How DO you change a Marshall Valvestate tube? 🤔 - Super Easy Fix!

[@potatoguy1910]

Love the video. Bought a valvestate for 70 dollars when i was 15 and have been loving it ever since. Very helpful video

[@bigtalltim]

Thankyou - always great to hear that the vids are useful! There’s all sorts on this channel - I really should do more guitar stuff!

[@DmitriSkif]

Fitting the valve, this amp can sound even better. Hot as a Hell metal punching machine. I use mine modded (right footswitch button switches not chorus but Boost/OD2 on both channels) and with Screamer in front.

[@yazkillany]

Time flies eh? nice video, keep them coming.

[@bigtalltim]

Sure does! Thanks, and thanks for watching :)

[@perallantones]

Very good instruction - so easy to understand for a danish listener 🙂👍 Thank you very much!

[@bigtalltim]

Glad it was helpful, and thank you for watching!

[@anthonyrexhouse5858]

Now that I have the tube situation sorted, perhaps you can give me some advice regarding the footswitch. The amp came with a PEDL-90010 Marshall 2-button footswitch (Clean/Crunch and Overdrive). The problem is that the left button (the clean/crunch button) doesn't seem to latch. I have to hold it down to get it to switch to the overdrive channel. It DOES seem to "click" though. This seems to be a common problem (or is it a feature?). Do you have any ideas about this? I thank you in advance. If I didn't mention it before, this is a Marshall Valvestate VS232 and I think it was made in 1989.

[@bigtalltim]

That may be a simpler answer than you are expecting… you’d need the manual to be sure, but I recall that with mine the clean/crunch/overdrive only works with the selector button on the front of the amp on clean…

[@wildatlanticman128]

Thank you for this vid. About to collect my AVT 2000 and this Im sure may well be very useful....

[@bigtalltim]

You won’t regret it - that’s a serious piece of kit, but inside will be much the same! Good luck, and thanks for watching!

[@wildatlanticman128]

@@bigtalltim yes especially as its 150W... too much but my brother in law wants me to have his....looks like I gotta start gigging!! 🤣

[@user-cg7uw9uh6n]

Excellent video I'm still playing my Marshall S80 Valvestate it sounds cool clean and as warm as a summer beach

[@bigtalltim]

Cheers D! Totally agree - valvestates were very much maligned by the valve purists back in the day, but I just keep coming back to this one despite having all valve options available - really great sound and super reliable! thanks for watching! 😊

[@franckasches7821]

Great job ! I want to do the same on a VS100R II

[@bigtalltim]

Many thanks! You should… it will be the exact same job, only with 2 less screws in the top! That same tube will sound awesome! Good luck, and thanks for watching!

[@Theintruder100]

Used to have the vs100 twin got rid of it for a blackstar all valve job but missed the vs amp. So i managed to find a vs 265 on marketplace a couple of weeks ago bought for £100. Gave it a clean up externaly and everything wotks i didnt realise it had the chorus effect. Its a fantastic amp

[@bigtalltim]

They really are - hang on to that thing… they are coming back in popularity so won’t lose value, and they really do sound superb - very much the sound of the 90s!!

[@benmcgraw2871]

Will be doing this on my vs102r that I just picked up. Thanks Little Short Tim

[@bigtalltim]

Good stuff - glad the vid was helpful, and thanks for watching! Btw… at 120kgs and 6’11” I’m gonna stick with big and tall 😂

[@chriswilliams-lilley3069]

Got my Marshall VS265 back today - having been back to the factory for a new valve and a couple of pots. Never let me down since the day I bought it in 1997. Solid (and very loud...). BTW - if you compare the service (£70 all in) to a local amp repair, and throw in a pre-arrange factory tour, museum, studio (with Steve, 35 yrs service) and you can't grumble!!!! Off to the studio for a plugin with my Les Paul....

[@bigtalltim]

🤣 that seems entirely fair to me! How is she sounding with the new valve?

[@chriswilliams-lilley3069]

@@bigtalltim very good - Marshall did say the input stage on these amps is noisy (poor design - not the actual words he used). BTW - I did swap the old/original valve with a Harma ECC83 Retro valve, lower gain, but did not make a heap of difference. The Marshall Service Dept (1 guy) did the trick. 30 years of experience made all the difference.

