Introduction
Welcome to the third and most recent generation of Marshall Valvestate guitar amplifiers - AVT.
AVT20X Combo Front Panel Features
1. Input Jack Socket
This is where you plug your guitar into the amp. In case you are not aware, you must always use a screened guitar cable, never use an unscreened speaker lead. Also, for the best performance this cable should be one of high quality. If you are in any doubt regarding this, your Marshall dealer will be more than happy to help and advise you further. own, desirable distortion mode - just like an allvalve Marshall amp. When this occurs, the AVT20X's power amp will start to add musical harmonics, compression and �break-up� into your sound. ENGLISH
The History
We first started making the critically acclaimed Valvestate amplifiers in the early 90s and then updated the original range to the best-selling VS II line in 1996. Our original intention with Valvestate was simple: to capture the special sound and feel of a Marshall valve amplifier by using solid state technology. By so doing we knew we could make our unique and highly desirable tones more affordable and thus more available to many more guitar players. The first two generations of Valvestate both achieved these goals and have become firm favourites with players and critics alike, the world over. Now, we have once again redefined what guitarists can expect from affordable backline amplification. Utilising all the knowledge and experience gained over the years, we proudly bring you - AVT Series. ENGLISH
5. Tone Controls
The AVT20X is equipped with rotary Bass, Middle, and Treble controls, all of which work on both the Clean and Overdrive modes. These three passive EQ controls are designed to achieve maximum tonal variation from your AVT20X and, just like our famous all-valve amps, are highly inter-dependent on each other. As a result, the way each one functions depends on the exact position of the other two controls. This is especially true of the Bass and Treble controls in relation to the Middle control. The lower the Middle control, the more reaction can be obtained from the others. As tone is very much down to personal taste, experimentation and experience is probably the best way of learning how these three controls will affect your sound. Some suggested settings are shown later. * Points to remember are: A) The tone and output level coming out of the guitar is as widely variable as there are guitars themselves, all guitars are not designed (nor intended) to be equal. Therefore, amp settings will vary to suit your guitar and playing style, and by necessity, are at your discretion. Again, if in doubt, consult your Marshall dealer for advice. B) The tone of your sound is also dependent on the settings of the �tone� controls, and adjusting them to taste will further enhance the sonic textures of your AVT20X. The best way to achieve your desired settings is to experiment.
2. Clean/Overdrive selection switch
Your AVT20X has two selectable modes - Clean and Overdrive. When the switch is �out� Clean is selected, when it is pushed �in� Overdrive mode is activated. The Clean mode of the AVT20X has the warm, responsive action normally associated with a valve amp, rather than the relatively sterile, onedimensional sound that is typical of many solidstate type guitar amps. At lower Gain settings this mode remains very clean but will evolve into a bluesy/rock type crunch at higher Gain settings. When Overdrive is selected it will take you from mild crunch to aggressive �modern� distortions and all-points in between. The many sonic palettes available are dependent on the exact settings of the front panel controls for Gain, Volume, Treble, Middle and Bass.
Addictive Tone
In this latest generation, not only will you find more, guitarist-friendly features, but more (much more!) valve-like tone and feel. As with all our amplifiers, we started designing with a clean slate - relying totally on our experience, skill and tonal history. As all our designers are guitarists in addition to being exceptional engineers, the aforementioned feel and tone were an absolute priority from the beginning. In short our goal was to make these amps so enjoyable to play, they are addictive!
Pre-amp Valve Power
In each of the Valvestate range, all the preamp stages are equipped with an ECC83 (a.k.a. 12AX7) Dual Triode valve. Drawing on our vast experience in this field, we have gone to great lengths to ensure that this precious device delivers maximum sonic benefit at all settings and volume levels. As a result, even the AVT clean sounds ring with the bell like harmonics that only a valve pre-amp can deliver. On the Overdrive channels the ECC83's dual triodes are saturated to their limit, providing the dynamics and feel worthy of a place in the Marshall hall of fame. The same sort of toneful care and attention was focused on the all-important power stage of each amp too. Once again we wanted to ensure that they delivered the warm, musical feel and 3-dimensional sounds that have made our allvalve power-amps world-renowned. We are so proud of the end results of our labour that we felt we had to coin a new name for the technology used. So, we christened it AVT - Advanced Valvestate Technology.
3. Gain Control Fire-breathing Babies
This manual covers the AVT20X and AVT50X combos plus the AVT50HX head. Even though these are the �babies� of the range, they go far beyond the realms of traditional, lower powered amps. These are all real, fire-breathing Marshall amps in their own right, and, as such, are bestowed with all the technology, tone, and feel of their higher-powered brethren. As is the case with the entire AVT range, the loudspeakers used are all custom built by Celestion and have been specifically designed to fully complement and augment the myriad of sounds generated by our Advanced Valvestate Technology. This rotary control can best be described as the sonic �brains� of the amp. At lower settings, with the Clean/Overdrive switch set to Clean, the AVT20X will give you a wide range of welldefined clean tones. At higher Gain settings, the amp will start to �crunch up� into the aforementioned �blues/rock� type sounds. This �crunching up� is often referred to as �break-up�. When Overdrive mode is selected lower Gain settings will give you a vintage sounding, valve distortion while higher settings will produce more modern, high-gain tones.
6. Reverb Depth Control
Your AVT20X is fitted with an internal spring Reverb unit. This control affects the mix of the direct (dry) and Reverb signals - the higher this control is set, the greater the Reverb depth.
4. Volume Control
As its name suggests, the Volume control determines how loud your AVT20X will be by controlling how much signal is transferred from the preamp to the power amp. Due to the remarkable realism of our Advanced Valvestate Technology, once the Volume control is turnedup past a certain point, the preamp will start to push the power amp section into creating its
7. CD Input Jack Socket
The CD input will take a stereo signal from an external source, such as a CD or tape player, and mix it into a mono format. This will allow you to play along with a pre-recorded signal. Because this input is after the preamp stage, its volume has to be controlled from your CD or tape player.
2
3
