20 can be ok and is very loud in small/medium places, but if you need good cleans for funk you must go with other amps. Even the Blackstar HT20 has more clean headroom (clean voice 1) because is a different animal. The Dsl40 has more headroom but the clean clean is still tin with a drop volume between clean and crunch. In fact is better using thr crunch with low gain cleaning with the volume of the guitar. I ended picking a Fender hot rod deluxe III for the pristine clean, leaving the rock to the Marshall.

[@Rochester92G]

@@acerob7173 ah ok. Sounds like that's better for what you're doing. Also, thanks for the info.

[@adamwatson6916]

@joehahn8817 they should have done a DSL 50Hr or offer a head version of the DSl 40CR

[@paternuin]

Very very similar. I think I hear a more organic sound from the DSL20. It may be the EQ though

[@billycribb4983]

Any way possible i can get a tab for 80s metal part?

[@ventsislavdosev]

I am waithing for demo with new Gibson custom and dsl50 :)

[@danc3746]

GREAT job once again! I cant believe you posted this today as I am looking to buy the DSL 20 head. I also have the DSL 50 and absolutely LOVE IT. This video shows how great the DSL 50 is and what it is capable of...outstanding classic Marshall tone. I loved the fact that you also use the Tone Shift as well as the Deep switch because many never do. As you have shown when dialed up right with those two options engaged, it will deliver classic Judas Priest/Iron Maiden/early Metallica tones. Add an OD to the 50w and its even better, but as your video proves, its not necessary. I love the 20w tones you were getting also, you convinced me to buy it. Question...as far as the Ultra Gain channel on the 20, which gain option would you say it sounds more like on the DSL 50w?...Lead 1 or Lead 2? Or is it a combo of both? Thanks!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Hard to say.... I guess a combo of both!

[@danc3746]

@@SonicDriveStudio Did you happen to have the Tone Shift on for the 80s Hair Metal tone? It sounds and looks like it is on from the settings image.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@danc3746 it's only on during the heavy rock clip

[@acerob7173]

the tone seems very close, the difference is in the position of volume pot, DSL50=3 DSL20=7 to get same volume. in the end the question is, 50 or 20 ? regardless the need of more or less power...

[@IDN2369]

Thank you

[@MarkCoffin]

Damn. Out here selling me gear again. Great video as usual man, I appreciate your reviews and demos. You really know how to get some great tones and your playing is super tight. Did you, or do you play drums? Keep rocking.

[@ferpetrucci]

The clean channel on the dsl20hr is not very good, in a live situation where you need to crank it past noon it sounds too distorted. I really miss the jcm2000 dsl100 :/

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It sounded really good but I didn't get the chance to really crank it here. Through the LB-2 loadbox it sounds really nice and spanky!

[@jamesm5744]

Try a compressor if you're missing clean headroom live.
I find the 20w with a good 1/12 is plenty loud. But I do use a compressor

[@peterjonstefan2926]

I cant seem to find the speaker being used if it was posted??? btw the 20 sounds great and is a great price as well.

[@Adrianxmusic]

One of the best demos of new DSL20HR and great comparison. I see you also have Laney IRT60. Could you do a comparison between IRT60 and DSL50? That could be interesting, cuz they are similar in futures, but Marshall price is a little higher than Laney. I was chose between them, and I bought the Laney, cuz was cheaper than Marshall, and IRT have a wattage reduction.

[@ventsislavdosev]

Mega cool sound

[@user-ds2ij2lv4f]

from Russia with love💪💪💪💪👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@spyware1100]

Hi. How did you record the DSL20? Emulated out, or fx send? Also i've read that in standby you can record silently. Is that true?

[@tomvaisar6331]

Interesting, DSL 20HR sounds more High Def. DSL 50 (JCM 2000) has more beef and typical mushy sizzle that some love but others hate. Both sound good and sit well in the mix.

[@jaychen2000metal]

1. Yeah i just never loved Marshall except maybe the jcm 2000
2. Nice orange git at the end of the vid

[@joschelei262]

Dsl 50 is smoother, crunchier, not as bass resonance heavy as the 20, the 20 sounded a little drier, like a Blackstar. Though I preferred the sound of the 50, the 20 isn't t to shabby either.

[@allrightasa]

very close sound

[@mjr2470]

They both sounded great. The 20 sounded a little more transparent mixing single notes in. I like both. Would the TSL make a difference if it were in the comparison?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Never tried a TSL so I can't say...

[@shawnreese6538]

the 20's tone stack is better. the 50 has about 10% more headroom. that's how i'm hearing it. both really good, some better at some things than others.

[@ericritter228]

Interesting. Both sound good to me, different, but good. I'm curious what the 20 would sound like if it were modded to take 6V6s?

