So about an hour ago I took delivery of this bad boy:
The new 2018 Marshall DSL5c with reverb.
I have been playing my 3 main guitars through it (Strat/Tele/LP) and its a massive upgrade on my old combo, the MG15R.
Cleans are more crisps and the low end is nicer and the reverb is very lush! I used to own the JCM2000 50 watt head and it reminds me of that, just a more back-friendly version.
Dirty is a lot more ballsier partly due to the "deep" button enabled, again much better than my old amp. The reduction switch on the back is very helpful too making it 1 watts if I don't want to piss the neighbours off, I get to turn the volume up quite a bit too to get the valves cooking.
Its not my "perfect" tone but it sure as hell is an improvement on what I had before. I'm very happy with it, and this is more than enough for my needs. I do private guitar lessons and this can handle most of the rock tones I need.
I wonder if I could use this for small gigs even as 5 watts packs a lot of punch. If I did do regular pub covers gigs say I'd probably get the 40 watt version.
All in all two thumbs from me!
Comments
5W might be enough depending on what type of gig it is.
If you have a decent PA to mic it, a 5W amp can definitely be enough.
Even unmic'ed you might get away with it. I've played for a production at my daughters' school the last few years, and a couple of years ago they did We Will Rock You. It wasn't loud as we couldn't drown out the kids, but the other guitarist used my 5W VHT Special 6 rather than drag his amp across London on the Tube. Admittedly, that is the head version and was used with a cab with a Celestion G12 65.
not amused that dsl types are being purchased and i have a due april email from andertons iro my origin 20w head
I originally wanted the DSL5 without the reverb but just as I sought out to get it they stopped shipping them so had to hold out for a long time for this series to be released. It cost a bit more than I thought but its worth it, also its strangely bigger than my old 15 watt one but its something to do with the speaker size I think.
It looks to have a couple of good upgrades from my 2 year old DSL 5C - the reverb for starters, but also the gain control on the Classic channel.
On the subject of covers, I am looking for one for mine but couldn't seem to find any. Where might I get a fitted cover for a DSL5?
As for the gain control on the classic channel I haven’t messed with it much but haven’t noticed a difference it makes. Maybe I need to do more twiddling.