B30, B65 & B150
Bass Combos
From Jim Marshall
I would like to thank you personally for selecting
one of our Bass-State™ combos.
As my company has grown, over the years I have
come into contact with literally thousands of different
types of musicians from all over the world.
Though Marshall Amplification is known primarily
as a manufacturer of guitar amplification, we
successfully answered the pleas of the professional bass
players with whom I had come into contact, by releasing
our critically acclaimed Dynamic Bass Systems.
As part of our long term commitment to bass
amplification the same team that designed the acclaimed
DBS have now created Bass-State™. By combining the
highest quality tone control with useful and innovative
features, plus the now renowned Marshall Valvestate™
power amp technology, Bass-State presents a formidable
range of amplification for every bass playing situation.
To take full advantage of the possibilities offered by
your Bass-State™ combo I would suggest that you take
the time to read this handbook carefully.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you
every success with your Bass-State™ combo which I am
sure you will find a joy to play for many years to come.
Yours Sincerely,
ENGLISH
2
3
FRENCH GERMAN SPANISH JAPANESE ENGLISH
4
ENGLISH
5. Treble
By adjusting the Treble control you can add or take
away the higher frequencies in your bass tone. By
increasing the amount of treble you will make your tone
brighter, ideal for more percussive playing styles.
Effects Loop
The effects loop is used for connecting an external
effects processor or floor pedal. The effects loop on the
Marshall B30 is sensitive enough to suit the level of either
type (processor or floor pedal) to ensure that a perfect match
is made.
6. FX Send
For connection to the input of an external effects
processor or floor pedal.
7. FX Return
For connection from the output of an effects processor
or floor pedal.
8. Line Out
The Line Out Jack can be used for connection to
recording equipment for direct recording or for connection
to a P.A. system.
9. Headphones Jack
For use when silent practice is the order of the day.
Connection of headphones will automatically shut down the
internal speaker.
10. Power Switch
Switches the mains power to the combo on/off.
65 Watt Combo
Front Panel Features
1. Active Input
This input is designed to take the signal from an active
bass. If your bass guitar is active plug in here. We
recommend that you always use a high quality screened
cable to help prevent noise, interference and unwanted
feedback.
2. Passive Input
This input is designed to take the signal from a passive
bass. If your bass guitar is passive plug in here. We
recommend that you always use a high quality screened
cable for this to help prevent noise, interference and
unwanted feedback.
Though the above inputs were designed around the
signal from an active bass and a passive bass guitar
respectively, you should experiment to see which input best
suits your style. Don’t worry, connecting your bass to the
‘wrong’ input will not harm your Bass-State™.
3. Gain
Sets operating level of pre-amp. If you require a clean
bass sound turn this control up until your bass just starts to
distort and then back it off slightly. If on the other hand you
would like a distorted sound, simply turn up the Gain
control until the required amount of distortion is achieved.
Another tip, for those of you who have got active basses
who want a distorted tone, try plugging your bass into the
Passive Input. This will cause no harm and may provide the
sound you are looking for.
4. Bass
Turning the Bass control will effect the amount of low
frequencies or bottom end in your bass guitar tone. Rotating
this clockwise will increase the amount of lower tones
generally making your bass sound deeper. Turning this
control anti-clockwise will reduce the bass frequencies in
your tone producing a reduction in bottom end thud.
5. Treble
By adjusting the Treble control you can add or take
away the higher frequencies in your bass tone. By
increasing the amount of treble you will make your tone
brighter, ideal for more percussive styles of playing.
6. Compressor
The Compressor smoothes out your bass sound. As
you increase the amount of compression, so you flatten out
the peaks in the incoming signal.
7. Compressor Active LED
Indicates when the Compression threshold is reached
(i.e. when the compressor acts on the incoming signal).
8. 5 Band Graphic Equaliser
To allow you to further tailor your sound, with the
Graphic EQ it is possible to cut or boost 5 specific
frequency bands fundamental to the projection and shaping
of bass guitar tone.
9. Limiter
Our latest SLS Limiter allows you to switch the built-in
Limiter circuitry in or out. With the Limiter switched on
you are ‘limiting’ the power amp to keep distortion to a
minimum at high overall volume levels - without unduly
affecting the amp’s natural tonal performance. At lower
volume levels the Limiter will have no effect.
10. Volume
Controls the overall volume of the B65.
Effects Loop
The effects loop is used for connecting an external
effects processor or floor pedal. The effects loop on the
Marshall B65 is sensitive enough to suit the output level of
either type (processor or floor pedal) to ensure that a perfect
match is made.
