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jarvis_steven « I use this amp daily!... But It's not a tube. It's a solid state »
Published on 11/09/14 at 15:15Marshall's Avt275 is a "ValveState" amp.
"ValveState" is a cool word for an amp that has a valve pre amp and a solid state power amp.
Basically, it is just a solid state that sorta-kinda-almost-sometimes emulates a tube amp.
It has a clean channel, two overdrive channels, and an acoustic simulator channel. It is equipped with a multitude of built in effects ranging from a couple of reverbs to flange and chorus.
It pushes 75W through each of the 12" speakers and it also has an "Emulated Line Out" that supposedly emulates the sound of the amp if you ever have the need to record it D.I.
UTILIZATION
The amp sounds great. Period.
My favorite thing about it has definitely been the versatility.
The clean channel is fabulous. It sounds delicious. It captures the tone and dynamic that you are looking for - no matter what you are looking for. From twangy blues to flat clean rhythm, the tone can be found. It is pretty incredible.
Both of the O.D. channels are usable. The first overdrive channel can give more of that old school crunch and classic Marshall Sound. The second O.D. is much heavier and I rarely use it. It can get out of hand very quickly. It easily becomes muddy and silly.
BUT...
As far as tube-like sound is concerned...
The amp absolutely under performs and will absolutely disappoint you.
The acoustic simulator is a joke. Don't even bother.
I have to give it a 9 in the Utilization category because of the versatility. I have used this amp on Punk records, blues records, indie, and reggae.
It is a solid choice no matter what it is doing.
The idea that it was supposed to be a decent substitute for a tube amp is ludicrous. Luckily, I bought it when I was so young that I didn't know the difference and therefore had no prejudice towards the claim.
If you want a tube amp then just get a tube amp.
SOUNDS
I primarily play a Schecter Diamond series.
It has a pick up and a humbucker, both are Duncan. It is a fantastic guitar but it has been through hell.
The plates for the control knobs are noisy and useless because of my need to quickly repair it with a sauntering iron.
It doesn't make sounds unless all of the knobs are all the way up.
Hence my surprise at the AVT275's versatility.
The Clean channel is perfect.
O.D. 1 is good.
O.D. 2 is usually silly.
The Acoustic simulator is useless.
The built in effects are actually O.K. but you will have to dial them in to the point of questioning whether or not any of them are really worth the time or effort.
I did a review on this amp a while back and I spent a whole lot of time talking about the "Emulated Line-Out" that is on the back of the head.
All that you really need to know about it is that you should just be miking the cab. It is basically just another headphone output and it sounds nothing like it claims.
Without the twin Celestion speakers to shape the sound, everything falls apart.
Again, being able to control the sound as much as you can with this amp(without using stupid effects), is truly fantastic.
But, all of the cool toys and gizmos and gadgets basically add up to nothing more than a waste of space.
It sounds great. Just remember that it is an amp- not an effects station.
OVERALL OPINION
Pros:
-Extremely versatile
-Can take a beating like a Marshall should(and probably will)
-BEAUTIFUL clean channel
-I noticed that it was one of the amps on stage at the end of School of Rock
Check it out:
Right behind the guy with the Flying V.
Cons:
-Silly toys and effects
-Acoustic simulator is just nonsense
-Sounds almost nothing like a tube amp
-Unusually heavy for it's size
As far as the price goes, you should definitely buy it used so that you have a chance at a reasonable deal. I am not sure whether they even make these anymore so it might be your only option.
I see one on Ebay for $500.
Considering the Clean channel and the versatility and the power(yes, it's frickin' loud), that is a reasonable price.
I use this amp every single day.
"ValveState" is a cool word for an amp that has a valve pre amp and a solid state power amp.
Basically, it is just a solid state that sorta-kinda-almost-sometimes emulates a tube amp.
It has a clean channel, two overdrive channels, and an acoustic simulator channel. It is equipped with a multitude of built in effects ranging from a couple of reverbs to flange and chorus.
It pushes 75W through each of the 12" speakers and it also has an "Emulated Line Out" that supposedly emulates the sound of the amp if you ever have the need to record it D.I.
UTILIZATION
The amp sounds great. Period.
My favorite thing about it has definitely been the versatility.
The clean channel is fabulous. It sounds delicious. It captures the tone and dynamic that you are looking for - no matter what you are looking for. From twangy blues to flat clean rhythm, the tone can be found. It is pretty incredible.
Both of the O.D. channels are usable. The first overdrive channel can give more of that old school crunch and classic Marshall Sound. The second O.D. is much heavier and I rarely use it. It can get out of hand very quickly. It easily becomes muddy and silly.
BUT...
As far as tube-like sound is concerned...
The amp absolutely under performs and will absolutely disappoint you.
The acoustic simulator is a joke. Don't even bother.
I have to give it a 9 in the Utilization category because of the versatility. I have used this amp on Punk records, blues records, indie, and reggae.
It is a solid choice no matter what it is doing.
The idea that it was supposed to be a decent substitute for a tube amp is ludicrous. Luckily, I bought it when I was so young that I didn't know the difference and therefore had no prejudice towards the claim.
If you want a tube amp then just get a tube amp.
SOUNDS
I primarily play a Schecter Diamond series.
It has a pick up and a humbucker, both are Duncan. It is a fantastic guitar but it has been through hell.
The plates for the control knobs are noisy and useless because of my need to quickly repair it with a sauntering iron.
It doesn't make sounds unless all of the knobs are all the way up.
Hence my surprise at the AVT275's versatility.
The Clean channel is perfect.
O.D. 1 is good.
O.D. 2 is usually silly.
The Acoustic simulator is useless.
The built in effects are actually O.K. but you will have to dial them in to the point of questioning whether or not any of them are really worth the time or effort.
I did a review on this amp a while back and I spent a whole lot of time talking about the "Emulated Line-Out" that is on the back of the head.
All that you really need to know about it is that you should just be miking the cab. It is basically just another headphone output and it sounds nothing like it claims.
Without the twin Celestion speakers to shape the sound, everything falls apart.
Again, being able to control the sound as much as you can with this amp(without using stupid effects), is truly fantastic.
But, all of the cool toys and gizmos and gadgets basically add up to nothing more than a waste of space.
It sounds great. Just remember that it is an amp- not an effects station.
OVERALL OPINION
Pros:
-Extremely versatile
-Can take a beating like a Marshall should(and probably will)
-BEAUTIFUL clean channel
-I noticed that it was one of the amps on stage at the end of School of Rock
Check it out:
Right behind the guy with the Flying V.
Cons:
-Silly toys and effects
-Acoustic simulator is just nonsense
-Sounds almost nothing like a tube amp
-Unusually heavy for it's size
As far as the price goes, you should definitely buy it used so that you have a chance at a reasonable deal. I am not sure whether they even make these anymore so it might be your only option.
I see one on Ebay for $500.
Considering the Clean channel and the versatility and the power(yes, it's frickin' loud), that is a reasonable price.
I use this amp every single day.