Picked up a Marshall DSL20HR last weekend. Spent a decent amount of time playing it last weekend and this evening. I love the clean tone but I am not really digging the Ultra Gain channel on it. I am thinking of picking up a Revv G3 or Friedman BE-OD pedal to run into the clean channel. Anyone have any experience with this amp and pedals? It seems to take the tube screamer pretty well, especially for really driving the clean channel to the edge of breakup.
Check out some threads in the Marshallampforum. I think a lot of cats swap one of the preamp tubes with something different that really helps those drive channels out. Seems rather odd to have to buy a $250 dirt box for a legendary high gain amp imo.
It's an awesome little amp. You just need to be careful with the gain on the Ultra channel, and I'd also recommend popping a Tung Sol in the first position, which smooths it out. Definitely try some different preamp tubes before dropping $200 on a pedal. (not that that pedal is bad; it's a nice one too).
Also, like most all high gain amps... speaker choice is both paramount and subjective. Old school Marshall's mate well with Greenbacks. 800's pair well with the G12-65 type family. DSL's ? Probably a well broken in or old t75.
Thanks for the replies, I may look at swapping tube in first position for something like a Tung-sol and see what that does. Also may be able to try a different cab with the head as well.
