Best $320 Amp Ever! Marshall DSL40C Gear Review
In this episode of Ray Plays Guitar, Ray Kainz talks about his new favorite combo amp – the Marshall DSL40C. These all tube EL34 powered amps can be found on the used market for under $400. Why so cheap? What’s wrong with this amp? Ray demonstrates some of the sounds and features of the Marshall DSL40 combo amp.
0:00 – Intro
1:03 – The 90’s and Viet Nam
2:27 – Amp Overview
3:11 – Classic Channel – Crunch Mode
5:03 – Ultra Channel – Lead 1
5:42 – Ultra Channel – Lead 2
6:16 – Ultra Channel – Lead 2 Tone Shift engaged
6:48 – Pentode / Triode switch
8:27 – DSL40C vs 40CR
10:25 – Price Comparison
11:55 – Summary, Thanks & Call to Action
GUITAR SIGNAL CHAIN
Gustavsson Bluesmaster Special PGB guitar with Lollar low-wind Imperial pickups into Marshall DSL40C amplifier. Audix D2 microphone into a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface into Logic Pro.
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#Amp #Marshall #DSL40C #Gear #Review
Originally posted by UCGXziSg4Qu0p2L510_pG45A at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ns-LgG5l7k
$320?? How so?
It sounds especially great plugging it into a 412 cab too.
Thanks for the review. Because of you, I went out this morning and picked one up. Been playing with it all day. I'm lovin it. Thank you.
$1200 here, dunno where you shop
Nice video – looking for one of these in Australia now, thanks for the info. BTW what earphones are you using and do you rate them?
I couldn't resist a DSL40C that was recently for sale in my local goodwill/charity store for a couple of hundred. That was the same that I paid for my DSL20 ten to fifteen years ago. I wasn't too clear on the differences between the C and CR, so thanks for explaining. I don't really need the extra recording and channel options that the CR has.
I could feel myself smiling at the warm clean and crunch tones that the amp gives with a MIM Strat. It will do more overdriven distortion, if you want it.
The reverb was one of the things that swung me on buying it. My DSL20 doesn't have reverb. So far I'm finding the reverb sounds good but it is subtle (not that I want to add loads, but it's cool to have it available). I didn't notice a spring tank in the back or spring noises from the amp and this video confirmed it's a digital reverb. It's a recent buy and I'm still experimenting but I do like the tube sounds it produces and the ease of setting different tones.
Just sold a Friedman, Splawn and Dr Z.. The only amp I use anymore are my DSL40C's. I have a combo & head in a custom cab. Not saying it's better than the mentioned amps, but it is for me.. Plugging it into a 2×12 or 4×12 cab is amazing. Do the C19 clip mod and change the crap stock 70/80 speaker.
Thanks for the review!
Im picking one of these up today!
Cant wait to hear it!
Got the Dsl40c. Wasn’t mad about the Seventy80.
Running it through 2 Eminence drivers now. Wow what a difference. I’m a bit drive pedal obsessed and this thing takes em all fantastically. Run it on edge of breakup on the crunch channel permanently. Tried a whole bunch of other amps and keep on running back to this one.
Awesome informative demo especially about the differences in the 40 and 20 watt models. I curious how did you order both amps ie did you use Reverb or Guitar Center Used? Nice guitar playing too✌️
Got mine a few days ago. Was selling a 98 ibanez s470 modded. Downsizing. Guy offered a trade, footswitch included, mint condition. Best decision I've made in a long time.
Dam, it sounds great!
I bought the marshall dsl40cr and love it. I took the amp out of its original cabinet and installed the amp in a head caseing.
I know run my dsl40cr head through a marshall 4x12A cabinet.
It sounds awesome.
This amp gets very little, sometimes no hum when in high gain/overdrive.
Great amp.
Orange 60 599.00
This was $320.00 five months ago??? I can't find one for less than $899 new anywhere!
The DSL40CR is a better amp. Well worth the little upcharge.
DSL 20 or the SV 20? Thanks
I've been looking at these amps for several years but haven't took the dive. I was looking and noticed the difference of the two master volumes and the non master volumes. Now I know the difference. I can find them anywhere between 450 and 650 used here. (central florida) I want to hear the difference in speakers so I'mma go watch that. Thanks Ray.
I bought the dsl about 15 years ago and never did play it enough to see what it would do and I bought the dsl cr just a few days ago and it’s a killer amp. I swear I spent 20,000 dollars on amps trying to to get the 80 s jcm combo sound I had in the early 80 s and it was a killer amp but the dsl cr is very close to it in sound and I been searching for that sound for 30 years and finally found it with the dsl cr, I would advise any guitar player to get one if you into rock!
Yes o have both of them, I love both of them, I got Friedman s , fenders , hot rod delux and the Marshall blows them all away, if your listeners don’t have one I’d suggest they get one if they want to rock
Hey what is the secret you have in that Marshall head behind you? That thing sounds awsome, I’d love to know the mod you have in that
This series 1 DSL like this sounds far better than the newer DSL CR series.. Ive tried the new one in various stores and it just sounds unrealistic like a bad pedal IMO.. Both the crunch and classic gain channels on the original sound killer !
Are you still going to do the different speaker comparison?
Just got here. Where is the comparison vid lol?
This and the Princeton definitely my next 2
Very flexible versatile amp, great variety of Classic Marshall tones, loud, quiet, reliable, portable, affordable, it’s a no brainer.