Amp advice

[Doadman]

I use a Marshall DSL401 and I've now joined a Rock covers band. I'm loving the band but great as I think my valve amp is, it's struggling to cut through against the other guitarist who uses a 100w Valvestate and a couple of 2X12 cabinets. What I'm wanting to do is use the DSL in standard form at home and then hook up an extension cabinet at gigs. I know nothing of electronics so should I be looking at a 2X12 or is it possible to use a 4X12 like that and if so, how do I set them up? Specific cabinet suggestions would be helpful.

[Twinfan]

I believe Marshall do, or did, a matching 1x12 for your combo?  It should explain in the manual how you would hook this up  :)

[LazyNinja]

Have you tried changing your EQs and raising the combo off the ground (use beer crates or something)?

[bewithdennis]

very easy,tell the deaf guy with the 100w valve state to turn it down! unless you are playing wembley there is no excuse to be drowning out a 40w DSL which is in itself a loud amp, like the other advice here, put your amp on some crates and look at your EQ settings.
portability wise a 1x12 or a 2x12 is going to be far better than 4x12,u will notice an increase in volume too as u will be shifting a lot more air...
being in a band is brilliant but being deaf isnt.
all the best
  :D

[HTH AMPS]

+1 on all the above advice (esp telling the valvestate guy to turn down), but also try replacing the speaker in your combo with a higher sensitivity type and do the same with a 1x12 extension cab.

I'd go with a V30 in the combo and a classic lead 80 in the extension cab (both Celestion speakers)

[bewithdennis]

excellent point,ive recently fitted a classic lead 80 into my peavey classic 30 & after breaking in, it is amazing the difference it makes, defiantly worth looking at.
 :D

[jpfamps]

Getting the Valvestae turned down will be a good start.

I would also think about micing your amp. You wouldn't need much through the PA and an SM57 is cheaper than a cab.

[marantz1300]

if you have a few quid to spare,sell your amp and buy a Super Lead and cab or combo I've seen a couple on gumtree going for around £500..Mr Valve state will get raped.

[BigK]

The Framus 2x12 on thomann is a very good cab for the money (~£250) its loaded with vintage 30's and is a good punchy cab. Its also got a split back so it can be closed or 3/4.

I had one before I got my 4x12 and theres nothing that can beat it for the money.

Also 40 valve watts should be able to kick that valve states ass with an extension cab. plus youll be driving your power amp valves hard and your amp will sound a 1000 times better.

I would also look into micing your combo as suggested by JPF, but depends what sort of venues you will be playing in.

[musicmaker29]

make him turn down!!

failing that, what is your current EQ? what is the other guitarists EQ?

try upping the mids and if this makes things 'too much' then find an area in the sound where the other guy's guitar isn't and fill that - I kinda know what I mean but its hard to describe, sorry loL!

[AndyR]

make him turn down!!

failing that, what is your current EQ? what is the other guitarists EQ?

try upping the mids and if this makes things 'too much' then find an area in the sound where the other guy's guitar isn't and fill that - I kinda know what I mean but its hard to describe, sorry loL!

I know exactly what you mean - it was the first thing I thought when I first read this thread. But then I realised I'm doing it with recorded guitar tracks... and, from my memory of being one guitar in a two guitar band, it might take a lot of diplomacy from both guitarists to end up with two live guitar sounds where both guitarists are happy with what they're hearing out of their own amps! :lol:

I'm also wondering, are we talking rehearsals or gigs here? If it's rehearsals, get him to angle his thing away from you and vice versa... worked really well for the band I was in. Neither of us could really hear ourselves properly, but we found out we were nicely balanced anyway to other people in the room (and when we gigged).

Other than that - I tend to agree with all the "get him to turn down" comments :lol:

Hope it's sorted by now! :D

[Matt77]

Buy Shobet's 70s Super Lead so I can hear myself think

[Alex]

A) Extra speakers; add either a 1x12" or just use a 4x12" with your combo and disconnect the internal speaker
B) Place it higher (on a chair or stand or something.

The 40Watt Poweramp from your Marshall should drown out the 100Watt Valvestate - not the other way round.