Marshall ValveState II VS100R user reviews ( 7/10) - 38 user reviews

• 12/11/11

  yoTrakkz's review "rocks!"

  Characteristics

  This is a tube combo amp that has developed a loyal following over the years. It has a single 1/4" connection. It has two channels, which are designated rhythm and lead. The rhythm channel is clean/slightly overdriven, and actually has a crunch switch which, tellingly, adds more crunch to the sound. The lead sound is heavily distorted, and pretty compressed. It has a whopping 120 watts of power. There are gain controls for each channel, but the 3-band EQ is shared between both. There is also a master volume. Additionally, there are resonance and presence controls, which add gain to the low and high ends, respectively.

  Utilization

  Getting a good sound out of this depends entirely on your expectations. This is for rock and all its children, folks. Jazz, Blues, Country, and even the lighter rock genres are definitely not going to thrive here. That being said, this will work really well for most heavier rock styles, and even metal and hardcore acts would find much to love. Finding a good sound is easy assuming you know what you're looking for. The manual will explain how to use everything pretty well. I find sometimes that there are too many features, but I guess that's not too bad.

  Sounds

  I'll be perfectly frank, and say that if you aren't using guitars with humbuckers, or something similar on them, then this isn't going to work for you. I think my Les Paul sounds best with this. The thing can rock a small club by itself if need be, and with good speakers, this thing will really kick. Mostly, I think the best sounds are the heavier ones. Even though that's not my favorite type of music, I get such a rush when this thing is really rockin' that I don't think about it. The sheer power that comes through this thing is mind-blowing. Even though I'd probably never play in the kind of band that would require such obscene amounts of gain, I still love playing it. It's really not great for clean tones, but I doubt anyone interested in purchasing this would be worried about that.

  Overall Opinion

  Since there's plenty of people for whom really rocking out is absolutely essential, I think that this amp could really catch on with the hard rock/metal/hardcore crowd. It's getting more and more expensive as its reputation grows, so I think that if you can't find one used right away, grab a new one while they aren't too expensive. Peavey is usually pretty good about being affordable, so it probably won't get that bad. Definitely a quality product, without a doubt.
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• 11/28/11

  iamqman's review "Not my first choice"

  Characteristics

  Marshall has to be one of my favorite guitar amplifiers because they have such a great thick warm tone that is very conducive to my playing style. Marshall has built some of the best amplifiers for hard rock and metal tones and a sometimes build very inexpensive budget friendly amps as well. This is one of those amplifiers that is tailored towards the budget friendly musician or someone who doesn't have a whole lot of money to spend on a guitar amplifier. This is not good to be here great sounding JCM 2000 or JCM 800 amplifier at all. This is good to be an amplifier that's can basically be home around practice amp for you.

  Utilization

  Features
  
  
  
  * 100 Watt Valvestate power stage driving 1x12'' speaker [VS100R] or 2x12'' speakers [VS102R].
  
  * ECC83 [12AX7] Pre-amp valve active on all 3 channels.
  
  * 3 independent footswitchable channels, 'Clean', 'Overdrive 1' and 'Overdrive 2'.
  
  * Clean channel with Treble, Middle and Bass controls, plus Tone Shift switch for extra tonal options.
  
  * Overdrive 1 channel with its own Gain and Volume plus shared EQ with Overdrive 2.
  
  * Overdrive 2 channel with its own Gain, Volume and sweeping Contour control.
  
  * Power Dimension switch to give the effect of the greater saturation of a valve power stage of lower wattage being driven hard.
  
  * Built-in spring Reverb with separate level controls for the Clean and Overdrive 1/2.
  
  * Effects Loop with front panel Mix control.
  
  * Headphone jack [which mutes the internal speaker].
  
  * Line Out jack with Speaker Emulation for connection to external equipment.
  
  * Extension speaker jacks

  Sounds

  I'm not really a fan of the tone of this amplifier . It has a very thin raspy fuzzy tone that sounds like garbage to my ears. You have three channels to choose from and none of them really speak volumes to me. You have a clean channel an overdrive one channel and then in overdrive to channel 2 to increase of gain and solo lead playing. The lead channels do not really sound that great and it is hard for me to understand why you would need essentially a practice amp sound with 100 W of power. There's no way that you're going to need hundred watts of garbage tone. This does sound like Marshall and a sense with its voicing endgame structure but the feeling and tone of it just flat-out terrible. I would recommend this guitar amplifier to anyone because it sounds terribly raspy .