11. FX Send
For connection to the input of an external effects
processor or floor pedal.
12. FX Return
For connection from the output of an effects processor
or floor pedal.
13. Line Out
The Line Out Jack can be used for connection to
recording equipment for direct recording or for connection
to a P.A. system.
14. Power Switch
Switches the mains power to the combo On/Off.
30 Watt Combo
Front Panel Features
1. Input
Plug your bass guitar in here. We recommend that you
always use a high quality screened cable to help prevent
noise, interference and unwanted feedback.
2. Gain
Controls the overall volume of the B30.
3. Bass
Turning the Bass control will effect the amount of low
frequencies or bottom end in your bass guitar tone. Rotating
this clockwise will increase the amount of lower tones
generally making your bass sound deeper.
Turning this control anti-clockwise will reduce the bass
frequencies in your tone producing a reduction in bottom
end thud.
4. Middle
The middle frequencies tend to effect the fatness or
body of the tone. Turning this control up will make your
bass sound fatter, turning it down will hollow out the sound
and make it thinner.
B30
B65
The concept behind Marshalls’ revolutionary Valvestate™ technology was to emulate the performance of a
Marshall valve power stage without actually using power valves. By providing the warmth, feel, responsiveness and
sheer musicality of a valve amp without involving the cost and weight, Valvestate™ has placed this classic valvelike sound in the hands of thousands of musicians the world over.
By harnessing the technology used in Valvestate and adapting it for use with bass guitar we have created BassState™ - a revolutionary new concept in bass amplification. Bass-State power actually delivers that fat, smooth,
more rounded bottom end with full bodied middle and vibrant treble - just like an all-valve amp, but with none of the
drawbacks. From private practice up to full stage performance, Bass-State combos have the flexibility, features and
power ratings to suit any type of bass and any type of bass player.
WARNING! - Important safety instructions
WARNING: This apparatus must be earthed!
A PLEASE read this instruction manual carefully before switching on.
B ALWAYS
use the supplied mains lead, if a replacement is required please contact your authorised Marshall Dealer.
C NEVER attempt to by-pass the fuses or fit ones of the incorrect value.
D DO NOT attempt to remove the amplifier chassis, there are no user serviceable parts.
E Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel including replacement of fuses and valves. Servicing is
required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when the power supply cord or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally or has been dropped.
F NEVER use an amplifier in damp or wet conditions. No objects filled with liquids should be placed on the apparatus.
G ALWAYS unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
H Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles and at
the point where they exit from the apparatus.
I DO NOT switch the amplifier on without the loudspeaker connected.
J ENSURE that any extension cabinets used are of the correct impedance.
➲ Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the requirements of the EMC directive (Environments
E1, E2 and E3 EN 55103-1/2) and Low Voltage directive in the E.U.
EUROPE ONLY - Note: The Peak Inrush current for the B30 is 5 amps, the B65 is 9 amps and the B150 is 28 amps.
➲ Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance may void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
➲ Note: It is recommended that all audio cables used to connect to the B30, B65 or B150 are of a high quality screened
type. These should not exceed 10 metres in length.
➲ WARNING: Do not obstruct ventilation grilles and always ensure free movement of air around the amplifier!
USA ONLY - DO NOT defeat the purpose of the polarised or grounding type plug. A polarised plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The
wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
Follow all instructions and heed all warnings - KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS !
!
ENGLISH
6
ENGLISH
Suggested Settings
Before we look at some suggested settings there
are a couple of points that you should remember;
1- Taste in sound is a very personal thing. What
might sound great to one bass player might not appeal
to another bassist. Therefore these suggested settings
may need some alterations to suit your own personal
taste.
2- One of the main influences on your sound will
be your bass.
Each bass displays certain tonal characteristics,
some for example will sound brighter than others
while others may sound bassier.
For this reason again you may find that these
suggested settings need some alteration to give the
required sound.
Here then follows three simple settings for both
the B30 and the B65 suitable for Slap, Fingers and
Plectrum styles.
We hope that these settings provide you with a
useful starting point to develop your own killer bass
tones.
Slap
Fingers
Plectrum
Slap
Fingers
Plectrum
B30
B65
B150: 150 Watt Combo
Front Panel Features
1. Active Input
This input is designed to take the signal from an
active bass. If your bass guitar is active plug in here.
We recommend that you always use a high quality
screened cable to help prevent noise, interference and
unwanted feedback.
2. Passive Input
This input is designed to take the signal from a
passive bass. If your bass guitar is passive plug in
here. We recommend that you always use a high
quality screened cable to help prevent noise,
interference and unwanted feedback.
