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Not yet...but I will probably place my order on Monday or Tuesday.
Talked to Dave at Avatar and he said the only difference is the tube sockets, all other circuitry and tranny's are exactly the same. So I will opt for the 6V6 sockets and can use passive 6V6 to EL84 adapters if I ever want to try EL84's. I think VHT makes some for about $20 ea.
I have never played a 18 watt or JTM45 style amp. Just wondering how the clean tones compare and which style actually has more gain.
The 18w will have more gain at lower levels compared to a JTM45 which is at around 30-35w.
That Avatar amp has a Gain control so you can work with that for your clean sound. Also another thing you can do to allow greater headroom is to change the 12AX7 tube in V1,nearest the input jack(s), to a 12AT7 or 12AY7.
Using the head with a 2x12 cab will give greater headroom before breakup compared to having it in the 1974X 1x12 combo setup.
It'll be a interesting ride for you. I've got 12w,15w and JTM45 setups, you will learn a lot if you haven't used them before.
Don't have any experience with the 18 watt, but received my 45 on saturday. The build quality is top notch, and I can't get a bad sound out of it. I had no previous experience with JTM 45's, just always liked the sounds that were supposed to be from that amp. It is amazing. The overall feel is quite different from any amp I experienced before. If the 18 is anything like the 45, you're gonna love it.
So what made you go for the 45 vs. the 18? Needed volume, headroom, etc?
The TMB channel on the 18 has an extra gain stage if I am not mistaken. I will use the normal channel for cleans/slight breakup and the TMB for my standard rock rhythm tone.
I ordered last Friday and got a unique cosmetic look. I'll post pics when it comes in.
Honestly, I had been using a 15 watt amp for the past few years, and always wanted to get something with a little more power again. In the past I owned a 50 watt Mesa that I never really got along with. I always loved the old Zepplin and Clapton tones and wanted to capture some of that with my amp purchase. Also, I liked the fact that the two channels were foot switchable / jumperable. I don't think that that is an option with the 18 watt unless you use an ABY switch.
Right now, I have a couple of orange PPC112's with vintage 30s. I'm going to sell those to get a matching open back 2 x 12 from avatar. Still considering speaker options, but I'm leaning toward greenbacks of some sort. From what I've read, playing a JTM45 type amp, if you are using anything other than greenbacks, alnicos, or some version of those, you haven't really heard it yet. So, we will see.
I have not tried the Creamback G12M-65 yet. But I greatly prefer the Eminence Private Jack to any of the other Celestions. If ordering from Avatar I think you can only choose Celestion or Eminence speakers. Unless you order an unloaded cab.