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Average Price: $247
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$300
$801+
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Description
The Marshall Valvestate 8100 is a legendary guitar amplifier head that has left an indelible mark on the rock and metal scenes since its introduction in the early '90s. Renowned for its versatile sound and reliable performance, this amp head is a favorite among guitarists seeking both power and tonal flexibility. The hybrid design combines a solid-state power section with a valve-driven preamp, offering the warmth of tube amplification with the reliability of solid-state technology.
With its three channels—clean, overdrive, and crunch—the Valvestate 8100 provides a wide range of sonic possibilities, from pristine cleans to aggressive high-gain distortion. The inclusion of a contour control further enhances its tonal versatility, allowing players to shape their sound with precision. The Valvestate series’ signature tone is characterized by its thick, rich mids and tight bass response, ensuring your riffs cut through the mix with authority.
Perfect for both studio work and live performances, the Valvestate 8100 delivers consistent sound quality and durability. Its 100-watt output offers plenty of headroom for any venue, ensuring your sound is heard loud and clear. Whether you're chasing classic rock tones or modern metal aggression, this amp head can deliver.
Key Features:
- 100-watt hybrid amp head with solid-state power and valve preamp
- Three channels: clean, overdrive, and crunch
- Contour control for enhanced tonal shaping
- Renowned for versatility in rock and metal genres
- Suitable for studio and live performance settings
Product specs
| Brand | Marshall |
| Model | Valvestate 100V Model 8100 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1991 - 1998 |
| Made In | United Kingdom |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Hybrid |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 100 |
| Power Tube Type | None |
| Reverb | Spring Reverb |
FAQs
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What kind of tone can I expect from the Marshall Valvestate 8100 for rock and metal music?
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The Marshall Valvestate 8100 is renowned for its aggressive and punchy tone, making it ideal for rock and metal genres. Its hybrid technology combines a tube-driven preamp with solid-state circuitry to deliver a powerful sound with plenty of gain and clarity.
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Does the Marshall Valvestate 8100 work well with guitar pedals?
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Yes, the Marshall Valvestate 8100 is known for handling pedals effectively. Its clean channel provides a solid foundation for modulation and overdrive pedals, while the effects loop allows for seamless integration of time-based effects.
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Is the Marshall Valvestate 8100 loud enough for live performances?
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With 100 watts of power, the Marshall Valvestate 8100 is more than capable of handling live performances in medium to large venues. Its robust output ensures it can compete with a full band setup, including a drummer.
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How does the Marshall Valvestate 8100's reverb sound?
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The Marshall Valvestate 8100 features a spring reverb that adds a classic, warm ambiance to your sound. It's adjustable and can provide anything from a subtle depth to a pronounced echo, suitable for various playing styles.
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What are the main connectivity options on the Marshall Valvestate 8100?
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The Marshall Valvestate 8100 offers a single input for your guitar and includes an effects loop for additional pedals. It also features speaker outputs to connect with external cabinets, allowing for flexible stage and studio setups.
Videos
Taylor Danley
This Legendary Amp Absolutely Rips!!
This Legendary Amp Absolutely Rips!!
Taylor Danley
Marshall Valvestate Shootout - 8100 vs VS100 | Chug Battle!
Taylor Danley
Marshall Valvestate 8100 Metal Clip
Lasse Lammert
Chuck Schuldiner Marshall 8100 - Death Guitar Tone
LambChopper678
Marshall Valvestate 8100 Repair, Demo and Review
Purgasound
Gear Curiosities: Marshall Valvestate 8100 - 1 Tube + Op-Amps + LEDs = Death Metal Glory!
Plague Scythe Studios
MARSHALL 8100 VALVESTATE (THE BEST AMP THEYVE MADE)?
Ninecore Neil
MARSHALL VALVESTATE 8100 AND MARSHALL 1960A CAB
Ninecore Neil
Marshall Valvestate 8100 by ReampZone (Kemper profiles demo)
Have Guitar
Reviews
PROS
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Fantastic sound quality overall
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High gain and volume capabilities
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Versatile tone options with effective Contour/Middle knobs
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Excellent for specific genres like death metal and thrash
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Affordable price point
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Capable of producing old school and modern tones
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Pairs well with complementary speakers and pedals for enhanced sound
CONS
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Minor problems reported upon arrival
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Clean channel may "fart out" at higher gains
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Poor quality reverb feature
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Marshall Valvestate 8100.
