Marshall Amplification Valvestate VS100, Handbook

9

VS100R/VS102R: 100 Watt Combo with
Reverb

VS100H: 100 Watt Head with Reverb

By taking full advantage of the advances made by

our Research and Development Department since the
release of our first Valvestate range we have produced
the VS100R & VS102R (combos) and VS100H
(head).  Sharing exactly the same facilities these 100
Watt models both feature an ECC 83 valve driven pre-
amp and include a number of brand new functions
such as switching between Clean, Overdrive 1 and
Overdrive 2 channels, making them ideal for the
gigging guitarist.  In addition separate reverb controls
for Clean and Overdrive channels and lastly a Power
Dimension Switch specially designed to emulate, at
lower volume levels, the extra  saturation found when
playing through a transformer and valve power stage
pushed to the limit, make this amp a real force to be
reckoned with.

Front Panel Features

1. Input

Plug your guitar in here.  We recommend that

you always use a high quality screened cable to help
prevent noise, interference and unwanted feedback.

2. Volume

This controls the volume of the Clean Channel

and is useful for balancing the level of the Overdrive
and Clean Channels.  Once turned past half way this
channel will start to crunch up your guitar sound for
semi-distorted chords and bluesy leads.

3. CLN/OD LED

Indicates whether Clean or Overdrive has been

selected.  Red indicates Overdrive.

4. Bass

Turning the Bass control will effect the amount

of low frequencies or bottom end in your guitar tone.
Rotating this control clockwise will increase the lower
tones and, depending on other settings, will generally
make your tone warmer and heavier if combined with
distortion.  By turning the Bass control anti-clockwise
you will reduce the bass frequencies in your tone
which will make your sound sharper, thinner and
more cutting.

It should be remembered that your guitar will

probably be the main influence in your overall sound
and a naturally bassy guitar for example will probably
need less bass on the amplifier than a naturally trebly
guitar.

5. Middle

The middle frequencies are those which generally

affect the size of your sound.  By increasing the
amount of middle in your tone your guitar will sound
fatter, conversly reducing the middle frequencies will
make your guitar sound thinner.

6. Treble

By adjusting this Treble control you can add or

take away the higher frequencies in your guitar tone
when on the Clean Channel.  By turning up the Treble
control and increasing those high frequencies you will
make your guitar sound brighter and more cutting.

7. Clean / Overdrive Switch

Allows for switching between Clean and

Overdrive via the front panel.

8. Tone Shift Switch

Re-configures the channel voicing of the clean

Channel giving the option of a boost in mid-range
frequencies combined with a cut in bass frequencies.

9. Gain

Controls the input signal from the guitar and the

amount of gain within the pre-amp when on
Overdrive 1 channel.  Increasing the amount of gain
will increase the amount of distortion in your guitar
sound and to some extent increase the volume.
Having the gain level fairly low will result in vintage
style blues crunch.  Increasing this will result in
higher gain sounds ideal for classic rock tones.

10. Volume

Controls the volume of Overdrive 1 channel. 

11. OD 1/2 Switch

Switches between Overdrive 1 channel and

Overdrive 2 channel.  Overdrive 1 can be looked at as
the traditional overdrive or distortion channel giving
excellent crunchy blues rock tones, whereas
Overdrive 2 takes off where Overdrive 1 finishes
delivering searing high gain sounds.

12. Gain

This Gain control operates in the same way as the

previous Gain control (item 9).  Increasing this Gain
control will increase the amount of distortion on
Overdrive 2.

13. L.E.D.

Indicates selection of Overdrive 1 or Overdrive 2.

14. Contour

The Contour control basically shifts the mid-range

frequencies in your guitar tone when on Overdrive 2.  By
turning the Contour fully clockwise you will scoop out of
your sound most of the middle frequencies.  If you

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ENGLISH