Marshall DSL Shootout 5 vs 20 - Which is right for you?
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Hard to showcase two such amazing amps...? The 20 is a bit louder and tighter but you'll have a harder time ever playing it real loud if you have neighbors. The 5 is really plenty loud unless you play with a live band. Both sound amazing and take pedals VERY well.
I own the 20 and prefer it. But the 5 is still a fun practice amp. It does a good job of boiling down the Marshall tone to the basics. I, in fact, prefer the 20 to the 40. I find 20 watts is more than enough for me.
Yep, you and me both :) I sold my 40 in order to get the 20 and it’s been great \m/ don’t miss the behemoth at all. The 20 provides a solid punch to the face in any venue!!
@@oldguyjammin9732 Yep. And I've always believed the fewer speakers the better. A 1X12 is eminently better than a 2X12, never mind a 4X12 which has always been ridiculous to me, even when I owned them. You can gig anywhere with a small combo from Madison Square Garden to the club down the road. It's all about mic placement. Or, you can go in direct if that's an option, and a lot of amps these days have a direct out connection. Whatever works best. Always trust your ears.
The DSl 5 through an extension Cabinet turns it into a completey different beast . It does not have the volume of the The dsl 40 but in terms of tone my dsl 5 with a cab sounds quite a bit better than my dsl 40 even when I use a cab with the 40 . I really like the red channel on the 5cr because it sits somewhere in between the green and red Gain levels of the until Gain channel of the 40cr
It has more drive than untra Gain green but quite a bit less drive than ultra Gain red . It's much more open and less compressed and less loose than the ultra Gain channel on the 40cr. If I turn the Gain down and the volume up on the 5cr ultra Gain it sounds like a 70s Marshall and if I lower the volume and increase the Gain it compresses and sounds like a JCM. That said my 40cr is a great sounding in its own right. I put a Creamback 65 in it and it sounds much better than with the v type. For strictly tone I like the DSL 5 the best of them all.
@@adamwatson6916 - I’d agree with most of what you’ve said :) love my dsl5! Sold the 40 and got a 20 instead so I could get the master up where it belongs and not hurt myself. The 5 is also, so darn pedal friendly that with just a few pedals you have a huge landscape of awesome tones. I also put a Creamback in my larger dsl20... really nice. Just this weekend I picked up a matching extension cab and threw a DV-77 Eminence in it - BOOM!
@@oldguyjammin9732 Yep I opted for the 20, didn't bond with it a first, but after putting a creamback 65 in it, it became a different much more tonal beast. Use it for at home and small gigs. Tonal Park is very wide!
Another consideration is the Dsl20 can be matched with a second 1x12 cab for a mini stack that’ll push ALOT of air. The DSL20 at half volume is pretty close to as loud as the DSL5 at full volume.
Always a good option for any players who need it. One cab is enough for me, which is why I dig standard 1X12 combos. For me that's the entire point of a combo. Efficiency and ease of transportation.
this is probably the most useful comments thread I've seen on a RUclips amp demo . . .
Awesome man, glad it was so helpful
I see people asking will the dsl5c keep up with a drummer? Why would you want it to is my question? I bought it so I can actually get output distortion and the speaker moving at low volume. I'm done with the plexi, hiwatt 100 it's too much. I wish I found this amp 20 year's ago. I love it and I've had Matchless to vintage plexis and also build amps. This little 5 watt is killer with plenty of bottom end and a rery useful Tone stack
I’m with you \m/ love this little gem, and anyone playing with a drummer of any volume is going to want a head/cab configuration anyway imo.
Great demo! I just tried one of these dsl5 combos at Sam Ash and man I loved it! I was able to within 30 seconds dial in a great tone. So dynamic and responsive it was hard to stop playing it.
They are really hard to be, the 5 and its older brother the 20 are both excellent.
Just tried both. The 20 sounded brighter at lower volumes, tighter and warmer. The 5 was good, cleans where good, didn't sound as good as the 20 but still good. I am thinking to get 5 and if it's not enough then 20. The people in the shop where happy I left - so loud! Love it
“Happy you left” ha ha, I love the 5. Just sold my 20 last week.
