Marshall Amplification JCM 2000 DSL201, JCM 2000 DSL401 User Manual

JCM 2000

DSL201 & DSL401

Combos

Handbook

1

Marshall Amplification plc

Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1DQ, England

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Web Site - http://www.marshallamps.com

Whilst the information contained herein is correct at the time of publication,

due to our policy of constant improvement and development, Marshall

Amplification plc reserve the right to alter specifications without prior notice.

Nov ‘98

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Introduction

With the introduction of the Marshall JCM2000 range of DSL50 and 100 heads, the
TSL100 head and the TSL122 combo, the quintessential definition of ultimate tone
and usable features has been rewritten. This quartet of great amps has now spawned
a new generation of compact, lower power combo amps, the DSL201 and DSL401,
destined to be classics for both studio and session/club gigs.

As the names imply these amps are 20 Watts and 40 Watts respectively, but as these
are true valve amps, built to exacting standards, do not let the lower power ratings
lull you into thinking that they are mere practice amps, as nothing could be further
from the truth! The benefits of using a lower powered amp are many fold, not least
that of being able to push the output valves harder for extra warmth at manageable
volume levels. Just remember how many famous artists have used smaller amps to
record those classic tracks and how many use lower powered amps on stage, to help
balance the sound. Worried that your amp is great for the studio and small club, but
not for bigger gigs? Well don’t, there are ways of making them sound much bigger
than they really are. Just adding a Marshall 1960 4x12” is going to increase the
spread and SPL of your sound, by simple physics. If not mic or D.I. through the PA.
The onboard D.I. output of your DSL201 or 401 contains Marshalls acclaimed speaker
emulation circuit, making accurate sounding D.I.ing as simple as plugging in a cable!
Silent recording in your project studio? Again, use the speaker emulated D.I. output,
only this time turn down the ‘output master’ volume control (which by the way,
controls the apparent output power) to zero and still capture the full valve tone of
your amp on tape (or disc!)

WARNING! - Important safety instructions

A. ALWAYS fit a good quality mains plug conforming to the latest B.S.I. standards where necessary (UK only).
B. NEVER attempt to by-pass the fuses or fit ones of the incorrect value.
C. NEVER attempt to replace fuses or valves with the amplifier connected to the mains.
D. DO NOT attempt to remove the amplifier chassis, there are no user serviceable parts.
E. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been

damaged in any way, such as the power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally
or has been dropped.

F. NEVER use an amplifier in damp or wet conditions.
G. ALWAYS unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
H. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles and at

the point where they exit from the apparatus.

I. DO NOT switch the amplifier on without the loudspeaker connected.
J. ENSURE that any extension cabinets used are of the correct impedance.
K. PLEASE read this instruction manual carefully before switching on.

Follow all instructions and heed all warnings.
WARNING : This apparatus must be earthed!
WARNING : Do not obstruct ventilation grille and always ensure free movement of air around the amplifier!

USA ONLY - DO NOT defeat the purpose of the polarised or grounding type plug. A polarised plug has two

blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.

The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit into your

outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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Please note both models DSL201 and DSL401
are described together, any model variations are
indicated.

✪ User Hint - where you see text starting with
this sign, we have described some slight
technical paraphenalia in order for you to
understand what is going on inside your amp and
we hope will help you in creating the tone that is
best for you and your amp.

1. Input Jack

As most manuals state, plug your guitar in here.
✪ User Hint - Amusement aside, it is

worthwhile remembering that you should use a
high quality guitar lead to achieve optimum
performance. If you are unsure what constitutes
a high quality lead then most good music stores
should be able to give you good advice, but
remember, it may not be the cheapest one going!

It is also worth pointing out here that how an
amp sounds is VERY dependent on the type of

guitar you use. For instance, a guitar with
humbucker type pick-ups is not going to sound
as open and clean as one with single coil type
pick-ups, yet will provide that great mid range
bark that we are accustomed to for rock playing.

2. Clean Gain

This controls the preamp level of the clean
channel, at lower settings the sound will be very
clean and at higher settings the sound will start
to ‘Crunch’ up in a traditional blues sort of way.
In between, around midway, depending on what
type of guitar you are using, you will find some
great semi-clean/semi-crunch tones, just like
those great vintage amps that had minimal
features, but great tone.

✪ User Hint - there is a capacitor across the
gain control that brightens up the tone when set
to lower levels. This helps to ‘cut’ through at
low volumes and adds ‘twang’ to the tone. As
you bring up the gain control the effect of this
decreases and the tone becomes fatter. If you

Continuing with the features of your amp, both the DSL201 and 401 have two
totally independent, footswitchable channels, notably ‘Clean’ and ‘Overdrive’ which
cover the whole range of tones from sparkly clean, through classic and modern
‘Crunch’, through to super-saturated Lead Overdrive.

On top of this, the DSL401 offers a three channel option by having the ability to
(foot)switch between OD1 and OD2 - OD2 having even more gain than OD1 - in fact
a staggering 20dB more! Thus giving the ability to switch from great clean to
crunch and then to lead. Remember, the Clean channel not only does clean, it
crunches up in a great traditional way too, just turn it up and drop the apparent
output power (output master) down to a socially acceptable level.

Rounding out the features, your DSL201 or 401 also has a parallel FX loop with a
mix control and large spring ‘Sound Enhancements’ reverb, with footswitch facility
(DSL401 only).

It is important to mention here that your DSL201 or DSL401 use EL84 output
valves, as opposed to either the 5881/6L6 or EL34 valves used in bigger Marshall
amps. The EL84 is the classic output valve for smaller British style amps (and some
U.S. ones too) and is a great valve to achieve superb tone at lower power levels.
Normally they are used in a very simple circuit that features no negative feedback
and are run in the cathode biased mode which gets close to them being run in class
A, which makes for a very squashy compressed tone, as typified in the VOX AC30
for instance. Whilst this mode is great for these classic amps, we felt that this
simple operating mode limited the amount of versatility required from an amp as
diverse as the DSL201 & 401, in this modern age. Therefore, after careful study of
how these classic amps worked and how the bigger Marshall’s worked, a fresh
design that covers a broader spectrum of tones has been incorporated into the
DSL201 and 401. We feel that it does it with great style.

DSL201 & DSL401 Front Panel Features (pages 32 & 34)