M Brown conclusion. Pick the Marshall. It excels at gain. The fact it holds its own taking pedals making pedals is one of many tricks. The fender has one trick.
Really ? I have NEVER seen SRV use a Marshall but I've heard he used a big Marshall major head unit with some Marshall 412 cabs but every performance I've seen he plays fender twins, super, pro reverbs ECT...
I didn't know that! ...then again, I got kicked out of the choir in my schoolboy days... 😏 EDIT: Hey! If I could sing, do think I would've gone to all that trouble of learning guitar (beyond strumming some chords on an acoustic)?? Hell to tha NO!!
They both sounded great but that sustain with the Fender was awesome. The Marshall is a much more flexible amp though, it has good cleans and overdrive that can cover blues, classic rock and metal. I really like my hot rod deville but will be picking up a DSL 40CR soon.
As a Marshall owner, I absolutely love the tones of these amps, both the clean and overdrive tones. That being said, I still love the sounds from Fender amps!!! I can’t choose one over the other because they both do a great job as pedal platforms and for dirty tones!!!! Just get both!!! 😂😂😂 Cool video Shane! Cheers!!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾
I too own the Marshall 40cr, I have a custom Fender Champ 5w as well. I actually prefer the Marshall at the 20w setting just playing around. With that being said, I also think that Fender sounded better. Does it have a half power setting? If not, that’s the only reason I see to go with the Marshall.
So all of it sounded amazing, all the pedals, both amps. I give the fender a slight edge, I feel like it had a little bit more grit and soul. Also feel like fender definitely better for blues rock/southern rock.
I just picked up a DSL40CR last month, and have been using it conjunction with a Fender Deluxe Reverb. I use them both for my cleans in a "dry/wet" set up (occasionally with some overdrive, and switch to the Marshall for solos. I think the 2 amps compliment each other beautifully in the clean realm, and can actually get pretty close to each other tonally, but the Marshal has that real tube gain that pedals can never top IMHO. I totally agree that having the master volume at full, and using the guitar volume knob is the way to go. Hot tubes perform better...
I stack a Fulltone OCD into a Boss DS-1 into the clean channel of my DSL40C (with an Eminence Private Jack swapped in), and they sound so buttery and creamy. Marshall's cleans are so under-appreciated; my DSL sounds rich and full when squeaky clean... Not saying that the DSL can't roar nicely on its own, because it absolutely can! Just a great all-rounder, the DSL40C.
These days I run a Fender HRDX..But I had a Marshall MG30 and even that sounded great..I bet Your DSL sounds awesome...I would like a DSL next to my HRDX..One day..
I feel neither were better, just different, so if I were to choose one of the two, I'd go for the fender just because imo it sounds better when dead clean
I own both and have had these amps for several years. I have the DSL40C with a G12T75 speaker and a HRD II with a 12AT7 in PI tube and a C12N speaker. Both take drive pedals well, different pedals work differently but most of them sound good with both. Delays also work great with both. On the other hand, modulation is easier to dial in with the HRD. Especially once you start adding pedals like an overdrive, a modulation and a delay, the HRD is apparent that it is better than the DSL. The HRD has a lot more clarity. My band mates have told me that they really like the DSL rhythm tone a lot better than the HRD. But once I break into a solo, the clarity of the HRD is unmatched by the DSL!
Having got both style amps I would suggest that fenders have more volume and tone dynamics when it comes to using pedals on the clean channel! However, when using overdrives they can sound brittle on the top end if don't back off the effects tone control compared to using it on a Marshall which has a softer mid to top end frequency response. I suggest every guitarist buy both if you're undecided! : )
I like that you pointed out they don’t sound too different at gig volume, as I was thinking you can’t go wrong with either of the tones you were getting. I am glad you showed us the amps!
So cool you gave Guitar Hack a shout out ! Both sound good but I prefer the Fender overall, best clean imho, then it's a toss up with the pedals. Nice comparo as always mate !
Always relevant and interesting videos. Both amps are good. I can't make up my mind. I think it will depend more on your mood on a given day than the quality of the amps.
To my ears the Fender sounded more like what I want, but the key is "to my ears". I think everyone will hear things differently. They both sounded great though and amp eq and pedal knob tweaking could make for totally different experiences. Thanks for posting.
I use a fender hot rod deluxe iii on its clean channel and have tons of pedals. It’s literally the perfect clean channel especially for stacking drives. Fender cleans all the way!!
I never though it would even be a contest but ever since we got the Marshall Origin a while ago I have to say that they take drive pedals better than any Fender I've ever owned...and I've always been a Fender amp guy!!