Great comparison and explanation of speaker sizes thank you
I couldnt decided so i got them both. I also got the DSL40. Yes I know Im crazy.
Atta boy!!! I ended up selling my 40 and getting the 20 and glad I did. I can get the master up decently and MAN does it kill \m/
@@oldguyjammin9732 they are GREAT AMPS, not sorry about purchasing all three, but sooner or later Im gonna have get rid of 2 of them.
Well the 40 has that crunch channel the others don’t, if the 5 had that it’s be a no brainer
@@thelowmein9143 I put a creamback on the 5 watt one it sounds really good on my opinion. Its the one I use the most because its the easiest to put in and out of the closet, i just use a distortion pedal no need for anything else.
Pure madness intro. I LOVE IT!
Hahaha, thanks Miguel - goofy fun \m/ what a great instrument we love, yes?
Yes sir! Just to say I bought the DSL 5 cr because of you, and I'm in love!! Who would believe this is 5 watts lmao.
@@Brankas - well far out man! Yep, it’s killer. If you want to add to the fun and feel the itch to do some modding, I’d recommend putting a 12” speaker in the cab and using a Mesa Flux Drive to help shape your tones.
ruclips.net/video/iEcaCPH3FdU/видео.html here’s the speaker mod link.
I fitted a british v30 12". Like you, I didn't cut out the hole, and I think this really needs to be done, otherwise you won't take full advantage of the speaker. The 10" inch is also better for rockin' at low volume than this speaker. BUT, this cranked up is fun!!
Really enjoyed that. Cheers OG!
Awesome, appreciate it Mac! Mentally prepping for the amp collection vid you suggested :)
My Marshall Haze 40 combo Rockin' Awesome Man Sounds Great Man Your DSL5 combo and the DSL 20 combo killer Man 👍 😃 😎
I had the first version of the DSL40. It had EL34 tubes. Nothing smaller did like the DSL15. SUCKED.Then the DSL line got updated, the DSL20, now with EL34s was the way to go and its perfect. But I needed lower volume so I looked at the DSL1. Forget it. Too tinny, no bass, boxy and no upgrading the speaker to something bigger. So get to the slightly bigger DSL5. WOW! You did the same thing, upgrade to a Greenback 12 inch. The tubes, never heard of them but its like 6L6s in a smaller package. Not quite as good as the DSL20(with Vintage 30) but pretty close.
I was using my dsl 5 the other day plugged into my g12h30 75hz heritage loaded 1 by 12 with my whole Lotta humbucker loaded R8 les paul and was getting some really nice 1975/1977 era page style tone . It was that dryer harder more open tone he had in 1975 I was hearing with the Gain down and the volume up and when I raised the Gain and dialed in a fuzzier tone I got that more fuzzy dirtier tone he was getting in 77 . I find getting classic rock tones is much easier with my dsl 5 compared to my dsl 40 . Although the 40 does some nice classic rock and is better for metal.
I put a 12” Greenback in my dsl (got a video of it) it’s awesome. Also, think about picking up a Mesa Flux Drive for those Marshalls... opens up yet ANOTHER luscious realm of tone \m/
so if I needed 2, would it be DSL20CR *and* DSL5CR or DSL1CR? Or just buy all of them straight away in a single shopping cart checkout?
hahaha, the DSL5 for sure and then for something bigger I’d go EVH Stealth.
@@oldguyjammin9732 oops I just checked out 20CR before seeing your reply. Soldering an fx loop volume attenuator right now, maybe it'll work. I'm looking for more versatile, as 20CR I can add another 16 ohm speaker cab to make it louder if needed
I played for a few months back in 1996 when I was 16. My friends all got guitars and my brothers friend was over and heard me… he sold me a Fender squire and a Marshall DSL (I want to say 20 but maybe 40?) it had so many knobs across the amp so it’s at least a 20. But my first pedal was a Boss FX69 DOD Grunge (1st gen) because of course everyone was after that Cobain Nirvana distortion. I got a girlfriend and had to buy her Christmas presents so I pawned everything. Took it to a local music shop and he only gave me like $90 for everything 🤦♂️. I didn’t know the value of equipment then and I broke up with her a year later. When ppl say “If you could go back in time and change… “YES! STOP RIGHT THERE. YES! I would still have that amp and pedal. My only regret… I just started playing again and I started with $170 LP-special ii w/amp kit. Then I leveled up quick learning the sublime “Santeria solo” in 3/wks! So I deserved a new axe and got the new Fender Player Plus Strat (Olympic pearl w/red tortoise pick guard) with noiseless SSS pups, rolled fretboard and locking tuners. I love that guitar and the pups are fantastic w/no hum! I currently only have a Yamaha THR10II but I joined a 3/pc 90’s punk/grunge jam band with guys at work and I need something to cut through our drummer! I’ll probably get a Katana MKII 100 but I wondering if the DSL20 would cut through our drummer and if this amp does punk/grunge distortion well?