- Though the above inputs were designed
around the signal from an active bass and a passive
bass guitar respectively, you should experiment to
see which input best suits your style. Don’t worry,
connecting your bass to the ‘wrong’ input will not
harm your Bass-State™ or your bass guitar.
3. Gain
This controls the amount of input from your bass
and the amount of input from the pre-amp to the
power amp. If you require a clean bass sound turn
this control up until your bass just starts to distort and
then back it off slightly. If on the other hand you
would like a distorted sound, simply turn up the Gain
control until the required amount of distortion is
achieved. Another tip, for those of you who have got
active basses who want a distorted tone, is to try
plugging your bass into the Passive Input. This will
cause no harm and may provide the sound you are
looking for.
4.Blend
With the B150 it is possible to blend your signal
between a valve and/or solid-state input pre-amp
section. Each type of pre-amp produces a different
character of sound, valve pre-amps for example tend
to give a very warm tone while solid-state pre-amps
give a harder, snappier response, ideal for more
percussive styles of bass playing. As these circuits
are blendable, it is possible to have degrees of both
types of pre-amp in your signal, to combine the best
of both worlds.
5. Bass
Turning the Bass control will effect the amount
of low frequencies or bottom end in your bass guitar
tone. Rotating this clockwise will increase the
amount of lower tones generally making your bass
sound deeper. Turning this control anti-clockwise
will reduce the bass frequencies in your tone
producing a reduction in bottom end thud.
6. Deep Switch
Push switch to add extra bottom to the low end
of the primary EQ.
7. Treble
By adjusting the Treble control you can add or
take away the higher frequencies in your bass tone.
By increasing the amount of treble you will make
your tone brighter, ideal for percussive styles of
playing.
8. Bright Switch
Push switch to add brightness and attack to the
top end of the primary EQ.
9. Compressor
The Compressor smoothes out your bass sound.
As you increase the amount of compression, so you
flatten out the peaks in the signal.
10. Compressor Active LED
Indicates whether the Compressor is in
operation.
11. 7 Band Graphic
To allow you to further tailor your sound, with
the Graphic it is possible to cut or boost 7 specific
frequencies. If you do not want to alter the shape of
your sound with the Graphic simply leave the sliders
set to 0.
12. Limiter
Traditional amplifiers when run at high volumes
will begin to clip or distort. The Limiter facility
when in use will prevent the power amp clipping at
high volumes and at low volumes will have no effect.
13. Volume
Controls the overall volume of the B150.
- Effects Loop-
An effects loop is used for connecting an
external effects processor or floor pedal. The effects
loop on the Marshall B150 is compatible with the
output level of either type (processor or floor pedal)
to ensure that a perfect match is made.
14. FX Send
For connection to the input of an external effects
processor or floor pedal.
B150
5
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
Input
Input
Input
Input
PASSIVE
Input
PASSIVE
Input
PASSIVE
BASS
GAIN
010 010 010 010
BASS
GAIN
010 010 010 010
BASS
GAIN
010 010 010 010
GAIN
BASS TREBLE
010+15 -15 +15 -15
GAIN
BASS TREBLE
010+15 -15 +15 -15
GAIN
BASS TREBLE
010+15 -15 +15 -15
E.Q.
MIDDLE TREBLE
E.Q.
MIDDLE TREBLE
E.Q.
MIDDLE TREBLE
E.Q.
E.Q.
E.Q.
FX SEND FX
RETURN
FX SEND FX
RETURN
FX SEND FX
RETURN
100 Hz
500 Hz 1 KHz 2.5 KHz
250 Hz
100 Hz
500 Hz 1 KHz 2.5 KHz
250 Hz
100 Hz
500 Hz 1 KHz 2.5 KHz
250 Hz
LINE OUT
LINE OUT
LINE OUT
+15dB
0
LIMITER
-15dB
+15dB
0
LIMITER
-15dB
+15dB
0
LIMITER
-15dB
COMP
Active
010 010
COMP
Active
010 010
COMP
Active
010 010
PHONES
PHONES
PHONES
B30
HEAD
HEAD
HEAD
VOLUME
VOLUME
VOLUME
POWER
ON
B30
POWER
ON
B30
POWER
ON
FX
SENDFXRETURN
FX
SENDFXRETURN
FX
SENDFXRETURN
Power
Power
Power
LINE
OUT
LINE
OUT
LINE
OUT
B65
POWER
ON
Power
B65
POWER
ON
Power
B65
POWER
ON
Power
GAIN
E.Q.
