I'm curious as to why the Marshall TSL amps are so inexpensive. I mean, I would gladly pay $700 for a TSL602 amp on eBay, but I figured that they would be like $2000 due to the fact that they are discontinued. I'm not complaining, I am merely curious because of my perception that they are such great amps. Any particular reasons as to why?

The TSLs are considered good Marshall amps, not great Marshall amps. The early models had problems with the footswitches that caused many a TSL owner headaches, probably sullied their reputation a bit. Also, they seem to have a more "modern" gain tone than even the DSLs. Some people find the TSL gain tone to be fizzy or processed, and less organic sounding.

That said, you can dial in more traditional Marshall tones from the TSLs with some tweaking. Again, good but not great amps by most accounts, and yes, they are can be had for a very fair price. If you are interested you probably should try and play one first to see if a fit.

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I'd definitely second that. I mean it's true of all amps but I think doubly for the TSL's... Personally I think they are cheap s/h for the simple reason that they aren't very good but of course others disagree. The first time I used one at a gig I was quite interested to try and was utterly disappointed with it. Thought it was very weak and gutless sounding but as I said, some people like them so it's really one to make up your own mind about. Sorry, I know no-one likes that answer!

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Crustaceo ergo sum

I appreciate the feedback. I have had a DSL 100 head for a few years and I think it sounds great, but I wanted to switch to a 50/60-watt combo and the extra channel also interests me.

Ah, OK... well if you're already familiar with the sound and know that it works for you then ignore what I said
If they get the sounds you're wanting for your setup and style I say bee happy that they are cheap and laugh at everyone else spending big money on other amps
One man's fish is another man's poisson... take advantage of that fact I say!

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Crustaceo ergo sum

AFAIK they're still in production, so my guess is that's why they're so cheap second-hand. They've been around for a while too, so there's probably been ample time for a large number to make their way onto the used market and prevent the prices rising.

I've heard similar stories about the sounds not being as warm and organic as the older ones, but the array of switches and controls makes them as versatile as Marshalls can be I suppose. My best guess as to why they don't sound as 'good' is because the signal passes through so many filters and switches.

But eh, if you can get the sound you want out of an amp that's at a knock-down price, that's great. Even more so if spare parts or a replacement are easy to pick up if necessary.

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"...So now you know the true secret to great tone: all the espresso you can handle."

I don't mean to hijack your thread but I was very interested to see a mention of the TSL. I have two old JMP MKII's but I bought a TSL60 for the convenience of 3 channels but was appalled to realize what a horrible sounding amp it was. Granted, this is side by side with a warm old vintage 50 watt and perhaps the TSL is intended for a harsher more modern tone, by my god! It is sooo boxy and flabby and MUDDY! Yuck. And...I sent it to Voodoo amps in NY for a $400 mod and it still sucks. Was I just expecting something this amp could never deliver or does anyone agree that this amp is an embarrassing low point in the Marshall history.

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You ain't the Nazz, You're just a buzz some kinda... temporary

I personally think they're good amps.

I've played JMPs, and 800's and Oranges too. With the right tweaking of the knobs, a good player can get good tones out of a TSL.

If you like it, go for it.

All the people that criticize the amp can't get good sounds out of it, so they blame the amp.

Gosh dude, Thanks! Problem solved. Ya, it's probably just me. It's only been 35 years, I probably just don't know how to dial in a good tone yet.

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You ain't the Nazz, You're just a buzz some kinda... temporary

Haha, sorry. I sort of said it in a more tongue-in-cheek kinda way. I'm not in the mood for being politically correct at the moment.

If you hate the TSL and you didn't get it to sound the way you did, it doesn't make you a bad player.

But at the same time, the TSL is not a sh*tty amp.

Sure - sorry - I was typing while you posted this, so ignore my rant above
(In fact I deleted it because it wasn't really necessary - I missed the humour and thought you were just being a knob - haha! All cool now)

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Crustaceo ergo sum

It's all good lobsty. No hard feelings.

Here's a video of a stock TSL in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD53pvU6lUU

The guitarist, Neil Wilson (Who by the way is an extremely talented classical guitarist from Scotland. If anyone in Europe gets the oppurtunity to see him, I highly reccommend it.) is laying out some nasty vintage Eddie Hazel funk rock. Nothing embarassing or harsh here.

I've had the 60w version for a few years and I was really happy with it, the tone never seemed too modern or harsh to me, you could really dial in some typical Marshall tones, some modern ones as well, but not as modern and boring like Mesa delivers. In fact, I play hc/metal and I've chosen the TSL over a Rectifier back in the days I was buying this amp. It's all a matters of taste though, I'm not looking back over the fact that I sold this amp cause what I have currently beats the crap out of the TSL, but I'll never regret having one of those and if my finances will allow me to, someday I'll buy one again, just for fooling around with it.

It reminds me : the VTM series were underestimated back in the 80's, you can still buy one for dirty cheap, but VTM owners will be most likely to tell you this is a great amp. Maybe one day, in 10 yeras or so, people will look at a TSL and tell the same, that back when these were new they were named crappy amps, now they're rare and pretty valuable...

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Haha! Likewise

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