Old guy? You ain't old at all! Lol. Anyway, thank you so much for doing this comparison! I'm looking exactly between the DSL5cr and DSL20cr. My biggest concern is that the 10" of the DSL5cr will lack bottom end/bass.. Is that true, from your experience?
Is there a difference in bottom end between the 5cr and 20cr? 🤔 Or is it negligible?
I actually would have gone Dsl1hr (head) +mx112r (cabinet), but they are out of stock at my side.
Thanks! Keep rocking, young 'old' man!
(edit) P/s: i must add that I'm currently using a MIAB pedal with my Vox ac10, and the ac10 is already very loud for my home.
The 10” is actually pretty good, especially for quieter playing and because it’s smaller and lighter with a ‘less stiff’ surround it will actually put out more bass and lower volumes than a stiffer, higher wattage 12”. Having said that, that 10” speaker will suffer a bit if you ever want to crank that 5 watts on full power mode. Without too much difficulty I slipped a 12” greenback in my 5CR and have never regretted it... it’s there when I want it. I did a video on how to do it “speaker upgrade dsl 5“ or something like that. It seems that Marshalls sound best when the masters are up past 3:00, at that level the 20Cr is pretty darn loud. I’d say there’s just more of everything with the 20 but if you can’t turn it up what’s the point. At lower to mid volumes the 5Cr kicks some serious ass and the crunch tones when you dime that master are really great. I can play as loud as I want here during the day and I can’t really get the 20 up even close to full.
GreAt video!! Thank you.
Great video!
Another outstanding video! Would an EQ, attenuator or volume pedal in the fx loop help tame the dsl20? Forgive me if you have already posted a video regarding decibel reduction while maintaining good tone on louder amps. 👍🏻✌️
No problem, thanks for asking. You could use an EQ but an even easier (and cheaper) fix is the JHS Little Black Amp Box that goes in the loop. Another item you can use is an L-pad attenuator. Their cheap as well and are hardwired in between the amp and speaker. I plan to demo one pretty soon. Thanks for coming by!
Thank you. I look forward to tips and techniques on retaining the dsl20’s great tone at lower volume.
Hello, how are you? First, your videos are amazing. Can you ask me a question? I have a doubt about the DSL5CR and DSL20CR. I play in my home studio 85% of time (more or less) and a little with my friends on a gig. My questions are; 1. Is the DSL20CR to much for a home studio, or its possible to play with low volume and good quality? 2. Is the DSL5CR is enough to play with a band on a GIG? Thank you so much.
For at home and small gigs the DSL5 KILLS. Like most Marshall amps, the master needs to be up past 1 or 2 O’Clock to sound full instead of fizzy, bu this means it’s gonna get loud. The 20 is not the best choice for at home playing and since that’s what you’re doing mostly, I’d recommend the 5. I put a 12” speaker in mine and now play it like I want to break it, ha ha. The 5 will hold it’s own is a small venue, especially plugged into a larger cab. Plus you can always mic it into the front of house PA.
@@oldguyjammin9732I see, We are a children, and these things are our toys, haha, right? Like a kids, We want always the bigger toys, and sometimes, is a trap, right? So, I apreciate your help. I'm sorry by my english. Thank you!
I have had to send 2 DSL5CR’s back to Sweetwater and I am waiting for my 3rd…the first two would randomly loose signal and it was very frustrating
Wow, that’s surprising. At least you’re dealing with SWater, right? Third time is the charm, or so they say :) good luck.
same experience on a DSL 1 . . . quality control issues - seen several comments like that on the retail websites . . .
