silly amp modding question

[JDC]

had a random curious thought the other day, with some modding and pedals is it possible to say take a marshall dsl head and get an engl fireball tone out of it?

ie put a tube screamer in front of it, EQ pedal in the fx loop and etc

or am I thinking too much and talking rubbish?

[indysmith]

anything is possible... however the amount of 'modding' you'd have to do might not be economical, or practical

[Adam.M]

Don't know if you could get the exact same tone with just a boost and EQ but, i would certainly think it could change the character of the amp by quite a bit?

I know that if i get an ENGL Screamer 50 again i'll get a rack EQ so that i can tweak it's frequency range response exactly to my tastes.

[TwilightOdyssey]

The other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of an amp's character comes from the power transformer and output transformer(s).  A good transformer can cost as much as another manufacturer's entire amp.

So, even if you got the circuitry and gain structure right, it might still sound miles off from the amp you are trying to emulate.

On the other hand, a very common Marshall mod is to have the transformer upgraded or reconfigured to draw more current; this is a major tone improvement.

[ailean]

The other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of an amp's character comes from the power transformer and output transformer(s).  A good transformer can cost as much as another manufacturer's entire amp.

So, even if you got the circuitry and gain structure right, it might still sound miles off from the amp you are trying to emulate.

On the other hand, a very common Marshall mod is to have the transformer upgraded or reconfigured to draw more current; this is a major tone improvement.

Thanks for that, it's obvious when you are told, but I hadn't thought of that.

[AngusYoung01]

On the other hand, a very common Marshall mod is to have the transformer upgraded or reconfigured to draw more current; this is a major tone improvement.

How does this benefit the tone, it sounds intruiging?  :)

[TwilightOdyssey]

On the other hand, a very common Marshall mod is to have the transformer upgraded or reconfigured to draw more current; this is a major tone improvement.

How does this benefit the tone, it sounds intruiging?  :)

Lowers noise and creates more 'black' between notes. I felt that it really cleaned up the upper midrange and treble a lot, too, which is where a lot of AC hash can infect a valve amplifier.


Edit:

This mod was done to my JCM800 by Harry Kolbe. According to Harry, this is what the mod does:

This modification greatly increases the power supply reserve of the amplifier. Musically, the mod offers a much tighter bass response, greater definition and improved dynamics. This mod does not effect the tonal characteristics of the amp. An additional benefit is a much improved noise performance.

[hunter]

I think if you want a Fireball, the best will be to get a Fireball. You could sell the DSL and get a Fireball with probably less than you would invest in modding.

I mean a Marshall is a Marshall, will not lose it's special character upper mids shizzle (which I learned to love).

So indeed as TO says, a better transformer can improve dynamics and clarity, and will probably make the DSL a much better amp than the Fireball (you would notice the difference especially in band/gig context). But I doubt it will make a DSL into an ENGL amp.

[hamfist]

I think if you want a Fireball, the best will be to get a Fireball. You could sell the DSL and get a Fireball with probably less than you would invest in modding.

 I think this is the bottom line. Well put Hunter.