[@nylonsteel]

The Cleans are better on the 50 but gain wise I could take either

[@ladislavmalak444]

Is it just me, or the DSL20 is less "scratchy" in the distorted territory?

[@guitarlover8833]

Anyone know if either of these would be good for a modern pop punk tone (i.e. four year strong, state champs, the story so far, new found glory)? The bands I mentioned use either orange or50, rockerverb, mesa/boogie dual rec, and/or a jcm 800, 900.

[@Juicexlx]

All DSL can give you a Plexi sound. They can do similar tones as the JCM800/JCM900, but you're not going to get a Mesa Boogie or an Orange tone with a Marshall. You have to decide which you prefer. Most Punk was historically played on Fender amps and Marshall amps. Read: www.premierguitar.com/articles/Maximum_Energy_The_Gear_of_the_Original_Punks_

[@guitarlover8833]

@@Juicexlx So then in your honest opinion, could that DSL20HR get anywhere near jcm 800/900 tones? Or even the jcm800 mini? Cause I've played the mini and absolutely loved it. It definitely needed a boost in front of it though, not a lot of Gain on tap. I mean for $500 (dsl20) I wouldn't mind throwing something in front of it to get even closer.

[@FlightSimDude]

On the Marshall DSL 20 are you going direct using IR's or are you using the emulated out , is that speaker emulated or mic emulated or both ?
The Marshall DSL 20 sounds better than I thought it would ?
I am looking to upgrade my sound from a Bugera 1990 .
I am using a Torpedo Two note Captor 16 ohm as a load box and speaker IR going direct into my audio interface and my DAW . Bugera 1990 is not the sound I want .

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Loadbox and IRs

[@FlightSimDude]

@@SonicDriveStudio What does the the emulated out sound like ?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@FlightSimDude no idea

[@dbo4506]

In demos and recording the new DSL sound awesome. But playing them they feel rubbish. I don’t know how to explain it other then feel. I want to love them. But I can’t. It sounds like the gain sits on top of the dry signal if that makes sense....

[@cmurduh1]

None of that makes sense….. at all

[@louaguado995]

All you really needed was the last part comparison

[@adiethammett91]

What speakers and size did you use on the dsl20?

[@sebastiancordero237]

Is it that hard for youtube channels to do reviews like this?

[@dickieradd]

I bought that JCM 2000 used for around $650 without knowing anything. Is it considered a good amp? Are you able to make it sound modern metal? Drop C stuff?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Check the amp out here: trib.al/wHGCf4c

[@joehahn8817]

@@SonicDriveStudio that shit sent me to a link about meteors man!!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@joehahn8817 lol. OK, don't know what went wrong there

[@kotymccallister5150]

I don't hear much of a difference lol. maybe a tad bigger sounding on the 50

[@iseeu-fp9po]

Was thinking the exact same thing. Maybe a bit less lower mids on the 20 as well?

[@kmw5100]

@@iseeu-fp9po It certainly sounds so, which I think is what's drawing me to the 20 here, I don't like as much low mids in my sound, I like the grittier high mid presence sound the 20 has

[@zajefajnylogin]

How to make bass tone like at the beginning?

[@-jk-2580]

Dsl 50 sounds much better!

[@alexdenton6586]

Can you tell us why ?

[@itsloveharry7276]

May I know how you record the guitars?

[@Cougar139tweak]

Picture in Picture should show the faces of your neighbors while demoing each amp.....

[@paulkielt9301]

All tracks are doubled or lost into the mix... it's very hard to get an idea!

[@kebabtrespiler]

DSL20 is NOT a JCM2000!!! DSL with "JCM2000" and DSL without "JCM2000" are TWO DIFFERENT SERIES!!!

[@joehahn8817]

You can come close to the JCM tones with a DSL but you can't get DSL tones with a JCM.
That is definitely not a knock on the JCM line as it's arguably their best line. For hard rock/metal at least.
For those of us who can only dream of owning $2000 amplifiers a sub $1000 Marshall that's all tube is a big deal!!
A six-band eq/boost in the loop works wonders for getting that Marshall JCM magic out of a DSL.

[@stevenaustin4591]

JCM2000 - How is that a DSL??!?!

[@cmurduh1]

They are boat dsl

[@stevenaustin4591]

@@cmurduh1 That's what DSL stands for? Duel Super Lead? Why is is called a JCM2000 then?

[@redcomn]

So what the ir was it based on speaker.

[@ianlarson1744]

Why do they keep reissuing this amp?

[@joehahn8817]

Because it sells!!!

[@Evowar05]

Any post processing done?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

no

[@Steven-zg5bq]

dsl 20 clean channel is a toy.....100dsl head till I die!