DSL40CR Cream Levant LTD : Marshall...as if it was ever in doubt!

Having been a gigging guitarist for over 30yrs I have had my fair share of amps. I have tried solid state, valve and hybrids but there is no getting past a pure valve amp....especially when it is a Marshall!!

Having most recently been using a TSL601 I wanted something a bit smaller but with equal punch. I bought a second hand DSL and I loved the tones but it was in bad shape so decided to invest in a brand new amp. And boy what a great package this is!!

Delivery was prompt and on time (all taxes paid up front). Out of the first box first came the pedal. With six foot switches I could activate all four channels independently (Clean, Crunch, OD1 and OD2), switch between Master 1 & 2 and turn the effects loop on/off. Also in the first box was an amp cover, made out of high quality canvas that fits perfectly.

Box 2 was the money shot. The Limited Edition Cream Levant DSL40CR is a thing of beauty. No doubt the black Marshalls are the iconic colour but this is something else. The vintage Marshall badge on the beige coloured cloth looks stunning! Surrounded by a cream tolex covering it sure is something special aesthetically alone!

But what we are really here for is the sounds! There are 4 channels that selectable - 2 x Classic Gain, 2 x Ultra Gain. In the classic gain section you get Clean and Crunch. The clean channel is great for simple rhythm or for clean lead sounds. The Crunch starts to get in to the classic Marshall sound, winding up the gain putting you in that classic rock tone that everybody loves!

The Ultra Gain OD1 really piles on that heavy classic rock tone but is so versatile, just backing off the volume on your guitar gets a nice shimmering clean sound with just a bit of bite. OD2 is metal heaven! A slightly thicker, more gainy type of sound, perfect for those thrash metal tones.

There is a 3 band EQ which, to be honest, I thought would be a hinderance...it isn't! It almost sounds like it is adding a tiny bit of compression and really brings a tightness to the overall sound. Combine that with the Presence and Resonance and you have a complete tonal palette that will satisfy most peoples needs.

Now, I use this amp in a rock covers band and we play all sorts of stuff. I use my BOSS ME80 in the Effects Loop section and only use the modulations and reverbs/delays that I need. All my tones come from the amp channels. Using Master 1 to set the volume for my rhythm and Master 2 to add volume for my lead sound . I do find the clean channel to be a bit quieter than the crunch, OD1 and OD2 but I counter that by using the Master 2 to boost the volume as I do not play any purely clean lead lines.

The EQ section was my biggest concern being that is was a generic EQ for all channels as opposed to independently but this was unfounded. This amp is simply outstanding! I have now gigged it 3 times and had no problems accessing the sounds I want and/or need and at the volume I want it to be at. I have not had the Master 1 volume beyond 4 on the 40w setting, setting the Master 2 level to 6 for my lead sounds.

I could wax lyrical about this amp all day long but the best thing you could do is try one for yourself, you definitely will not be disappointed