  Overall Opinion

  I would not recommend this amplifier to anyone because of hundred watts of power for a terrible selling amplifier and it simply just does not do it for me. If you need a good practice amp then I suggest going with something it's around 15 to 20 W of power. That is enough suitable volume for someone is playing in the bedroom/ garage or in a quiet space. These amps have been discontinued for a while so you'd only be able to find a them in the used classified sections.
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• 11/27/11

  ericthegreat's review "great amp"

  Characteristics

  The Marshall ValveState II VS1006 is a tube guitar amplifier. The model I have is a silver face and was made in 1976. There are four 1/4 inputs - two for each channel. The first channel has dials for volume, bass, mid, and treble. The second channel has the same as the first channel, plus settings to control the reverb and the vibrato - reverb, speed, and intensity. There is a foot pedal to turn vibrato and reverb on and off.

  Utilization

  The VS1006 has a general great tone to it. The parameters are straightforward and it is easy to manipulate the amp to get the sound you are looking for. The inherent great tone makes it very easy to get a good sound. I bought this amp used and never had a manual for it.

  Sounds

  The VS1006 definitely suits my style of music, as I usually go for a slightly vintage sound when I play rock or pop music. I use this mostly for guitar, but have used it for some keyboards as well. The clean tone on this amp is brilliant and rich in tone. I have a few distortion pedals I use when I want a heavier sound as there isn't much of an overdrive on this amp. If you pull out the master volume knob it gives you a slight overdrive, but sometimes doesn't give enough crunch. The vibrato and reverb effects are some of the best of its kind. The vibrato is pulsating while the reverb is quite authentic. This amp definitely lives up to the name of Fender has made for itself.

  Overall Opinion

  I've had my VS1006 for about six years. It is my # 1 amp and I use it both in the studio and on the stage. I got a great price on mine used, but even the median price for these used is reasonable. These amps sound great and are built to last. I love my VS1006 and it will continue to be my go to guitar amp for as long as it will last!
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• 06/15/11

  tjon901's review "Valvestate Combo"

  Characteristics

  A few years ago solid state amps were still not really accepted by most guitar players. Players felt that they sounded too digital and unnatural. In the 90s Marshall attempted to bridge the gap between tube amps and solid state amps by making hybrid amps. The Marshall hybrid amps contained a tube in the preamp with a solid state power section. This solid state power section meant you could easily simulate load on the amp and get great tones even at low volumes. It has a clean channel and an overdrive channel. The overdrive channel comes with two voicings and the clean channel has its own EQ. They call it a 3 channel amp but it is really a two channel amp with two overdrive modes. It puts out 100watts of power with an effects loop. It has a rather flimsy spring reverb. When i got mine it was almost broken off. It pretty much rattles inside the amp chassis. 100 Watts is a lot of power for such a little combo amp.

  Utilization

  It has a few more knobs than your normal amp. Starting at the left you have the input for your guitar cable. The first set of knobs are for the clean channel. After the clean channels EQ knobs there are some buttons for a clean boost or clean OD sound for the clean channel. The next two knobs are the gain and volume for the overdrive 1 channel. Then there is a button to switch between OD 1 and OD 2. The overdrive 2 section has gain contour and volume. The contour knob will be your best friend with this amp. After these knobs there is the shared EQ for the overdrive channels. The last set of knobs are for the FX loop and the reverb. You can adjust how much reverb you get on the clean and dirty channels. Because it is a combo instead of a head the amp is pretty heavy. It is probably more than 60 pounds. This may hurt your back.

  Sounds

  The gain on this amp is very contemporary sounding. Playing with the contour knob you can go from a classic British sound to a searing high gain sound. The contour knob emulates the loading of the power amp. Chuck Schuldiner from Death used this this amp on most of his albums and it sounds exactly like what you heard on these albums. With the contour knob on low the sound is more classic Marshall. It has a lot of bite and clarity. With the contour knob turned up all the way the it tightens way up. With the contour knob up it almost sounds like a modern 6l6 amp. The clean channel is good but it is not great. The clean channel has a very cold sound even with the reverb on. I am not able to push this amp to its maximum volume but it would be interesting to see how the speaker holds up under the strain of 100 watts. Normally a 100 watt amp would have at least 4x12 hooked up to it. This combo just has one speaker.

  Overall Opinion

  These amps offer great bang for the buck. Since it is a combo you will not have to worry about getting a cabinet to go with it. These amps put out a great metal sound for such a little price. With the turn of a single knob you can go from classic British gain to a searing modern metal sound. Dont let the valvestate badge scare you off these early hybrid Marshalls sound really good.
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• 11/02/08

  Audiofanzine FR's review

  Characteristics

  (Originally written by Gratt'oche/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
  
  
  
  Hybrid amp with one tube within a solid-state design.
  
  Marshall indicates 100 watts. Compared to a JCM900 full stack, this "small" amp is nothing to laugh at. I think it actually does provide 100 watts... The "plastic" electronics produce a surprisingly good sound.
  
  Comprehensive connections: FX loop, channel selection footswitch, 2 speaker outputs, one headphone output with speaker mute function and line output with speaker simulation for direct connection to a mixer...
  
