What's a good alternative to a Plexi for home use?

[gibson slave]

Probably been asked a thousand times, so I apologize for that, but amps come and go, and I'm not up to date on newer amps.

I just sold my 59 Plexi because I no longer have the need for something so powerful. I'm looking for a similar sounding alternative for home use. I used to have a Suhr Badger 30 and loved that amp, thought about replacing it, but it's more than I'd like to spend. What are some good alternatives in a lighter price range? I don't care if it's solid state or tube, as long as the tone is good. I'd really like to find something under the $1k range.

 

[LeonC]

It probably depends on what you mean by "home use."

IMO, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that will do for your what a 1959 model Marshall will do at what I'd consider "home use" levels (which would be 1/2 watt or less). Even at 10W, you'll find nothing that will get you the BIG, SOLID bottom end of the 100W Marshall. Nothing will come close because half of the "psycho-acoustic" value proposition of that amp is the SPL!!! Without the volume, you're missing half the essential ingredients.

If you just want an amp that produces a similar sound/vibe in terms of overdrive...jeeeze, there's a freakin million options. You'll get 50 different opinions from 50 different people. Personally, I'd get a good re-amp system like a Fryette Power Station and just stick with your 1959. Or go with something like a modern built 100 plexi-style amp (e.g., something from George Metropoulos) with a really good post phase inverter master volume.

 

[forestclouds]

It probably depends on what you mean by "home use."

IMO, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that will do for your what a 1959 model Marshall will do at what I'd consider "home use" levels (which would be 1/2 watt or less). Even at 10W, you'll find nothing that will get you the BIG, SOLID bottom end of the 100W Marshall. Nothing will come close because half of the "psycho-acoustic" value proposition of that amp is the SPL!!! Without the volume, you're missing half the essential ingredients.

If you just want an amp that produces a similar sound/vibe in terms of overdrive...jeeeze, there's a freakin million options. You'll get 50 different opinions from 50 different people. Personally, I'd get a good re-amp system like a Fryette Power Station and just stick with your 1959. Or go with something like a modern built 100 plexi-style amp (e.g., something from George Metropoulos) with a really good post phase inverter master volume.

Totally agree. I would go with a Fryette Power Station.

 

[gibson slave]

It probably depends on what you mean by "home use."

IMO, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that will do for your what a 1959 model Marshall will do at what I'd consider "home use" levels (which would be 1/2 watt or less). Even at 10W, you'll find nothing that will get you the BIG, SOLID bottom end of the 100W Marshall. Nothing will come close because half of the "psycho-acoustic" value proposition of that amp is the SPL!!! Without the volume, you're missing half the essential ingredients.

If you just want an amp that produces a similar sound/vibe in terms of overdrive...jeeeze, there's a freakin million options. You'll get 50 different opinions from 50 different people. Personally, I'd get a good re-amp system like a Fryette Power Station and just stick with your 1959. Or go with something like a modern built 100 plexi-style amp (e.g., something from George Metropoulos) with a really good post phase inverter master volume.

The amp is already sold.
As for the Power Station, I had been using the amp through an Ultimate Attenuator through an Avatar 4x12 with Greenbacks for home use, which worked good, but using an amp designed for stadium use, for home use, just seemed stupid. I'm not sure what's confusing about the term "home use". IE: not practicing with a band, I don't need to piss off the neighbors, etc etc.

I don't need "the BIG, SOLID bottom end" to blow my pant legs around anymore either, or I obviously would have kept what I had. And a Metropoulos totally defeats my question. Not sure why you would even recommend that.

 

[poor man's burst]

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TW Clone Expression All Access - Ceriatone

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[LeonC]

The amp is already sold.
As for the Power Station, I had been using the amp through an Ultimate Attenuator through an Avatar 4x12 with Greenbacks for home use, which worked good, but using an amp designed for stadium use, for home use, just seemed stupid. I'm not sure what's confusing about the term "home use". IE: not practicing with a band, I don't need to piss off the neighbors, etc etc.

I don't need "the BIG, SOLID bottom end" to blow my pant legs around anymore either, or I obviously would have kept what I had. And a Metropoulos totally defeats my question. Not sure why you would even recommend that.

You're welcome.

 

[Happy Tree]

IMO Helix does everything anyone could want at home practice levels. You really can't tell the difference if you're not needing your hair blown by sheer volume. A good FRFR speaker and you're laughing. I use the Helix one for that too.

