I have the same amp and had issue I thought was the preamp tube but it turned out the control potentimeters just needed cleaning. I did try out a couple different 12AX7 tubes tried the JJ and a groove tube. For what I play the Groove tube was my choice. It's amazing how much better it sounds now. Thanks for sharing this video!
Glad to find another VS100 owner! Also glad your issue wasn't too tough to fix, I've heard some horror stories of guys chasing issues across the whole circuit board and not getting it figured out. I know the headphone jack is another cause for issues on these as well. I'll have to give that Groove Tube a shot sometime, and someone else mentioned they ran a Mesa tube in theirs and they liked that as well. Maybe I need to do another video with more tubes! Either of my JJ or Tung-Sol tubes did sound much better than stock though. Glad you liked the video, thanks for checking it out!!
The word "need" does not apply. Four (4) ohms is the MINIMUM impedance you can use without burning the amp out. As you go higher, the output is reduced. The VS100 and similar amps have 2 jacks and "100 Watts RMS / 4 ohm" or similar, labeled on the rear. This means the amp will produce the full output at 4 ohms. Plugging one 8 ohm in one jack works at approx. 75-80 watts at full volume. The VS100 Combo usually comes stock with one 8 ohm speaker. If you add another 8 ohm into the second jack, the impedance drops to 4 ohms. Then you'll have the full 100 watt output. I suggest you do some research on the different speaker configurations before you experiment. Power transistors can get expensive if you have to replace them!
From what I’ve seen of these it’s either just a simple tube replacement or your chasing solid state componets. It’s kind of all or nothing, but they are pretty tough too so chances are it’ll be good.
Generally , any VS100 you buy these days will eventually die out , especially when you use it at higher volumes , very prone to dry/cold solder joints , and repairing these could sometimes prove to be extremely stressful , trust me , I've bought 7 VS100s in the past , no joke , and all 7 of them gave me problems , i managed to repair the first 3 (Wobbly Power Caps ,cold solder joints , and a dead IC, TL072) , but the other 4? still in the garage rotting , screw 'em , I spent way too many days tryin'a fix them - futile
Congrats on grabbing one of these amps, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! It's super straight forward to replace, just pop the little clip off the tube that's in there, pull the tube straight up out of the socket (you may need to wiggle it a bit), then just shove the new one in. That's it! If you check out our Part 2 video of the VS100 tube comparisons I did include a quick clip of pulling the tube out in that video so you can see what it'll look like. I'd be curious to see what you think of the Mesa tube, let us know when you get it swapped! I may have to try it out too. Enjoy the new amp and happy shredding!
@@sndgarage So when I bought this amp I checked the tube and it was not original to my surprise it was an Electro-Harmonix tube. The edition of the Mesa Boogie made the noise a lot quieter (noise gate on the way), more gritty, and maybe even a little more low end. Really satisfied my hunger for something Mesa Boogie, without having to spend the big bucks. One thing on this amp is that my reverb channel barely works, don't know if it's just my amp or what.
@@jxclout Very cool, now you have me wanting to try out that Mesa tube even more! As far as the reverb goes it's a spring reverb you can hear clanging around in that box in the back. Sounds like it might be goofed up, mine is pretty noticeable if I crank it up. Thanks for the update!
I think since it is a solid state power amp it can be used without a cab plugged in. But I would check google first because you wouldn't wanna risk breaking the thing
@@symbolicacts6056 I believe you are correct, you can plug this in without the cab attached since it's solid state. The tube heads need the load from the cab so they don't get damaged.
Be sure to check out part 2 of this video here! th-cam.com/video/kaEGt7lJBNE/w-d-xo.html And check out the VS100 vs. the Blackstar HT50 here! th-cam.com/video/pofKdoxOdYo/w-d-xo.html
Comparing the "old marshall tube" to any new tube is not a valid comparison. The original tube will have lost it's edge. I have 3 different versions of the VS100 setup. I'm still stuck on finding the "best" tube because even though all 3 have identical circuitry, the sum of all the components produce different output. I may actually have to buy an oscilloscope to define the best characteristics for the sound I want.
Fair point for sure on the original tube, it was about 20 years old at that point in the video. But since I was swapping it out anyway figured it was a good time for a comparison! Thanks for checking us out!
I have the same amp and had issue I thought was the preamp tube but it turned out the control potentimeters just needed cleaning. I did try out a couple different 12AX7 tubes tried the JJ and a groove tube. For what I play the Groove tube was my choice. It's amazing how much better it sounds now. Thanks for sharing this video!
Glad to find another VS100 owner! Also glad your issue wasn't too tough to fix, I've heard some horror stories of guys chasing issues across the whole circuit board and not getting it figured out. I know the headphone jack is another cause for issues on these as well. I'll have to give that Groove Tube a shot sometime, and someone else mentioned they ran a Mesa tube in theirs and they liked that as well. Maybe I need to do another video with more tubes! Either of my JJ or Tung-Sol tubes did sound much better than stock though. Glad you liked the video, thanks for checking it out!!
