There is no denying the immense popularity of guitars throughout music history. Thanks to their exceptional versatility and affordability, they enjoy a prominent spot in the music world. They are a go-to instrument for many musicians and have been used to play millions of songs.
Having said that, a guitar may not produce your desired tone and volume on its own. A guitar amp is one of the accessories that improve its playability. It is a tool that takes the sound signals from your guitars and strengthens them to make them louder.
It may not be as important for an amateur musician, but it is a must-have tool for every professional guitarist. Marshall is a renowned company specializing in manufacturing amplifiers and other musical accessories. The company is quite popular among guitar enthusiasts and has offered many innovative guitar amps over the years.
The Marshall DSL40C guitar amp is one of Marshall’s most successful guitar amps. Introduced in 2012, the Marshall DSL40C guitar amp still holds its own as a flagship guitar amp. With its insane features, it has staked its claim on the hearts of thousands of guitarists worldwide.
If you are looking to purchase the Marshall DSL40C guitar amp, you will likely run into a few problems while using it. We have filtered users’ feedback to isolate some of the most common Marshall DSL40C problems and viable solutions to fix those problems. Let’s get started!
Solve Common Marshall DSL40C Problems
Here are a few common problems users have reported while using the Marshall DSL40C guitar amp.
- Getting Rough and Dirty
One of the main problems with the Marshall DSL40C guitar amp is that it is pretty hard to clean. Its outer casing is well protected and pretty rugged, but it needs to be cleaned properly now and then. Dust particles can accumulate on its surface over time, and when they do, they will look even more prominent on its black outer surface.
Having said that, it is pertinent to mention that this problem does not affect your amp’s tone, and a filthy amp will also produce the same tone. However, keeping your amp and other guitar gear clean is always better, especially if you perform in gigs.
If you have a jam-packed schedule and cleaning your amp sounds time-consuming, make sure to clean the visible parts at least. If your Marshall DSL40C guitar amp needs cleaning, follow the procedure mentioned below to clean it thoroughly.
And yes, disconnect the power supply before starting the cleaning process, as it ensures your safety. A guitar amp cleaner spray will come in handy for cleaning a guitar amp. It is a special spray that is meant to be used for this purpose. So, consider investing in this spray to clean your guitar amp properly.
These sprays are readily available all over the world, and you can also purchase them online in case you cannot find one at your nearby supermarket.
- Start cleaning your Marshall DSL40C guitar amp by removing its chassis first.
- Then, spray the cleaner on the pots, switches, and jacks using an applicator tube. Now, remove the applicator tube and lightly coat the circuitry to protect it. Once done, wipe off the excess liquid.
- After that, spray the tubes and sockets to ensure seamless connectivity and sound delivery.
- Now, apply a few drops of the cleaner to a microfiber cloth and wipe the amp chassis with it. You can use any other cloth for this purpose, but make sure it is lint-free.
That’s it! Your Marshall DSL40C guitar amp will now look brand new, as if you have just taken it out of the box. It is a good rule of thumb to keep your guitar amp in an amp box to keep it clean. When out of the box, consider keeping it in a clean place where it will attract relatively less dust.
- Knobs Breaking Down
This was a common problem back in the day, but with refinements in the newer models, knobs on the guitar amps became more durable. However, no matter how durable knobs are, they can break down anytime. So, if you have been using your Marshall DSL40C guitar amp for quite some time now, the knobs may break down.
If the knob of your Marshall DSL40C guitar amp has broken, you will need to replace it. The good news for you is that replacing the knobs is a straightforward affair, and anyone with basic DIY skills can do it easily. Just head to a musical instruments store and find a new knob to replace the broken one.
Then, remove the broken knob and install a new one. Before replacing any component of your Marshall DSL40C guitar amp, it is advised to check its warranty. If you are still in your warranty period, you can have them replaced while paying the least of your wallet.
- Power Loss
Many users have complained about power loss while using the Marshall DSL40C guitar amp. After years of use, this guitar amp starts losing power randomly. Of course, there is nothing more frustrating for a guitarist than this power loss problem. And if your amp loses power right before your performance, we can only send you sympathies.
The power chord is the first thing to check in case of power loss. If it is damaged, you will likely encounter a power loss issue. So, closely examine your power chord and see if it shows any signs of damage. If it is damaged, you will have to replace it to fix the power loss problem.
If the power cord is in proper working condition, take a look at the internal components of your Marshall DSL40C guitar amp. The connections may go loose over time, leading to this problem. If that’s the case, make the right adjustments to remedy this issue.
- Distorted Sound
If you have been using guitar amps for a while, you must have encountered this issue. Regardless of its type or brand, this issue is quite common in guitar amps. It usually happens when you constantly keep the volume too high. Like every other amp, the Marshall DSL40C guitar amp also has limits.
If you keep pushing it to its limit, you are likely to face this problem. Apart from that, clipping is also among the common reasons for distorted sound. The simple way to fix this problem is to turn down the volume of your Marshall DSL40C guitar amp. This problem will most likely disappear as soon as you set the volume to a lower level.
However, if that does not fix the problem, reach out to a trained professional to get rid of this problem. They will examine your Marshall DSL40C guitar amp and diagnose the reason. Not only will this save your time, but it will also give you peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Guitar amps are vital equipment as they strengthen your guitar’s sound signals. The Marshall DSL40C guitar amp is a popular guitar amp that helps you craft your desired sounds.
However, you are likely to encounter a few issues while using this amp, such as distorted sound, power loss, and broken knobs. Regular maintenance is recommended to avoid these problems.
40 watt side of my dsl40 no working. 20 watt side operating fine. Any ideas what to check?