 |
If any word is underlined, you can click on to get more detail. Click on the photo to enlarge it and see more photos if available.
| Make |
Studiomaster |
| Model |
Valve Leadmaster |
| Description |
STUDIOMASTER VALVE LEADMASTER 112 COMBO AMPLIFIER
Made in the early 1980's. It was made by the English company famous for their Mixing Consoles.
It is a two channel 60 watt 6L6 tube combo amp with a pull/bright on channel one and a pull/boost on the
second channel. It has an effects loop a master volume, built in 5 band graphic, and pre and post master volumes. It has a 200 watt Fane speaker. Attractive Stainless Steel front panel and nice Oak Cabinet. Classy looking amp. Built like a tank. Very, very solid.
Amazingly versatile sounding amplifier. Can be set up to accomodate any guitar and make up for its
weaknesses. Channel one is glassy sounding and channel two is more full bodied sounding.
The sound is complex, vibey and a tube amp all the way. Very versatile and enough power for any type of gig.
By the early 80s Studiomaster had a firmly established market in the growing pro audio world that rivalled many larger companies in quality and innovation. Still relatively new, the company was not saddled as just a mixer company which allowed freedom in perusing other product areas.
Demand for guitars continued to grow and attention was turned to guitar amplifiers. Apart from the few old
established brands there was little in the way of quality combos that sounded good and were affordable.
Once the decision was taken to build a Studiomaster guitar combo it was agreed it had to be something
special and the result certainly was. There was to be no compromise in features or sound and over the
next 9 months developed several prototypes.
The amplifier chassis was finished with a unique chrome front panel housed in a polished dark wood
cabinet. Finally, the name - Valve Leadmaster or VLM for short.
When launched it was an immediate success, due not only to its stunning looks but its sound.
The tone and gain range could produce warm, clean sounds or powerful distortion at the touch of
a switch.
Unfortunately, due to limited production capacity and ever more demand for mixers and amplifiers
it was decided to drop the VLM after only two and a half years.
Today, when second hand examples come up for sale, they often change hands for three or four
times their original price.
The steel amplifier chassis measured 482mm x 76mm (19 x 3 inches) with all the valves in board so a
future compact 60W amplifier head version could be made. A Papst D.C. low noise fan was fitted to the
rear panel to reduce heat build up around the output stage. The power supply used a toroidal A.C.
transformer for its small size and quiet electrical and mechanical operation, important as the VLM was
used in many recording sessions.
The signal path and amplifier was to be valve (tube) as transistor amps just don't come close to getting
a good sound. ECC83/12AX7 triodes were used in the preamp and tone control stages although the power
output valves were not the usual EL34s found in British amp designs. A pair of 6L6 beam tetrodes were used
for their classic tone and punchy mid characteristic and availability in the USA, the primary target market.
The output was 60 Watts driving the specially selected Fane 200L (200W) Studio range speaker. A number
of 12' speakers were tried (including premium brands) during the VLMs development but the Fane came top
for tone and loudness.
The 5 band graphic equaliser could be switched into the signal path expanding tonal possibilities.
Four transistors were used in the design of the graphic which was powered from a 90V supply so
fairly high volumes could be achieved before the inevitable transistor clipping sound became a problem.
The on board spring reverb was a 16' Type 4 Accutronics (model AB2A1B) unit selected for its superior
sound over much cheaper copies. A new and very useful feature was the effects loop as outboard guitar
effects processors were becoming popular at this time.
An XLR direct output socket and 4 or 8 ohm output impendence selector switch, for extension cabinets,
further enhanced the VLMs flexibility.
This Studiomaster Valve Leadmaster Amplifier has a Rane 12-inch speaker in it, is being checked by my technician, and includes a hard fiber case on wheel, and the original channel / effects footswitch.
|
|
| Age |
21 year |
| Weight |
25 kg |
| Condition |
Very good |
| Location |
Usa |
| Vat |
Not from a VAT-registered business. But VAT / duty may be due if importing from outside your trade bloc. |
| Quantity |
1 item is available from the owner |
| Options |
User manual : No |
| |
Service manual : No |
| |
First owner : No |
| |
Original boxes : No |
| Plug type |
Usa standard plug |
| Voltage type |
Internal 110 to 220-240V switchable |
| Status |
Item is still available |
| Sale type |
The item is for sale |
| Category |
Amplifier (mono) |
| Serial number |
10243 |
| Sphere reference |
# 3191 |
| Statistics |
Created on : 05/11/2003 |
|
Changed on : 15/11/2003 |
| |
Published on : (Not published) |
| |
Displayed : 2463 time(s) by members and guests |
| Safety |
All electrical items sold in VEMIA are deemed to be trade sales. No warranty of electrical safety is given or implied. Many items are vintage and would not pass current electrical safety standards. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that items are safe to use in their future environment - if necessary by using the services of a professional. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prices and conditions  |
 top |
|
|
|
The following section gives you the prices as well as shipment and payment conditions associated with the item. Payment is always requested in gear owner local currency. Converted price is shown for information and converted with Sphere standard currency rate.
Shipment and Payment links gives you access to an extended description of our rating :
| Price |
756 USD |
| Converted price (1) |
569.08 GBP |
| Shipment |
International or local shipment to pay |
| Packing costs |
n/a |
| Payment |
Full pre payment needed |
| Warranty |
n/a |
| Counter offer |
The bargain allows counter offers |
| (1) Currency conversion |
Note that conversion rates were last adjusted on 10th October 2025 at 14:22 CET. They are there to give you a rough guide to the bid price in your currency. Please check for a more up-to-date conversion at https://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html. The bid price will be the actual price in pounds (GBP) at the moment the auction closes. This will be roughly converted to your currency for your information.
For technical reasons, we are unable to update the conversion from GBP to Euro during the auction, although it may change at any time. If you are in the euro zone please check the current rate at https://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Payments must always be in GBP. For more info please see the FAQ about exchange rates.https://spheremusic.com/Winfaq.asp?Question=91. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
