Marshall Valvstate 120/120 vs Marshall EL34 100/100

[blackcom]

I have a Marshall Valvstate 120/120 as a poweramp in my guitar-rack. Just wondering what you guyes think I would gain by replacing it with a Marshall EL34 100/100 in terms of the usual stuff like puch, intensity and so on...

[el cochino]

Originally posted by blackcom
I have a Marshall Valvstate 120/120 as a poweramp in my guitar-rack. Just wondering what you guyes think I would gain by replacing it with a Marshall EL34 100/100 in terms of the usual stuff like puch, intensity and so on...

Valvestate is solid state and EL34 is tube, but I guess you new that. The solid state amp will give you a tighter sound due to it's faster attack, but it will sound crappier the more you crank it. EL34's are the classic rock sound and if you crank this amp, it will start to sing. Tubes have a much more pleasant sound to me, especially for dirty or high gain sounds and I'd take the EL34 100/100 over the Vavestate 120/120 any day of the week.

In the end, you'll have to let your ears decide, because I know some people who prefer the valvestate amps - I can't stand them, though.

[blackcom]

Kinda bugs me that the EL34's are 3 unit instead if 2 like the Mesa Recto 2:100...much more convenient...doesen't make my rack 'that' big...

Any rumors of Marshall shrinking their rack amps to 2 units?

btw, anyone heard those mesa poweramps?

[el cochino]

I think the Mesas come with 6L6'S valves, which is a different flavor. They have less mids and more low end than EL34s.

Randall has a power amp that has both, EL34s and 6L6 valves, which would give you both sounds and you can even switch between them while playing. I've tried it once, and it sounded pretty good. It's just 2 units high, which will save you some space in your rack.

Randall RT2/50 Power Amplifier