[@chriswilliams-lilley3069]

@@bigtalltim Only recently found out they have a Tube Screamer 808 in the circuit design. Nice touch. Well hidden. Nice story from yesterday...Angus Young (AC/DC) was in the building a few years ago and was in great spirit giving some amps a workout, when Marshall got a call from the LIDL Supermarket opposite to the tune of "try and turn it down will you!..." LOL

[@bigtalltim]

I didn’t know that about the tube screamer - very nice touch!!

[@David79rebel]

I've changed the ecc83 in my vs65r after 20 years.. then switch on and I can listen a little "bump".. with the original valve ecc83 there wasn't that bump..

[@bigtalltim]

Great to hear the vid was useful! The pop is definitely more pronounced with high gain and reverb (which my amp is usually dialled in to)… suspect your amp was set clean - the pop after 4 or 5 seconds is totally normal with these amps when the valve warms up and comes online… Thanks for watching!

[@anthonyrexhouse5858]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question. But you said that you could bypass the preamp by putting an effect in the effects loop return. Can you please describe exactly how the connections would be made between the guitar, the effects loop and the amp in order to do this?

[@bigtalltim]

Not a stupid question at all! On most models it is as simple as pushing the fx mix to 10, and plugging in a chain from guitar into pedal (chorus, distortion etc) and pedal into amp as usual, but instead of putting the output jack from the pedal in to the front, you plug in to the effects return in the back panel…

[@anthonyrexhouse5858]

@bigtalltim Oh, that's it! Thank you. I couldn't wrap my brain around how you could plug into the front and and into the back at the same time. I have the opportunity to pick up an older Marshall Valvestate VS232 for a decent price because it is making a screeching sound supposedly and I have a feeling it might be the tube. That would be an easy fix.

[@anthonyrexhouse5858]

@bigtalltim Except I just realized that that amp does not have an FX loop, so I can't test it that way

[@bigtalltim]

Highly likely that it is the tube - this one was doing exactly that (high pitched screeching) and it really is as easy as replacing the tube! Even without the opportunity to test the power amp I’d take a punt for the right price… what you describe is absolutely typical of a tired tube… Good luck - let us know how it goes!

[@anthonyrexhouse5858]

@@bigtalltim Funny thing is, I got it home and spent about 30 minutes just cleaning the tolex and then turned it on and -- no screeching (so far). I'll probably change the tube anyway - and I thank you very much for this video. Don't know what I'll find when I open it up, but, so far, so good.

[@PaulRobinson-y9g]

i have a bi chorus 200 marshall and after 5 or so minutes of playing it,s volume fades couid this be a vave failure or another part of the amp ? thanks for your video very insightful.

[@bigtalltim]

Great question - it will be one of two things… either your tube is faulty, or it will be the bridge rectifier - I’d open with changing out the tube, and if that doesn’t fix it, switch out the BR (they were a known issue with some Marshall amps)

[@victormarkos4170]

Great Video. I was lucky to find a VS65r used a few years back and not sure how old the tube is. Any advice on when to change it? It currently sounds fine, but wonder if it would sound better with a new tube?

[@bigtalltim]

Hi Victor! They generally let you know when they let go - weird screeching or excessive hissing like 60hz mains hum will indicate a defective tube; they do wear out over time though - slap a fresh one into it and see… I’ll bet you notice a real difference - worst case, you’ll have a spare!

[@victormarkos4170]

@@bigtalltim Thank you so much. No issues of that sort as of yet. I'm just curious if would make a difference.

[@bigtalltim]

It almost certainly will, but how that difference changes the tone will depend on how hard the tube has been driven during its life… and which tube is installed! I’d be too curious to know to not give it a go myself!😂

[@victormarkos4170]

Thank you again for your time. Yes that has been stirring in the back of my mind. I have a new Tungsol 12ax7 kicking around.@@bigtalltim

[@bigtalltim]

Nice! Supposed to be superb with overdrive in particular… let us know how it goes!

