I'm gassing for a Marshall, but I know more about the dark side of the moon (not the album) than I do about these amps, had a VS100 a million years ago, it was OK I suppose, but I'd like something smaller and all valve, say 20w, with a master volume, one or two channel, I may be in a minority but I quite like the sound of the Origin 20 in YT demos.......but before I dive in, is there an older, reliable option I should consider?
Currently using a Jet City JCA20HV head....which is fab, but I need to itch the scratch while I can!
Cheers
Happy full of wind Boxing Day!
Stranger from another planet welcome to our hole - Just strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock 'n' roll
Comments
30w with 5w switch. Dual channel. Has KT66s but can use EL34s.
But failing that I think the Origin is a great sounding pedal platform amp.
Been uploading old tracks I recorded ages ago and hopefully some new noodles here.
The older DSL201 has some issues - probably best avoided, likewise the Class 5. There aren’t really that many older small valve Marshalls - there’s the 18W series (no master volume), the original Jubilee, and various JCM800 and 900 1x12”s, but they’re all more or less the size and weight of a VS100 - or more. There is also the 1980s Studio 15, but it’s very rare - and still quite heavy.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
For current ones: if you want single channel and either like pedal drive or can crank the amp up then Origin, or DSL20H if you want to get all the gain from your amp. Or Mini Jubilee if you want to pay the made in UK premium, they do sound great. Honestly though I love the sounds from the DSL20H and had I not got a ridiculous deal on my Jubilee I wouldn't have bothered spending the extra. The gain is maybe a little fizzier/fuzzier sounding but it's the sort of thing that would probably vanish in a mix. The advantage the Jubilee has is the really powerful EQ, makes it so versatile.
Origin is more fat and warm, great with boost pedals and fuzzes, DSL more aggressive and much higher gain.
First impressions compared to the Jet City JCA20HV into a 1x12
Origin has a 10" speaker
Its bright, very, but in a good way
Theres surprisingly little gain, but not in a bad way...
Its articulate/clear/defined
Strat has more chime/clarity
Tilt knob is interesting
Green Russian Fuzz with very little drive sounds huge....
Im a vey happy bunny
I need to mess with it more!
This was on the lowest output 1/2 watt and its still surprisingly loud! Gain maxed, master low.....
*Yes there are always exceptions to this.