Marshal Dynamic Bass System 72115 ?

[Maesk de Fox]

Hey fellow bassists,

I can buy used combo Marshall DBS 72115 for 350 €. Would anyone say it is good idea in 2023?

I'm paricularly interrested in the tubes, because I can't seem to find any info showing how many tubes it uses, which type, how long do they last and how much it costs to replace them. If they are expensive, I think it would be better idea to just save the money and get better solidstate, wouldn't it?

Some other choices considered:
-Hughes & Kettner Bass Force XXL (300w combo) - 280 € - used
-Gallien Krueger MB115-II - 680 € - used
-Fender Rumble 200 - 630 € - new

 

[basscooker]

I think this is a solid state amp.

 

[Marko 1]

Copy/Paste from an old ad for one on Reverb:

"DBS series was Marshall flagship bass amplification through 90s. Many top bassist used it including Muse' Chris Wolstenholme.

Manufactured in United Kingdom in 1994.

Hybrid bass combo amplifier.
Power: 200W. RMS.

Active/Passive instrument inputs.

1x15 Marshall Eminence bass driver + piezo hi frequency driver.

Solid-state and tube preamps with Mix potentiometer.

Low and High shelving filters.

Graphic 7 band EQ.

Defeatable compressor with Threshold adjust.

XLR DI output with Pre/Post.

Line out and tuner out.

Effects Loop

Dimensions: 71 x 54 31 [cm].

Weight 38,6 [kg]."

 

[Marko 1]

 

[Gluvhand]

There is an ECC83 tube in the preamp and you can pick or blend between tube and SS preamp.

 

[Maesk de Fox]

There is an ECC83 tube in the preamp and you can pick or blend between tube and SS preamp.

This is exactly what I was looking for. I guess in case of tube failure, one could still use SS preamp only until tube gets replaced. ECC83's are easily available and not very expensive anyways, so I'm gonna let my ears decide tomorrow and share my (inexperienced) impressions here later.

Thank you very much for fast replies guys!

 

[Gluvhand]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I guess in case of tube failure, one could still use SS preamp only until tube gets replaced. ECC83's are easily available and not very expensive anyways, so I'm gonna let my ears decide tomorrow and share my (inexperienced) impressions here later.

Thank you very much for fast replies guys!

I'm looking forward to hearing your impressions. I'm a fan of these and the IBS line of Marshall bass amps.

 

[agedhorse]

Be sure it’s fully functional or that you can get it repaired if necessary. Otherwise you might end up with a paperweight

 

[daveman50]

Paperweight? That would have to be a very strong desk. More like, ballast! But.. point well taken.

 

[jdjk7]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I guess in case of tube failure, one could still use SS preamp only until tube gets replaced.

This probably is a valid advantage, although I would say that preamp tube failure is not really a major concern. IIRC, a typical lifespan for preamp tubes is 20,000 hours of use. That is about 3 hours of play, every single day, for 20 years. It's hard to know when a tube will fail, but this is not the same as power tubes which need to be replaced regularly.

 

[agedhorse]

This probably is a valid advantage, although I would say that preamp tube failure is not really a major concern. IIRC, a typical lifespan for preamp tubes is 20,000 hours of use. That is about 3 hours of play, every single day, for 20 years. It's hard to know when a tube will fail, but this is not the same as power tubes which need to be replaced regularly.

It depends on the particular design, but 10,000 hours is not uncommon, 20,000 hours is pretty exceptional..

 

[MultiScaleMale]

~85 lbs for 200W? Not in today's world.

 

[jdjk7]

It depends on the particular design, but 10,000 hours is not uncommon, 20,000 hours is pretty exceptional..

I think I might have read that number on a page about a particular brand of tubes, like Telefunken or something. But either way, the point is that it's probably not something I would be concerned by.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I had one of the 2x10 cabs. Solid, decent sound, reminiscent of a similar era Peavey cab, not especially efficient (SPL), ditto Peavey. I decided I wanted something lighter in the end. I had it paired with a Trace Elliot or Traynor. Granted, not a direct comment on the combo here but the cab sound with the 1x15 might have similar general characteristics

 

[brianrost]

Those were decent amps at the time, but not very popular. Here in the USA they are pretty rare but not sought after. The price seems high to me, but I don't know how used prices are across the pond…those new prices on the GK an Rumble are much higher than here on the US.

As others noted, it’s really heavy. We didn’t think anything about that 30 years ago, of course.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Those were decent amps at the time, but not very popular. Here in the USA they are pretty rare but not sought after. The price seems high to me, but I don't know how used prices are across the pond…those new prices on the GK an Rumble are much higher than here on the US.

As others noted, it’s really heavy. We didn’t think anything about that 30 years ago, of course.

You can get one of the cheaper Ashdown combos for less. Probably not the same quality (mine got dropped, albeit a significant distance, and broke in half) but they aren't much more than half the weight.

 

[Maesk de Fox]

Hey all! I could not reply earlier since I got banned by clarefloud for unknown reasons. Without taking any action it got resolved on it's own after around a week...

TT;SR - Trash Talk;Sauce Read
(Allright I called the guy. We came in his flat, lots of basses hanging up the walls with posters of unknown bands. I asked him if he's got a band. It happened to be bassist + vocalist from the first local punk band which started in 1979 that I haven't even heard about before, yay! *the awkward silence moment* Nothing against punk or any style, only slightly different taste in music...
I was sure the guy is not selling it with bad intentions, but hesitant. Fan was hearable and got vintage smell, but I couldn't care less about this (gassy guy here ). It didn't have a compressor knob and he didn't even know whether only the knob is missing or the compressor itself is not functioning. Said he doesn't use compressors at all and he already bought the amp like that. My experienced bandmate was quite hesitant too, the only advice he gave was "it's your money, you have to choose". When we tried to crank it up the dust began to fall from ceiling. Spent almost an hour there and finally took it...)

TL;DR
...Meanwhile being banned, I was rocking on the amp in 6 x 10m room with drums, singer and 3x guitar (drums and two guitars are 12-13yo ). The amp cuts thru very well, even on lower volumes. We love it, it's got very (hard to find the right words) enjoyable, fun to play, comforting, warm, responsive, clear, defined sound. Kind of reminds me of pixels like higher screen resolution. Rumble sounds more like mumble in comparison, but didn't hear V3 yet. EQ is cool, can get from almost pure sub-bass to guitarish sound.

We probably would not buy it, but luckily guy's place was the same street as ours so we managed to agree on testing it in our place and returning it if we don't like. No regrets keeping it.

I couldn't hear any difference between SS and tube preamp on day one. Was probably too excited from the sound, oh god, THE HORSES! Leaving in on tube for couple of days then switching it to SS made the sound lose part of warm, enjoyable and fun to play properties.

Be sure it’s fully functional or that you can get it repaired if necessary. Otherwise you might end up with a paperweight

Thanks good point, got sure there are guys able to repair it. Feel I should give him a name...

Paperweight? That would have to be a very strong desk. More like, ballast! But.. point well taken.

Bought it only because salvaging him returns 1/3 costs. Or maybe it's she, haven't identified yet

 

[Ethix4]

The single 15 just doesn’t do it for me