Marshall DSL40

summer 2018 ToTal GuiTar
the tg test
99
V
intage or vintage-inspired gear is
great, but often it’s not so
fl exible. While many classic
guitar amps had more than one
channel, like Marshall’s Super
Lead, Vox’s AC30 or Fender’s
Twin Reverb, the idea of being
able to use a footswitch to
remotely change channels didn’t really take off
until 1980, with Mesa Engineering’s Mark 2
Boogie. Today though, channel switching is the
norm and many modern guitar amps off er two,
three or even four channels, often with other
switching functions. Some cost-eff ective
designs give the impression of multiple channels
from a single preamp with diff erent boost and
EQ options, while more complex amps feature
truly independent pre-amplifi ers, often with
separate valves and EQ networks to maximise
tonal fl exibility. The most popular channel-
switching device is a relay - a small switch
powered by electromagnets, while some
boutique amplifi ers (notably Rivera) use more
specialised light-powered opto-isolators, for
seamless pop-free cross-fade switching.
Modern amp designs often have many
switched functions and use logic circuits or
MIDI, so one button can operate several things
simultaneously, for example changing channels,
switching eff ects loops or boosts. So if your gig
needs plenty of sonic options, here’s our pick of
four tempting mid-price channel-switchers.
TGR309.gear_test.indd 99 19/07/2018 15:42