The Early Marshall ValveState VS-100 Sleeper Amps - With a Speaker Upgrade
The Early Marshall ValveState VS-100 Sleeper Amps - With a Speaker Upgrade
Okay, before I jump into why I truly believe the early Marshall Valvestate VS100 is indeed a terribly overlooked "sleeper amp", I need to tell you how I discovered these amps. A couple weeks back two Marshall amps arrived in my shop for repair, one was a DSL 40 full tube amp and the other was a early 90's VS100. In a nutshell, the (much more expensive) DSL really disappointed me, while the VS was way cooler than expected. Rather than get too wordy, I'll use bullet-points, and I will NOT get into techno-babble (your welcome).
- The Valvestate had a MUCH better looking circuit board, more robust, better lay-out, and easier to work on.
- The Valvestate had way more authoritative and solid bottom-end.
- The Valvestate was much more versatile, delivering better Fender type cleans, as well as better scooped metal tones.
- The VS had separate verb controls for clean and dirty channels, yes! Why don't all amps have this? Brilliant.
- The VS was actually made in ENGLAND, the way a Marshall should be!!!
- The VS sported a UK made Celestion speaker.
- The VS had WAY more clean headroom.
- The VS also could deliver way better totally saturated tones at bedroom volume.
- The VS "Power Dimension" switch really re-voices the amp, again making it excellent for lower volume levels.
I set up an A/B switch to switch between the tow amps, and found the VS better at every tone over the DSL. Wow. So next I A/B'd it to my favorite dual-channel combo, a Fender Super-Sonic 22 ... and here, while there was more of a pronounced difference between the two amps ... and the Super-Sonic is VERY sweet ... I still found I liked the cleans, crunch, and saturated tones of the VS just as well as the stupidly cool and well respected Super-Sonic. Again, wow.
So, what DIDN'T I like about the VS-100? Really only three things:
- I wish the short spring reverb tank was a long-spring Fender type.
- I wish it had a headphone out for totally silent practice, an easy addition for a Solid State power section.
- The factory Celestion "blackback" 12" speaker (UK made!) was not bad, but it was a bit thin and lacked a little Marshall midrange growl.
Let's address these three points.
- If I really wanted to, I could install a longer reverb tank for about twenty bucks from someplace like Allparts. But I'll probably use a verb pedal.
- If I really wanted it, I could add a headphone jack for a few bucks in parts, but I'd probably never use it anyway.
- I can install a WGS Invader 12" Speaker to give the amp the characteristic greenback mid growl I'd like to have a bit more of. Yes, the Invader is rated at 50-watts, but the Valvestate's 100 mosfet solid state watts are equal to about 50 old-fashioned tube driven watts RMS.
The speaker is so easy to upgrade that yes, I'd probably suggest to folks that they do the swap. And yes, the Invader would be my #1 suggestion. Another fantastic speaker upgrade would be the British Lead, which would add in a little more urgent midrange, plus even MORE solid bottom end.
Stay tuned, another great sleeper amp is up next!
- VAUGHN SKOW's blog
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Every time I read your blog I wind up window shopping!!!
Anyway, maybe some VS100s did have the headphone jack and some didn't. This one does:
https://reverb.com/item/5378113-marshall-valvestate-vs-100-combo-guitar-amp
It's a shame you'd have to go to North Hollywood, CA to pick it up...
It's finally nice to hear that someone has respect for these old valvestate Marshall's. I've still got and use a VS102R. It's the 2x12 model and it is LOUD. I've always liked the tones I get out of it, minus that bitey treble from the stock speakers. So, my question is, do I go with a pair of Invaders or a mixed pair with the Invader and one of the other British line? Such a hard decision. I play mostly single coil pup's and want more of that classic Marshall sound.
"I play mostly single coil pup's and want more of that classic Marshall sound."
Man ... yea, a pair of Invaders sounds like it. One other good option for you would be an Invader and A Reaper HP ... for just a tad more bottom and top.
Good read! I think Marshall fixed a lot of the discrepancies (not all though) with the 2018 line of DSL's. Anyway, I know the VS100 isn't the same exact model he used (8100 head and VS 4X12), but I have just 2 words: Chuck Schuldiner. Enough said! Thanks for the article!
Yep, the 8100 was really just the next version of the VS100 ...
Well it depends on who you ask because most people say the vs8100 sounds exactly the same as the vs100 then others say that the vs8100 sounds better and it's because the overdrive circuit is slightly different than the vs100. However it is true that they are (sort of) the same amp.
Well it depends on who you ask because most people say the vs8100 sounds exactly the same as the vs100 then others say that the vs8100 sounds better and it's because the overdrive circuit is slightly different than the vs100. However it is true that they are (sort of) the same amp.
A bullet point you forgot to add is that the amp (VS100) is a 'hybrid' tube amp meaning it has only one tube in the preamp section and zero tubes in the power amp section. You also mentioned factory Celestion "blackback" speaker? Mine has a goldback however did they sometimes come with blackback? Also never heard of these amps not having a "headphones" out jack. Are you referring to the VS100 combo or just the head? I only have ever owned combo amps but understanding the purpose of heads and cabinets I'd bet headphone jacks are a lot more rare on amp heads.
OD , Wha, Delay pedals are better in the loop??
I just recently picked up my electric guitar and this Valvestate VS100 again, which have been sleeping in the basement for about 20 years (I know, it's a shame). I first replaced all the electronics in my Marlin Sidewinder, an unknown copy of a copy of a copy of a strat, where a long time ago a friend replaced the bridge pick up for a Di Marggio humbucker and gave it a new set of strings. After that I got carried away and build my own 'partcaster' (Squier neck, body probably Fender and pickguard from a Strat Deluxe, with three Vintage Noiseless 3 single coils pick ups).
I didn't touch the Valvstate, just plugged straight in, like I did in the '90 and it played just like that, with all the dust an moist, like nothing ever happened. She's still a great amp, making a lot of noise (and humming).
I've never really been into modifing and upgrading, I bought a really cheap Code 25 and that was enough for at home.... I always believed sound was mainly "in your fingers", till now. After reading this blog, first, I gave the VS 100 a good clean up, a new tube and most important: changed the stock Goldback Speaker. I could go for the recomended WGS 12" Invader, but I got my hands on a good second hand ET90 and I was really amazed by the sound!! What a sweet dream this Valvestate has become!! On low volume (bedroom level) as well as in a gig (full throttle): she just cuts right in your face, through any- and everything. Whether I played the single coil 'partcaster' (clean or OD 1 & 2 with just a touch of gain) or the humbuckered Marlin (with some more gain), with no pedals, it was just amazing. I really like the WGS and as a tattooer I also like the design at the back, which, of course, doesn't make any sense, but to me it's a very pleasent side issue.....
Sun 19/7/20
Vaughn,
I have the above and read that to reduce ‘noise/hum’ (which it makes a fair amount of in the lounge room) to use a ‘low noise’ 12AX7 valve. If this is a good idea ? which would be the better valve brand? I agree the Black Gold speaker could have more bottom end.
Thanks, Mitchell (Australia ....Oprah’s been here)
Man ... for modern production tubes, I LOVE the JJ brand ... quality control seams far above average.
I have a Marshall VS 8080 same amp, but 80watts will the invander 12 work for at as well, and if i wanted a more fender/vox tone what speaker should i get for that then ??
Hey Hennri, For what you want, I'd suggest the ET65!