Hey Oldguyjammin! I will get the dsl20cr. When change tubes I don't need to bias? Would I be able to put 6L6 in place of EL34?
Using 6L6 requires some extra work. No need to bias a new set of EL34s but get a matched pair when you order, and pay the extra $1 for burn in.
Hi Mate, is it ok to connect dsl5 to 4x12 marshall cab because of the impedance? The amp is 16 and bet 8.
I GUESS ---- I'm not the only one who hocked my doorknob for a greenback speaker.
Don’t think so, Greenback in the 5, Creamback in the 20 :)
@@oldguyjammin9732 ... and damn well worth it!
I have the dsl5 and I love it to 👍
Yep, it’s really great. Plenty loud on the dirt side of things. Of course there are the Blackstar folks who call me crazy but I’m convinced the DSL5 is the better amp. They take pedals SO good.
@@oldguyjammin9732 I have a helix but to be honest I don’t use it .I just love both channels 👍keep up the good work great channel
Great review. Fully agree with your assessment of pushing a 10 inch speaker vs. a 12 inch at low volumes. DSL 5 for me. Thanks!
Awesome, thanks for chiming in. Since getting my JCM I hardly play the DSL20 but still play the DSL5 a lot! Super fun amp...
Good review
What are your thoughts on the DSL vs the StageRight 15W? I've been looking at the DSL but intrigued by the cost of the Monoprice amp. I have a 100W Katana MKII head which does the high gain stuff well... been digging what I've heard from the SR 15W clean though.
Well, if clean is what you’re after you’ll probably be thrilled with the MonoP and it takes pedals very well. The Marshall “cleans” aren’t ever THAT clean, not like a Fender or even your Katana. That Katana has some killer clean stuff available as well as the gainy stuff. I find solid state amps struggle with the “in-between” edge of break up stuff and in this case the Marshall does as well. Since you have the fight gain stuff covered, try the MonoP. It’s got really low volume attenuation and a killer, real spring reverb too. Good luck
@@oldguyjammin9732 Thanks for the feedback, from all of the videos I've watched that seems to be the general census. I have the little 5W MP speaker which I like a lot. I keep it upstairs for noodling at lower volumes. That's part of the reason I'm intrigued by the Mp 15W version too. I do have a 1x12 with an eminence Man O War that I hook up to it every once in a while for bigger sound. Anyway appreciate your thoughts, keep making great videos.
I have to disagree about the dsl 5 sounding better with a ten inch speaker. With the stock ten inch speaker I strongly disliked the dsl 5. Too fizzy and thin but when I plugged one of my extension cabs with 12 inch speakers into the amp that amp came to life and turned into completely different beast even at lower volumes . It went from being a thin fizzy compressed almost farty sounding amp to an open full and fat sounding tone machine. I also have to disagree about the dal 40 not being a good amp for home use . I can get great low volume tone from my 40cr even when using an extension cab . I can even use it at home with a 2 by 12 at low volume and it sounds killer. The 5 sounds better though for home use but I think the 5 is a better sounds anp to being with. Although I do have some pretty fantastic speakers in my cabs . One has a g12h30 75hz heritage and another has the heritage 55hz H30. I also have a v30 loaded 1 by 12 and a jvm 2 by 12 cab and the dsl 5 sounds killer through them all but also quite different through them all
@Adam Watson. I agree with your comments about the stock speaker in the 5. I swapped it for a 1980s vintage 10" Celestion Sidewinder (150W handling, 103dB efficiency), which completely transformed the amp. Not only did the tone smooth out and lose the fizziness, but the bass response improved and the trebles mellowed somewhat. With a 8dB increase in efficiency over the stock Celestion 10-Thirty the volume hike was instantly noticeable and it can now keep up with a reasonably restrained drummer, unmic'd. Nice little amp, let down by the stock speaker.
Q. when you were doing the intro on the DSL5, using the loop pedal, did the signal chain all go in the front? or were you using the effects loop? Thank you, great video
I always run my verb, delay, drum machines and loopers in the effects loop. Overdrives, chorus go in the front.