[@jboll84]

The overdrive channel sounds very weak on my amp even with pedals. Not very high gain at all. Should I replace the preamp tube?

[@bigtalltim]

It might help but I think it is more likely it will be a problem with the bridge rectifier in the power amp section… there are some great resources on that in the Marshall forums (was a common problem)

[@fidepus]

Hi, I recently bought a VS100 at the flea market that is exactly as dirty as this one. It makes a loud popping noise when I turn it on or push some of the switches, but doesn't play anything. Could that also be the valve or is there likely something else wrong with it?

[@bigtalltim]

Great question - yes indeed… the tube would be suspect number one! Does it do anything if you plug a guitar into an effect pedal and send the effect output to the amp effects return? (That would bypass the tube pre-amp)

[@fidepus]

@@bigtalltimI just tried. Still the same, unfortunately.

[@bigtalltim]

Strange question, but are all of the wires connected? There are a few on the front of the reverb unit (so hidden when you look in the back) that can come adrift if guitar leads, foot pedals and so on are stashed in the cab… also check the speaker wire connections… check the built in fuse also - they used to rattle loose believe it or not!! One other common problem from back in the day, was that the headphone jack (which shorts two connections on the sleeve of the jack to turn the speaker off when phones are in) stops working, and the amp ends up stuck in permanent headphones mode. Firstly, try it with headphones… if that works, you can either replace the headphones jack, or permanently “shunt” the sleeve legs together on the jack - research that one on the Marshall forums… pretty common issue as I recall

[@fidepus]

@@bigtalltim Thanks for your reply. I have taken out the amp head by now and all the wires seem to be in place. The reverb tank is connected and the resistance on both ends is close to the specs I found online. I‘ll check the headphone jack, but there is also a wobbly cap that might have a broken solder joint.

[@MusicMinisterJP7]

I have this amp in AVT 275 valvestate 2000. I'd like to know, can the amp still work if the tube has failed? OR, is there a way to know if my tube is working perfectly, or does it have diminished performance? Does it work with a bad tube? I've never replaced it. I've owned it (2nd hand) since 2007. I don't use it alot, only at church two times a week.

[@bigtalltim]

Hi @musicministerjp7! Bottom line, yes… even if worn out it could still work in two ways: firstly, even if the tube was at the end of its service life you might still get (as you perfectly described it) diminished performance - it will just sound flat. Second, with these amps, the tube is only in the pre-amp for flavour - not the power amp, which is solid state. If you have effectively bypassed the preamp by feeding your guitar into, say, an effects unit, and are inputting that into the effects return on the back rather than the input on the front of the amp, you will still be able to use the power amp - you didn’t mention your setup. A new tube will definitely improve the warmth and clarity of the preamp - they do wear out over time (faster if you overdrive the tube more, which I’m guessing isn’t too often in a church setting!). Whilst Marshall are known for their overdriven sound, they have a gorgeous voice run clean, so definitely worth a go! Good luck, and thanks for watching!

[@MusicMinisterJP7]

@@bigtalltim Thank you so very much for your concise descriptive reply. I did enjoy your video. I was hoping to run into one. As per my setting, I always plug into the front. I do have an effects pedal board, that I put together, as a way to control individual sounds, because this amp doesn't have them separate. The popular "chorus" is mixed with flanger and reverb etc. However, I've only tested with my pedal board, not fluently played thru it. And basically I have always used the "Clean" channel with the effects. Once in a while I use a Shure wireless guitar system. But I've noticed I loose some clarity and tone quality with it. Sounds best with the cable. I use a Fender stratocaster Pro II. However, I wished the acoustic simulation on this amp would really sound acoustic, in my opinion it doesn't. Perhaps that has to do with the tube? So to be clear, the tube Only works when a pedal board is plugged into the rear inputs, no other time, or is it at work either way? I know I bought this amp bcuz I used it in another church, and it had such a warm stereo sound, that I sold my Line6 combo 212 went on a search for this one..lol. Thanks for your help, be blessed and encouraged my friend. heir mixed

[@bigtalltim]

@MusicMinisterJP7 - other way round… the tube pre-amp only applies to anything plugged into the front. You can go direct from your guitar (nice choice btw!) into effects units and then into the effects loop return, but unless you use the guitar into the front of the amp, and the effects loop to send to the effects and then return, that setup would not use the tube pre-amp. Your other option is to go guitar to effects to the front of the amp - though to my mind, the tube pre-amp always sounds best pre-effects, so you are better off going direct into the front, and using the effects loop send/return (that way, all of the tube deliciousness is processed leading to richer effects!)

