Noel Gallagher’s Marshall Valvestate 80V (Model 8080)

Noel used a Marshall Valvestate 80V (Model 8080) to record majority of the songs of of Oasis debut album “Definetely Maybe”, alongside a Watkins Dominator amp. This setup also served as his main live rig until around mid-1994, when the band’s gigs grew larger, and so did the need for a bigger sound. At that point, he switched to a Marshall JCM900 head.

As for when Noel first started using the Valvestate 80V, he doesn’t seem to recall the exact timing, but photos suggest it was sometime in 1993.

Marshall I think I got when – I don’t know – I must’ve come into money somehow. The two of them togeather sound amazing. That was the live rig until the royalties came in.

Noel Gallagher – That Pedal Show

It’s interesting to note that the Marshall Valvestate 80V (Model 8080) is a relatively inexpensive amp (you can find one for around $100 used) and is generally considered “nothing special,” especially when compared to vintage tube amps. This just goes to show that almost anything can sound great in the right hands, proving once again that creativity and technique often matter more than expensive gear.