uk_lefty Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 So, as a teenager starting out on bass I'd see the Marshall stuff in the local music shop and drool over it, safely knowing I could never afford it. Well, many years later, a cheeky eBay bid, I've got it. It fires up and it's working well, had a little noodle and everything is functional but I want to get it serviced before I trust it on a gig, the previous owner has had it in storage for ten years or more. Will try to get it to the amp tech ASAP along with some other stuff I want him to sort, then it may be unleashed soon! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Nada Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 (edited) It's funny how the gear we craved as kids never leaves us. For me these Laney heads in their early nineties catalogue did it for me, and still catch my eye. Probably best, I never play one and shatter my dreams. Edited May 29 by James Nada . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 Many congrats, I had one of those (the 7400 version) and it was a truly awesome amp. I paired it with a Marshall VBC412 cab and the sound was immense. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonK Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 Out of interest how loud is the fan? I sold one recently as the fan was a bit of an issue at all but gigging volumes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted May 29 Author Share Posted May 29 7 minutes ago, SimonK said: Out of interest how loud is the fan? I sold one recently as the fan was a bit of an issue at all but gigging volumes. It's louder than I'm used to (I bought a brand new Ashdown ABM last year or the year before) but having a bit of a noodle around and I didn't notice it. It didn't bother me at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidens97 Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 I used to have the 7200 and 7400 at one point using a marshall DBS 2x15 cab and it sounded incredible! Definitely one of my favourite amps i've had. I did a bi-amp setup with a Marshall combo too for a little while. IMG_1903.HEIC 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted May 30 Author Share Posted May 30 9 hours ago, maidens97 said: I used to have the 7200 and 7400 at one point using a marshall DBS 2x15 cab and it sounded incredible! Definitely one of my favourite amps i've had. I did a bi-amp setup with a Marshall combo too for a little while. IMG_1903.HEIC You must have needed a forklift to move that cab, and then to put the combo on top!!! I had that 150watt combo when I was 17. Unfortunately I don't think I ever got the best out of it. I do remember having to carry it up a pedestrian zone though and that was torture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleat Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 I think Marshall made excellent bass gear. I had the DBS 7200, and is absolutely the best sounding amp I have played through, sounds great at any setting, but it really needs to go into 4ohms to get the most from it. The compressor didn't work on mine which seems to be a weak point on these amps, so be sure to get that checked. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidens97 Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 1 hour ago, uk_lefty said: You must have needed a forklift to move that cab, and then to put the combo on top!!! I had that 150watt combo when I was 17. Unfortunately I don't think I ever got the best out of it. I do remember having to carry it up a pedestrian zone though and that was torture. It was definitely a 2 man job that cab! The picture I’ve used was from the old blue last in London I think which I remember having a big metal exterior staircase which was not a fun experience going up and down with that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted May 30 Author Share Posted May 30 28 minutes ago, Bleat said: I think Marshall made excellent bass gear. I had the DBS 7200, and is absolutely the best sounding amp I have played through, sounds great at any setting, but it really needs to go into 4ohms to get the most from it. The compressor didn't work on mine which seems to be a weak point on these amps, so be sure to get that checked. Thanks will be sure to get it a full service. I'd like to get quite an aggressive tube driven sound out of this one, my Ashdown ABM is a fantastic amp but the valve drive doesn't quite do it for me, for some gigs I'm playing with a lighter setting on a drive pedal always on so would be good to get that from the amp and leave the pedals for the big texture changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Marshall kinda guy I lusted after a 7200 for many years, managed to find one, and gigged it extensively. Then I began on the 7400. Now I have two (one as a backup) and assorted Marshall cabs. I did have the 7412 cab, but Couldn't hear it on stage, however the crowd were pinned to the back wall 30yards away at some smaller shows lol Yes they're heavy, but I've not found anything that sounds as good, or deals with a massively distorted wah quite so well 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonK Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 30 minutes ago, dudewheresmybass said: Yes they're heavy, but I've not found anything that sounds as good, or deals with a massively distorted wah quite so well Having had a DBS7200 for twenty odd years and then finally sold it on earlier this year in favour of Trace and Aguilar rigs I find this an interesting comment as I really wasn't so impressed. Nevertheless here is some porn for you guys who love it so (from my eBay listing!): 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 Just now, SimonK said: Having had a DBS7200 for twenty odd years and then finally sold it on earlier this year in favour of Trace and Aguilar rigs I find this an interesting comment as I really wasn't so impressed. Nevertheless here is some porn for you guys who love it so (from my eBay listing!): I was referring more towards the 7400 in that regard, but 7200 did very