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Who makes an under 30W head that REALLY sounds like a Plexi!?

renderit

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Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
Was just checking out the Germino site. Maybe the lead or a bass 35 is the ticket. I’ve had so many different amps but never or Germino. Not sure how accessible he is for a chat but obviously makes a great amp and can probably specifically adjust gain etc. to what I need.
He used to be really good at contact.

I have talked with him several times when I was ordering the MGL I have.

Seemed to want to be sure he was getting me what I wanted.
 

thin sissy

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Jan 2, 2006
Messages
2,691
I would try an amp with 6V6's in the power amp. IMHO they are closer to EL34's than EL84's.

BUT, in my experience it is the circuit itself that makes the big difference, the power tubes don't change the sound that much by themselves. The feel changes though.

This is just my experience when changing power tube types on two of my amps, other people may have different experiences :)
 

corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
Charlie Starr from Blackberry Smoke plays thru Germinos in the style your are talking about- check out their videos.
 

renderit

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Jan 19, 2009
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10,951
Hey, Ed. I HAVE to ask...

Have you tried an
Origin Effects Revival Drive?

I know you are looking for an amp.

But that pedal really clouds the line between amp and pedal.

Just a thought.
 

Ed A

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Jul 16, 2001
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4,679
Im intrigued by the Germino lead and bass 35... EL34s but lower power with tranny changes... but not TOO low... will give him a call
 

Nick-O

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Aug 12, 2015
Messages
223
Was just checking out the Germino site. Maybe the lead or a bass 35 is the ticket. I’ve had so many different amps but never or Germino. Not sure how accessible he is for a chat but obviously makes a great amp and can probably specifically adjust gain etc. to what I need.

Try and get a minute to call Greg on the phone Ed. Tell him all the details and the tone you are after. He plays well and knows the alley you are trying to get down, plus he is full of knowledge and a pleasure to speak with.
.02¢
 

jimijam33

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Joined
Dec 29, 2015
Messages
58
You could have a 30 watt EL34 plexi built into a short chassis and put in a short enough head to fit on a 1x12" cab. My Avatar 45 (JTM 45 based KT66 powered head) is only 21.5" wide. I use it with a 22" wide 1x12" cab. You might not be able to have 4 input jacks.

51763156874_28bebfcb9e_b.jpg
Too bad Classic Tone is out of business.....
 

Ed A

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Jul 16, 2001
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4,679
Not cheap but ordering the Germino Lead 35... spoke at length with Greg on the phone and it sure sounds like what Im looking for. More power and volume than a 20 watter but definitely more manageable volume than a 50.... And he can put it in a 20" headbox so size and weight will be less than a full size 50.... I love that its the exact same circuit (68/69 plexi) as his 55 model but with a change in transformers he was able to lower the wattage without affecting tone... and I will get the PPI master installed which can be completely bypassed but if I need to bring down the volume a bit its there just in case... A four month wait, but time flies so looking forward to it...

Thanks again for the suggestions!
 

dwagar

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Apr 18, 2005
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4,451
While you're waiting for the new head, I was wondering if you'd tried the SV20 with a closed back 4x12 or 2x12? Doesn't solve your volume or weight requirements for gigs, but maybe you could get away with it for practices?
 

J.D.

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May 24, 2006
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10,030
From my testing, the cabinet (type and speaker) really influences the sound on these. The combo 1x12 sounded different than the closed back 1x12, and the closed back 1x12 sounded different than the 4x12. The 25W greenback sounded different than the heritage 30W. I don't remember every detail though. YMMV.
 

dwagar

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Apr 18, 2005
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The combo is a 10". Works for me, I'm about an inch away from turning 70, I'm happy with a combo that only weighs 35# and sounds like these do. But, my band mics everything, so I have to attenuate even that little combo.

Ed's using an open back 1x12". I'm wondering if a closed back would tighten up the bottom end a bit, and going to a 4x12 or even a 2x12 closed back would give him enough punch for practices.
 

Ed A

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Jul 16, 2001
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The combo is a 10". Works for me, I'm about an inch away from turning 70, I'm happy with a combo that only weighs 35# and sounds like these do. But, my band mics everything, so I have to attenuate even that little combo.

Ed's using an open back 1x12". I'm wondering if a closed back would tighten up the bottom end a bit, and going to a 4x12 or even a 2x12 closed back would give him enough punch for practices.
I did not try it through a closed back. I have a ‘69 4x12 with original 30 watters and I bet it would have sounded great through that. And certainly would’ve tightened up the bottom end. But for my gigging situation I like the 1x12 open back and I Like how the mids are projected more with the open back. The SV20 really was a good sounding amp but I think my issue is I just need more iron. Getting something in the 30 watt range should do it. And talking with Greg Germino, his 35 watt version of a ‘68 50 watt plexi which is also fixed bias with choke should give me the response and extra power I need without blowing out the windows.
 

J.D.

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May 24, 2006
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10,030
35W and 50W will be pretty similar in volume level wide open.
 

jimijam33

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Joined
Dec 29, 2015
Messages
58
It's a shame. I've used them on builds myself. They were good and fairly priced.
Are there any other similar replacement transformer companies (like Classic Tone) in the same price range? I'm looking for a replacement Triad 45216 (4ohm OT)..
 

corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
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4,876
Wally is our deep diver with tremendous experience with this sort of thing. I really don’t think he sleeps- busy putting lemon drop caps into Fenders with a two-prong cord with a Rola speaker to see what happens guy. Extremely knowledgeable. I hope he sees this.
 

Ed A

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Jul 16, 2001
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4,679
35W and 50W will be pretty similar in volume level wide open.
According to Greg the 35 with the different trannys is significantly less volume that a 50 which really peaks at 60 plus.... but his 35 will be significantly louder than an 18 watter... so hopefully perfect for my needs
 
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