This video reminds us that Marshall amps can be great pedal platforms too. Many people don’t even know or explore this or understand what exactly makes one better than another for a certain application. Something to be aware of is that Marshall’s are know to emphasize the mid-frequencies a lot. Many classic Fender amps (like Blackface amps) tend to be almost the opposite, with big bass and treble, scooped mids. The Hot Rod Fender series sits somewhere in the middle, with a more flat EQ and certainly a lot more mids than a blackface amp. This makes amps like a Hot Rod Deluxe or Blues Junior a very different pedal platform than say a 65 Deluxe Reverb. Why? It’s all about what pedals work best with what types of amps. This is such a HUGE subject. For additional information on this I highly recommend checking out the episode called “Mid-scooped & mid-pushed Amps” from That Pedal Show.
I thought some pedals worked better with the Marshall and some better with the Fender. My favorite was the Maxon with the Fender. Great video - thanks!
I have a marshall jvm and a fender super sonic . I will push the jvm when I have it in the plexi mode sounds unbelievably good . Maybe I should get a plexi? But my super sonic takes pedals really well in the burn channel or the clean channel . I couldn't choose. Love both fenders and. Marshalls . To me its like I can't choose between a les paul or a strat . I gotta have both
I always found the advantage to the DSL40c was that it didn’t really need distortion or drive pedals because the distortion the amp produces is so great when you push it a bit. Personally, the only drive pedal I use on my DSL is a TS9+ to just tighten and push the amp a bit at bedroom volumes. I like using a compressor and phaser on the clean channel. I’ll admit that sometimes I like to get crazy and experiment with some fuzz pedal sounds for that mid to late sixties vibe. That’s about it though. Great video as always!
Honestly I liked them both and wouldn’t have an issue with either. Just because I’m a Fender geek, I would lean in that direction but I really did like them both.
G'day Shane (and greetings from another lefty!). Thanks for posting this, very cool to hear this kind of comparison. Much as I love fender amps, gotta say a lot of the marshal tones in this review came across to me as tighter, and gave me the impression they might sit better in a full band mix. Very interesting either way!
Our Studio loves combos (for obvious reasons) and have a 1966 Supro Type 24 18w and the same ones you're showcasing here. The tweed Blues Deluxe is from 1996, currently with Groove tubes and a bias control mod - and the latest purchase was the DSL40CR - and I'm glad I waited and got the new one. I've had a Marshall Super Lead 2 for many years, a 40 watt solid state amp - and frankly, if you're going to run a pedal board, is probably the one to take to the club as its lighter and bullet-proof. There's not much I can't dial in with these three 12" combos and I love all three for what they each do best!
I think the Fender sounds better and sustained longer. Personally I have Marshall Fender Peavey and Vox amps and change them to suit the songs I'm playing.
Marshall DSL40CR (with Eminence Texas Heat Speaker) vs Fender Blues Deluxe (with Eminence Swamp Thing Speaker). Both are amazing Amps, I prefer the Marshall for the good lookig, pretty nice sounding with pedals and it's more durable than the Fender Blues Deluxe. Just in my opinion.
I bought a Blues Deluxe like a month and a half ago. I went into the store wanting to get the DSL40. The only tube amp they really had was the Blues Deluxe. In the store I loved the clean sound but drive channel wasn’t amazing. I ended up buying the Blues Deluxe thinking I could return it if I didn’t like it. I bought a couple pedals and now I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I use a Les Paul on second input with an SD-1 into DS-1.
In isolation, I preferred the Fender - seemed more organic and had a nice bloom. However, if you are playing in a typical rock band, I think the Marshall with its low end roll off and more present mids may sit better in a band mix, especially for rhythm crunch.
In isolation, the Fender sounds fuller thanks to its low range. Our ears perceive 'more' as better. The Marshall is more cutting, high mids full on. I wonder which would be better in a mix.
Both had qualities that you can use, both sounded great and none was a 'clear' winner. It comes down to what the player wants and shows that if you buy 1, you aren't missing out by not buying the other. You could argue that Fender (for example) is the best for pedals and that Marshall has the better crunch/overdrive channel (as many believe) but you can easily make do with either, the right pedals and/or the right settings for you and your preferred instrument. Its not black and white because there is a LOT of options to tweak the sound for individual preference and that's without considering the different instruments, PU's and huge variety of Pedals that allow musicians to get the tone they prefer from any Amp.
I have a DSL100HR and it's an excellent pedal platform. I'm currently running 10 pedals. Not to mention it sounds great and can do any tone on its own.
Longer sustain on the Fender, but it is still way too bright for my taste. I go for the Marshall. Shane: how do you set up the EQ on your DSL-40CR when using the Dirty Channel?
My understanding is they fart out on the dirty channel with od pedals..Too much compression..but those Marshalls dont need a pedal on the Dirty channel they already sound great especially with a treble booster.I learned that on the Pedal show..
Can’t agree more. Which is why I use both simultaneously. (Connected to my G2) The frequencies I miss from each is filled in and sounds freakin epic together.