@@oldguyjammin9732 thank you. I couldn't understand how the solo was so sweet, and the rhythm loop was not effected. Great tone ... 🙂
@@oldguyjammin9732 1 last question, do you recommend the power soak? Does it help the tone having the volume cranked but the output reduced? Is yours reactive? Thank you
@@tiptizlode4995 - you don't need the power soak for the DSL5 but it is a very nice addition to the DSL20. I like the Bugera PS1
@@oldguyjammin9732 Thank you.
I was 2 minutes in when you said you changed the speaker. I appreciate the time for putting this video together but what’s the point if you’ve modded the original amp.
You’re right I suppose, but with them both now housing a 12” speaker is the comparison even better? :-) maybe letting you know that I sold the 20 combo in favor of the 5W will help you decide. Imo for Marshalls to sound really good you have to dime the master volume, and the 5W easily allows for this.
Ok, fair enough. Nice set up you have there, I’m envious. I’m in an apartment block, hence why I’m interested in volume levels etc. : -)
Sir, excellent review! Do you have any experience between the DSL5CR (stock 10 inch speaker) and the DSL1CR? Thanks!
Have you played with the Dsl 1cr?
Cheers from Portugal 🤘🍺🇵🇹
Great Video 👍👍
Thanks Dude!! I see you are of the Marshall brotherhood, lol
@@oldguyjammin9732 yes i am!
Can i get a metal tone like Megadeth from dsl 5 or 20 without any pedals?
I think for that sort of music you'd be better off with a Randll RD5 or even a Joyo Zombie and $30 6 band EQ in the loop.
Rock & Roll bro 😊
Thanks Justin, how are you man!?!? Playing for money yet, lol. Did you just graduate recently? Off to college next year?
@@oldguyjammin9732 that was a mistake
@@justinwood3278 - I wondered and then couldn’t edit or delete my comment. I had a kid in middle school a few years ago who played guitar and was really good. I wondered if “Justin W” was getting back in touch, I later remembered that his name was Justin Walters, lol… Oldguymemory!
@@oldguyjammin9732 done
I feel the 5 watt gets mushy and farty as you crank it, just can't hold the bottom even with a speaker change. The 20 is tighter even on the 10 watt mode for bedroom use. Sold my DSL5 and grabbed a mint used DSL 20 with a Greenback in it, very happy with the tones from this little combo..I enjoy all your videos and your playing just gets better.
appreciate the kind words :-) and I'd say you pretty much nailed the difference between the two. Both are great, I have my 5 under my desk at work and the 20 here at home with a PS1 attenuator hooked up. It sounds good at lower volumes but when the itch stirs, it becomes a ferocious tone spewing beast! It could be the best bang for your buck 20W amp out there...
I bet the 12" Greenback mod made a huge improvement with the DSL5CR's sound.
Not so much if you keep everything low, but if you dime it - YES! Play it like you’re trying to break it \m/
@@oldguyjammin9732 I know what you mean. The Greenback is probably not as clean-sounding as the stock speaker. I understand the stock 10" Celestion in the DSL5CR is supposed to be pretty good. Did you replace the baffle board or did you enlarge it somehow it to accommodate the 12" speaker?
@@markn4526 - knowing I was going to keep this little amp forever I made some cuts in the bottom, here’s the video
ruclips.net/video/iEcaCPH3FdU/видео.html
It’s really easy
@@oldguyjammin9732 does it makes sense to use DSL5CR with 2x12 cab for home playing, even silent playing?
@@Archartugan - I wouldn’t think so.
For someone looking for a bedroom tube amp of some quality, would this be it ? Any other recommendations ?
The DSL5CR or the HT5R mkii are both great. If metal is more your thing the Randall RD1 is super fun but doesn’t get much louder than 95 dB. Good luck
@@oldguyjammin9732 classic rock it normally my thing , so I love the fender cleans but also the Marshall/ Orange crunch.
@@benallmark9671 - right on, Orange will be too loud for your bedroom probably. Grab up a DSL5CR. Prices seem to be going up all over but I’ve still found some great deals on Reverb from time to time and it never hurts to make reasonable offers.