BASS
TREBLE
COMP
Volume
FX
SENDFXRETURN
LINE
OUT
LIMITER
EARTH
LIFT
BRIGHT
DEEP
-15dB
+15dB
0
80 Hz
160 Hz
320 Hz
640 Hz
1K 25Hz
2KHz
PASSIVE
ACTIVE
Input
2.5KHz
Solidstate Valve
-15 +15
-15 +15
010
010
010
BLEND
D.I.
Power
POWER
ON
B150
GAIN
E.Q.
BASS
TREBLE
COMP
Volume
FX
SENDFXRETURN
LINE
OUT
LIMITER
EARTH
LIFT
BRIGHT
DEEP
-15dB
+15dB
0
80 Hz
160 Hz
320 Hz
640 Hz
1K 25Hz
2KHz
PASSIVE
ACTIVE
Input
2.5KHz
Solidstate Valve
-15 +15
-15 +15
010
010
010
BLEND
D.I.
Power
POWER
ON
B150
GAIN
E.Q.
BASS
TREBLE
COMP
Volume
FX
SENDFXRETURN
LINE
OUT
LIMITER
EARTH
LIFT
BRIGHT
DEEP
-15dB
+15dB
0
80 Hz
160 Hz
320 Hz
640 Hz
1K 25Hz
2KHz
PASSIVE
ACTIVE
Input
2.5KHz
Solidstate Valve
-15 +15
-15 +15
010
010
010
BLEND
D.I.
Power
POWER
ON
B150
Slap
On
Fingers
Plectrum
Slap
Fingers
Plectrum
OnOff
OffOn
ENGLISH
Suggested Settings
Before we look at some s
uggested
settings there are a couple of points
that you should remember ;
1 / Taste in sound is a very
personal thing. What might sound
great to one bass player might not
appeal to another bassist. Therefore
these suggested settings may need
some alterations to suit your own
personal taste.
2 / One of the main influences on
your sound will be your bass. Each
bass displays certain tonal
characteristics, some for example
will sound brighter than others
while others may sound bassier. For
this reason again you may find that
these suggested settings need some
alteration to give the required sound.
Here then follows three simple
settings for the B150 for slap,
fingers and plectrum styles. We
hope that these settings provide you
with a useful starting point to
develop your own killer bass tones.
Please Note : Gain and Volume
should be adjusted to taste.
ENGLISH
15. FX Return
For connection from the output of an external
effects processor or floor pedal.
16. Line Out
The Line Out Jack can be used for connection to
home recording equipment for direct recording.
17. D.I. Output with Earth Lift Switch
The D.I. Output is designed for connection to
professional recording or P.A. equipment.
Connecting a piece of audio electrical equipment
which has been earthed to another piece of earthed
electrical equipment, such as an amplifier and
recording equipment, can result in a background
hum. Should this problem occur, the B150 features
an Earth Lift Switch which when used will alleviate
the hum.
18. Power Switch
On/off mains power switch for the B150 with
LED to indicate when on.
B150
Rear Panel Features
1. Mains Input
For connection to the mains. Always ensure that
a good quality mains lead is used and that the plug is
wired in accordance with the regulations of your
country.
The rear panel of the B150 features air vents to
keep the amplifier cool. Care should be taken to
ensure that these vents do not become obstructed
while the amplifier is in use.
Suggested Settings
7
8
POWER
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10
1 2 3 4 5 6
7
8
9
10 11 12
13
14
GAIN
E.Q.
BASS
TREBLE
COMP
Volume
FX
SENDFXRETURN
LINE
OUT
LIMITER
EARTH
LIFT
BRIGHT
DEEP
-15dB
+15dB
0
80 Hz
160 Hz
320 Hz
640 Hz
1K 25Hz
2KHz
PASSIVE
ACTIVE
Input
2.5KHz
Solidstate Valve
-15 +15
-15 +15
010
010
010
BLEND
D.I.
Power
POWER
ON
B150
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
B30
Power
ON
Input
GAIN
010 010 010 010
BASS
E.Q.
MIDDLE TREBLE
FX SEND FX
RETURN
LINE OUT
HEAD
PHONES
LINE
OUT
ACTIVE
100 Hz
500 Hz 1 KHz 2.5 KHz
Active
250 Hz
+15dB
0
-15dB
LIMITER
VOLUME
FX
SENDFXRETURN
Input
PASSIVE
GAIN
010 +15 -15 +15 -15
E.Q.
BASS TREBLE
COMP
010 010
POWER
B65
ON
Power
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