Getting one this week
NICE! You'll love it!
HORNS UP! \,,/ I love my VS100 head! That preamp tube lasted 20 years, amazing... I had to replace mine as well.
20 years is a great run! Glad to see another VS100 fan here too! Thanks for checking us out!
THANK YOU
You are welcome!
A little bit late but… the VS100 head has 4 Ohms; so it needs to be plugged into a 4 Ohm cab?
The word "need" does not apply. Four (4) ohms is the MINIMUM impedance you can use without burning the amp out. As you go higher, the output is reduced. The VS100 and similar amps have 2 jacks and "100 Watts RMS / 4 ohm" or similar, labeled on the rear. This means the amp will produce the full output at 4 ohms. Plugging one 8 ohm in one jack works at approx. 75-80 watts at full volume. The VS100 Combo usually comes stock with one 8 ohm speaker. If you add another 8 ohm into the second jack, the impedance drops to 4 ohms. Then you'll have the full 100 watt output.
I suggest you do some research on the different speaker configurations before you experiment. Power transistors can get expensive if you have to replace them!
Are these typically a repair headache when bought on Ebay ?
From what I’ve seen of these it’s either just a simple tube replacement or your chasing solid state componets. It’s kind of all or nothing, but they are pretty tough too so chances are it’ll be good.
Generally , any VS100 you buy these days will eventually die out , especially when you use it at higher volumes , very prone to dry/cold solder joints , and repairing these could sometimes prove to be extremely stressful , trust me , I've bought 7 VS100s in the past , no joke , and all 7 of them gave me problems , i managed to repair the first 3 (Wobbly Power Caps ,cold solder joints , and a dead IC, TL072) , but the other 4? still in the garage rotting , screw 'em , I spent way too many days tryin'a fix them - futile
@@stoplookingatmeplease1230 Thanks for the heads up
You should try a Telefunken Long Plate clone tube , it makes a BIG difference.
I'll have to check that out! Thanks for the recommendation!
Those are the most expensive tube around! One costs as much as the amp itself!
I actually just got this amp, I bought a mesa boogie 12ax7 pre amp tube. Any advice replacing it?
Congrats on grabbing one of these amps, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! It's super straight forward to replace, just pop the little clip off the tube that's in there, pull the tube straight up out of the socket (you may need to wiggle it a bit), then just shove the new one in. That's it! If you check out our Part 2 video of the VS100 tube comparisons I did include a quick clip of pulling the tube out in that video so you can see what it'll look like. I'd be curious to see what you think of the Mesa tube, let us know when you get it swapped! I may have to try it out too. Enjoy the new amp and happy shredding!
@@sndgarage So when I bought this amp I checked the tube and it was not original to my surprise it was an Electro-Harmonix tube. The edition of the Mesa Boogie made the noise a lot quieter (noise gate on the way), more gritty, and maybe even a little more low end. Really satisfied my hunger for something Mesa Boogie, without having to spend the big bucks. One thing on this amp is that my reverb channel barely works, don't know if it's just my amp or what.
@@jxclout Very cool, now you have me wanting to try out that Mesa tube even more! As far as the reverb goes it's a spring reverb you can hear clanging around in that box in the back. Sounds like it might be goofed up, mine is pretty noticeable if I crank it up. Thanks for the update!
Try unplugging and replugging the reverb tank. It worked for me
Stupid question but do I need a cab or can I just have the head?
I think since it is a solid state power amp it can be used without a cab plugged in. But I would check google first because you wouldn't wanna risk breaking the thing
@@symbolicacts6056 I believe you are correct, you can plug this in without the cab attached since it's solid state. The tube heads need the load from the cab so they don't get damaged.
Do you have to rebias the tube or anything though?
Not on this one, I was worried about that too before doing this. But after doing some research this one is just a straight swap! Nice and easy.
No
Preamp tubes don't get bias only Power tubes.
@ You need to drag that thing out and let er rip!
Be sure to check out part 2 of this video here!
th-cam.com/video/kaEGt7lJBNE/w-d-xo.html
And check out the VS100 vs. the Blackstar HT50 here!
th-cam.com/video/pofKdoxOdYo/w-d-xo.html
Comparing the "old marshall tube" to any new tube is not a valid comparison. The original tube will have lost it's edge.
I have 3 different versions of the VS100 setup. I'm still stuck on finding the "best" tube because even though all 3 have identical circuitry, the sum of all the components produce different output. I may actually have to buy an oscilloscope to define the best characteristics for the sound I want.
Fair point for sure on the original tube, it was about 20 years old at that point in the video. But since I was swapping it out anyway figured it was a good time for a comparison! Thanks for checking us out!
EXCELLENT
Keep it away from “Sound Man Steve.”
Cant hear you. Speak up!