I found my amp head!!!!!!!

[Ianreed99]

I began my search thinking a 100w hybrid. It's been about 2 months but finally a fella on craigs list offered me a swap. And I didn't even have to trade any gear. Just my laPtop. The computer was an excuse to not play guitar so I think it was good to let it go. Maybe start jammin more instead of surfing the web
Anyway I got a chance to try it out last nite. Very load and muddy. Gonna find my tone today after the kids wake upN
So many nobbs though
It's a 150watt valvestate 2000 avt. Anyone got one. I'd like some tips on the capabilities. Im running through a jcm800 1960a cab. I'll get the whole rig up soon but for now, here it it

[sixstring]

Got some horsepower now!
Way too many knobs for me tho.

[Ianreed99]

Yeah the nobs a ridiculous I think il only use like 4 of them. But my band is pleased and I don't have to part with guitar now.
It's by far not the best but for what I play it's better than most have.
Thanks for talking me out of the sAle by the way. I would have seriously regretted it

[sixstring]

Thanks for talking me out of the sAle by the way. I would have seriously regretted it

I stated the facts as I saw them. Perspective through another set of eyes.

[Blitz]

That is a lot of knobs. I only have the AVT20 combo but agree the tone can be muddy. I tried backing of the bass and boosting the mids more and setting it for a good clean tone then increase my gain just a tad so still clean but changes the tone just slightly. Then I put a MXR Distortion+ infront of the amp with a modded Ibanez TS-10 infront of the MXR then my CE-2 goes into it at somepoint. The MXR on its own gives a big full distortion with lots of low end, got both controls on about 2 oclock. then the TS-10 has minimal gain, tone set just past the mid point and level up high this has the effect of driving the signal into the MXR harder and seems to take a lot of the mud away, has a nice 80's tone with the chorus engaged. I get a good crunchy distortion with this setup as the MXR on its own seems to lack clarity(if thats the right word) for me and the TS-10 adds a treble boost. one of these days I will do a recording as I'm not explaining it to well
The original idea was to use the MXR for OD and the TS-10 to boost for leads but didnt quite workout that way however the tone is better than the AVT's OD channel so for now it will do me good.

My advice is try some pedals on it.

[pel666]

If you are not totally convinced with the tone, swap out the cheap factory 12AX7 with a EHX 12AX7. Did that on mine, and the difference is noticably better

With a 12AX7EH Gold it's only a $15 - $20 upgrade

[Ianreed99]

I stated the facts as I saw them. Perspective through another set of eyes.

Well I'm glad you did, seriously.

[Ianreed99]

I have a Marshall jackhamer and a fabtone.

That is a lot of knobs. I only have the AVT20 combo but agree the tone can be muddy. I tried backing of the bass and boosting the mids more and setting it for a good clean tone then increase my gain just a tad so still clean but changes the tone just slightly. Then I put a MXR Distortion+ infront of the amp with a modded Ibanez TS-10 infront of the MXR then my CE-2 goes into it at somepoint. The MXR on its own gives a big full distortion with lots of low end, got both controls on about 2 oclock. then the TS-10 has minimal gain, tone set just past the mid point and level up high this has the effect of driving the signal into the MXR harder and seems to take a lot of the mud away, has a nice 80's tone with the chorus engaged. I get a good crunchy distortion with this setup as the MXR on its own seems to lack clarity(if thats the right word) for me and the TS-10 adds a treble boost. one of these days I will do a recording as I'm not explaining it to well
The original idea was to use the MXR for OD and the TS-10 to boost for leads but didnt quite workout that way however the tone is better than the AVT's OD channel so for now it will do me good.

My advice is try some pedals on it.

[Ianreed99]

If you are not totally convinced with the tone, swap out the cheap factory 12AX7 with a EHX 12AX7. Did that on mine, and the difference is noticably better

With a 12AX7EH Gold it's only a $15 - $20 upgrade

I will do that for sure. My friend owns a valvestate 265 and he did that. Said it made a big difference

[pel666]

I fully modded my 8200 pre-amp section...incl. the Valve swap, but modding my old MK1 was easier than the later valvestates. But the Tube swap will be easy on your's as well...and yes, a very nice difference

I still have it, never use it anymore (I have my 36W and the Silver Jubilee) but can't get myself to get rid of it against the price you can fetch for it today, modded or not!

[bongano]

I wouldn't want to be those playing cards

[Ianreed99]

I fully modded my 8200 pre-amp section...incl. the Valve swap, but modding my old MK1 was easier than the later valvestates. But the Tube swap will be easy on your's as well...and yes, a very nice difference

I still have it, never use it anymore (I have my 36W and the Silver Jubilee) but can't get myself to get rid of it against the price you can fetch for it today, modded or not!

I started my search for a valvestate becUse they are affordable for sure. I paid a little to much for this but it was a swap that didn't effect my herd so that's cool with me

[Ianreed99]

How did you mod it? Wat was the benefit?

[Ianreed99]

I wouldn't want to be those playing cards

a small sacrifice tO the guitar gods

[pel666]

How did you mod it? Wat was the benefit?

Just swapped some resistors and upgraded the caps, some with different value to get more dynamics in the tone. Do a google on valvestate mods, you'll find plenty

[dan_vito]

I still have my first amp, Its a Marshall Valvestate VS30R, I love that little thing. It has onboard spring reverb and I love it. I also have a MF350. It too has alot of knobs, but I use all of the (4) channels so its all good. Although it has digital reverb, which I dont dig so much.