Marshall Amplification VS65R Combo, VS65, VS65R User Manual

Valvestate

VS65R

Combo

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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VS65R: 65 Watt Combo with Reverb

The quality and flexibility of the twin channel
65 Watt VS65R make it ideally suited to a host of
playing situations such as warm-ups, rehearsals,
recording sessions and gigs. The inclusion of a
single ECC 83 valve in the pre-amp section which
operates on both the clean and overdrive channels
helps the VS65R to deliver a truly professional
tone.

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 add crunch to
your guitar sound for semi-distorted chords and
bluesy leads.

3. Ch1/2 LED

Indicates whether Channel 1 (Clean) or
Channel 2 (Overdrive) has been selected. Red
indicates Channel 2.

4. Bass

Turning the Bass control will affect 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, conversely 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. Ch1/2 Switch

Allows for switching between Channel 1 and
Channel 2 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
Channel 2. Increasing the amount of gain will
increase the amount of distortion in your guitar
sound and to some extent will increase the volume.

Having the gain level fairly low will result in
vintage style blues crunch. Increasing this will
result in high gain sounds ideal for more
contemporary distortion tones.

10. Bass

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

11. Contour

The Contour control basically shifts the mid­range frequencies in your guitar tone. By turning
the Contour fully clockwise you will scoop out of
your sound most of the middle frequencies. If you
combine this setting with heavy distortion and high
Treble and Bass settings you can get a killer
‘thrash’ tone, perfect for brutal rhythms and
aggressive 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.

VS65R

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12. 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.

13. Volume

This controls the volume of Channel 2 and
allows you to balance the volumes of Channel 1 and
Channel 2.

14. 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).

15. Reverb

Adding Reverb to your guitar tone will add
ambience and size, giving the effect of playing in a
large empty room or hall.

16. Power LED

This will light up when the combo is on.

17. Power Switch

Switches the mains power to the combo.

Rear Panel Features

1. Mains Input

For connection to mains supply. Always ensure
that your plug is wired correctly and fitted with the
correctly rated fuse.

2. Headphones Jack

For connection of headphones. Connecting
headphones will automatically shut off the internal
speaker.

3. Footswitch Jack

It is possible to change channels on the VS65R
by either the front panel switch or via the optional
one way footswitch. This jack is for connection of
the one way footswitch. The optional footswitch,
model PED 801 features an LED to show when
Channel 2 is selected.

- Effects Loop -

The effects loop is used for connecting an
external effects processor or floor pedal. The effects
loop on the Marshall VS65R is sensitive enough to
suit the level of either type (processor or floor pedal)
to ensure that a perfect match is made.

Generally it is advisable to connect time based
effects such as Chorus or Delay through the loop
only and any external distortion type effects directly
between the guitar and the combo.

4. FX Return

For connection to the output of an external
effects processor or floor pedal.

5. FX Send

For connection to the input of an external
effects processor or floor pedal.

6. Line Out Jack

The Line Out Jack can be used for connection
to recording equipment for direct recording or for
connection to a P.A. system.

Channel 2

Overdrive

Channel 1

Clean

VS65R

0 10

0 10

0 10

0 10

0 10

0 10 0 10

0 10

0 10

0 10

0 10

BASS

MIDDLE

VOLUME

Ch1/2

Ch1/2

Tone
Shift

GAIN

BASS

CONTOUR

TREBLE

VOLUME

FX MIX

REVERB

POWER

ON

Power

TREBLE

Input

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

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VS65 Front Panel

FX Loop

Made in England by:

Marshall Amplification plc,

Bletchley, Milton Keynes,

England.

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 65 Watts RMS -8

Ω

FOOTSWITCHHEADPHONE

RETURN

SEND LINE OUT

MAINS INPUT

230V ~ 50 Hz

150 Watts

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4

5

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VS65R Rear Panel