  Very comprehensive settings for a compact amp: 3 channels, shared EQ for both distortion channels and Contour function (OD2 channel) that increases the sound range.

  Utilization

  Nothing surprising if you have already used a guitar amp. The setting is very easy, simply turn the knobs... It's plug and play...
  
  You'll have to take a few minutes to find exactly the sound you need, but you don't need to be an engineer.
  
  I have no user's manual and I don't miss it... But I know Marshall user's manuals are very comprehensive.

  Sounds

  The sound is surprisingly good... Of course it doesn't sound like a JCM but it's really good for the money...
  
  You can use the amp with every kind of guitar no matter if it has single-coils or humbuckers... Marshall isn't famous for its clean tone, but it is still decent enough. Both overdrive channels provide all distortion levels from slight crunch to fat overdrive...

  Overall Opinion

  I bought this amp really cheap to a friend of mine who gave up guitar. I recently saw this amp at a shop (secondhand) and it was even cheaper.
  
  It's super reliable (advantage of transistors over tubes) and robust. It's loud enough to play with a drummer and it offers an excellent value for money.
  
  It's an excellent choice if you want a budget amp with a good output power and a respectable sound. I prefer tubes but I'll still keep this amp!
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• 08/04/11

  voltagehigh's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Solid as a ROCK"

  Characteristics

  100 W transistor - tube preamp
  
  
  
  Everything else was said.

  Utilization

  Very easy to use.
  
  
  
  Three channels with 3 band EQ to sculpt almost any sound.
  
  Bright switch over to refine all this.
  
  
  
  No need for manual is intuitive.

  Sounds

  Very versatile.
  
  
  
  Used with a Les Paul Custom.
  
  
  
  Clear sound surprising, slamming and round at a time.
  
  
  
  The distos are quite good but also quite modern type-rock.
  
  It is best to stay clean and add a good distortion pedal based on its style.
  
  
  
  The clean sound is really the big plus of this amp.

  Overall Opinion

  I have for 15 years and do not want to part with it.
  
  
  
  Very good buy for the price and still effective despite the years. No technical problem. In addition it is robust. On a rock-solid.
  
  
  
  I also have an all-tube amp to complement but I love playing on the VS100. The sound is now.
  
  
  
  Excellent amp at the cost of the opportunity.
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• 04/20/10

  j79's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Preamp tube for a total of 100 watts
  
  
  
  Many more features at:
  
  - Three channels (clean, crunch, distortion) with separate EQ and reverb for clean and crunch / distortion
  
  - Only the pre-amp tube is therefore a weight that allows the stroll too easily without risk of breakage
  
  - Crank that manages the transition from clean to crunch and distortion
  
  - Output line-out to connect on a table enjoying the pre-amplification Lamp
  
  - A button 'power dimension, which provides a depth and dynamic sound even at low
  
  - Button treble boost on the clean channel

  Utilization

  Super simple config with the separation of the equalizer and reverb for clean and crunch / distortion.
  
  
  
  I've never needed to read the manual so the configuration is simple.

  Sounds

  I play it with an Ibanez JS100 and a ESP Viper 100
  
  
  
  With the JS100 is perfect, the crunch is precise and can be quite powerful in pushing the gain.
  
  
  
  Viper 100 with the clean is pretty muffled but just flick the 'tone shift' and it immediately gives a bit more treble. The crunch, it's like nickel, sound is very precise and whines when it is needed.
  
  
  
  For the same distortion with a max gain and presence that goes with it is not metal and I think it looks a bit messy sometimes.

  Overall Opinion

  I have the combo for over 10 years now and I've never had a crash without having changed once the lights.
  
  The knobs crackle a little when I do not use it for a while but the neck of a bomb anti-scratch and get more than 6 months.
  
  
  
  So I paid the head VS100 them months ago etje can find my sound studio repeated even if the act of plugging it into a cab 1960 did not serve him as well as the cab home.
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• 11/04/09

  tontonseb's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Amp hybrid penultimate generation in Marshall: tube preamp and amp transistors. The 100W (4 ohms) are present. The HP 12 'Marshall in cash and plans very well sound. There is a connection for effects loop, headphone ... and especially to connect a second cabinet, such as a 2x12 '. And then the sound becomes really huge.
  
  
  
  Three selectable channels via a crank: clear, OD1 (saturation coarse-grained to the former) and OD2 (very metal distortion).
  
  
  
  Add to that a real (small) spring reverb! It's better than most digital tinkering.
  
  
  
  I put 8 / 10 for price / performance ratio.

  Utilization

  It's easier than the new AVT series, because there is no onboard digital effects (good, sounds really synthetic, you have to like). It's easy to find her:
  
  . clear channel, the key gives a nice bright terrain very vintage
  
  . on OD2, the palette of sound is very broad. It is very close to the JCM. Connect your SG or Les Paul on it and that your deposit.