Very close in all aspects, the speaker upgrades to each amplifier made a big difference in the way the amps perform, both take pedals well, but it seemed you could push the Marshall a bit harder to Get a heavier, saturated tone, It comes down to personal preference, but I’d have to give the edge to the Marshall, another great shootout Shane, well done
I have both, I actually just bought the Fender and unfortunately it will have to go back to the store. It sounds very nice with volume up to 2... once you crank it past 2 the clean channel sounds too harsh and distorted. I have played with the treble, mid, bass, presence and reverb for over two hours trying to adjust them and get a clean tone with volume over 2 and it is just impossible. Unless I got a defective one (I bought it brand new in box). With the Marshall, the clean channel stays very clean even when I have cranked the volume to 7 just to test the amp and was very easy to find a nice neutral clean tone
We can certainly see which you prefer. ( Fender),NOTE: At my last gig a decided to try my Marshall TSL 60 ( which the clean channel, I love) on the clean channel with and old Arion branded distortion pedal as an overdrive ( drive dialed back and level jacked) wasn't great until I added some EQ with and old Ibanez EQ pedal. I was pleasantly surprised. Don't get me wrong, the crunch and lead channels are really good loud but it seemed like pedals would be a better option at lower gigging volumes. I think I may have to start shopping for a quality overdrive. Which did you prefer out of the three you tested with the Marshall. I liked the Keely.
Never played a fender but when I hear them with anything above low to mid gain, it starts to sound a fuzz/farty sound? Is that a thing or are my ears broken?
I like it all. A good guitarist can make whatever they have available so they job. That being said I have a fender pro junior ( needs a dirt pedal because the little bugger has to go very loud to distort) and a JVM ( one watt no pedals needed) and a Vox that sounds good with a boost. Play on!
The Marshall is such a good amp. I have it MIDI switched by a BOSS MS-3 and use a BD-2 and SD-1 as boosts - recommend you try something similar. Blues driver boosting the crunch voice on the clean channel with volume rolled off on a Tele is great! Cheers for vids, great stuff.
Funny, I have the exact two amps sitting next to each other in my man-cave (Creamback in the Marshall and Cannabis Rex in the Fender) and I like the Marshall as it is for classic rock Marshall tones and the Fender for a pedal platform to cover just about everything else, except for Marshall tones of course. I think the Fender is a more neutral pedal platform that covers more ground than the Marshall and if someone likes the Marshall better it's just because they like Marshall tones better in general.
I think they both sounded good. Frankly however, I think Marshall pretty much peaked In the middle late 60s with the combo blues breaker in the plexi super lead stack. It’s not to say that you can’t buy KC an 800 or other marshals and get a great town out of them but the way I view a Marshall amp is that you have to play I’m way too loud to get me something resembling a good tone Absent pedals. I think fender bass breaker with el 84s And other and that use the el 34 tube Vs of the 6l6 Do you the Marshall thing that you’re used to hearing and records better than current Offerings from Marshall. I just never started JCM 800 Definitely not 900 or very useful answer anything other than gigging with the cranked amp. I guess the point is I would rather get the 40 or 51 combo with great tone using EL 34s than anything marshals made in the last 30 years. You can also get a lot of them cheaper than Mirschel. I think marshals living off its reputation from The plexi and Bluesbreakers eras. Fender however is still making kick ass amps. And when I’m playing with a clean tone without using overdrive I think there’s no questions fender sounds much better than Marshall. My favorite aunt is probably the Marshall super lead But even the re-issues are are expensive And I don’t think they do justice to the late 60s Plexes which play frankly typically sound a little different like most Older tube amps with point-to-point hand wiring and 100% tube and everything it’s hard to find a pure to be up at these days with no transistors unless you get something boutique or custom
I think the fender has a nicer sounding top end and clarity. The Marshall sounds warmer but little muted compared to the fender. Fenders for leads and Marshall for rhythms imo.
Head or "Bluesbreaker" combo ? I would love to hear a JTM45 head through a 4x10 Jensen loaded cab, and compare it to a '59 Bassman, just out of curiosity ! 😊
I got an Origin 50c a while back and that works really well as a pedal platform. Its pretty similar in that regard to a HRD for example, but has a master volume.
Couple years ago I saw the who in concert and pete was playing on a bunch of Fender twin reverb amps and the sound hurt my ears so much not too loud but the frequencies. He used to use hiwatt which I prefer much more.
What this type of a shootout typically comes down to is your preference between EL34 versus 6L6 power tubes and the specific circuit design for any given amp in terms of the ability or inability to dial in the sweet spot you're looking for. 6L6's have a brighter top end and more shimmer versus EL34's which when dialed in, have far better British mid range grind and bark. In either case, more sweep in the amp's controls is what helps to dial in your tone.
Not to complain too much here, I love these shoot outs. However one thing i think a lot of these videos overlook is the speaker and mic. In order to get an accurate representation of the tone of the actual amp itself, both of these should be going into the same speaker with the same mic and mic position because the speaker and mic can make as much difference in the tone as the amps and guitars. Makes it kinda hard to tell for sure which one you prefer when the results are skewed like that. Just my 2 cents. Perhaps you can compensate for this in future videos? Just a suggestion.
