Hot Rodding a DSL40C???

Right now, I have switched over to my 1997 Marshall valvestate VS265 2x12 Stereo/Chorus Combo. I am running a Russian-Made Genelex Gold Lion T12AX7 in it and you can 'dime' the gain without it ever getting muddy. That's probably going to be my main amp for a while, which will give me time to make a good decision - as opposed to my usual "just do something now even if it's wrong" approach to problems with music stuff... :-)
 
Robert Herndon said:
Hey! Good Morning! and thanks for responding...

I have some time to work this out. Our drummer is out 9 weeks with shoulder surgery, and we leave tomorrow to visit my wife's dying Father in Nicaragua for a month.

To answer your questions though, I have indeed thought of getting a better amp. I think my point - at least at this time - is not taking a huge loss on this DSL40C, which has inclined me to look for possible solutions. Between the cost of the amp, the Weber Attentuator and the custom 50 watt reaper 55Hz, and multiple sets of tubes, I have $900.00 wrapped up in this and getting lowballed in the $275.00/$300.00 range. I know price shouldn't be a consideration, but the principle of losing 50% of the values of some purchased stuff bugs the practical side of me.

I have a Line 6 HD75 head and vintage Jackson 4X12 cabinet, but I can't transport this in my own car. When I was with Maxon-Axxe, we had a moving truck to transport gear. Having something that fits in my car is important. The DSL40C fits but I couldn't go much bigger than that physically speaking.

Budget is very flexible. I am definitely going to do some extensive testing before I lay down cash again.

What kind of suggestions do you have????
Click to expand...

I don't mind paying for a high quality multi purpose amp. Soldano comes to mind, so does Jet City (also made by Soldano.) Bogner makes some really good small amps too. Try looking around on Reverb.com I found a great Soldano at a decent price that's on there now.

Soldano Used Astroverb 16 Combo Guitar Amplifier 20 Watt EL84 Tube Combo Black

Also a 50 watt Jet City combo....

Jet City Amplification JCA5012C 50W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Regular Black
 
guitarweasel said:
I don't mind paying for a high quality multi purpose amp. Soldano comes to mind, so does Jet City (also made by Soldano.) Bogner makes some really good small amps too. Try looking around on Reverb.com I found a great Soldano at a decent price that's on there now.

Soldano Used Astroverb 16 Combo Guitar Amplifier 20 Watt EL84 Tube Combo Black

Also a 50 watt Jet City combo....

Jet City Amplification JCA5012C 50W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Regular Black
Click to expand...

Thanks, man!

I will be without a guitar for at least two weeks (unless I can find a cheap acoustic to buy down there and donate it to someone when we leave) so I plan on spending as much time as possible researching!!!!!
 
guitarweasel said:
I don't mind paying for a high quality multi purpose amp. Soldano comes to mind, so does Jet City (also made by Soldano.) Bogner makes some really good small amps too. Try looking around on Reverb.com I found a great Soldano at a decent price that's on there now.

Soldano Used Astroverb 16 Combo Guitar Amplifier 20 Watt EL84 Tube Combo Black

Also a 50 watt Jet City combo....

Jet City Amplification JCA5012C 50W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Regular Black
Click to expand...

Wow, that JCA5012C looks like ti would fit the bill and my trunk... :-)

I need to check one out....
 
Robert, if you are not a member of Marshall Amp forum yet, I suggest you sign up.

I Pm'd and asked one helpful fella whom I met while servicing my 72 JMP about your amp and he answered me back.
Here is his reply.

"You can ask him to join the forum and he can PM to me it's OK the forum members all help each other no problem.
The factory has been quietly changing the circuit boards through the service centers.
I'm not sure if the updated board addresses the muddiness.
The exact cause for updating is un-known to the public but some of it was noise crackles etc.
Maybe the best thing is to take the amp to the service center and ask them to (custom request) install the latest updated board.
The person who would know the most about this is Kevin K Dog at Marshall USA service HQ. He is directly in communication with the factory in UK.
kevin.drury@USMusicCorp.com
I'm fairly certain there is updates from what I am hearing from other members.
Besides that being said, the preamp tubes can make a very large difference.
The cathode bypass caps of the preamp can allow too much subsonic low frequency which overloads the input of the next preamp stage, result the preamp sounds all muddy "pillow-y" like a clogged up drain. The attack of the guitar note is like "splat, a farting noise."
Changing some parts or tubes (or effects that are being used) may clean up the muddiness.

