Modern day Marshalls: reliable??

Colo Springs E · November 24th, 2006, 10:08 AM

Is it a big risk to buy a used Marshall head that's less than 5-10 years old?

I've tried out a few in guitar shops, and it seems there's almost always something wrong with them: footswitch has gone out, amp hums excessively, one channel isn't working, reverb doesn't work, pot is not functional, etc.

It just seems that a legendary amp that will cost $1300 new, and $700 or so used, ought to be something you can depend on.

Anyone had experience with the DSL/TSL series? Have they stood up to gigging, which is what they're *supposed* to be made for!

thanks in advance,
-Eric

quackerz · November 24th, 2006, 10:45 AM

I remember reading several places a while ago that the DSL's have PCB solder connection issues out of the box. I don't know if this has since been addressed.

Professor SourTone · November 24th, 2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colo Springs E

Is it a big risk to buy a used Marshall head that's less than 5-10 years old?

I've tried out a few in guitar shops, and it seems there's almost always something wrong with them: footswitch has gone out, amp hums excessively, one channel isn't working, reverb doesn't work, pot is not functional, etc.

It just seems that a legendary amp that will cost $1300 new, and $700 or so used, ought to be something you can depend on.

Anyone had experience with the DSL/TSL series? Have they stood up to gigging, which is what they're *supposed* to be made for!

thanks in advance,
-Eric

I wouldn't touch them unless I had a spare. Or two. Complex, badly put together.

The "legendary" amps are the JCM800s and earlier.

mojohen · November 25th, 2006, 12:09 PM

My son is an accomplished metalhead, signed to Metal Mayhem and recording his new CD right now, plays a TSL100.
We got it in 2002 used, it's a 2000.
He's had no problems with the head or any functions at all. The only problem he had was with the crummy footswitch. We got a new replacement soon after the amp purchase, and I put switchcraft switches in it right away. No problems since. I also installed the GT6CA7GE's, and GT12AX7M's in it.
Far better tone all around now. I love the pushed clean channel myself.
You can check out his tone at www.metadox.com media section
Does most of the rhythm, a few leads. Has a rebuilt '76 Les Paul Custom, EMG 81/85, straight into the amp, speakers are Celest 85's.

mojohen

JohnnyCrash · November 25th, 2006, 02:09 PM

I've had a TSL for many years. Not my kind of tone at all (it is great for metal though), BUT it's never crapped out.

Modern Marshalls are TANKS, just like the old ones. They're also pretty heavy to lug around :)

The more channel switching, reverb, etc options you've got with ANY amp, the more chances you have of some sort of failure.

The reverb on Marshalls SUCK, by the way.

I'd HIGHLY recommend the JCM800 reissue (or used original). Great amp. 50 watt versions were my favorite. Probably my all time favorite Marshall :)

stevedenver · November 29th, 2006, 07:04 PM

i like my 6100 30th a lot-sound great-no problems
isnt gigged but is lugged abut a bit
a head and 4x12 cab is still nicer/easier to move than a Twin

read the hamrony central reviews-i think that may help you make the call-some have common complaints

Ben Harmless · November 29th, 2006, 07:25 PM

I've seen it go both ways. I've seen a lot of broken down Marshalls (the new ones) and I've seen some survive some pretty rough touring. Personally, all it took was seeing one guy's TSL601 go dead on him right before his bands set for me to not be interested.

Second reason I'm not interested? TSL heads go for what? $1500? I've seen a lot of them come through stages where I'm running sound, and I've got to say that I"ve never heard amps sound more consistantly awful than the JCM2000s, especially the TSLs. Will all defference to mojohen's son, I think they sound like bees in a tin can. No tone, just screech.

The third reason I'm not interested, is that there's a JCM800 2204 (50 watt) sitting right next to me. Mr. Crash knows what I'm talking about...

tazzboy · November 30th, 2006, 01:33 AM

These guy are making Point to Point Wired JCM 800 2204

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubP...CM800_2204.htm

Martinp · November 30th, 2006, 10:48 AM

I worked for a national retailler, and I replaced more TSL footswitches than I actually sold, The amps held up well (tone aside), but those footswitches.....