Great video as always shane, to me the fender had it for me for more clairity in the 2nd pedal. Otherwise yes there wasnt alot of diffrence that I could hear.
Marshall sounds very nice and creamy Fender a little bright and lots of sustain, both great amps! I would go with the Marshall … or Fender?!? … oh my goodness this will drive me crazy!!!! 😅
Now I am personally biased since I own a Marshall DSL 40 but personally I’d go with the Marshall just because it’s a solid pedal platform on top of just being a great amp to get both clean and overdriven sounds from it. The fenders on the other hand have given me phenomenal cleans but most of the time I feel they need an extra push with a pedal if you want to get a good overdrive sound without blowing the doors off of anywhere. Both are great amps but I like the extra utility the Marshall gives me if I’m playing with out pedals
To my ears, through my Bose headphones, the Marshall was slightly muddy compared to the Fender. The Fender wanted to be driven harder and louder, and the Marshall was a little flubby. And I’m talking about very subtle differences. Both amps sounded very good, just a little different.
If you have the money and space you want to get both style amps. It if fun to go back and forth depending on what you are doing. I think the speakers are a bigger part of the puzzle with the single channel style amps I prefer. Some pedals work better on a Fender Style and some are better with the Marshall style amp. Running a stereo rid is a big sound.
When I 1st purchased my fender twin reverb it had a Jensen speaker and I hated the sound and it was ear piercing and hurt I swapped out the Jensen for a celestian V30 and it's the best sounding amp I've ever heard with all pedals I think it's also the speaker as much as the amp.
in my earbuds the two amps sounded very similar which was surprising. they both sounded really good also. wish you had done a jam but perhaps others would say that's not needed in a shootout. I like jams. what a surprise. great video. Both amps would find a home in my studio. but we couldn't play at gig vol.....well maybe a little. Rock on! bye for now and thanks Shane.
Sound is different but hard to tell which is better. Guitarists are poor because of videos like this coz they end up buying both in fear of missing out
I used a Marshall DSL40 with a Creamback on the clean channel with great results. That said, my amp for gigging is a 1967 Fender Bassman... can’t be touched.
Conclusion: Pick the one you think looks cooler.
M Brown conclusion. Pick the Marshall. It excels at gain. The fact it holds its own taking pedals making pedals is one of many tricks. The fender has one trick.
So the fender then
So pick the marshall
Lol more like pick both. They'll sound fantastic together!
a tip: watch movies on Flixzone. I've been using it for watching all kinds of movies recently.
I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but SRV used a marshall for his cleans and a fender for his overdrive.
Really ? I have NEVER seen SRV use a Marshall but I've heard he used a big Marshall major head unit with some Marshall 412 cabs but every performance I've seen he plays fender twins, super, pro reverbs ECT...
I didn't know that!
...then again, I got kicked out of the choir in my schoolboy days... 😏
EDIT: Hey! If I could sing, do think I would've gone to all that trouble of learning guitar (beyond strumming some chords on an acoustic)?? Hell to tha NO!!
Did not know that. Very cool.
he used a dumble for his cleans too. The steel string singer doesn't do drive on the clean channel.
98 p mo 90 o
Ko0 by. I
They both sounded great but that sustain with the Fender was awesome. The Marshall is a much more flexible amp though, it has good cleans and overdrive that can cover blues, classic rock and metal. I really like my hot rod deville but will be picking up a DSL 40CR soon.
As a Marshall owner, I absolutely love the tones of these amps, both the clean and overdrive tones. That being said, I still love the sounds from Fender amps!!! I can’t choose one over the other because they both do a great job as pedal platforms and for dirty tones!!!! Just get both!!! 😂😂😂 Cool video Shane! Cheers!!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾
Which one do you think is constructed better Jamal ? Blues On....💙
I too own the Marshall 40cr, I have a custom Fender Champ 5w as well. I actually prefer the Marshall at the 20w setting just playing around. With that being said, I also think that Fender sounded better. Does it have a half power setting? If not, that’s the only reason I see to go with the Marshall.
Thanks for the shout out Shane. And yes I do prefer the warmer smoother Marshall tones. Cheers
Hello Hack! Hope you are well bro!
@@robertclarkguitar I'm well. Hope you're good. Cheers
So all of it sounded amazing, all the pedals, both amps. I give the fender a slight edge, I feel like it had a little bit more grit and soul. Also feel like fender definitely better for blues rock/southern rock.
I thought the Fender was slightly louder, too, but that may have been my imagination... or maybe the eq curve. Either one would be perfectly usable.
I just picked up a DSL40CR last month, and have been using it conjunction with a Fender Deluxe Reverb. I use them both for my cleans in a "dry/wet" set up (occasionally with some overdrive, and switch to the Marshall for solos. I think the 2 amps compliment each other beautifully in the clean realm, and can actually get pretty close to each other tonally, but the Marshal has that real tube gain that pedals can never top IMHO.
I totally agree that having the master volume at full, and using the guitar volume knob is the way to go. Hot tubes perform better...
