player opinions
Marshall VS100R Valvestate
Name: Roland Crane
Price Paid: £140 (with additional bass cab)
Performance
This amp really beats the crap out of any other amps I have tried of similar output, although it does sound really dirty when on overdrive.
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Performance Rating: 9
Sound Quality
Great clean. Hard to hear when overdrive is on.
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Sound Quality Rating: 8
Construction
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Solid as rock!
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Construction Rating: 8
Name: Trelloskilos
Performance
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When I purchased the Marshall Valvestate, I asked the salesman for a good all-round amp that could handle any style and could be used for home and for gigging. He barely hesitated before showing me the VS100R — I was lucky enough to get one of the limited edition blue models. As a guitarist, the name “Marshall” did signify quality amps in the same way that “Fender” does for guitars, or “Zildjian” does for cymbals. Even non-musicians recognize the name to the equipment. So it was no surprise that when I tried it out, I got a nice, clean output. It was loud, even with the volume turned to 9 o’clock on the clean channel. Equally impressive were the other two O/D channels, one offering a bright controlled tone for bluesy leads, and the other having a much grittier sound, which could be cut back through the dual gain/contour dials for a range of tones from a clean Santana-esque overdriven sound to sleazy nu-metal dirt. Needless to say, I was sold. I’ve had this amp for about 3 years now, and despite a few recent minor problems with the valve, I have had no upsets or mishaps. The amp is still as good as the day I bought it, and I’ve managed to get a large variety of tones through it without the need for any pedals. I don’t remember paying much for it back then, I certainly don’t think, however, that I would ever sell it.
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Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
The amp is a solid state, but at its heart is a valve that pushes the tone to a more dynamic level just like a good old fashioned tube amp, easily controlled by a power-dimension switch. This is great for controlling the overall output, and switches the amp from “bedroom practice” mode, to “gigging” mode. Also included was some very versatile separate EQ dials and reverb dials for both clean and O/D channels — you can switch between channels with preset settings on your dials — not a common thing on most smallish amps - plus, there is also drive/speed FX (has a “warbling” effect on the tone, similar to a phaser). On switching on, there is none of the pop and hiss that seem to plague most other amps, and even at high gain, high volume levels with no cutoff, the output is surprisingly low (unless you play something, of course...!) With all the levels turned up, the 2nd OD channel can sound too dirty, with no control over frequency and sludged out very nasty metallic noises. Also, unfortunately, switching from one channel to the other kills the sound, instead of hanging delayed notes over from the previous channel, so timed switching is essential.
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Sound Quality Rating: 9
Construction
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My Marshall has been battered and chipped, but no more than any usual wear and tear. The first thing to go, however, was the footswitch. However, I barely used that in the first place. If you’re buying one of these strictly for home use, or studio use, there is no reason why this shouldn’t last for ages.
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Construction Rating: 10
Name: David Ruxton
Price Paid: $320 from a friend
Performance
This amp can take a shovel with strings and make it sound good. It has a most excellent distorted sound, I don’t use clean all that much, but it sounds pretty nice by my standards. It is unbelievable how much easier it is to play through this than some other amps I’ve plugged into. It does an excellent job amplifying every little note that you hit.
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Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
If you really want to know what the amp sounds like, plug in some Thourogood or ZZTop (Distortion Channel 1), AC/DC (Distortion Channel 2), or Clapton (Clean Channel). I’ve had this amp for about 6 months now and I still don’t think I’ve heard all the sounds it can make. Go buy one. Right now. Really, stop debating and go buy it!
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Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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This amp has been used as a card table, seat, and a jackstand. It’s also been dropped and transported in the back of my Ranger where it slid around and banged against the side of the box. All the knobs are still there and all three channels work perfectly. The only problem I’ve had is a loose reverb tank, however, I fixed that in roughly 3 seconds with a screwdriver.
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Construction Rating: 10
Name: Gareth Bevan
Band: Brainhorn
Price Paid: $800 (Australian)
Performance
The amp I have is a Marshall Valvestate. If you are a beginner I would recommend it because it gives you a cheap approximation of the Classic Marshall sound. However I’m pretty sick of mine. It is easy to play and use, however, as it has three channels and a footswitch plus separate reverb controls for clean and overdriven channels.
