Marshall Valvestate

[emilio]

I was offered this amp today for less than $500 and I don't know much about it. I saw some videos of it on youtube and it sounds good, but I would like to know what you think about these.... I tried the search option here and couldn't find much info except that they are much better than the MG and the AVT.

So, what do you think? Do they take pedals good? Can they do metal? Are they versatile? Are they reliable? I hear about squealing problems.....

I think I'm being sold the 2x12 combo version. I still haven't talked to the guy selling it, but my future drummer told me about it.

:feedback:

Thank You!

 

[Baltar]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

hey emilio
i never liked the way they sounded, but afaik thei're built to last. maybe scratchy pots
will be a problem.
martin

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

I've used a 8080 in the '90s and liked it pretty much. If you keep under control your treble settings you can get great modern metal tones out of it.


better than MG or AVT - I can verify that.


Do they take pedals good? - yes but always watch your treble settings.



Can they do metal? - most definitely, yes. Prong, Pantera, Fear Factory type of sound.



Are they versatile? - Yes. The clean channel is kinda cold but on the boost channel you can set a big variety of tones. The "contour" knob is a nice feature.



Are they reliable? - Yes, most of the time. My 8080 had major failure only after 6 ot 7 years of heavy abuse. You will have to check / change the garbage-grade pots. The power transistor loves to go off. Keep the preamp volumes high without hesitation but Don't turn the master volume above 12 o'clock. These amps are very-very sensitive of power so some power conditioner is recommended.


OFF:


A power conditioner is recommended for any guitar amp, anyway. Check out Furman equipment. I've just tested a Merit series conditioner in studio environment and it does a decent job. My older Furman does the job better because it delivers cleaner power but the Merit keeps things under control, too - and it's cheap like hell.


Hm. I might write a short review about those Furman units some time... :scratchch

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

The AVT IS Valvestate is it not? Mine says Valvestate on it anyway...I have an AVT 20 and I love the tone I get from it. It's also as loud as hell.
It can do any metal without a pedal, except stuff like Cannibal Corpse. Clean is also awesome - I had a guy at my house who only ever plays clean single coil equipped strats, and he was blown away at how nice the AVT20 sounded clean.

All that said, I think you could probably get a much better amp for $500!

 

[DLT]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

I was offered this amp today for less than $500 and I don't know much about it. I saw some videos of it on youtube and it sounds good, but I would like to know what you think about these.... I tried the search option here and couldn't find much info except that they are much better than the MG and the AVT.

So, what do you think? Do they take pedals good? Can they do metal? Are they versatile? Are they reliable? I hear about squealing problems.....

I think I'm being sold the 2x12 combo version. I still haven't talked to the guy selling it, but my future drummer told me about it.

:feedback:

Thank You!

I read somewhere that the amp is used in many big name studios. I used to own one, but they just do not project like a tube amp. Everything you mentioned above...yes. Nice effects loop too.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

Which model of Valvestate?

The 2nd generation ones were really good amps with tons of Marshall character. I had a VS65R for a few years, and it had a really sweet crunch tone. Clean wasn't so great, but hey, it's a Marshall.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

I had the VS100 head for a decade with almost no problems. Covered most ground well, except for that low/mid gain classic rock kind of sound. Otherwise, it was solid and reliable and I got plenty of compliments on its sound over the years. Would I pay $500 for one today? Not on your life.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

I paid about $500 for it when it was new.

You should be able to pick them up for about $200 these days. I liked mine, I just got duped into the whole "tube is better" mentality.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

Don't buy one, they are not good amps. For $500.00 you can find many amps on the used market that are 20 x better than a Valvestate.
Good Luck

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

the marshall valvestate is absolutely, most definitely a guitar amplifier.

 

[SlowGroove]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

I read somewhere that the amp is used in many big name studios. I used to own one, but they just do not project like a tube amp. Everything you mentioned above...yes. Nice effects loop too.

Zakk Wylde uses an ATV20 ALOT in the studio !!!


James

 

[jmh151]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

White Zombie used Valvestate quite a bit in the studio

 

[emilio]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

**** man i just can't find it anywhere else man, and nobody in ebay ships to mexico! should i just tell my homie to send me my blue voodoo that hehasn't been able to sell? i think the valvstate sounds better from the clips i heard and from what you guys tell me....

 

[Thunder]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

Have an AVT 100 that sounds great! Use it for rehearsals and small gigs. Onboard effects
are good and it will take you from clean to metal. Have also used a TS9/DS-1 into the front end with good results.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

I had a VS 8080. Not as honorable a amp as most may think. The cleans were sterile,And I had no use for the OD2 channel. But I got many usable tones from lite OD to heavy Crunch. I only used it in one band where I was primary using my LP playing Rock. After that I went back to my normal Strat/Fender tube amp setup. The 8080 served me as a good Backup amp when my Twin crapped out on me at one gig. I got it new for around $400, Sold it ten years later for a Lil' over $200.

 

[SlowGroove]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

**** man i just can't find it anywhere else man, and nobody in ebay ships to mexico! should i just tell my homie to send me my blue voodoo that hehasn't been able to sell? i think the valvstate sounds better from the clips i heard and from what you guys tell me....

I have NOTHING against SS amps what so ever, infact the Fender CyberTwin SE impressed the pants off me, and i would probably had one if it was'nt for the stupid price . . .

. . . saying that, i thionk you'd be better off with a Blues Voodoo, because that is yet another series of amps that impressed me !

Sooooo many people say how rubbish it is, and when i tried it (BV120 head) with a Marshall 1960B cab it soundes pretty bloody good to me !

http://www.musik-service.de/images/prx/395756024/i00.jpg - the BV120



My 2cents
James

 

[MrHeavyMetal]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

I had a VS 8080...

yo, I've got the 2nd generation VS 120/120 PRO stereo rack amp. cleans are ok but it really shines at very hard rock or metal. I run either a Marshall JMP-1 or Line 6 POD Pro into it then into a 4X12 with Vintage 30's. I love it! It will rip your face off but I usually play at lower levels in the house. It rips at louder levels but I actually use lower practice non deafening levels and it sounds very good. Much easier to control the volume than on a 100 watt Plexi reissue which I also own LOL.

 

[emilio]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

I have NOTHING against SS amps what so ever, infact the Fender CyberTwin SE impressed the pants off me, and i would probably had one if it was'nt for the stupid price . . .

. . . saying that, i thionk you'd be better off with a Blues Voodoo, because that is yet another series of amps that impressed me !

Sooooo many people say how rubbish it is, and when i tried it (BV120 head) with a Marshall 1960B cab it soundes pretty bloody good to me !

http://www.musik-service.de/images/prx/395756024/i00.jpg - the BV120



My 2cents
James

well yeah man, i liked mine for the price. thinking about it i think i should just trade it for a hybrid or straight out ss because of the international shipping. i'm scared that it'll get messed up.

 

[emilio]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

Have an AVT 100 that sounds great! Use it for rehearsals and small gigs. Onboard effects
are good and it will take you from clean to metal. Have also used a TS9/DS-1 into the front end with good results.

want to sell it to me? :naughty:

 

[emilio]

Re: Marshall Valvestate

you guys think someone would trade a valvestate for a heavily gigged BV60 head? i got my band here in mexico wating for me! i really need some tips, you guys know someone selling something nice for metal and about 600 bucks and is willing to ship to mexico? i miss LA.