well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 Borrowed one to record an album back in the 90's, great sounding amps & cabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted May 30 Author Share Posted May 30 I saw a 2x10 Marshall DBS cab and I really want to buy it but the seller wants to sell it with an amp head that I have no need for. Sad times! Think I will just stick to my Ashdown 15s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted May 30 Author Share Posted May 30 What's the difference between the 7200 and 7400. And don't say 200 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidens97 Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 From memory the EQ and controls/layout were different 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleat Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 13 hours ago, uk_lefty said: Thanks will be sure to get it a full service. I'd like to get quite an aggressive tube driven sound out of this one, my Ashdown ABM is a fantastic amp but the valve drive doesn't quite do it for me, for some gigs I'm playing with a lighter setting on a drive pedal always on so would be good to get that from the amp and leave the pedals for the big texture changes. You may be disappointed in that respect as it doesn't do overdrive. The valve/ss blend is more for tonal adjustment. You do however have 2000 watts of headroom to play with. I guess that's what the "Dynamic" in DBS is all about! I could run mine flat out and it still sounded great! 3 hours ago, uk_lefty said: What's the difference between the 7200 and 7400. And don't say 200 😉 I think the eq frequency range adjustment is slightly different on the 7400. It can be rack mounted. There is a link output so it can be linked into another 7400. It is 400 watts into 2 ohms compared to 200 into 4ohms. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted June 1 Share Posted June 1 On 30/05/2024 at 22:41, Bleat said: You may be disappointed in that respect as it doesn't do overdrive. The valve/ss blend is more for tonal adjustment. You do however have 2000 watts of headroom to play with. I guess that's what the "Dynamic" in DBS is all about! I could run mine flat out and it still sounded great! I think the eq frequency range adjustment is slightly different on the 7400. It can be rack mounted. There is a link output so it can be linked into another 7400. It is 400 watts into 2 ohms compared to 200 into 4ohms. pretty much what he said lol it has an extra slider in the eq section and tbh it sounds bigger with more girth. Both models take pedals really well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted July 12 Author Share Posted July 12 I've just got the head back from a service (it took ages due to other work he had going on but I was prepared for that). I've plugged in my fretless to noodle about before a gig on Sunday. Impressions now.... The fan is still a lot louder than my Ashdown ABM 600 but this isn't for quiet bedroom practice so I'm not bothered. There is more volume now since the service, hurrah. I asked him to check the valve because I wasn't noticing anything by cranking up the valve side of the pre amp, he says the valve is fine. Well. I've got gain on max and and I'm fully on the valve side of the pre and what I'm noticing is a good warmth to the sound when dialling from solid state to valve. I was expecting it to be more like the Valve drive on my Ashdown but it isn't, because it's not a drive function. I really like the EQ flexibility on this and the compressor is handy. I am yet to try it with anything other than a passive fretless jazz bass but I would expect using my Stingray with a pick will bring demons out the speaker. Using my Darkglass overdrive and or fuzz would also probably sound stupendously good. Until I have tried that I will restrain myself from comparing this to my ABM 600. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Keep us posted on how it goes with the gig? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted July 12 Author Share Posted July 12 1 hour ago, Lozz196 said: Keep us posted on how it goes with the gig? It won't be too exciting... It's the singer's kids school fund raiser and we are a guitarist down so doing his old acoustic set from years back but with a bit of accompaniment from me and our drummer. Loads of new songs and an excuse to go fretless though so I'm happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted July 14 Author Share Posted July 14 (edited) Got a gorgeous sound from the Marshall DBS. I was playing a Harley Benton fretless jazz direct into the amp, no effects at all. Gain up high, full on valve preamp, mid heavy EQ, deep button in but bright out and an Ashdown 15" cab. This then DI'd to our 1400w Mackie Thump sub. Delicious sound, lots of character from the fretless coming though. Given a bit more time I'd like to properly A/B this with my ABM600. I don't know if the Marshall is giving me something the Ashdown can't... Edited July 14 by uk_lefty 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JottoSW1 Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 On 29/05/2024 at 18:59, James Nada said: It's funny how the gear we craved as kids never leaves us. For me these Laney heads in their early nineties catalogue did it for me, and still catch my eye. Probably best, I never play one and shatter my dreams. Nearly bought a 300g a while ago. Both it and the RB9 are excellent amps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted July 15 Author Share Posted July 15 On 30/05/2024 at 22:41, Bleat said: You may be disappointed in that respect as it doesn't do overdrive. The valve/ss blend is more for tonal adjustment I had the gain cranked on full and the valve pre fully engaged. I noticed a nice warmth and thickness to the sound on my fretless. Switching fully over to Solid state I got a nice open clank too which would do very well for some P bass played with a pick. So, pedals for distort, pre amp blend for warmth or clank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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