Good shootout Shane, I prefer the Fender myself. Nice shout out to a fellow Canadian RUclipsr, cheers!!
I stack a Fulltone OCD into a Boss DS-1 into the clean channel of my DSL40C (with an Eminence Private Jack swapped in), and they sound so buttery and creamy. Marshall's cleans are so under-appreciated; my DSL sounds rich and full when squeaky clean... Not saying that the DSL can't roar nicely on its own, because it absolutely can! Just a great all-rounder, the DSL40C.
These days I run a Fender HRDX..But I had a Marshall MG30 and even that sounded great..I bet Your DSL sounds awesome...I would like a DSL next to my HRDX..One day..
Both sounds awesome the fender sounded brighter and the Marshall sounded warmer but it did vary alittle with each pedal definitely loved both tones
To be honest I normally prefer Fender all the way but Marshall sounded smoother.. so I go Marshall. Does this mean I have to buy one now ? :)
Yes.
"Do I need to buy a Marshall?"
That's a question I'm unfamiliar with. 😂
I feel neither were better, just different, so if I were to choose one of the two, I'd go for the fender just because imo it sounds better when dead clean
I own both and have had these amps for several years. I have the DSL40C with a G12T75 speaker and a HRD II with a 12AT7 in PI tube and a C12N speaker.
Both take drive pedals well, different pedals work differently but most of them sound good with both. Delays also work great with both.
On the other hand, modulation is easier to dial in with the HRD. Especially once you start adding pedals like an overdrive, a modulation and a delay, the HRD is apparent that it is better than the DSL. The HRD has a lot more clarity.
My band mates have told me that they really like the DSL rhythm tone a lot better than the HRD. But once I break into a solo, the clarity of the HRD is unmatched by the DSL!
Having got both style amps I would suggest that fenders have more volume and tone dynamics when it comes to using pedals on the clean channel! However, when using overdrives they can sound brittle on the top end if don't back off the effects tone control compared to using it on a Marshall which has a softer mid to top end frequency response. I suggest every guitarist buy both if you're undecided! : )
This was awesome. I'm a Fender guy, but the Marshall definitely earned some respect on this
I like that you pointed out they don’t sound too different at gig volume, as I was thinking you can’t go wrong with either of the tones you were getting. I am glad you showed us the amps!
Amazing video as always, Shane! Thank you for use my new device, I hope you like it!
What a great little pedal! 😄
@@intheblues thanks!
So cool you gave Guitar Hack a shout out ! Both sound good but I prefer the Fender overall, best clean imho, then it's a toss up with the pedals. Nice comparo as always mate !
Thanks Todd. Cheers
@@GuitarHack66 You bet buddy ! Cheers !
Srv actually used Marshalls for his cleans sometimes they will surprise ya on their cleans
@Yog D 2018 during the big bad blues tour
Fenders for my ears, purely subjective. Thanks for the video!
I liked both! Seemed like Fender had a bit more sustain.
I'm leaning towards the 'just use what you've got' camp with stuff like this. If I was shopping? Fender.
Well I think the answer is pretty clear... I need both.
Always relevant and interesting videos. Both amps are good. I can't make up my mind. I think it will depend more on your mood on a given day than the quality of the amps.
Running both of those amps in a wet/dry configuration with the fender dry sounds out of this world🎸🤘🏼🇵🇹
1 amp for specific mood is a way to go. Think I need to sell my car...
To my ears the Fender sounded more like what I want, but the key is "to my ears". I think everyone will hear things differently. They both sounded great though and amp eq and pedal knob tweaking could make for totally different experiences. Thanks for posting.
I use a fender hot rod deluxe iii on its clean channel and have tons of pedals. It’s literally the perfect clean channel especially for stacking drives. Fender cleans all the way!!
I never though it would even be a contest but ever since we got the Marshall Origin a while ago I have to say that they take drive pedals better than any Fender I've ever owned...and I've always been a Fender amp guy!!
2:50 Your face with the Maxon through the Fender says it all!
This video reminds us that Marshall amps can be great pedal platforms too. Many people don’t even know or explore this or understand what exactly makes one better than another for a certain application.
Something to be aware of is that Marshall’s are know to emphasize the mid-frequencies a lot. Many classic Fender amps (like Blackface amps) tend to be almost the opposite, with big bass and treble, scooped mids. The Hot Rod Fender series sits somewhere in the middle, with a more flat EQ and certainly a lot more mids than a blackface amp. This makes amps like a Hot Rod Deluxe or Blues Junior a very different pedal platform than say a 65 Deluxe Reverb. Why? It’s all about what pedals work best with what types of amps. This is such a HUGE subject. For additional information on this I highly recommend checking out the episode called “Mid-scooped & mid-pushed Amps” from That Pedal Show.
The Marshall for me, i think.. you can get a great tone out of either one though!! Great video Shane!
I thought some pedals worked better with the Marshall and some better with the Fender. My favorite was the Maxon with the Fender. Great video - thanks!
