Marshall JCM2000 TSL100Head

[Chud]

I've been hearing bad press about these amps from people saying that they don't sound good, so can anyone give me their opinions on it?

I ask because i'm thinking of buying a new amplifier head (100 watt~) and the TSL100 was one of the best options for me, pricewise and all.

Anyone else care to offer some amplifiers that are quite affordable like the TSL100H or can anyone give opinions on the amp?



Cheers,
C.

[red5]

Yeah buy a used handwired Marshall from '69-'74. Or a JCM 800 (preferably a '81-'83 with vertical inputs) or a 900.

The 2000s are overpriced when you can buy a handwired with an aluminum panel that sounds much better for less. They are pretty fizzy sounding amps and the power section is not warm like older Marshalls.

I'd suggest looking for a DSL over a TSL to save a few bucks. The DSLs always seem to sound better, but all the decent tones from the amp come from the clean channel anyway so the TSL is not worth an extra $250 new or $50 used.

What kind of tone do you want? If it does not have to be a Marshall tone, try a JSX. You can also get an ENGL Powerball mint for less money than a new DSL or TSL and it will kill it.

[megadeth]

Originally Posted by red5

JCM 800 (preferably a '81-'83 with vertical inputs)

i have one with horizontal inputs. any difference in sound? it's a Guitar Center limited edition reissue.

[chopvai]

i have a tsl100.. and i got no complaint.. i get all the tones i want to get from this amp using it with a gmajor...

the end of the day, personal choice is what matters,

If your happy with it, then thats it!...

[Shep]

I hav a Jcm 800 reissue it was the 2nd one in Australia...it's sound compared to the dsl and tsl just killed them ...it's more clean and warm and ballys ( if thats a word )lol

btw whats the other input avaiable for Jcm 800's apart for horizontal input's..

Thanks

[adamcbest]

Originally Posted by red5

They are pretty fizzy sounding amps and the power section is not warm like older Marshalls.

What he just said is why i sold mine and bought a Mark IV

[pace520]

Well, that's why I also sold my TSL and bought a Nomad

[greggmetal]

I believe that the TSL is a great amp, I had one that I bought back in 2000, and stayed with me 5 years, loved the 3 channels, I just sold it this week.

For some guys the clean channel it's no so clean, and if you try to use it with pedals, it won't be transparent, it will be always sound like Marshally :-) , but for me that's obvious, so what the hell.

I used more the Crunch channel, since it gives more Satch like sounds, but let me tell you, the Lead channel it's also very good, loved the sound with Jackson guitars.

But again as I grew musically, my taste changed a little, and since I've always loved Stach's music, I'm changing my amp to JSX, I just got it today, still testing it.

So far I love the way it sound with Les Pauls and my JS guitars, the clean channel it's a lot better, the crunch channel it's really good as well as the Lead channel.

Don't get me wrong, I will never sound like Satriani or Vai, I try to play Satch, Vai, Gary Moore, SRV, classic rock, blues, and I like what I hear. I still get the TSL kind of sound, plus a lot more, I felt a little restricted with the TSL lately, but still it's a good amp.

[j.arledge]

Originally Posted by Chud

I've been hearing bad press about these amps from people saying that they don't sound good, so can anyone give me their opinions on it?

I ask because i'm thinking of buying a new amplifier head (100 watt~) and the TSL100 was one of the best options for me, pricewise and all.

Anyone else care to offer some amplifiers that are quite affordable like the TSL100H or can anyone give opinions on the amp?



Cheers,
C.

i personally think you could do a lot better than a tsl for the price but your in England, and dont know much about the prices you pay compared to what we pay in the U.S. . I'd check out laney if i where you, supposedly they have better cleans and more gain than a marshall.

[adamcbest]

Originally Posted by jra2217

i personally think you could do a lot better than a tsl for the price but your in England, and dont know much about the prices you pay compared to what we pay in the U.S. . I'd check out laney if i where you, supposedly they have better cleans and more gain than a marshall.

i agree with this statement. i've ever played one, but i've heard tons of good things about those laneys. stupid me. the store i buy from had tons of them in, but they stopped carrying them a few months ago.. i should have been trying them out. thats life i guess

[red5]

Originally Posted by megadeth

i have one with horizontal inputs. any difference in sound? it's a Guitar Center limited edition reissue.

Yes there is a pretty major difference in sound. First, the horizontal ones sound thinner. Second it's a reissue with a cheapo Dagnall transformer instead of a Drake or a good replica like a MM or OEI, and on cheaper circuit board than the originals. Third, the reissues with the stock tubes and biasing were incredibly dark sounding but that part can be fixed easily though!

[red5]

Originally Posted by adamcbest

What he just said is why i sold mine and bought a Mark IV

There you go. I'm not even a Mesa guy but if I had no amps and had to choose, I'd still go with Mesa. They are very tight sounding amps and at least have something going for them.

[red5]

I've never played a new Laney. The old ones weren't all that shabby ;P

[Chud]

Haha well, nevermind, i went for it anyway

[Algiman]

Congrats. They are great amps, if that's the sound you are looking for, but that's true of any gear.
Do you have much of a drop out when you change channels? It seems that afflicts some but not all TSLs.