Scott V · November 30th, 2006, 07:52 PM

I've had a JCM900 212 combo since '94 or '95, it's been 100% reliable, and Jonny's right, the reverb stinks.

November 24th, 2006, 10:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 5,204 5 Photos	Modern day Marshalls: reliable?? Is it a big risk to buy a used Marshall head that's less than 5-10 years old? I've tried out a few in guitar shops, and it seems there's almost always something wrong with them: footswitch has gone out, amp hums excessively, one channel isn't working, reverb doesn't work, pot is not functional, etc. It just seems that a legendary amp that will cost $1300 new, and $700 or so used, ought to be something you can depend on. Anyone had experience with the DSL/TSL series? Have they stood up to gigging, which is what they're supposed to be made for! thanks in advance, -Eric __________________ Think I'll pack it in and Buy a pickup Take it down to LA...

November 25th, 2006, 12:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
mojohen Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 177 12 Photos	My son is an accomplished metalhead, signed to Metal Mayhem and recording his new CD right now, plays a TSL100. We got it in 2002 used, it's a 2000. He's had no problems with the head or any functions at all. The only problem he had was with the crummy footswitch. We got a new replacement soon after the amp purchase, and I put switchcraft switches in it right away. No problems since. I also installed the GT6CA7GE's, and GT12AX7M's in it. Far better tone all around now. I love the pushed clean channel myself. You can check out his tone at www.metadox.com media section Does most of the rhythm, a few leads. Has a rebuilt '76 Les Paul Custom, EMG 81/85, straight into the amp, speakers are Celest 85's. mojohen __________________ " Time to get ready for the storm"

November 29th, 2006, 07:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
stevedenver Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: the mile high city Posts: 1,198 14 Photos	i like my 6100 30th a lot-sound great-no problems isnt gigged but is lugged abut a bit a head and 4x12 cab is still nicer/easier to move than a Twin read the hamrony central reviews-i think that may help you make the call-some have common complaints __________________ Im really a Les Paul guy at heart, but .....

November 29th, 2006, 07:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,273 6 Photos	I've seen it go both ways. I've seen a lot of broken down Marshalls (the new ones) and I've seen some survive some pretty rough touring. Personally, all it took was seeing one guy's TSL601 go dead on him right before his bands set for me to not be interested. Second reason I'm not interested? TSL heads go for what? $1500? I've seen a lot of them come through stages where I'm running sound, and I've got to say that I"ve never heard amps sound more consistantly awful than the JCM2000s, especially the TSLs. Will all defference to mojohen's son, I think they sound like bees in a tin can. No tone, just screech. The third reason I'm not interested, is that there's a JCM800 2204 (50 watt) sitting right next to me. Mr. Crash knows what I'm talking about... __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

November 30th, 2006, 01:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
tazzboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Age: 31 Posts: 3,188	These guy are making Point to Point Wired JCM 800 2204 http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubP...CM800_2204.htm __________________ tazzboy

November 24th, 2006, 10:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
quackerz Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Jersey Age: 45 Posts: 924 8 Photos	I remember reading several places a while ago that the DSL's have PCB solder connection issues out of the box. I don't know if this has since been addressed.

November 25th, 2006, 02:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	I've had a TSL for many years. Not my kind of tone at all (it is great for metal though), BUT it's never crapped out. Modern Marshalls are TANKS, just like the old ones. They're also pretty heavy to lug around :) The more channel switching, reverb, etc options you've got with ANY amp, the more chances you have of some sort of failure. The reverb on Marshalls SUCK, by the way. I'd HIGHLY recommend the JCM800 reissue (or used original). Great amp. 50 watt versions were my favorite. Probably my all time favorite Marshall :)

November 30th, 2006, 10:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
Martinp Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Westbury, N.Y. Posts: 315	I worked for a national retailler, and I replaced more TSL footswitches than I actually sold, The amps held up well (tone aside), but those footswitches..... __________________ mp Westbury, New York

November 30th, 2006, 07:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
Scott V Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle Age: 43 Posts: 468	I've had a JCM900 212 combo since '94 or '95, it's been 100% reliable, and Jonny's right, the reverb stinks.