Opinions : Marshall JCM2000 and JCM900

[Mario8672]

Anyone played one? What did you think?

EDIT: (For the JCM2000, I'm talking about the Dual Super Lead 100 (DSL100))

[rjohnstone]

Depends on what version of the JCM 2000 you're referring too.
The only one I ever had the pleasure of playing through was a DSL100 head, and it sounded like a neutered cat. Whiny with no balls.
I've played through a JCM 900, but it was too long ago and I don't recall the experience. Not memorable may be an indication of my response to it, but again, I don't remember.

[Fragle]

well, i can only comment on the 2000 series, as i've never played or even heard a jcm900.
i have been on tour with a thrash metal band using the DSL100 head for all shows. the other guitar player in that band has a TSL100.
the DSL definitely sounds good in a thrash metal context, i can assure you that. i doubt it could handle death metal (although the latest NILE was recorded with a DSL100 so go figure...) as the gain gets fizzy real quick, but then again, it's a marshall, it's supposed to be played as loud as possible with as little gain as possible. if you do so, you get a punchy sound with lower mids than the usual marshall sound, not too much bass, and a cutting sound in general. the highs get piercing really quick, however. IIRC i had the presence way off and the treble something like 8:30, bass cranked mids around noon depending on the venue.
i can't tell you how it sounds in a non-thrash context, as i haven't really had the chance to play with the amp...for example, i NEVER in 4 weeks used the clean channel

as for the TSL100, i think it has less mids and highs than the DSL. the difference isn't huge but it's there. the other guitar player used the crunch channel (gain around 3:00) for rhythm sounds, and sounded pretty damn good doing so! the lead channel also sounded good for lead playing as far as i could tell.
now, i have never actually played his amp, but it took me a while to get a better sound for thrash metal than his....it wasn't until i got a 5150 that i managed to do so

[Dreamland_Rebel]

it really depends on what you want to play. i like the 900 but they only really do one sound good. the 2000's are more versitile. they have tonal shift options that the 900 does not. but i am a fan of the ratty 900 distortion. very trashy, but i like that.

[horns666]

DSL/TSL is definitely NOT for me..I tried to work with a new DSL 2000 for a while..it just didn't do it for me at all. I couldn't even hear it over John's VHT2150 / CAE+3 .and the gain was weak and very flubby for our tatse..

John had his old 900 that he actually got to sound ptretty cool with alot of external stuff and slamming the front with a boosted wireless..but that sound doesn't compare to when he began upgrading / cultivativating a better tone with 5150's and now with his VHT/CAE set up..

My favorite Marshall sound is my Marshall rack with 5881's..My favorite Marshall head is the 2210..because you don't to rely on a stomp for distortion..I dialed up a cool Criss Oliva tone with them..Criss used one on his last tour and Chris Caffferty still has it now..

I heard other player do well with DSL TSL 2000, I guess..but John nor I could get anything worthy out of it whatsoever..but if it works for you cool..

you have to let your hands and ears be the judge on this one.

[Joe_Steeler]

I can attest on the DSL 50.
No balls, no guts, therefore no glory.

Tried to kick it in gear with pedals, EQs. Nothing worked.
Tried the loop, hated it.

Sold the fukker and got a Road King.

[GryphonGuitar]

I have a JCM 900 Dual Reverb.

Soundwise I think it's great - it's absolutely not a "hi gain" amp like the box says, but it has a very nice crunchy tone (Think RAT or something). I can try and put up some clips soon if I get my butt around to doing it.

Never tried the 2000 series, but the 900 does fit me well.

[PowerTube]

My favorite Marshall head is the 2210..because you don't to relay on a stomp for distortion....

I do. I love my 2210, but it doesn't get near the saturation and clarity levels I like without stompboxes. It might be different if I could dime it, but for bedroom volumes, it's MT-2 and GE-7 all the way.

[Mario8672]

Do they sound any good with power attentuators like the THD HotPlate?

[Monster Joe]

I have the DSL 100.
I love it. It gives modded Marshall tone for relatively little money.
I can get anything from crystal clean over slight bluesy crunch to 800 to 800 on steroids.
The highgain ultramode or however they call it sucks though.
If you want modern high gain it's not the right amp.
But it will work great for any kind of rock and metal up to thrash.

I've played several 900s and found them buzzy and powerless.

[akoch]

I have a TSL122 (combo version of TSL). Run it mostly via a 412 cab though. Love it. Played JCM800 for a loooong time. After a year or so after getting the TSL the JCM was sold... the amber channel on mine does the JCM800 pretty much exactly 9am-1pm gain. After 2pm - it gets more gain, and starts to sound somewhat different.

[lynchfan6]

I owned a JCM900 4100 dual reverb(with 5881 tubes) head before a TSL100 head. I found the 900 to be very sterile and metallic,,,,very ice-picky gain....but I heard it would have sounded better with EL34's. Definitely not High GAIN. I sold it off after a couple of years and never missed it at all. Next ,I got a TSL100 head. Sounded better (warmer),,but could never get it to sound "unfuzzy." I kept it for a couple of years too, got a lot of complaints from my band members about how jagged the gain sounded,,,,but it was a bit better than the ice pick of the 900. I sold the TSL immediately when I first played a Soldano HR-50+. Just no comparison in gain structure,,,,so smooth and harmonic. But that is just me,,,I don't think I like the Marshall overdrive on their modern amps. I have since sold the HR-50+ for the SLO100, and it is the end of my search for the most immaculate overdrive.

[GuitarWizard]

I had a dual reverb 900 as well and didn't like it at all, I agree with the others it's definately not high gain.

[DonP]

I love my DSL100 1/2 stack. Never tried any of the 900 series however.

[jgcable]

I had a TSL60. My bandmate has a DSL100. I think they are both fine amps. If you want a straight up high gain Marshall tone.. they certainly deliver. We haven't had a single problem with this series.