Valvestate

VS65R
Combo

Marshall Amplification plc

Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1DQ, England
Tel: (01908) 375411
Fax: (01908) 376118

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

Handbook
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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 6. Treble
By adjusting this Treble control you can add or
VS65R: 65 Watt Combo with Reverb take away the higher frequencies in your guitar
The quality and flexibility of the twin channel tone when on the Clean Channel. By turning up
65 Watt VS65R make it ideally suited to a host of the Treble control and increasing those high
playing situations such as warm-ups, rehearsals, frequencies you will make your guitar sound
recording sessions and gigs. The inclusion of a brighter and more cutting.
single ECC 83 valve in the pre-amp section which
operates on both the clean and overdrive channels 7. Ch1/2 Switch
helps the VS65R to deliver a truly professional Allows for switching between Channel 1 and
tone. Channel 2 via the front panel.

Front Panel Features 8. Tone Shift Switch

Re-configures the channel voicing of the Clean
1. Input Channel giving the option of a boost in mid-range
Plug your guitar in here. We recommend that frequencies combined with a cut in bass
you always use a high quality screened cable to frequencies.
help prevent noise, interference and unwanted 9. Gain
feedback.
Controls the input signal from the guitar and
2. Volume the amount of gain within the pre-amp when on
Channel 2. Increasing the amount of gain will
This controls the volume of the Clean Channel
increase the amount of distortion in your guitar
and is useful for balancing the level of the
sound and to some extent will increase the volume.
Overdrive and Clean Channels. Once turned past
half way this channel will start to add crunch to Having the gain level fairly low will result in
your guitar sound for semi-distorted chords and vintage style blues crunch. Increasing this will
bluesy leads. result in high gain sounds ideal for more
contemporary distortion tones.
3. Ch1/2 LED
Indicates whether Channel 1 (Clean) or
10. Bass
Channel 2 (Overdrive) has been selected. Red This controls the amount of bottom end or low
indicates Channel 2. frequencies in your guitar tone when on the
Overdrive Channel. When using a heavily
4. Bass distorted tone, increasing the bass will generally
Turning the Bass control will affect the make the tone darker and heavier.
amount of low frequencies or bottom end in your
guitar tone. Rotating this control clockwise will
11. Contour
increase the lower tones and, depending on other The Contour control basically shifts the mid-
settings, will generally make your tone warmer and range frequencies in your guitar tone. By turning
heavier if combined with distortion. By turning the the Contour fully clockwise you will scoop out of
Bass control anti-clockwise you will reduce the your sound most of the middle frequencies. If you
bass frequencies in your tone which will make your combine this setting with heavy distortion and high
sound sharper, thinner and more cutting. Treble and Bass settings you can get a killer
‘thrash’ tone, perfect for brutal rhythms and
It should be remembered that your guitar will
aggressive leads. By turning the Contour fully
probably be the main influence in your overall
anti-clockwise you can get some great fusion type
sound and a naturally bassy guitar for example will
tones.
probably need less bass on the amplifier than a
naturally trebly guitar. We would suggest that you spend some time
experimenting with this control to find the
5. Middle optimum setting for your style, if you’re not sure,
The middle frequencies are those which simply leave the control set to 12 o’clock.
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.

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12. Treble 2. Headphones Jack
By adjusting the Treble control you can add or For connection of headphones. Connecting
take away the higher frequencies in your guitar tone. headphones will automatically shut off the internal
By turning up the Treble control and increasing speaker.
those high frequencies you will make your guitar
sound more cutting. 3. Footswitch Jack
It is possible to change channels on the VS65R
13. Volume by either the front panel switch or via the optional
This controls the volume of Channel 2 and one way footswitch. This jack is for connection of
allows you to balance the volumes of Channel 1 and the one way footswitch. The optional footswitch,
Channel 2. model PED 801 features an LED to show when
Channel 2 is selected.
14. FX Mix
When using the FX Loop on the rear panel the - Effects Loop -
FX Mix allows you to dial in the desired amount of The effects loop is used for connecting an
effected signal into your overall sound. Turning the external effects processor or floor pedal. The effects
control fully clockwise will result in a fully effected loop on the Marshall VS65R is sensitive enough to
sound, (i.e. no dry signal and turning the control suit the level of either type (processor or floor pedal)
fully anti-clockwise will result in a fully dry sound). to ensure that a perfect match is made.

15. Reverb Generally it is advisable to connect time based

effects such as Chorus or Delay through the loop
Adding Reverb to your guitar tone will add only and any external distortion type effects directly
ambience and size, giving the effect of playing in a between the guitar and the combo.
large empty room or hall.
4. FX Return
16. Power LED
For connection to the output of an external
This will light up when the combo is on. effects processor or floor pedal.
17. Power Switch 5. FX Send
Switches the mains power to the combo. For connection to the input of an external
effects processor or floor pedal.

Rear Panel Features 6. Line Out Jack

The Line Out Jack can be used for connection
1. Mains Input to recording equipment for direct recording or for
For connection to mains supply. Always ensure connection to a P.A. system.
that your plug is wired correctly and fitted with the
correctly rated fuse.

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 7
VS65 Front Panel

Input Channel 1 Clean Channel 2 Overdrive

VS65R

Power
Ch1/2
POWER
ON

Tone
Ch1/2 Shift
0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10
VOLUME BASS MIDDLE TREBLE GAIN BASS CONTOUR TREBLE VOLUME FX MIX REVERB

1 2 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

VS65R Rear Panel

WARNING! No user serviceable parts inside;

refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
MAINS INPUT
AVIS! Risque de choc. Ne pas ouvrir. FX Loop
230V ~ 50 Hz WARNING! Fire & Shock Hazard: Do not expose
150 Watts this unit to rain or moisture.
This Apparatus Must Be Earthed. Do not open. Made in England by:
Output 65 Watts RMS -8 Ω Marshall Amplification plc,
Bletchley, Milton Keynes,
England.

HEADPHONE FOOTSWITCH RETURN SEND LINE OUT

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