Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 602 or 122 Combo???

Spiral Notebook · 15-06-2009 12:08PM #1

Hi all, im thinking of buying either a "Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 602 Combo" or a "MARSHALL JCM 2000 TSL 122" for small jaming sessions/messing around with myself, nothing too strenious on the amps!

I have found nice second hand examples of each on adverts.ie for around the same money. Has anybody any experience/recommendations on either, currently im leaning towards the 602 (because it is getting overall better reviews from what i've read) but would like to hear other peoples thoughts.

Also I have taken the valves used etc into consideration, just looking for any opinions on them. By the way i play with a standard strat but looking to change this, and im upgrading from a MG100 (bows head and walks away in shame)!

Thanks!

-=al=- · 15-06-2009 12:21PM

the 122 has that all important vpr button that will give u 25 watts + doesnt it have extra eq for crunch/lead channels and the odd extra feature...

ive a tsl100 and its on vpr all the time, but its nice to know you have the extra headroom if you need it, and each channel on the 122 is independant equed and volumes with some features too.. depdns what ur going to use it for and how ur gona use it..

to be honest i only ever use the clean channel on the tsl now!

Eoin Madsen · 15-06-2009 06:03PM

My experiences with recording DSL and TSL series' amps have been quite underwhelming on the whole. They're relative expensive amps for what they are, and, imo, they have a pretty limited tone.

So, I guess my thought on the subject is: don't get either one, look for something better and/or less expensive instead. :pac:

Spiral Notebook · 16-06-2009 08:53AM

The MARSHALL JCM 2000 TSL 122 im looking at is 3 years old and is E450 which I think is a fairly ok price for the piece of kit your getting, and like I said in the original post, its only for my own recreational use, but i'd still like something that sound fairly decient.

After the OP's post I had a proper look at the 2 amps and the 122 appears to have more flexability in terms of the 3 different channels, i.e. 3 seperate volumes, gains and eq's, which is pretty good.

Im still open to sugestions though, but i thought a TSL122 for E450 seems pretty decent!

Paolo_M · 16-06-2009 10:06AM

I'll second Eoins comments.
I've one (DSL series) in for some work at the moment and, while flexible for a Marshall valve amp, it doesn't do any one sound particularily well. The crunch and cleans are pretty good. The lead channel is a bit:eek: With the deep button engaged it manages to be both harsh, and muddy all at once. That mid scoop button is pretty nasty too.
Of course this is just my opinion, but my suggestion would be to check out some other amps against it first.
I'd be suggesting looking at some lower powered valve amps, especially if you're looking for something for jam sessions and playing at home.
The Blackstar stuff is getting great reviews, the Orange Tiny Terror sounds good to me. Vox have also launched their 15 Watter, which sounds pretty good from the on-line clips. These should be in your local store to try out and should be in a similar price bracket.
Who knows, you may still prefer the Marshall, but it's worth checking out your options.

Eoin Madsen · 16-06-2009 11:58AM

One thing I will add if you still opt to get the TSL - absolutely, definitely, unconditionally: change the valves as soon as it's yours. Put in some JJs or something like that.

I know you're thinking that 450 is low compared to the price of a new TSL, but the new price is utterly scandalous to begin with. You've obviously been playing long enough to realise that the MG is a pretty poor amp, despite the number of people who buy them and play them, so, with the benefit of experience, don't make the same mistake again. Don't get me wrong, I love Marshall amps (classic ones), but JCM2000 is - IMO - the MG of valve amps. The money goes into the brand name, not the quality of the amp.

Paolo_M wrote: »

I'd be suggesting looking at some lower powered valve amps, especially if you're looking for something for jam sessions and playing at home.
The Blackstar stuff is getting great reviews, the Orange Tiny Terror sounds good to me. Vox have also launched their 15 Watter, which sounds pretty good from the on-line clips. These should be in your local store to try out and should be in a similar price bracket.
Who knows, you may still prefer the Marshall, but it's worth checking out your options.

+1

-=al=- · 16-06-2009 12:25PM

i wouldnt say their the mg's of valves there's still nice elements to em but if i didnt have mine which is 5 years old and bought at the time when i wasnt as expecienced and only had some music shops in town to choose from... i probably would get something else

but a lot of people do like them too! i like mine and the sounds but i only use the clean channel! which is lovely and works pefectly fine and good the best thing is the vpr switch on it, but with the choice of all this new stuff and variation its shops here being a bit better yeah but hey if u want it go for it, its not a band amp

Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 602 or 122 Combo???

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