Marshall DSL40

KEY FEATURES: 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 6L6. Two
channels for clean and gain, with
separate EQ controls, bright switch on
gain channel, global presence and
reverb controls. External bias adjuster
with test points and five speaker
jacks. 1x Celestion V-Type 12"
loudspeaker CONTACT: PRS Europe
01223 874301
prsguitars.com
at a glanCe
KEY FEATURES: Key features: 4x
12AX7, 2x EL34. Two dual-voiced
channels with shared EQ, tone shift
option, dual switchable master
volumes, switchable series effects
loop, digital reverb with separate
channel level controls, high and low
power (20 watts) options, speaker-
emulated line out, mp3/audio in, MIDI
in. 1x12" Celestion V-Type loudspeaker.
CONTACT: Marshall Amplification
01908 375411
marshall.com
at a glanCe
ToTal GuiTar summer 2018
100
What’s a Sonzera?
The Sonzera is a PRS-designed Chinese-built range of amps that
promises to deliver PRS quality and tone at an unheard-of price.
The name means ‘great tone’ in Brazilian and there’s no
skimping on quality with a smart, well-proportioned poplar ply
cabinet, hand-wired power valves and a superb Celestion V-type
12" loudspeaker.
How do those two channels work, then?
This is a proper two-channel design, with separate EQs for clean
What’s the DSL40 all about?
Marshall’s DSL40 is the latest version of this long-running
mid-priced combo that’s proved to be a winner for Marshall. Like
most mid-priced Marshalls, the DSL40 is now made in Vietnam
rather than Bletchley, but features the instantly recognisable black,
gold and white style of rock guitar’s most famous backline.
What’s it packing?
The DSL40 has two channels, each with two voices and a shared EQ.
There’s also a pair of master volumes and separate level controls for
and gain channels. A single volume control on the clean channel
accesses vintage Fender-inspired cleans that can be pushed into
mild breakup, while the gain channel has tons of overdrive but still
sounds great with the gain backed down. Not many amps do this
and it makes the Sonzera 20 very versatile.
What else is there?
You get a great-sounding spring reverb, an e ects loop and external
bias adjustment with test points, useful for keeping the power
valves working at their best without risking the high-voltage stu
inside the chassis. And you get a big ol’ PRS logo, too.
the amp’s digital reverb, together with global presence and
resonance controls that tweak the power stage’s high and low
frequency response. Five speaker outlets and switchable series
e ects loop give the DSL40 considerable versatility.
What else do I get for my money?
The DSL uses Celestion’s excellent 12" V-type loudspeaker and
features MIDI control over all its switched functions. If you have a
MIDI-compatible e ects unit or foot controller, you can use it to
control the DSL remotely. There’s also an excellent speaker-
emulated recording out and a choice of high and low power options.
PRS
SoNZeRa 20
PRS quality at an affordable price
MaRSHaLL
dSL40
Marshall’s top-selling amp range
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£699
£739
TGR309.gear_test.indd 100 19/07/2018 15:42