JCM2000 DSL Amplifiers

DSL100 Head • DSL50 Head • DSL401 Combo

Allison Robertson

(The Donnas)

“No matter where I go, whatever the circumstances, be it a tiny smoky rock club or a recording studio, my JCM2000 is consistently loud and heavy. Don’t be jealous.”

Larry Hibbitt

(Hundred Reasons)

“The louder they are the better they sound.”

The formidable family of JCM2000 valve amps was born when we launched the DSL100 and DSL50 heads to an unprecedented wave of critical and public acclaim in 1997 with a design that gave guitarists virtually any amp sound from ‘Nashville Clean’ to jaw-dropping hi-gain crunch, we knew these heads were destined to take their place in line with the other great Marshall amplifiers. With each subsequent JCM2000 product introduction, glowing accolades continued.

The final addition to the line came when we unleashed the baby of the family – the EL84-powered DSL401 combo. Once again, the reception it received was overwhelmingly positive and its inclusion in the line made the JCM2000 Series the most comprehensive range of valve amplifiers in the illustrious 40 year history of Marshall.

DSL100 & DSL50 Heads

Countless hours of R&D and, of course, listening went into the creation of the 100 Watt DSL100 and 50 Watt DSL50 heads. As DSL is an acronym for ‘Dual Super Lead’, it should come as no surprise that each amp has two footswitchable channels – Classic and Ultra. Furthermore, each of these channels boasts two modes: the Classic channel offers a Clean/Crunch option while the Ultra offers Lead 1 or Lead 2. Instead of merely offering a variation in gain level to the two channels, each one of these four modes has been individually voiced as an amp in its own right.

The tremendous tonal versatility of these amps, coupled with a 100% pure valve signal path, dual Reverb controls, Tone Shift switch (which ‘scoops out’ the mids) and a Deep switch (which adds a tight, low end boost), caused the guitar world to sit up and take notice right from the outset. As soon as you play one, you’ll hear and feel why so many of the world’s foremost players and journalists were quick to dub the DSL

heads as “the best Marshalls ever!” It also won’t surprise you when you learn that this dynamic duo of JCM2000 amps have become the company’s best selling all-valve heads to date.

DSL401 Combo

Weighing in at 40 Watts and housing two independent, footswitchable channels, the compact, EL84-powered DSL401 1x12" combo is the smallest model of the impressive, eight member JCM2000 family. Don’t let the relatively small size fool you though, it packs a powerful punch. In fact, the DSL401 made such a big impression on Art Thompson, the technical editor of Guitar Player magazine, that he felt compelled to write the following: ‘Their tight, punchy tones are Marshall through and through, these new combos are the mightiest minis that Marshall has ever made.’

Like its bigger brothers, the Clean channel of the DSL401 produces a wide array of crystal clear yet complex, clean sounds. It also gets big ‘n’ bluesy when the channel’s Gain control is cranked up. As Mr Thompson so aptly put it in his Guitar Player review: ‘The clean channel yields sparkling tones at low settings and increasing levels of fat grind as you turn up the gain. With the Gain knob maxed, you get a throaty lead sound that cleans up nicely when you roll down your guitar volume. Strats and Teles sounded particularly rich and aggressive.’

Sticking with Art’s much-respected eloquence, here’s how he described the Overdrive channel of this amp in his rave review: ‘Depending on how you set the highly interactive Gain and Volume controls, you can dial in anything from pert overdrive to perpetual sustain and beyond.’

The DSL401 boasts the following rear panel attributes: dual speaker jacks (with an 8 Ohm/16 Ohm impedance selector switch) for driving external cabinets and an optional Reverb on/off footswitch jack. The most significant ‘extra’ of them all though is this, the DSL401 has three footswitchable sounds – Clean, OD1 & OD2! The difference between OD1 and OD2? A massive 20dB boost which is instantly accessible with a mere tap of your foot on the supplied 2-way (Clean/OD, OD1/OD2) LED footswitch.

Marshall Amplification Product Catalogue

AMPLIFIER SPECIFICATION

FEATURES	DSL100	DSL50	DSL401

Head	✓	✓	No
Combo	No	No	✓
Output (RMS)	100 Watt	50 Watt	40 Watt
Channels	2	2	3
Modes per Channel	2	2	None
Reverb Control	✓ (per Ch)	✓ (per Ch)	✓
Tone Shift	✓	✓	No
Deep Switch	✓	✓	No
Series FX Loop	✓	✓	No
Parallel FX Loop	No	No	✓
Pre-Amp Valves	4 x ECC83	4 x ECC83	4 x ECC83
Power Amp Valves	4 x EL34	2 x EL34	4 x EL84
Footswitch (supplied)	PEDL-10001	PEDL-10001	PEDL-10013
Dimensions (mm)	750 x 310 x 215	750 x 310 x 215	575 x 485 x 265
Weight (kg)	19	18	20

From left to right:

DSL401 Combo

DSL50 Head

1960A Cab

DSL100 Head

1960A Cab

1960B Cab

Marshall Amplification Product Catalogue

JCM800 Series specifications

Marshall Amplification is synonymous with rock music, and the JCM800 series is one of its most iconic models. Launched in the early 1980s, the JCM800 series redefined high-gain amplification and became a staple for countless rock and metal guitarists. Known for its raw power and tonal versatility, the JCM800 has left an indelible mark on the music industry.

One of the defining features of the JCM800 series is its pure, aggressive sound. At the heart of these amplifiers lies a high-gain preamp circuit, which delivers a rich, harmonically complex tone that is ideal for modern rock styles. The JCM800 offers a variety of wattage options, typically ranging from 50 to 220 watts, allowing players to choose the right power for their sound and performance environment.

The classic EL34 power tubes serve as the backbone of the JCM800's tone. These tubes provide a warm, dynamic response and a pronounced midrange that perfectly complements the heavy distortion and sustain the amp is known for. The two-channel setup—commonly featuring a "Normal" and a "Overdrive" channel—grants players flexibility in their sound. The Normal channel is perfect for achieving clean tones, while the Overdrive channel unleashes an intense crunch that can be dialed in to suit any style.

Control features on the JCM800 amplifiers are straightforward yet effective. Simple tone controls—bass, middle, treble—allow players to sculpt their sound easily. The added presence and resonance controls enhance the amp's response, delivering everything from bright, cutting tones to thick, powerful sounds ideal for heavy riffs.

Another key technology in the JCM800 series includes the use of PCB (printed circuit board) design, improving reliability while maintaining an accessible serviceability profile. Marshall also incorporates features like series effects loops, allowing musicians to integrate their favorite pedals effortlessly.

The JCM800 has become a beloved choice for many legendary guitarists, with its sound frequently associated with iconic recordings from bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and Nirvana. Available in various configurations, including heads, combos, and cabinets, the JCM800 series remains a cutting-edge line of amplifiers that capture the essence of rock music. Its rich history, combined with its powerful features, continues to inspire guitarists around the world. With the JCM800, Marshall Amplification has solidified its status as a pillar in the foundation of rock tone.

Marshall Amplification JCM800 Series JCM2000 DSL Amplifiers, Allison Robertson, Larry Hibbitt

Models: JCM800 Series