@@oldguyjammin9732 one more last question about the DSL’s. You mentioned the 5 watt would be an ideal bedroom option but as I look at the price differences between the 5 , 20 and even 40 there’s not that much of difference so keeping in mind that I need it for an apartment and could probably manage to get either , which one would you recommend pulling the trigger on ? which one would I get the best bedroom tone out of ?
@@benallmark9671 - I’d still go with the 5. Marshalls sound best with the masters above noon and even better with them at 9:00 or flat out dimed. The 20 will be WAY TOO loud and has some ‘hiss’ at idle that’ll likely drive you nuts where as the 5 is much quieter and it’s plenty loud. I was also thinking OR15 but it’s way too much amp for an apartment, but does sound really good even at lower volumes. But you’d have to get a nice cab too and by then you’ll be into it for $1200 or more. The Peavey Classic series came to mind also but that mirrored plate under the knobs is terrible and they get pretty hot, and techs hate to work on them... or so I’ve read. The little 5CR combo is killer.
Don't know where you got the DSL20 for $650.00, but I wish I knew a week ago!! I just bought one ( DSL20CR ) for $1100.00Can.+ Tax.
It was years ago but I got it from Guitar Center. I had originally picked up the 40 but later exchanged it for the 20 - prices for stuff have gone through the roof! ridiculous!!
@@oldguyjammin9732 So true!😑
cheaper Than China.5000Chineseyuan
Tried the DSL 20 but did not enjoy the speaker in that combo.
Texas heat might be what you want, Swampthang or a Creamback - check them out :) maybe even the new-ish Eminence DV-77...?
Yeah that 70/80 is an awful speaker. I did not care for the v type in the dsl 40 either so I put a creamback m 65 in it and now it sounds wonderful.
how is the emulated out for recording?
I can’t say, sorry. I always just mic everything. I’m sure it’s as good as most, but the Hughes and Kettner Red Box DI is reportedly the best DI out there. The Laney IRT Studio is also supposed to be very good. Do a search on the ol’ internet for best guitar amp DIs.
it is bad
@@Archartugan thanks you, ill avoid it
i've never cranked my 30 watt vox past 3. people have no respect for their hearing
I ‘hear’ ya, why risk the very thing we love so much!?!? I’ve got ear plugs handy for when things get a bit loud. I know a few musicians who have blown out their ears :( can’t hear anymore... stupid.
The 5 sounds great but definitely not loud enough. The 20 is plenty loud enough!
Heck Ya, the 20 is PERFECT
Just remembered how shitty those sounds....had one DSL 20 CR for 3 years....dont miss it aaaaa bit
Bahahaaa that’s funny, I can certainly understand why you might feel that way, but when you’re in the mood for that tone it’s kind of hard to beat.
@@oldguyjammin9732 l just dig your channel man that was no comment on you but those amp sounds woofy...the clean channel is amazing though....went the PRS Pt15 route and never came back lol....you should demo this beast...Greetings from Québec 🇲🇶
@@martinlahaie6012 - the PRS is a very nice and TIGHT amp. I get you! Quebec eh? Very nice, both my girls (15 and 20) plan to move to Canada. They love what they read about it... I may not be far behind, lol.
@@oldguyjammin9732 Practice your french man...😃 its the official language here....a little France in North America !🇲🇶
@@martinlahaie6012 ha ha, will do. My youngest is in her 3rd year of French. I believe one should adopt the ways and culture of the country they move to rather than expect the opposite :)
The DSL's don't sound nearly as good as the JVM line problem is Marshall doesn't offer a 1 watt version or even a 20 watt version just 50 watt and above.
Thanks for commenting, some higher wattage amps still sound pretty good at lower volumes... the DSLs don’t though, the masters have to be up at least past noon before they thicken up. What about Friedman? Have you checked them out?
lmaooo the jvm is 3 grand...are u sober??
I HAVE 100 WATT JCM 800, AND B0UGHT A DSL1 WATT HEAD AND MARSHALL MINI CAB WITH GREEN BACK 10 AND A VINTAGE 10 FR0M CELESTI0N, ITS THE FUNNEST PRACTICE, WRITING RIFFS AMP EVER AND G0ES FR0M 1WATT AND .01 WATT! CHEERS!
The DSL1 is a kick arse little beast!! YES! Love it