Marshall VS15R

Been playing for over 50 years and have owned at least as many amps. As a repair tech I've used just about everything made at one time or another.

This amp is fine for what it is, and inexpensive entry model. It gives you typical clean and driven Marshall tones and your basic tone settings which are rather mild compared to its big brothers. I also have a VS 100 so I know the product line well.

This is only a 15W SS amp so its not going to do well gigging unless its miced. I've done a couple of rehearsals with it but I was really pushing its limits. 15W solid state is not the same thing as 15W tube. A Tube amp is rated in clean watts and they usually have additional driven gain.

The two gain knobs on the amp appear to be identical in nature. Its like they put to pots in series that produce the same kind of drive and tone. They are additive. if you gain one up half way cranking the second up half way is like cranking the first to max.

The speaker could be better on the amp. good 8's are hard to find so I haven't bothered to upgrade it. I did add a speaker extension jack which was very easy. I used it to drive a talk box for awhile, worked very well. I could plug into another cab if I wanted but I mostly use this amp for practice in the living room. I have all the big stuff I need for gigging in the studio.

I have tried recording with the amp close miced. It was a little fizzy and sterile recording. Not sure why because it actually sounds pretty good live.

If I had to gig with it I have several other small amps I run with it. There's something about the tone of several small amps together you cant get from one larger amp. This one handles the mid tones very well. I normally run it clean with a little hair and use pedals for my effects and drive tones. It does well for what it is. If you can pick one up for under $100 its a good buy. Anything more you could probably do better.

Its solid state amp,, 15watts power, 2gain knobs, treble, contour (better than just middle), bas, spring reverb, main out, headphones out, master volume.

UTILIZATION

You can amazingly get all sort of sounds with this fantastic amp, right from warm crystal clean, to warm blues, rock overdrive and even metal ! It suits my needs very well- I play mostly classic rock, some simple lead guitar, Jimmy Hendrix style, John Frusciante, david Gilmour, Mark Knophler and Eric Clapton... However you turn that knobs sounds amazing. Knobs are very strong, very touch sensitive + good looking, whole amp is actually real beauty !

SOUNDS

I use mostly my Fender -Squier Affinity model, which is heavily modified into Fender. What I really like with this amp is that you cannot get bad sound--right from clean to heavily overdrive
all sound really good. If you combine 2 gain knobs and specially contour knob--rage of sounds is limitless !! Plus spring reverb sounds really natural ! Sound is really natural--its the pure sound of your guitar --just making it even more beautiful! I dont know how they did it at marshall, but I dont miss tubes at all with this little fellow !

OVERALL OPINION

I am very sincere with my reviews always and this is no exception ! I like everything on this amp---it looks cool really handsome + sound cool ! Its my third Marshall. First was 17 years back alos Valvestate but first series model.. 8240 stereo bi chorus--also amazing amp ! I dont know why but this one sounds even better no matter much more simple ! Like I said I love tube amps but dont miss valves in this amp at all--this says all ! For this price such a quality sound is a real gift from the God --I am eternally grateful ! I would certainly buy it again for sure ! I know my review sounds little cheesy, but I am sincere here, rocker for many years and really feel the way I wrote about this amp ! Cannot help myself ! I think in couple of years people will search this amp like crazy ! I hope mine will work for a long time !

My Dad bought this one for me for £90 in Thetford for Christmas

You get alot for your money the clean is exerlent for a 15w and is a true example of how Marshall bring the standard up.
The distortion is so crisp and sharp and it has alot of power for a an amp of this size

The amp starts to gain alot of unwanted fuzz when you turn it up and is pants for playing in a band because like alot of valvestates it has no presants.
the reverb is tereble and you mite as well be playing in a shed.

allthough its not the bigest in the world like most Marshall amps this is very stong and dos'nt mind being knocked.

You may think im makeing a fuss about nothing but this truly is a good buy and a tipicle Marshall brilliant for home use.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Features: Denomination: VS15R, the Valvestate series.
Power: 15 watts HP 1x8 "
A single channel "preamp" with two gain
A three band equalization, treble - Contour - bass
Master Volume 1
A reverb
The Input
1 headphone output 1 line out

UTILIZATION

Simple config
missing manual
good sound regardless of the adjustment

SOUNDS

be a lot of musical style.
particularly fatty
play a squier HSS.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long do you use the equipment / instrument?
about 1999 but I still have no longer used due to space

- Did you tried many other models before buying it? If so, which?
No, it was my first

- What is the feature that you like most and least?
+ Its bold and hot
- For the price no downside, even if one side comes off the paper, and nothing eternal.

- How would you rate the quality / price?
Perfect, while the amp of the same make and type of today have the knobs and buttons that spit spring which skips the end of the warranty. THE VS15r and always by appointment. Ready to make fart watts.

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
A yes for anything I do would separate

I do recall most of the purchase price with a pedal Cygnus OD2R