You can pass that info on to your friend if he doesn't join MAF."
 
LOL weasel, I was gonna mention Jet City amps too. but of course would rather get Robert Happy with the amp he has already invested $$$ and time in if it will be sorted out easy enough.
 
Robert, if you are on Marshall Amp Forum or do join, the fella I spoke to is ampmadscientist. He said you can PM him.
Also another smart fella I have spoken to before is called neikeel. He is also good with amps and has helped me and discussed amps with our own IvanH.

But like Ampmad... suggested, try to get a hold of that Kevin guy.

chilipeppermaniac said:
The person who would know the most about this is Kevin K Dog at Marshall USA service HQ. He is directly in communication with the factory in UK.
kevin.drury@USMusicCorp.c
Click to expand...
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Robert, if you are not a member of Marshall Amp forum yet, I suggest you sign up.

I Pm'd and asked one helpful fella whom I met while servicing my 72 JMP about your amp and he answered me back.
Here is his reply.

"You can ask him to join the forum and he can PM to me it's OK the forum members all help each other no problem.
The factory has been quietly changing the circuit boards through the service centers.
I'm not sure if the updated board addresses the muddiness.
The exact cause for updating is un-known to the public but some of it was noise crackles etc.
Maybe the best thing is to take the amp to the service center and ask them to (custom request) install the latest updated board.
The person who would know the most about this is Kevin K Dog at Marshall USA service HQ. He is directly in communication with the factory in UK.
kevin.drury@USMusicCorp.com
I'm fairly certain there is updates from what I am hearing from other members.
Besides that being said, the preamp tubes can make a very large difference.
The cathode bypass caps of the preamp can allow too much subsonic low frequency which overloads the input of the next preamp stage, result the preamp sounds all muddy "pillow-y" like a clogged up drain. The attack of the guitar note is like "splat, a farting noise."
Changing some parts or tubes (or effects that are being used) may clean up the muddiness.

You can pass that info on to your friend if he doesn't join MAF."
Click to expand...

WOW!
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Robert, if you are on Marshall Amp Forum or do join, the fella I spoke to is ampmadscientist. He said you can PM him.
Also another smart fella I have spoken to before is called neikeel. He is also good with amps and has helped me and discussed amps with our own IvanH.

But like Ampmad... suggested, try to get a hold of that Kevin guy.
Click to expand...

PM sent (I was a member already but haven't logged in for years)
 
Voodoo Amps used to perform a series of DSL40C Modifications called the "Senes Mod."

Description / Specs:

  • All Modifications are exclusive to Voodoo Amps®
  • More gain than our Rock Mod but not as compressed as our Metal Mod
  • Greatly improved clean tones - more airy/chimey/open sounding & lush (Fender Twin)
  • Smoother playability - more liquid like / easier to play
  • Vibrato & bends feel smoother - You will not have to struggle or fight the amp
  • Great for leads and/or single note passages
  • Faster attack - tracks every note you play immediately
  • Improved note articulation - more articulate/defined/clear
  • Harmonics leap off from the fretboard with ease
  • No matter how much gain you use you can still hear all the notes within the chords
  • When you turn the gain control to 10 - its all useable
  • No need to put a pedal on front to smooth-up the tone
  • Lows, mids to highs are much more balanced across the frequency spectrum
  • Dramatically improved bottom end - no more loose/mushy bottom
  • EQ section is much more active and responsive allowing for unlimited tonal possibilities
  • Cranked tones at lower volumes
  • Amp will cut through & sit in the mix much better live as well as in the recording studio
  • All features & functions still operate the same - no holes drilled
  • We do not offer Modifications or upgrades to the reverb or switching circuitry
  • FX-Loop Mod available - See below!
  • Voodoo Add-On™ controls are not available for this model
  • All components used are high quality & are chosen for quality of tone, feel & reliability
  • Important - Please list "Senes Mod" in the notes section of the Mod-Form™
  • Voodoo Mods™ retain your amps resale value verses decreasing it
 
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