I use a fender deluxe and a very conservative pedal board. Amazing pedal platform.
I have a marshall jvm and a fender super sonic . I will push the jvm when I have it in the plexi mode sounds unbelievably good . Maybe I should get a plexi? But my super sonic takes pedals really well in the burn channel or the clean channel . I couldn't choose. Love both fenders and. Marshalls . To me its like I can't choose between a les paul or a strat . I gotta have both
Is this a true comparison as they don't have the original speakers?
Probably since most people swap the speakers anyway.
I always found the advantage to the DSL40c was that it didn’t really need distortion or drive pedals because the distortion the amp produces is so great when you push it a bit. Personally, the only drive pedal I use on my DSL is a TS9+ to just tighten and push the amp a bit at bedroom volumes. I like using a compressor and phaser on the clean channel. I’ll admit that sometimes I like to get crazy and experiment with some fuzz pedal sounds for that mid to late sixties vibe. That’s about it though. Great video as always!
Fender all the way for me, Shane. The Marshall was better than I thought it would be - those are superb pedals.
Honestly I liked them both and wouldn’t have an issue with either. Just because I’m a Fender geek, I would lean in that direction but I really did like them both.
Awesome comparison, but I had to wonder. What they might sounded like together in unison and stereo'd...
G'day Shane (and greetings from another lefty!). Thanks for posting this, very cool to hear this kind of comparison. Much as I love fender amps, gotta say a lot of the marshal tones in this review came across to me as tighter, and gave me the impression they might sit better in a full band mix. Very interesting either way!
all your video proved is that i need both
Our Studio loves combos (for obvious reasons) and have a 1966 Supro Type 24 18w and the same ones you're showcasing here. The tweed Blues Deluxe is from 1996, currently with Groove tubes and a bias control mod - and the latest purchase was the DSL40CR - and I'm glad I waited and got the new one. I've had a Marshall Super Lead 2 for many years, a 40 watt solid state amp - and frankly, if you're going to run a pedal board, is probably the one to take to the club as its lighter and bullet-proof. There's not much I can't dial in with these three 12" combos and I love all three for what they each do best!
I use a hot rod deluxe and an origin 20. Wet/dry configuration. It’s the best of both worlds!
same as you on the fender but what he's using here with Marshall ,MASSIVE WALL both cranked!
Both sound great Shane, but I give the nod to the Fender. It just has a bit more bite... sorry Guitar Hack! 😊
No worries Fred. Cheers
thanks Shane , you've helped my with 2 purchases , 1 x blues deluxe reissue and 1 jam pedal whacko , I like your humbleness , cheers mate
The right answer is of course: both! Played in a wet/dry rig :)
I LOVE THE MARSHALL !! I USE THAT AMP AT GIGS WITH MY VERY SMALL PEDAL BOARD !!SOUNDS GREAT !!
Im kind of shocked how alike they both sounded!! I'll take one of each 😉
The fender sounds amazing with the first pedal man what a killer amp and I am a Marshall guy .That fender is where it's at
I think the Fender sounds better and sustained longer. Personally I have Marshall Fender Peavey and Vox amps and change them to suit the songs I'm playing.
Marshall DSL40CR (with Eminence Texas Heat Speaker) vs Fender Blues Deluxe (with Eminence Swamp Thing Speaker). Both are amazing Amps, I prefer the Marshall for the good lookig, pretty nice sounding with pedals and it's more durable than the Fender Blues Deluxe. Just in my opinion.
I bought a Blues Deluxe like a month and a half ago. I went into the store wanting to get the DSL40. The only tube amp they really had was the Blues Deluxe. In the store I loved the clean sound but drive channel wasn’t amazing. I ended up buying the Blues Deluxe thinking I could return it if I didn’t like it. I bought a couple pedals and now I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I use a Les Paul on second input with an SD-1 into DS-1.
In isolation, I preferred the Fender - seemed more organic and had a nice bloom. However, if you are playing in a typical rock band, I think the Marshall with its low end roll off and more present mids may sit better in a band mix, especially for rhythm crunch.
In isolation, the Fender sounds fuller thanks to its low range. Our ears perceive 'more' as better. The Marshall is more cutting, high mids full on. I wonder which would be better in a mix.
good video beautiful amplifiers greetings from colombia.
Fender just kicks out the jam on this comparison! Holds and blows that sound so thick and juicy!! Good post!!
CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THE FINDER OR THE MARSHALL THEY BOTH SOUND GREAT !! \M/
*cough* Marshal mg series *cough*
Great Dem! Try a clean boost or EQ pedal on flat setting in the effects loop on either...awesome lead boost, can be slight or huge ...have fun!!!!!
Same, never use drive pedals with my Marshall. The drive channel is so good.
The DSL40cr clean channel is one of the absolute best pedal platforms I've ever used.
Both had qualities that you can use, both sounded great and none was a 'clear' winner. It comes down to what the player wants and shows that if you buy 1, you aren't missing out by not buying the other.