  Sounds

  Personally, playing punk rock or garage, I was filled. Frankly, with this amp, no interest to add a distortion pedal, but one tube distortion that adds more to the amp.
  
  
  
  Interestingly, clear + channel function and bright reverb give you a thoroughly cleanse his sixties, vintage desire to play surf-rock, for example. This is well above or a Fender Frontman Dynatouch in this area.

  Overall Opinion

  I play on it intermittently for over ten years and it gives me a great amp to do everything, repeated use in and on stage with his Marshall typed and robustness. Really a good investment.
  
  
  
  I come back:
  
  . robustness. The receiver, worn by a friend as a full-oyster, broke his mouth and still works at the hair.
  
  . sound. Frankly, penniless young Scrooge, an old Valvestate prefer a nine MG whose sound is less rich and Péchu (no lamp and digital).
  
  
  
  As soon as I feel like itches, it's him that I turn in my basement.
  
  
  
  Decidedly one of my best musical investments: 4200F at the time (new € 620?). It seems that according to the state, it is trading between 100 to € 200 today. To change the lamp preamp, open, but this lamp will cost € 10 or 15 max. The knobs are changed so easily.
  
  
  
  8 / 10 for the report service / price
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• 02/04/09

  memphis760's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Tube preamp and transistor.100 watts that are there.
  
  Connectors: Guitar Input (whew!), line out, headphone out, footswitch input, an additional sortei another forum, and send and reurn module for external effects.
  
  A reverb, a clear channel and two channels of overdrive and adjustment module external effect.
  
  A button "power dimension" and "toneshift" (which I use for anything else).

  Utilization

  For the config is not simpler, and more all the knobs are accessible on the front (it seems silly like that but it's not always the case, to believe that some manufacturers think that I had to do it to put my guitar to press a switch).
  
  Well, the sound is subjective but I like. It is not clear for the porn actress.
  
  This is not the holy grail type lamp thousand euros while, but training bass drums guitar and I never had to push him into a corner.
  
  The sound is stamped Marshall not need to talk for hours. (I find it still much better than the current series)
  
  The manual is useless in my opinion, but good.

  Sounds

  For rock, blues, clean sounds that do not worry me.
  
  This is not to hard rock for my taste but it's not my goal, that's fine.
  
  I like to disconnect my ToneLab to play with him, the sounds are complete in my opinion.
  
  The sounds are round, clear and very present bass with the setting.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for 6 months and I love it. I bought used for 150 euros etje pas.J absolutely regret 'in even want another!
  
  I render with my strat's overdrive and good fun.
  
  Its only downside is its weight when it is necessary by repeating the lug pfff.
  
  One day I added some speaker to match.
  
  what I like about it is also leaving "emulated", it goes straight into the multitrack.
  
  Training guitar bass drums I've never needed to push him into a corner.
  
  At that price I doubt any remake that choice. (Even more expensive for that matter)
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• 11/02/08

  Gratt'oche's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Amp hybrid: a lamp to emulate the sound, everything else is transistors.
  
  Marshall Announces 100W, set next to a JCM900 with 8 HP 12 ", this" little "amp is not ridiculous ... It's good 100W ... Popuri electronics" plastic ", that is bluffing.
  
  Complete connectivity: effects loop, footswitch channel select, 2 HP, a headphone that mutes the sound when you plug the headset (yes, logic ...) and the small exit "emulated" magic to go straight in the mixer ...
  
  All settings that Paut wait on an amp of this size, three-channel, shared eq for both channels saturated, and overdrive on channel 2 the famous "contour" which acts on the midrange for a wide range of sounds .

  Utilization

  Little we used to be amplifiers, nothing confusing, super simple, there's only to turn and there are ... Almost plug and play ...
  
  To get the sound you want to micropoil, spend a few minutes, because there are many settings, but not need an engineering degree. All is well.
  
  I have never seen the manual, but he did not fail ... However, I know that at Marshall, they are very complete.

  Sounds

  Again, the level is surprisingly ... This is certainly not a JCM but it works pretty well for the price, it really is not stolen ...
  
  It can be used with any type of guitar, enthusiasts single or double, you get your happiness ... Marshall clean sounds are not super famous, but largely listening las two overdrive channels allow all levels of the crunchy overdrive fat enough ...

  Overall Opinion

  I bought this amp to a friend who gave up the guitar for really cheap, I saw one at € 200 (OCCAZ of course ...) there is little time to shop, and he who achgeté has not been stolen from me.
  
  It's super reliable (advantage of transistors, it is often forgotten), solid, it's more than a match for a drummer, an excellent price / quality ratio, I would say if one is 300 € ... But it is above its rating, so it is less ...
  
  An excellent choice if you want to redo the power and his honorable with a limited budget ... I prefer tubes, but this one, I still jealously guards!
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