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Performance Rating: [none given]
Sound Quality
Playing at home the Marshall is nice enough. The Clean channel is great-sounding. However, the dirty channels, especially the second overdrive channel, sounds too muddy and unfocused. Often in a band situation you just can’t hear yourself very well. It really annoys me. I have two guitars, a 1976 Fender Strat and a Epiphone Les Paul, and they both sound too dark and muddy. I think I need a tube amp or a Line 6. The Reverb sounds great, as does the clean sound. I think with these amps they vary greatly from model to model. I think my amp just has a crap overdriven sound.
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Sound Quality Rating: 6
Construction
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I’ve had this amp for about four years, and to be truthful I’ve really abused it at times. Once I was playing a gig at a pub and spilled half a Bourbon and Coke on it. It also has a few scratches on the tone knobs. In all that time I’ve had it repaired once when a wire was loose. But it has stood the test of time.
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Construction Rating: 8
Name: Jim Wurtz
Price Paid: $500
Performance
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Hey — it’s a Marshall. Three footswitchable channels: clean, Overdrive 1 (suitable for rock, a nice crunchy sound w/ tone turned all the way up, or a smoother fat sound), and Overdrive 2 (Pounding Heavy-metal/Industrial, classic Marshall Roar). There’s separate reverb controls for the clean channel and the overdrive channel, an effects loop, and separate EQ for both channels. I’ve had some problems with the effects loop and the pedals I use (Korg 411fx, Boss DS-1), namely, the sound doesn’t come through quite as loudly or as “cleanly” as I would like, but that could have to do with the fact that the preamp is tube-driven, and the effects loop divides that sound with the “processed” sound from the effects. Also, the reverb sounds sweet, but buzzes at moderate volumes. In addition, I needed to have minor repairs done on it for a loose reverb tank, as well as some loose wires. Easy to use? Just fiddle with the knobs.
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Performance Rating: 8
Sound Quality
I personally love the tone. I know it’s not as high-end as some amps, and I have played through “better” amps in stores. To my ears, this sounded just fine. I play a Fender Stratocaster into a Korg 411fx (for chorus / compression / delay / noisegate and the occasional wah-wah), then into a Boss DS-1 (volume/Sustain boost for soloing), then into the amp. The clean channel faithfully reproduces the sound of the guitar — doesn’t add too much, but certainly doesn’t take away. There’s a “tone shift” button that seems to make your sound more “sparkly”, if that makes sense. Where this amp shines is the dirty channels. I have found no processors that can re-create the tone of the overdrive channels. I have it set just how I like it, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve played some all-tube Fender amps, and while their clean sound was gorgeous, they couldn’t dirty up like this sucker can. I would’ve like to try a Mesa/Boogie... There is EQ for every channel, plus a “power Dimension” switch that really adds a lot, although mine lately has been buzzing a bit when I use it (I’ll need to get that checked). Overall, it’s a very versatile amp that covers a wide range of sounds, especially in conjunction with the guitar/effects I’m using. Just remember that in the end, your tone depends on your fingers, and this amp will faithfully recreate your own natural sound. It won’t make you sound like someone you’re not, but it fits me just about perfectly.
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Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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I’ve already detailed the problems I’ve had with it — a few minor ones, but easily fixed. If you’re looking for something to beat up, don’t buy this. The preamp is tubes, and it’s open-back (like most Marshalls). It needs to be treated with respect. That being said, I have moved it from college to home and back (a four-hour drive) several times and it’s bounced around a bit and been fine. It’s a warrior. At 100 watts, I would “gig” with it (if I ever did anything more than play open mic nights or parties for friends), like I said it sounds great to my ears. It’s budget priced — not ridiculously cheap, but it’s a reliable workhorse amp with a great dirty sound and a great name at a fair price. Is it on par with a Mesa/Boogie stack or an all-tube Marshall Stack — probably not. But if you play rock, progressive, metal, with the occasional jazz, blues, and folk thrown in, and you don’t want to pay upwards of $1000 on an amp, this is your baby. Give it a try.
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Construction Rating: 6
stats
Average Ratings
- Performance: 9.2
- Sound Quality: 8.6
- Construction: 8.4
Ratings Key
- 10: Excellent
- 0: Useless
Company
- Marshall