Not really...but it is going to rehearsal tonight. First time using it in this band. Will keep you posted....
DSL40C Goes To Hell:
- Thread starter Inspector #20
- Start date
Goldmember
Ambassador of Golden Yoo-Hoos
Remember, if anybody asks you anything at the rehearsal, regardless of context, just answer, "RATT and Roll, man."
OP
Goldmember
Ambassador of Golden Yoo-Hoos
The 40c is so much like my 15c, but better: You've got a loop!
OP
Disappointed. To be totally honest, the 1997 VS265 2X12 Combo kills it in every way and everyone commented on it.
The best tone I could wrangle out of it was with these bizarre settings:
A good description would be that the lower end isn't crisp and clean like on the VS265 regardless of settings. Its as if the 50 watt WGS Reaper 55Hz speaker is being "overwhelmed" by the low frequencies - which should actually be the opposite. However, if you don't roll up some bass and resonance, the amp just sounds so thin and brittle, its almost AM radio-like.
If you dime the bass on the VS265, it never gets muddy and the speaker never breaks up, no matter how hard you push it.
I'm running a 5751 in V1 and 7025WA's in V2-V4 with EL-34 Electro-Harmonix power tubes. I have to assume the Reaper 55Hz is the culprit, because these amps actually don't sound too bad stock, even with the stock 70/80.
Really kind of bummed out considering a 21 year old Valvestate is killing this new amp....
The best tone I could wrangle out of it was with these bizarre settings:
A good description would be that the lower end isn't crisp and clean like on the VS265 regardless of settings. Its as if the 50 watt WGS Reaper 55Hz speaker is being "overwhelmed" by the low frequencies - which should actually be the opposite. However, if you don't roll up some bass and resonance, the amp just sounds so thin and brittle, its almost AM radio-like.
If you dime the bass on the VS265, it never gets muddy and the speaker never breaks up, no matter how hard you push it.
I'm running a 5751 in V1 and 7025WA's in V2-V4 with EL-34 Electro-Harmonix power tubes. I have to assume the Reaper 55Hz is the culprit, because these amps actually don't sound too bad stock, even with the stock 70/80.
Really kind of bummed out considering a 21 year old Valvestate is killing this new amp....
Goldmember
Ambassador of Golden Yoo-Hoos
Possible a Celestion Creamback would do it justice? Those are some interesting EQ settings!
Perhaps the Reaper is overwhelmed by low end due to it being 30w? I hope you have the
opportunity to give the Creamback a try.
Perhaps the Reaper is overwhelmed by low end due to it being 30w? I hope you have the
opportunity to give the Creamback a try.
OP
It's a 50 watt - verified by Trevor English at WGS. They were out of 50 watt labels...
OP
Interesting. If you Google DSL40C with WGS Reaper 55Hz speaker the comments are nearly all favorable....
OP
Hmmmm....I still have the original 'Marshall' tubes, which are likely Chinese. I also have the TAD 7025WA I installed in V1 (which matches the 7025WA's in V2-V4,) a new JJ EC833-MG and the original 'Marshall U.K' tube that came in my 1997 Valvestate, plus I have (4) Ken-Rad T12AX7 tubes dated 1954.
You could be onto something because hardly anyone has anything bad too say about the Reaper 55Hz speaker.
Some speakers just work better with some amps than others. A very good speaker may actually not sound as good with a particular amplifier than it does with other amps.
OP
Good point...I may go back to 100% stock (speaker and tubes) and see what happens.
OP
My POS 1997 Valvestate VS265 2X12 just kills it for live tone. Scratchy pots and buttons, but just nails the tone...so much low end you can feel air coming out of the cabinet but it never gets flubby no matter how hard you push it - and with a very mid-rangey bass, I need the bottom end on the guitar...
Years ago, a guy I played with had one of those. I do agree. It’s a nice amp. He actually loaned it to me for a set of events I was playing over a weekend. I found it pretty easy to dial in a good tone.
OP
I'd like to get the DSL40C to a gigable condition. Otherwise, its another piece of gear that will be sold or traded at a loss...
How many hours do you have on the DSL40c with your attenuator in use?
Attenuated tube amp usage speeds power tube failure.
Your description of tonal disenchantment reminds me of my Tiny Terror, when it benefited from a fresh set of power tubes.
Attenuated tube amp usage speeds power tube failure.
Your description of tonal disenchantment reminds me of my Tiny Terror, when it benefited from a fresh set of power tubes.
OP
Not much time actually. Maybe two hours total time and I generally never got a good tone with the attenuator with amp volume past 12.
OP
Maybe I should bias the amp. The local Marshall 'guru' (authorized tech Jack Spina) recommends 30 on the DSL40C.
OP
I have lots of tubes that's for sure. Just trying to avoid making so many changes at once.
I would also recommend the amp be biased properly. If it has not been running at a proper bias, power tube life can be shortened.
Proper math should be used for each individual amp, as plate voltage can vary due to a few factors like component drift/failure/tolerance.
If you’re not familiar with the measurements needed, and the math involved, I would suggest that you seek either the knowledge, or a qualified person that possesses that knowledge and proper equipment near you.
Any time that you change power tubes, bias should be checked, at least, and adjusted if necessary.