Use cases and applications
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The 8100 is versatile for rock and heavier genres, with a unique sound that many metal and nu-metal artists have used.
Source -
The 8100 is favored for metal genres, particularly old school and Norwegian black metal, without needing a boost pedal.
Source -
Using the Mesa OS 4x12 cab compensates for the amp's lack of bass, making it suitable for bass-heavy tones.
Source
Value and pricing
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Some owners believe 8100 prices may rise due to its historical use in iconic albums despite its current unfashionable status.
Source
Comparisons
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Users find the Marshall 8100 inherently more metal-sounding compared to the Orange Super Crush 100, which often requires a boost.
Source -
The Valvestate 8100's preamp tube is only active on the gain channel, unlike the VS100R, which impacts their differing sound qualities.
Source -
Owners report that using a Marshall 1960A cab significantly improves low-end response compared to the original undersized cab.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Replacing pots is common, as they tend to wear out over time, but doing so can maintain the amp's reliability and performance.
Source
Features and functionality
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The Valvestate 8100 doesn't require a connected speaker load, allowing line out to a mixer for silent practice with headphones.
Source -
The 8100 can be used with an 8 ohm cab, but it will deliver approximately 75 watts instead of its full 100 watts.
Source -
The FX loop is buffered; running a jumper from send to return and cranking the FX knob can provide a saturated boost.
Source
User experience
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 23 Ratings
68
Amazing amp head
Right out of the box this things a beast, it sounds amazing for that old school death metal tone and I can even get some sludgey tones.
Great amp for my needs.
Great amp for death metal and such, but the only problem might be with the clean channel. Since the gain knob works as a volume knob on the clean channel, at higher gain it can fart out the sound.
172
Mostly for those, who only want to play death metal or classic thrash shit. 7/10
Classic death metal sound. Very poor reverb.
Artist usage
Add artist
Marshall claims that this iconic amp was used by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top
Joe says in a Gear Gods interview, "The very first amp I used was a Valvestate Marshall. You know, I liked those amps. They’re very precise and sharp. The low end is very transistor." Then later mentions, "Yeah, those are what Meshuggah used to use way back in the ‘90s. I saw Meshuggah back in 1998 and they were using those Valvestates."
The Empty Words Project is founded by Chuck's family. Here they republish an interview with Pit Magazine, originally published in June/1999, Chuck Said: "My amp is a Marshall Valvestate head and cabinet, that's about it. I don't use effects except for a little chorus on my leads, I really like a basic setup." This article from Guitar Geek confirms this as an 8100 specifically.
In this video, Ola Englund uses a Marshall Valvestate amp head with his Hesu 2x12 cab.
In this post, on Sum 41's Facebook, the caption reads, "just bought these new amps. these 2 amps together make such a huge sound. this is what we used a lot on the chuck album. they were the main guitar sounds on "no reason" "bitter end" "angels with dirty faces" and "we're all to blame". i can't wait to lay some guitars down for the new record with these. you'll hear a lot of them on this new stuff. "
In the YouTube video titled "Backstage With Dave Baksh of Sum 41 | Studio Classic | Marshall," at the 1:42 mark, guitarist Dave Baksh confirms that he began his music career using the Marshall Valvestate, referring to it as a "great solid state amp."
A marshall vs8100 head is visible in the studio during the recording of The Bleeding in part 1 of the centuries of torment documentary/video (https://youtu.be/aGPot3rP53o) at around 1:28:57.
Producer Ulrich Wild states that Wayne's guitar parts for Wisconsin Death Trip were recorded on a Marshall Valvestate 8100 in this video
"I used a Marshall® Valvestate 100 watt head going through a model 1960A cabinet with Celestion® Vintage 30s in it, and that was killer. For effects, I used a Digitech® Whammy, an old Ibanez® chorus, and I also used a Line 6® Pod Pro for a lot of my effects as well because it has a wide variety of effects that I really like."
In a 1997 live performance video from the "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk" tour in Milan, Ihsahn of Emperor is seen using the Marshall Valvestate 8100 guitar amplifier head, identifiable by its prominent logo and gold panel.
In this article on the official Boss website, it is confirmed that John Browne used a Marshall Valvestate 8100.
Album Usage
The Marshall Valvestate 8100 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Marshall Valvestate 8100, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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Similar
Add recommendation1 alternative for Marshall Valvestate 8100, curated by the Equipboard community.
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Both cheap solid state amps that have a very scooped bassy sound
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