Guitar Gear Forum

In stock form it is really meh. After messing with various eq, boost, speakers, etc. I knew it had to be modded. I downloaded the schematic (almost the exact same as the earlier Valvestate 8040 BTW) and got to work.

Boost channel middle pot. I reused the reverb pot, the spring tank was removed by someone else already.
Master volume, stock the channel volumes abruptly went from silence to fairly loud.
Second contour pot (the low side half). The original contour pot is a low pass filter when turned CCW "low" and a mid cut when turned CW "high". Now I can simultaneously cut the harsh highs and adjust the mids to taste. Kind of like a pseudo presence knob.
Clipping diode selector switch, stock is red LEDs, I added some random Si diodes, I still need to experiment here.
Boost channel tight pot, simple high pass filter between the input stage and gain stage. This cuts the bass and transforms the feel of the amp. From full and fat to focused and tight.
Cut the cab into a head, I don't care for open back cabs.

Now it is remarkably great and I can plug straight in and rock.

Clips, the first is through my 212 cab, the others are Mesa 412. Amp was dial in differently in each clip.

Forgot a close up pic.

Sounds great! Alot like my vs8200 I had. Definitely some ofthe best ss tones I've heard.

Noice; I wish I had the knowledge and/or willpower to molest amps like that

Cool shit!

Sounds great man!!! I like the stock MGs for what they are but these are really good improvements!!

Devin wrote:Noice; I wish I had the knowledge and/or willpower to molest amps like that

Cool shit!

I wish I had more knowledge, a lot of it is trial and error, baby steps over years, and trying to make the most out of a piece of gear. Plus this amp was $50 so not like a huge issue if I blew it up. I'd mod more if I could get a schematic to all my gear.

GuitarBilly wrote:Sounds great man!!! I like the stock MGs for what they are but these are really good improvements!!

I tried an MG100 years ago and I liked it. Not sure which version it was, probably whatever Static X uses.

Mike Oxhuge wrote:Sounds great! Alot like my vs8200 I had. Definitely some ofthe best ss tones I've heard.

I don't think I've played any 8xxx series amps. I know they have a huge following, especially Death fans. It's funny, I just found out the bigger G amps are those first gen Valvestates without the tube. I had a VS100 (different animal I know) which was good when it worked. I don't think it lived up to the hype. I much preferred my mid to late 90's Peavey Special 212 or Supreme.