You could argue that Fender (for example) is the best for pedals and that Marshall has the better crunch/overdrive channel (as many believe) but you can easily make do with either, the right pedals and/or the right settings for you and your preferred instrument. Its not black and white because there is a LOT of options to tweak the sound for individual preference and that's without considering the different instruments, PU's and huge variety of Pedals that allow musicians to get the tone they prefer from any Amp.
Both ,. It just depends on what sound / tone your looking for.
I like all the pedals fine in the Fender but running both I'll blend in the Marshall tone I need.
I have a DSL100HR and it's an excellent pedal platform. I'm currently running 10 pedals. Not to mention it sounds great and can do any tone on its own.
Longer sustain on the Fender, but it is still way too bright for my taste.
I go for the Marshall.
Shane: how do you set up the EQ on your DSL-40CR when using the Dirty Channel?
My understanding is they fart out on the dirty channel with od pedals..Too much compression..but those Marshalls dont need a pedal on the Dirty channel they already sound great especially with a treble booster.I learned that on the Pedal show..
Both sound great but that Fender is just punching through the mid's and top. Marshall owns the bottom, which is nice also.
Can’t agree more. Which is why I use both simultaneously. (Connected to my G2) The frequencies I miss from each is filled in and sounds freakin epic together.
I'd opt for the Marshall. Good comparison.
Very close in all aspects, the speaker upgrades to each amplifier made a big difference in the way the amps perform, both take pedals well, but it seemed you could push the Marshall a bit harder to Get a heavier, saturated tone, It comes down to personal preference, but I’d have to give the edge to the Marshall, another great shootout Shane, well done
Thanks Mark!
Like them :) Marshall got more grit in my ears. Warmer sound. But the Fender is wicked too...
I have both, I actually just bought the Fender and unfortunately it will have to go back to the store. It sounds very nice with volume up to 2... once you crank it past 2 the clean channel sounds too harsh and distorted. I have played with the treble, mid, bass, presence and reverb for over two hours trying to adjust them and get a clean tone with volume over 2 and it is just impossible. Unless I got a defective one (I bought it brand new in box).
With the Marshall, the clean channel stays very clean even when I have cranked the volume to 7 just to test the amp and was very easy to find a nice neutral clean tone
I think I'll just get both instead of one boutique amp - LOL
And get an aby switcher for running them together, the perfect mix!
We can certainly see which you prefer. ( Fender),NOTE: At my last gig a decided to try my Marshall TSL 60 ( which the clean channel, I love) on the clean channel with and old Arion branded distortion pedal as an overdrive ( drive dialed back and level jacked) wasn't great until I added some EQ with and old Ibanez EQ pedal. I was pleasantly surprised. Don't get me wrong, the crunch and lead channels are really good loud but it seemed like pedals would be a better option at lower gigging volumes. I think I may have to start shopping for a quality overdrive. Which did you prefer out of the three you tested with the Marshall. I liked the Keely.
Never played a fender but when I hear them with anything above low to mid gain, it starts to sound a fuzz/farty sound? Is that a thing or are my ears broken?
They are both good, this is from a lifetime Marshall user.
Ditto! Both good, this time from a Fender user!
Fender Twin Reverb for clean sounds. That's it.
I like it all. A good guitarist can make whatever they have available so they job. That being said I have a fender pro junior ( needs a dirt pedal because the little bugger has to go very loud to distort) and a JVM ( one watt no pedals needed) and a Vox that sounds good with a boost. Play on!
Great vid Shane. I got to go with the fender.🤘
The Marshall is such a good amp. I have it MIDI switched by a BOSS MS-3 and use a BD-2 and SD-1 as boosts - recommend you try something similar. Blues driver boosting the crunch voice on the clean channel with volume rolled off on a Tele is great! Cheers for vids, great stuff.
Funny, I have the exact two amps sitting next to each other in my man-cave (Creamback in the Marshall and Cannabis Rex in the Fender) and I like the Marshall as it is for classic rock Marshall tones and the Fender for a pedal platform to cover just about everything else, except for Marshall tones of course. I think the Fender is a more neutral pedal platform that covers more ground than the Marshall and if someone likes the Marshall better it's just because they like Marshall tones better in general.
Just my personal preference, fender twins are a close second, but for pedals I’ll take my Roland JC 120 all day.
For those of you that have a dsl, do yall struggle with the bright bite (attack)? And if so how do you fix it . I also have a texas heat in my dsl
I think they both sounded good. Frankly however, I think Marshall pretty much peaked In the middle late 60s with the combo blues breaker in the plexi super lead stack. It’s not to say that you can’t buy KC an 800 or other marshals and get a great town out of them but the way I view a Marshall amp is that you have to play I’m way too loud to get me something resembling a good tone Absent pedals. I think fender bass breaker with el 84s And other and that use the el 34 tube Vs of the 6l6 Do you the Marshall thing that you’re used to hearing and records better than current Offerings from Marshall.
