What's In A Name?
AVT (Advanced Valvestate Technology) is the latest in Marshall's research to develop a tube/solid state hybrid amplifier that nails the sound of their classic, all-valve amplifiers. At the heart of the AVT is a genuine 12AX7 (ECC83) tube that is driven at a high plate voltage to add the genuine, warm tube tone that guitarists crave.
Marshall introduced its original Valvestate line in the early 1990's. These relatively low-priced amplifiers rapidly captured the ears and hearts of musicians worldwide. Now Marshall engineers have concluded two years of researching and refining the techniques of tube and solid state amplifier sound properties in order produce the finest combination ever heard. The good news for guitarists the world over: these amps sound awesome!
How'd They Do That?
The secret to the amazing sound of the AVT line is a brilliantly engineered power amp section that emulates the way tube amps breathe and musically compress the sound. They have nailed the classic Marshall tube power amp sound, but without the heat and expense of power output tubes!
Of course, that high voltage 12AX7 (ECC83) tube in the preamp section gets half the credit, too. Especially when you overdrive that valve to bring out the warm overdrive and singing distortion that only tubes can provide. So now you know the secret to the AVT series: the perfect marriage of tube tone and solid state reliability. And all for a price that won't break the bank!
Special FX, Anyone?
Add to this the 16 digital effects built into the AVT100 that include delay, chorus, flange, and 10 reverb algorithms. With the AVT150, AVT150H, and AVT275 you get two separate digital effects channels for double the control. This allows one set of effects for the two clean channels and a separate bank of effects for the pair of overdrive channels.
Marshall didn't forget the smaller models in the line, either. The AVT20 and AVT50 models feature a very sweet built-in Accutronics reverb tank. Guitar Player magazine liked the reverb so much they said that they'd give these amps an Editor's Pick award based solely on that feature!
Clean Up Your Act!
Another secret Marshall is sharing is the clean sound from their acoustic guitar amplifiers. The AVT150, AVT150H and AVT275 models feature an Acoustic Simulator channel. This is voiced to make an electric guitar sound like an acoustic! You'll have control over such parameters as body resonance to simulate regular or big body acoustic steel string, and via the Top control, everything from a sizzling piezo-like transducer tone down to a mellow, dark sound.
Marshall has always been famous for their singing, cranked tube amplifier sounds. Now thanks to the new Acoustic Simulator, artists are free to add additional versatility to their songs and sets -- without the expense or hassle of a second amplifier.
What the Pros are Using
But don't take our word for it. Pros like Tony Fredianelli (Third Eye Blind) and Jerry Horton (Papa Roach) are using AVT amplifiers in the studio and on the road to get the tone they need.
"[The AVT20] is the best small combo Išve ever heard. It sounds a lot bigger than it is, in fact we're using it to write our new record."
- Jerry Horton (Papa Roach)
"It's got a really clear, clean, brisk sound that actually simulates an acoustic guitar. The AVT amp is my personal favorite for acoustic simulation in an amplifier."
- Tony Fredianelli (Third Eye Blind)
But Wait, There's More!
New to this line is a closed-back design for the combo amp models. This produces a tone with more bottom end, very much like the 1960A/B 4x12 cabinets that Marshall is famous for. Celestion speakers are standard issue in the combo models. Marshall and Celestion worked hand in hand to design a speaker with added bottom end so that the AVT combos have the full sound that a "stack" (head and cabinet) setup normally produces: a tight bottom end, punchy midrange, and shimmering highs.
If you're confused about the different models, check out our AVT feature comparison page. But whatever model you decide upon, rest assured that your AVT will deliver that famous Marshall tone ... and more!