[@flemmingerichsen8621]

If the tube gets broken, will the amp not play? How Can you know if the tube dosent work? Thanks. 🎸🎸

[@bigtalltim]

Hi! It can go a few different ways… sometimes it is like mad background hiss, sometimes a whistling or screaming… sometimes just nothing! Depends which bit of the tube has burned out

[@ptepeace]

I have one of these and the reverb has stopped working. Is that likely to be a valve issue ?

[@bigtalltim]

Hi - I don’t think so… as I recall all of the valvestates had a transistor driven spring reverb.

[@ptepeace]

@@bigtalltim ahhhh, just ordered a new valve 🤣 Its won't hurt. I don't suppose you could make a video about transistor reverb replacement in that really specific amp ? Yeah, nah, I understand. I'll go old fashioned and read up. But thankyou for giving me a direction in which to read. You do good things. Don't stop. The reverb hasn't worked on this amp since I bought it in Germany 20 years ago. It's been a cool bedroom amp. I love it, but I've never wanted to or believed I could fix it before I saw you taking an amp apart and making things simple. Keep it up dude 😎!!

[@bigtalltim]

Cheers - much appreciated! Regardless of the reverb, the difference a fresh tube makes is huge - You won’t regret it! With the spring reverb, there are a couple of things to check… it is possible that a wire has come loose in the back - the spring reverb is on the base of the cab, so if someone was gigging it and stored the wires in there, something may have knocked loose - there are 2 Jack sockets at the front (so behind the spring unit when you look in the back) it may be that simple! Good luck, and thanks for watching!

[@barriemalton4208]

can i plug the unit in after removing from case to test if tube is lighting up and working.

[@bigtalltim]

Absolutely not - that would be a good way to get a bad electric shock! You’ll know it is working by the sound coming from the amp - it is super important to not plug it in with exposed electronics

[@barriemalton4208]

@bigtalltim amps just buzzing so not a clue what it is.can get clean channel but no overdrive.marshall vs100 combo

[@bigtalltim]

There was another common issue with the solid state power circuit in these amps - check the solder connections to the Bridge Rectifier (big 3 leg thing like a square transistor with a heat sink)

[@AchillePiva]

Nice

[@bigtalltim]

Cheers - and thanks for watching!

[@waynesimcox7891]

those blue things next to the tube you dont ever want to touch them with a screw driver. if if its unpluged... dam screwdriver flew out of my hand across the room and it flet like someone punched me in the arm...you have to let any tube amp set for at least 45 minutes before working on them.

[@bigtalltim]

Ouch! Yes - those are pretty heavy duty capacitors… be careful!

[@zbaby82]

That's the exact same tube I would have put in there. 😎

[@dozerblade]

I couldn't name that Tune. anyway i bought a valvestate 80/80 from ebay for £25 in 2014, still have it, but it sounds rubbish nowadays, perhaps this will fix it, if not it will be my crap playing and poor old hearing.

[@bigtalltim]

Worth a go - valves don’t last forever and it might just bring it back! The tune was Stone temple pilots - Plush… not the best rendition, but it has been about 30 years!! Thanks for watching!

[@Wooburnmusic]

Aw gee sus, but how does it sound played CLEAN ? 🤔

[@bigtalltim]

Wouldn’t know - most ballads were acoustic 😂

[@AdamBjerregaard]

30 yearsago is 1970

[@bigtalltim]

I know - right? 😳

[@wbek001]

The clean channel in these Valvestates does not use the tube at all. Only the overdrive channel does.

[@bigtalltim]

Believe that is the case with some - certainly there are some forum posts on that subject - they seem to be mostly around the 8240 so I’m not sure that it is the case for all, but certainly it is for some. Thanks for watching!