I just never started JCM 800 Definitely not 900 or very useful answer anything other than gigging with the cranked amp. I guess the point is I would rather get the 40 or 51 combo with great tone using EL 34s than anything marshals made in the last 30 years. You can also get a lot of them cheaper than Mirschel. I think marshals living off its reputation from The plexi and Bluesbreakers eras. Fender however is still making kick ass amps. And when I’m playing with a clean tone without using overdrive I think there’s no questions fender sounds much better than Marshall. My favorite aunt is probably the Marshall super lead But even the re-issues are are expensive And I don’t think they do justice to the late 60s Plexes which play frankly typically sound a little different like most Older tube amps with point-to-point hand wiring and 100% tube and everything it’s hard to find a pure to be up at these days with no transistors unless you get something boutique or custom
I think the fender has a nicer sounding top end and clarity. The Marshall sounds warmer but little muted compared to the fender. Fenders for leads and Marshall for rhythms imo.
Correct answer is JTM45
Head or "Bluesbreaker" combo ? I would love to hear a JTM45 head through a 4x10 Jensen loaded cab, and compare it to a '59 Bassman, just out of curiosity ! 😊
Shaun W I run mine through a 212 with a Jensen P12Q and a WGS Liberator
I'm in love with the Fender .. I gotta need for Tweed 😊👍
I got an Origin 50c a while back and that works really well as a pedal platform. Its pretty similar in that regard to a HRD for example, but has a master volume.
Couple years ago I saw the who in concert and pete was playing on a bunch of Fender twin reverb amps and the sound hurt my ears so much not too loud but the frequencies.
He used to use hiwatt which I prefer much more.
What this type of a shootout typically comes down to is your preference between EL34 versus 6L6 power tubes and the specific circuit design for any given amp in terms of the ability or inability to dial in the sweet spot you're looking for. 6L6's have a brighter top end and more shimmer versus EL34's which when dialed in, have far better British mid range grind and bark. In either case, more sweep in the amp's controls is what helps to dial in your tone.
What is interesting is how opaque the drive pedals are. The colour the sound of the amp to the point it does not matter what amp you have.
Not to complain too much here, I love these shoot outs. However one thing i think a lot of these videos overlook is the speaker and mic. In order to get an accurate representation of the tone of the actual amp itself, both of these should be going into the same speaker with the same mic and mic position because the speaker and mic can make as much difference in the tone as the amps and guitars. Makes it kinda hard to tell for sure which one you prefer when the results are skewed like that. Just my 2 cents. Perhaps you can compensate for this in future videos? Just a suggestion.
Great video as always shane, to me the fender had it for me for more clairity in the 2nd pedal. Otherwise yes there wasnt alot of diffrence that I could hear.
Marshall sounds very nice and creamy Fender a little bright and lots of sustain, both great amps! I would go with the Marshall … or Fender?!? … oh my goodness this will drive me crazy!!!! 😅
beautifull amps, beautifull guitars but most importantly beautifull playing ;) Great video as always Shane.
Goed!
Now I am personally biased since I own a Marshall DSL 40 but personally I’d go with the Marshall just because it’s a solid pedal platform on top of just being a great amp to get both clean and overdriven sounds from it. The fenders on the other hand have given me phenomenal cleans but most of the time I feel they need an extra push with a pedal if you want to get a good overdrive sound without blowing the doors off of anywhere. Both are great amps but I like the extra utility the Marshall gives me if I’m playing with out pedals
To my ears, through my Bose headphones, the Marshall was slightly muddy compared to the Fender. The Fender wanted to be driven harder and louder, and the Marshall was a little flubby. And I’m talking about very subtle differences. Both amps sounded very good, just a little different.
If you have the money and space you want to get both style amps. It if fun to go back and forth depending on what you are doing. I think the speakers are a bigger part of the puzzle with the single channel style amps I prefer. Some pedals work better on a Fender Style and some are better with the Marshall style amp. Running a stereo rid is a big sound.
Which one is favorite on that marshall ? texas heat ? Swamp? Or tonker ? i have same dsl40 and hate that 70 80
When I 1st purchased my fender twin reverb it had a Jensen speaker and I hated the sound and it was ear piercing and hurt I swapped out the Jensen for a celestian V30 and it's the best sounding amp I've ever heard with all pedals I think it's also the speaker as much as the amp.
Fender for me. Just awesome.
in my earbuds the two amps sounded very similar which was surprising. they both sounded really good also. wish you had done a jam but perhaps others would say that's not needed in a shootout. I like jams. what a surprise. great video. Both amps would find a home in my studio. but we couldn't play at gig vol.....well maybe a little. Rock on! bye for now and thanks Shane.
Sound is different but hard to tell which is better. Guitarists are poor because of videos like this coz they end up buying both in fear of missing out
I used a Marshall DSL40 with a Creamback on the clean channel with great results. That said, my amp for gigging is a 1967 Fender Bassman... can’t be touched.