Marshall Amplification Valvestate VS100R, Valvestate VS102R, Valvestate VS100RH User Manual

Valvestate

VS100R & VS102R

Combos

& VS100RH Head

Handbook

1

Marshall Amplification plc

Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1DQ, England

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Web Site - http://www.marshallamps.com

Whilst the information contained herein is correct at the time of publication,

due to our policy of constant improvement and development, Marshall

Amplification plc reserve the right to alter specifications without prior notice.

Nov ‘98

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WARNING!

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING LIST CAREFULLY

A. ALWAYS ensure that a good quality mains plug is fitted to your Valvestate™ conforming
to the latest B.S.I. standards (UK only) lead supplied.
B. ALWAYS ensure that the plug is wired in accordance with the regulations of your country.
C. DO NOT attempt to remove the chassis. There are no user serviceable parts inside your
Valvestate™.
D. ALWAYS have your Valvestate™ serviced or repaired by competent, qualified service
technicians.
E. NEVER use your Valvestate™ in damp or wet conditions.

F. WARNING This apparatus must be earthed.

The concept behind Marshalls’ revolutionary Valvestate™ technology is to simulate 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 the classic Marshall sound in the hands of thousands of waiting
guitarists the world over.

With the release of our VS15, VS15R , VS30R, VS65R, VS100R & VS102R combos and
VS100H amplifier head, we have produced a range of amplification ideal for a host of different
playing environments. The VS15, VS15R and VS30R are perfectly suited to home practice with clean
and overdrive options, headphone sockets and on the VS15R and VS30R reverb. You will also find
that with any of these models backstage warm-ups have never been so much fun or as inspiring, and in
the case of the VS30R neither has jamming with your friends.

The VS65R, VS100R, VS102R and VS100H will easily handle any of the above applications but
also boast many additional features plus a single ECC83 valve in the pre-amp to add greater sparkle to
clean and extra grind and dynamics to crunch and overdrive settings. This flexibility in addition to
their increased power ratings make these amps ideal for rehearsal and full live performance.

This handbook is designed to help you to get the most from your Valvestate™ amplifier.
However, we would stress that the simplest way of getting the best from your Valvestate™ is by
experimenting. Don’t be afraid of using radical settings if that is what is required to create the sound
that you want as Valvestate™ is radical technology designed to handle the most gruelling punishment
of any playing situation with ease.

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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 pre­amp 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

VS100R
VS102R
VS100H

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combine this setting with heavy distortion and high Treble
and Bass settings you can get a killer ‘thrash’ tone, perfect
for brutal rhythms and vicious leads. By turning the
Contour fully anti-clockwise you can get some great
fusion type tones. We would suggest that you spend some
time experimenting with this control to find the optimum
setting for your style, if you’re not sure, simply leave the
control set to 12 o’clock.

15. Volume

Controls the volume of Overdrive 2 channel.

-Overdrive Equalisation-

The following Bass, Middle and Treble controls

are used for both Overdrive channels.

16. Bass

This controls the amount of bottom end or low
frequencies in your guitar tone. When using a heavily
distorted tone, increasing the bass will generally make
the tone darker and heavier.

17. 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.

18. Treble

By adjusting the Treble control you can add or
take away the higher frequencies in your guitar tone.
By turning up the Treble control and increasing those
high frequencies you will make your guitar sound
more cutting.

19. Power Dimension Switch

The Power Dimension Switch is designed for use
in situations where you have set your amp to get your
sound but it is simply too loud for the given situation.
Its function is to emulate, at lower volume levels the
extra saturation found when playing through a
transformer and valve power stage pushed to the limit.

20. FX Loop Level

It is possible to adjust the FX Loop Level 10dB
to ensure that the FX Loop is perfectly suited to the
type of effects unit that you are using, i.e. rack
mounted or floor pedal.

21. FX Mix

When using the FX Loop on the rear panel the FX
Mix allows you to dial in the desired amount of effected
signal into your overall sound. Turning the control fully
clockwise will result in a fully effected sound, i.e. no dry
signal and turning the control fully anti-clockwise will
result in a fully dry sound.

-Reverb-

Adding reverb to your guitar tone will add ambience
and size, giving the effect of playing in a large empty
room or hall. The VS100R, VS100H & VS102R feature
separate reverb levels for the Clean and Overdrive
channels giving you greater control over your sound.

22. Clean Reverb

Dictates the amount of reverb on the Clean
Channel.

23. Overdrive Reverb

Controls the amount of reverb on the Overdrive
Channel.

24. Power Switch

Switches the mains power to the amplifier.

Rear Panel Features

1. Mains Input

For connection to mains. Always ensure that a good
quality lead and plug are used and wired in accordance
with your country’s regulations.

2. Head Phone Jack

For connection of headphones. Connection of
headphones will automatically cut off internal speaker.

3. & 4. Loudspeaker Jacks

For connection to external loudspeakers. The
minimum operating impedance for the VS100R, VS100H
& VS102R is 4 Ohms. The internal speaker on the
VS100R/VS102R is rated at 8 Ohms, therefore if using an
external speaker in conjunction with the internal speaker,
the external speaker should be rated at 8 Ohms.

5. Footswitch Jack

For connection of footswitch. Both the
VS100R/VS102R and VS100H are three channel
amplifiers and it is possible to switch between the Clean
Channel and Overdrive 1 and Overdrive 2 Channels via
the footswitch which also features LED’s to indicate
status.

6. Effects Return Jack

For connection from the output of an external
effects processor.

7. Effects Send Jack

For connection to the input of an external effects
processor.

8. D.I. Jack

For connection to recording or P.A. equipment,
featuring Marshall’s acclaimed Speaker Emulation
circuitry as featured on the JTM60 range.

FX Loop

Emulated

Loudspeakers

WARNING!

No user serviceable parts inside; refer

servicing to qualified personnel only.

AVIS!

Risque de choc. Ne pas ouvrir.

WARNING!

Fire & Shock Hazard: Do not expose

this unit to rain or moisture.
This Apparatus Must Be Earthed. Do not open.
Output 100 Watts RMS -4

Ω

MAINS
INPUT

230V ~ 50 Hz
150 Watts

FOOTSWITCHHEADPHONE

RETURN

SEND LINE OUT

AVIS!

Ne pas connecter

une impedance

inferieure a 4 Ohms.

WARNING!

Total

load must not be less

than 4 Ohms.

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Made in England by:

Marshall Amplification plc,

Bletchley, Milton Keynes,

England.

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4

5

6 7 8

VS100R, VS102R & VS100H
Rear Panel

OVERDRIVE

REVERB

Overdrive 2Overdrive 1 Overdrive EQ

Power

Clean

Input

3 Channel Amplifier

POWER

ON

CLN / OD

Tone
Shift

OD
1/2

ON

Power

Dimension

VOLUME

0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10

BASS

CLN
/OD

MIDDLE TREBLE GAIN VOLUME GAIN CONTOUR VOLUME BASS MIDDLE TREBLE FX MIX CLEAN

REVERB

FX Loop

Level

VS100R

7

1

2

3

4

5

6

8 9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17 18

19

20 21 22

23

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VS100R, VS102R &
VS100H
Front Panel