DC3 Gridlock
Well-known member
Hi,
My Marshall JCM 800 combo is in the shop getting a speaker upgrade (2 vintage 1982 G12-65's) and tune up and I have recently got to spend more time using my DC3. Last December I bought the DC3 (used but in mint condition) with the intentions to use it as practice amp and as a more portable backup amp for short weeknight rehearsals and for gigs with the band.
Originally I was not totally impressed with the DC3, the gain channel was a little raspy and not as warm as I would have preferred, I wasn’t sure about the Vintage 30 speaker, and the reverb does not seem to have the same effect (can barely hear the reverb) on the gain channel as it does on the clean channel. The clean channel is great with almost Fender-like sparkly clean tones but different.
At one time, was actually thinking of selling the amp and getting an Orange TT to fill practice and backup amp needs. But the more that I have tweaked the DC3’s tone knobs and settings during practices at home at low volumes (I live in a condo), and during rehearsals with the band, the more I love the amp.
The DC3 took quite a bit of dial tweaking and experimentation until I found my tone. I am usually not a fan of amps with more than 8-10 knobs. My Marshall has just 5 knobs, so it is not hard even for me to find good tone. I usually just don’t have the time with the band or patience to experiment the tone knobs in order to find my tone. Once my tone is found it’s usually set it and forget it. Fortunately I found the patience to experiment with DC3’s tone settings. I am still not happy with the reverb output on the gain channel but a Holy Grail Reverb pedal seems to have helped fill gain channel reverb needs.
Lately I have been learning some Metallica songs from the Black Album. I am working on these at home and at low volumes. The DC3 still sounds great getting Metallica tones at low volumes. It should be noted that I believe that tubes are original and that no modifications have been done to the amp.
After purchasing the two G12-65’s speakers for my Marshall combo I am left with the Marshall’s original G12M-70’s. I plan to soon purchase either an Avatar or MojoTone 2x12 cabinet and also a Dr. Z Airbrake. I can’t wait to experiment with the new 2x12 cabinet and the attenuator with both my DC3 and Marshall. Tone may improve with both amps and both amps already have great tone.
I may still get an Orange TT to add to my collection but the DC3 is a keeper.
FYI. I am fairly new to this forum and I have only started a few threads myself. Most of my threads were started sometime ago. Sorry. I enjoy this forum and others like it and it would be great to see more new DC3 threads on tone settings, speakers, and other DC3 information. Let’s keep the new threads rolling.
Doug
My Marshall JCM 800 combo is in the shop getting a speaker upgrade (2 vintage 1982 G12-65's) and tune up and I have recently got to spend more time using my DC3. Last December I bought the DC3 (used but in mint condition) with the intentions to use it as practice amp and as a more portable backup amp for short weeknight rehearsals and for gigs with the band.
Originally I was not totally impressed with the DC3, the gain channel was a little raspy and not as warm as I would have preferred, I wasn’t sure about the Vintage 30 speaker, and the reverb does not seem to have the same effect (can barely hear the reverb) on the gain channel as it does on the clean channel. The clean channel is great with almost Fender-like sparkly clean tones but different.
At one time, was actually thinking of selling the amp and getting an Orange TT to fill practice and backup amp needs. But the more that I have tweaked the DC3’s tone knobs and settings during practices at home at low volumes (I live in a condo), and during rehearsals with the band, the more I love the amp.
The DC3 took quite a bit of dial tweaking and experimentation until I found my tone. I am usually not a fan of amps with more than 8-10 knobs. My Marshall has just 5 knobs, so it is not hard even for me to find good tone. I usually just don’t have the time with the band or patience to experiment the tone knobs in order to find my tone. Once my tone is found it’s usually set it and forget it. Fortunately I found the patience to experiment with DC3’s tone settings. I am still not happy with the reverb output on the gain channel but a Holy Grail Reverb pedal seems to have helped fill gain channel reverb needs.
Lately I have been learning some Metallica songs from the Black Album. I am working on these at home and at low volumes. The DC3 still sounds great getting Metallica tones at low volumes. It should be noted that I believe that tubes are original and that no modifications have been done to the amp.
After purchasing the two G12-65’s speakers for my Marshall combo I am left with the Marshall’s original G12M-70’s. I plan to soon purchase either an Avatar or MojoTone 2x12 cabinet and also a Dr. Z Airbrake. I can’t wait to experiment with the new 2x12 cabinet and the attenuator with both my DC3 and Marshall. Tone may improve with both amps and both amps already have great tone.
I may still get an Orange TT to add to my collection but the DC3 is a keeper.
FYI. I am fairly new to this forum and I have only started a few threads myself. Most of my threads were started sometime ago. Sorry. I enjoy this forum and others like it and it would be great to see more new DC3 threads on tone settings, speakers, and other DC3 information. Let’s keep the new threads rolling.
Doug