 

[gibson slave]

Those Ceriatones look to be decent alternatives. I like that they're tube, and at a decent price. Since I have a stash of NOS 6L6, 6V6, EL-34, 12AX's and Y's, the tubeless versions definitely have an appeal for $120 less. There isn't many good videos of them that I've found yet though. Down the rabbit hole I go...

I'm not a fan of the modeling amps like Line 6. I tried a Pod once and didn't like it much, but admittedly that was quite a few years ago. Not sure how far they've progressed since then.

 

[seafood]

Tech 21 trademark 10..... the best Marshall sound outside of a Marshall... There was a time when everyone on this forum had one and shared all the different settings... the controls are very interactive ,which is a good thing....And in today's crazy world they are available at a great price... even more fun..... Just Saying !

 

[gibson slave]

Tech 21 trademark 10..... the best Marshall sound outside of a Marshall... There was a time when everyone on this forum had one and shared all the different settings... the controls are very interactive ,which is a good thing....And in today's crazy world they are available at a great price... even more fun..... Just Saying !

Son of a gun, I forgot about that little thing. I remember some of those threads, went and checked out some of the vids and remembered how versatile those were. I just purchased one in "excellent" condition listed on Reverb 2 days ago. Thanks for the reminder on those.

Think I'll enjoy it while I take my time and look for another Suhr Badger 30 to use with my cab that I still have. And I'll still have money left over from selling the Plexi.

 

[Blind Lemon Chicken]

Marshall SV20C

 

[renderit]

Germino MGL and an MGL Lead Master 20 do it for me.

The MGL I call the "Sag Queen" and it hits the tone in my head best, but the Germino does it super as well.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Well, if you like plexi's I guess you must already have one to know how good they sound. Get a good attenuator if you can't turn it up at home. If you don't own one or you never jam or play out and nobody ever hears you a modeller will probably suffice.

 

[ourmaninthenorth]

How about one of these?

Trade at £500 ish in the UK, if you're stateside still within budget to get one across.

 

[GreenBurst]

It was said above, but a Marshall SV20C would give 5W/20W and is a great option.

Also, there is this option, which is probably more budget friendly.

Lion '68 Super Lead Amp

UAFX Lion '68 Super Lead Amp gives you the most authentic emulations of three late-'60s high-powered British tube plexi heads ever placed in a stompbox.

www.uaudio.com

 

[jb_abides]

The amp is already sold.

Well, sadly it's too late to capture your beloved amp and settings with a Profiler. That's the preferred route.

You can still download other's Plexi amp profiles from online libraries, using a 'Player' version. Kemper Profile Player and Neural DSP Nano Cortex provide this option.

As mentioned above, there's ample Marshall-In-A-Box pedals e.g. the UA Lion and multi-amp/effection modelers e.g. the HX Stomp as well.

Also some IR pedals offer distinct amp + cab tones e.g. the Friedman IR-X ... the IR-X first channel being essentially a Plexi-inspired 12AX7-based circuit.

 

[gibson slave]

I'm already having sellers regret, but I expected that.

My soft spot will always be with tube amps, so I'll look for something to replace it. Something more suited for the environment...which is just me noodling around in my studio. Even with the Ultimate I was using, it was just too much amp. I often just grab my guitar and do a quick 5 minute jam while trying to figure something new out, and firing up the Plexi for something like that is just abusive, IMO. So the Tech 21 will do the trick for quick noodling.

That Marshall SV20C looks interesting, especially at the 5 watt range. With no pre or post master, I'd still need my Ultimate though. I'll check them out.

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

SV20 will still require an attenuator as you mentioned or OD pedal if you want distortion. Maybe consider the SC20? Has a preamp volume. Never tried an Origin but supposed to do a pretty good job too.
Possibly could look at a lower sensitivity speaker too.

 

[Blind Lemon Chicken]

They distort ok as is.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

Sounds like you like tube amps, so I would get a really good 30-40w amp with great cleans and with a Marshall type circuit, and then get the right drive pedal. I get it done with a '59 Bassman RI and an Origin Effects Revival drive (aboout $1200 total buying used). It takes a little time to get it dialed, and to get the best sound it needs to be on at least 2.5 or 3, and that is still pretty friggin loud. I can use the same rig at band volumes in any size venue, so it has dual purpose. It is so good at getting driven Marshall tones it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. SV20C would be nice too. Maybe a Bluesbreaker loaded with KT66 tubes. The boutique amps get pretty expensive (I would try that Germino MGL SL), but what the hay, it is only your money!